The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-01-02
I TRJlANT SOUL

caves, anu tue STEADY uOWupOuE newer
ceaeed. Mrs. Fraser, who had moved
to follow the girl. went back into her
room. There was queer, troubled
quicker 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 it.
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
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.
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. lashed the horse
violently and drove rapidly away.
Myers and Lancaster came up the
steps of the porch together. Now Lam
caster was raising his hat In turn, and
under it was the face of the smirking
bully Of the operating theater at the
Avonmouth hospital.
swell. 1 had a fine trip to Avon
mouth. my dear, and | hurried back as
fast as l 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 you?" he bawled.
Mrs. Fraser's frightened face ap-
peared at the door. Here. sir" she
stammered.
''Ts supper ready? If SO. we'll all
eat together"
ITS waiting. sir. I'll lay another
place." said the matron.
Good! Then wen 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 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 lie 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 little foolr he shout
ed. whats the matter with you?
Amt you glad I've come back? Say.
I've got half dozen hotties Of the
Hzzy stuff in my bag, and we three
will make night of it."
"Oh, won't you please leave me?''
pleaded Joan. TRY to remembeI how
how different you were yesterday"
THAT'S true!' he swore. "rn. diff
ferent now. was sanctimonious
mug yesterday. I'm in my right mind
today. 1t gave me the blue creeps,
being cooped up here in this God
forsaken place. 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 we'll have a great time
together. Myers doesn't bear any ILL.,
feeling. And we'll put him out after
| 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-filled pitcher, with such an
evident determination to defend her
self with 1t that the man fell back
scowling.
Joan, don't be little jackassr
he shouted angrily. II 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 | did when | 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
l shall be willing to hear your explain.
alton, because know it is not your
haffar self that Is SnQakinD oave