Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-01-28

wrapper, cropping her way down the hall.
It Mrs. Carson's door she paused-yoli-
ton suddenly taken from her. AT first 1t
seemed she was listening to some plot
ripped from a page of fiction. Unaware
that he had a listener. Carson smoke reck-
lessly for his sisters ear alone. A
wealthy miser and recluse lived about a
mile from the Carson place, waited on by
two maiden sisters. The house was without
servants, and without telephone communi-
cation. One of the sisters had hailed Carson
as he was passing In his car, and ~besought
him to fetch a doctor-her brother was
dying
Carson had long been waiting such n
chance. She had not seen his face. Did not
know him from Adam. 1t was simple
clan. While the family and bogus doctor
were gathered about the sick mans bed
Mrs. Carson, following In another ear,
could quietly and effectively rob the
premises! If there was any disturbance
the sick man could pass on without the
outside world being the wiser. An overdose
from a hyperdermic needle would settle
that. The terrified sisters could be easily
Racified, but il not-carson gave an ugly
little laugh. Patricia, leaning
against the door, was unable to repress a
little cry Of horror.
Silence inside A deadly listening silence!
Then-the door was pulled roughly inward,
and Patricia tumbled In a heap on the floor
at Carson's feet.
The man ripped out an oath. His sister
screamed. In the moment Of surprised indie
c1sion that followed Patricia's nerves stead
led. BY some miracle her mind clarified
She must save herselfi The mask was off
as far as these people were concerned.
While they wrangled. she thought
quickly and constructively. II they left
her here bound and gagged, as they were
talking OF doing, she was lost; for they
would inevitably return and she would be
a prisoner In their hands. But IL she could
get into the open-in touch with other
human beings-there might be a chance
a slim chance, but still a chance.
She stretched out her hands to Carson,
imploring him to take her with him. She
could go disguised as a nurse. . She
might be Of some assistance.
An ugly light sprang into the mans
eyes. 1t was amorous, incautious. He cut
short the other woman's objections with a
short laugh and dragged q small black bag
out of the closet.
His eyes dilated as he turned again to
Patricia. G and get your clothes on" he
directed. Then, as she moved quickly away,
And don't think you can make a fool OF
Lard Carson-a lot of EN- have tried that
before!"
Incapable Of ~utterlng a word, Patricia
had followed the direction they gave her.
She put on a white linen dress and had
presence of mind enough to slip into the
pocket what little money she had left and
a ring and bracelet she had taken from
her mothers hand.
She remembered being mutely surprised
at the look of Jealous rage ON Mrs. Carson's
face as she got into the car beside Carson,
but every other impression was quickly
forgotten In the horror Of that ride.
She shivered even now. standing hidden,
secure, In this deserted house, remember
ing that ride, The rain lashing their white
faces-Carson's hot breath on her cheek,
his demanding voice at her ear-his words
-fhe had never believed such words ex-
listed. Horrible, fierce. vehement words
The wind tossed them toward her. The rain
tried to wash them clean.
They filled her with terror that mounted