San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-14
Nora Rushes Frantically to
Natalie in Search
of Dane.
CHAPTER XIV

nv Adih IN 6tos ohNNs'
against the cab window. Lights
bobbcd and an immense oil truck
numbered methodically in front Of
them. Nora Lee tapped to the driv'
er, sobbing: Hurry! Won't you
hurry! Pass him."
They went skirting and rocking
over slippery cobblestones. Doing my
best. ma'am. Awful night"
She shuddered. She was frozen
and huddled in a corner. Sonny
scalded-she could see those little
hands scanned and scarred-the dear,
happy. child-facc distorted. She could
hear his voice wailing.
Her lips moved in insane, piteous
prayer. Don't let this happen Let
anything else in all the world be
laid upon her--any cross but this "
Understanding, revengeful voices
made low, incessant din in her
ears. Voices gibed Serves you right.
Right! You wouldn't let her have a
child. Cruel, selfish thing. Now
you lose you own-your own. You
lose your own"
TAKE ANY PRICE"
She ground her hands together.
Let Natalie have the child. Have
all the children she wanted. She
would give up Dane to her. IL this
were the cheice forced on her, she
would give him up. But save that
little beloved one-keep death-keep
torture-keep the terror of disfig-
urement from his small, bonny face.
Take any price-any price at all
She felt his poking, inquisitive
fingers tweaking the hair from her
forehead she saw the blue, merry
eyes flashing under the jetty curls.
Then she saw those eyes closed and
the little hands elapsed and still.
She covered her face, sinking deeper
against the cushions.
When they reached the house she
looked at it with sense of strange
ness and terror; at its drawn shades
and tense, ominous quiet. She num-
bled to the driver: Watt may
need you again." and went flying up
the steps.
MERRIMENT GONE.
AS she neared Sonny's room, fret
full, uncertain moaning, like child
frightened and crying in its sleep,
went stabbing through her heart.
Danes mother. her face swollen with
tears, pushed her dumbly to the room.
The doctor was there, and a nurse.
They were bending over the little
form. that was now swathed to the
chin, the hands and arms covered.
Nora Lee saw the chi.d's face. 1t lay
heavily on the pillows; the eyes half
all the light and merriment
gone. The small lips moved with
plaintive, uneasy mumbling. But only
the black curls falling across his fore
head had the luster and beauty of the
child she had left less than two hours
ago.
She stood there staring, calling in
soft. bewildered agony: Sonny
Sonny"
The plea touched finally through
the little fellows deadened senses.
lie answered unconsciously: "Muv-
and after long while:
Daddy"
The doctor rose. Nora Lee follow
ID him to the hall, clinging to his arm.
But a sudden paralysis caught her
throat. 100 bad. Mrs. Herrick-
TOO bad" he offered kindly.
REVEALED.
This was molten lead poured down
md killing her. Her fingers clinched
You're not afraid! !" she
lsked shrilly.
"Somewhat-yes. Fortunately it's
lot n first degree burn and FORUM
ltely he was undressed when he fell
nto the tub, so no clothing adhered
o the flesh. But the initial shock for |
| child is very grave. I've given him
IN opiate, but you see he's uneasy"
I'm pain? Suffering?" she asked,
aintly.
Not n great DEAL"
"But then" she put her hands. |
pressed hard against her cheeks. |
You don't think he may die? He
'on't die?"
Il can't say. II he RECEIVERS from
he shock and no infection develops |
e has chance"
Its possible he may not recover
{ all?"
That's possible. I hope to save
lin, Mrs. Herick. Too bad Dane
.n't here. Too bad you can't reach
i'm before he leaves"
UNCERTAIN.
She bowed her head. might Sonny
lie that soon! In a few days."
He might"
She leaned against the door,
the doctor as he drove
way. He would return in a few
ours.
In few hours Sonny might be
ying-in a few days Sonny might be
one and the still, dark loneliness
ose like n cavern on her soul
Then the father would return and
nd the empty house. She wouldn't
eed to rob him. Death was going 10
, it for her.
She wiped away the swift, furrow-
lg tears. She fancied Dane coming
nent.)
- m |