The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-01-14
CHAPTER VII-Continued

was In her nightdress, with her feet
bare, and the ferocity of her attack
seemed atrocious in contrast with the
expressionless, masklike features
Only the eyes seemed alive, and they
burned with implacable hatred. as if
they meditated revenge for all the ac-
emulation of life's wrongs.
The woman bore Joan backward.
The lamp fell crashing to the floor in
debacle of splintered glass. A chair
was overturned. Mrs Dana's hands
sought Joan's throat, and they strug-
gled in the darkness. crashing here
and there, upsetting the water pitcher,
smashing into the swinging door.
Underneath her Joan heard Mrs. Fra
ser moving and doors opening. There
were steps on the stairs.
For few moments Joan felt no
Mstch for the onset of the madwoman.
But Mrs. Dana's impulse was soon ex-
hausted. Joan got her arms about her
body, pressing down the others arms
to her sides. Mrs. Dana suddenly be-
came passive, and the lights in the
eyes seemed to go out like extin-
guished candles as the brain clouded.
Joan got the woman into the corridor.
At the farther end a little lamp was
burning.
Mrs. Dana went with her quietly,
walking like mechanical figure. At
the head of the stairs appeared the
matron, wearing a white wrapper
Behind her Joan saw the startled
faces of Myers and Lancaster.
The girl led Mrs. Dana into her
room, and Mrs. Fraser came at her
heels, breathing hard In terror.
did she hurt you?" she gasped.
How did she get out? Who let her
out? 1 should have told you she was
dangerous, but / never dreamed that
she could pick that lock. Did She
did she try to harm your"
"She had a piece of glass;" said
Joan. but 1 took it away from her."
'"There was no glass in her room
last evening"" said the matron with
conviction.
Lancaster was approaching. Joan
WAS dSlOuHutu " set lllt lOOh VI dAStI
on his face. "Who opened that door?"
he shouted.
ITS all right now, Doctor Lancas-
ter" came the matron's voice from
within.
But Lancaster was shaking with ex-
citement. He swung round upon
Myers.
"You are responsible for this!" he
cried. you know my one point that
has to be carried out. / told you to
have a bolt put on the door after she
got out before"
Now, now, doctor, don't excite |
yourself" said the secretary sooth-
ingly. You're a sick man, you know.
1t was unfortunate, but I'll see it /
doesn't happen again"
Lancaster seemed beside himself
with fury. far more angry, indeed,
than the situation appeared to war
rant
"She might have killed Miss Went
worth !" he stormed I've stood
enough from you without this. I've
suffered you, God knows, until you've
sapped my strength and crushed me
under your feet, and made me less Of
man than the meanest drunkard in
Millville, but now it's ended. Get out
If my sight Leave the institute to-
SAY" shouted Myers. ''am respon-
;ible If that woman got out of her
'ocm? What's the sense of picking
IN me? Didn't you hire a nurse to
axe care of your patients. Amt Mrs.
Dana a patient? Now there's been
'nough said, l reckon. You know
What mean, doctor. Better go back
O your room and forget what you've
aid tonight"
"If ever ] see your face after to-
light, by Cd I'll kill you!" shouted
lancaster.
Myers skunk away toward the stairs.
o, all right. all right" he answered.
/ reckon you'll be sorry tomorrow.
,ut I'll hold you to what you've said.
amt going to see that nurse bust
p<ny work here"
He scowIed fearfully at Joan as he .
,ent down the stairs. a grotesque, ;
lmost deformed figure in his loose
ajamas. But Joan hardly needed the .
ian. She did not know the cause of
ancaster's sudden outbreak of rage, s
ut she knew that ii was part of the
hole dreadful problem. and that. in |
ghting Lancaster's driving devil, she {
as at work upon the darkest corner {
{ the dark mystery. t
II think. Doctor Lancaster. you had J.
etter go and lie down again." she a
lid. mo harm has been done, but / S
N very sorry you we're awakened"
He was leaning against the wall, o
oking at ner with strange express a
on upon his face. He breathed II
aickly, like man In uncomfortable
ntation. Just then the matron came n
n Of Mrs. Dana's room. &