The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-02-18
SOUL

dusk; a bat was fitting under the
caves, and the steady downpour never
ceased. Mrs. Fraser, who had moved
room. There was queer, troubled
pucker about her lips, and once she
! went to the door and looked intently
at Joan. who had not stirred from her
position Of expectancy.
Presently. looking out through the
dripping trees, Joan could see The
buggy crawling up the hill through
the mud. Slowly 1t moved along the
road. jenkins was driving. and there
| were two men with him, not one. Joan
recognized Lancaster; then she per
ceived, first the hard hat, next Myers
face under 1t.
She shuddered. The worst had come
about, then. But the last battle was
Joined. and under her fears she felt
a hardening of her spiritual resources.
She would not falter. She went slow
| ly toward the top of the three low
wooden steps. and stood there like a
statue. watching the buggy pass up
the weed-grown drive until it came to
standstill.
Lancaster and Myers were laughing
together, and. as Myers saw the girl,
he said something, and the other
threw back his head in merriment.
Myers was the first to descend. He
raised his hat to Joan and grinned.
1.-The doctors come back quite safe,
you see," he said, land feeling fine
again."
Joan hardly noticed the man; she
was bracing herself to bear what was
TO come.
Lancaster got out, and jenkins, con-
trary to his custom, dashed the horse
violently and drove rapidly away.
Myers and Lancaster came up the
steps of the porch together. Now Ian
caster was raising his hat in turn, and
under it was the face Of the Sinking
bully of the operating theater at the
Avonmouth hospital.
"WeIl, l had fine trip to Avon
mouth. my dear, and hurried back as
fast as could, to see you. l couldn't
stay away from you very long, Joan.
after you saved my life. And I per-
suaded Mr.. Myers to return with me.
We're all going to be good friends.
Mrs Fraser, Mrs. Fraser Where
the devil are you?" he bawled.
Mrs. Fraser's frightened face ap-
peared at the door, Here, sir ~ she
stammered.
rs supper ready7 If so. we'll all
eat together"
IT'S waiting. sir. I'll lay another
place." said the matron-
Good Then we'll go in. What do
you say, Joan, darling? Aren't you
glad to see me?" he asked. linking his
arm in the girls and advancing his
face within a few inches of hers.
With a sob Joan tore herself away
from him and ran upstairs at the top
of her speed. She was choking with
grief and shame. Hard as she ran.
she knew her flight was an incentive
to Lancaster TO follow her. He went |
after her as fast as he could. and, as |
she slammed the door of her room. |
his hand was on the knob outside. She |
was just too late to turn the key.
"Joanl Joan, Open the door and /
don't act like a little fool - he shout
ed. whats the matter with you? |
Amt you glad I've come back? Say. |
I've got a half dozen bottles of the
fzzy stuff in my bag, and we three
will make night of it,"
"Oh, won't you please leave me?"
pleaded Joan. TRY to remember how
how different you were yesterday"
That's trueI" he swore. I'm diff
ferent now. l was sanctimonious
mug yesterday. I'm in my right mind
.oday. 1t gave me the blue creeps.
)eing cooped up here In this God
orsaken place. l tell you. Joan. now
hat I've had enough good liquor TO
;oak that morphine out of my system
IN feeling like king. Say. now.
'ome down TO supper. like a good lit
lie girl. and we'll have great time
ogether Myers doesn't bear any ILL
ceiling. And we'll put him out after
while and finish up the bottles our
elves. And say
He was advancing toward her with
is arms outstretched. Joan Sprang
ack to the washstand and snatched
p the half-filled pitcher, with such an
vident determination to defend her
elf with it that the man fell back
cowling. :
Joan. don't be a little jackassr
e shouted angrily. II know what
on mean when you look AT me- like
nat. You think you're above being
lily and sociable. just because don't
Moose to stand on my dignity tonight.
id you expect ME to go about al :
avs looking like a sanctitied mummy.
5 | did when | was Ill
Listen. Doctor Lancaster" painted >
le girl. Il am not going to judge you :
? what you are saying now. Leave
e, and tomorrow. if you are yourself. ;
shall be willing to hear your explain
ion. because | know il Is not your
tier self that is speaking. Leave E
y room now, please, Immediately
The man glared at her; but he was q
in spite of himself. by her u