The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-03-04
IL


the lamp and hold 1t on high. Sh
heard his screaming, terrified volc
above the uproar. He stood like som
squat statue Illuminating the spac
above the dark In which Lancaste
and Lawson sprawled, clutchlng a
each other like two prlmeval cav
men.
II was grotesque. for 1t was like 6
man fighting with himself; and, II
fact, It might have been Lancaster
fighting with his evil angel He was
no match for lawson but at first his
pent-up fury, at last uneashed
matched the two equally. Then Law
son flung his adversary from him and
struggled to his knees. AS Lancaster
grasped him and tried to rise he flung
him down again. Lancaster's head
struck the corner of the iron bedstead.
His hands Enclosed; he sighed and lay
perfectly STILL Joan saw the look Of
malignant rage upon Lawson's face,
saw him raise his heel above the face
Of the unconscious man. He would
have ground out Lancaster's life, but
that Joan pulled the revolver from
her pocket and thrust 1t into his face
for the second time.
Lawson staggered backward, rage
and terror depicted upon his features
In the light Of the swaying oil lamp.
At that moment Myers was crouchIng
near her. He set the lamp down.
Joan felt sharp pain In the upper
- ~ bor ho
tary putting something into his pocket
He lodged the wavering revolver and
backed toward the door, pulling Law
son with him.
I'm going to finish this" yelled
Lawson.
Myers clutched at him and pulled
him Into the hall. Joan heard Myers
eager whispers, and Lawson's strug-
giles and angry mutterIng gradually
subside.
Then she heard them enter the sec
retary's room. and, forgetting them
instantly. she bent over Lancaster and
raised his head upon her knee.
He was breathing heavily. The
blow had only stunned him. Joan
tried to lift him upon the bed, but he
was too heavy for her. As she was
attempting to do -, however, the door
opened and Mrs. Fraser came in.
II found key" she whispered,
trembling. II heard them fighting.
Heaven help me- what has that devil
done to the doctor?"
He isn't badly hurt" said Joan.
Help me get him upon the bed"
Mrs- Fraser and Joan succeeded.
Lancaster lay there, still unconscious.
The matron chung heavily to the bed
stead. looking At Joan plteously.
Il know It all now" she muttered.
Il should have known before II I'd
listened to the Millvllle gossip. That
devil II hIs brother" e II,
Yes" said Joan shortly. "What
ire you going to do. Mrs. Fraserl"
I'm going to stand by the DOCTOR"
he woman answered. Il stood by him
rear after year when I thought he
vas possessed by an evil spirit.
Wouldn't | stand by him now?"
Good" said Joan. "And l, too.
Tomorrow we'll make short work Of
hose men,"
Heaven save you, you don't know
ha; man. Miss Wentworth" muttered
he matron. Hes devil. He has
% pity. And he has devil ten times
'orse than himself" Je
Myers? Who Is he?"
He was his assistant here. He was ~,
lied once, they tell me. for poisoning 90
Is sweetheart He sent her candy ~
ut they couldn't find any poison In oh
er body. II was his master made the a.,
nalysis. and he lied to get Myers free nj,
nd have his hold on him. It's all ~,
ain to me now, Miss Wentworth" on
III you knew this" said Joan. you q
'ould have told me; you should have I.
Id the police. told anyone rather NJ
an let him drug Doctor Lancaster ga,
~ after day." n
II thought 1t was the doctor who Yo
as In league with him." the matron .
uttered. Miss Wentworth. I'm S
mid, I'm easily frightened, but not thu
lother day will l keep silent. To der
hot
Yes. tomorrow" said Joan. you'd "a
tier go to bed now. Mrs Fraser. I'll +"
ard the doctor with my revolver, sell
ID tomorrow we'll end these years let
slavery. Doctor Lancaster Is a free So
an. Think Of him as free man. spir
he past Is all behind u.s." ma,
The matron slipped away stealthily Il
her room. joan took her seat be- rem
lie Lancaster listening to the inco- aga
rent mutterines which had begun. She
esently his eyes opened. He stared leth
her for some minutes until recog- her
ion came into them. :"
Joan y he whispered, stretching Ian
t his hand to hers. :"
She let him take and hold 1t, and T
beside him. while he began NUT sucl
ing again. Gradually he began to eyes
llize where he was, and to re- last
mber. q
1t Is all true. then. JOAN" he said. luti
e has had his revenge for his fan s.
n mrupoa uo hoe bod host | qidc