Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-03-11
TheTRUANT SOUL

mad set, and ii was beginning to grow
DUSK; a bat was fitting under the
caves, and the steady downpour never
ceased. Mrs. Fraser, who had moved
to follow the girl, went back into her
room. There was a 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 it moved along the
road. jenkins was driving, and there
were two men with him, not one Joan
recognized Lancaster; then she per
ceiyed, first the hard hat, next Myers
face under it,
she shuddered. The worst had come
about, then. But the last battle was
joined, and under her fears she felt
hardening of her spiritual resources.
She would not falter. She went slow
~ 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
a StandStill,
Lancaster and Myers were laughing
together, and, as Myers saw the girl,
be 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.
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 1t was the face of the Sinking
bully of the operating theater at the
AvonmOuth hospital.
swell, / had a fine trip to Avon
mouth, my dear, and l hurried back as
fast as / could, to see you couldn't
stay away from you very long, Joan,
after you saved my life And | per
suaded Mr.. Myers to return with me.
We're all going to be good friends.
Mrs. Fraser! Mrs. Fraser! Where
the devil are your" he bawled.
Mrs. Fraser's frightened face APP
peared at the door. Here, sir!" she
stammered
rs supper ready7 If so, wen all
eat together
ITS 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 few inches of hers.
With 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.
Joan! 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 half dozen bottles of the
fzzy stuff in my bag, and we three
will make a night of it."
"Oh, won't you please leave me?"
pleaded Joan. "Try to remember how
how different you were yesterday"
That's true" he swore. I'm diff
ferent now. l was a sanctimonious
mug yesterday. I'm in my right mind
today. 1t gave me the blue creeps,
forsaken place. l tell you, Joan, now
that I've had enough good liquor to
soak that morphine out of my system
I'm feeling like king. Say, now,
come down to supper, like good lit
tie girl, and Wen have a great time
together. Myers doesn't bear any i'll
feeling. And Wen put him out after
a while and finish up the bottles our
selves. And say"
He was advancing toward her with
his arms outstretched. Joan sprang
back to the washstand and snatched
up the half-fiIled pitcher, with such an
evident determination to defend her
self with it that the man fell back
Scowling
"Joan, don't be a little jackass !"
he shouted angrily. 81 know what
you mean when you look at me like
that. You think you're above being
jolly and sociable, just because l don't
choose to stand on my dignity tonight.
Did you expect me to go about al
ways looking like sanctified mummy,
as l did when l was ill?"
Listen. Doctor Lancaster" painted
the girl. II am not going to judge you
by what you are saying now. Leave
me, and tomorrow, if you are yourself,
1 shall be willing to hear your explain
alton, because l know it is not your
better self that is speaking. Leave
nv room now DleaSe Immediately I"