Nogales international., 1932-07-20
Ninth InstaIment


coming more and more interested IN DR.. Rath-
bone, and questions her nurse, Miss Starting,
about him She also questions Jonas, farm
boy Of the neighborhood, about a woman who
lives in DR.. Rathbone's house. Her name IS
Rosaie Then Diana meets Rosalie in the
woods; she acts strangely and leaves Diana
soon after the meeting in the woods with
Rosalie, DR.. Rathbone calls again at Dianas
cabIecram from Dennis arrives. He is
returning from America. That interrupts
what might have been a tender episode be-
tween Diana and the Doctor. He leaves !;
later Dennis cables that his return will be
delayed. Diana. thirsting for love, turns her
thoughts again to Dr.. Rathbone She is
thinking of him now as Donald" Regard
less of the mysterious Rosalie, Diana resolves
to see DIR. Rathbone. She goes to his house,
but as she stands at the frcnt door the doc
tors big police dog leaps at her and she feels
his teeth tearing at her throat.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
Donald Rathbone had dined alone
that night.
He had heard Diana's car drive up,
but had merely thought it was one of
his own returning from the village to
which he had sent his chauffeur with
message.
The dining room was on the far side
of the house, and the heavy oak door
was shut, so he heard nothing more
till Diana's terrified scream rent the
silence, followed by that piteous cry
upon his name.
Donald p
Rathbone was out in the hall almost
before it had died away, but even then,
Tor an instant, in the dim light he
could hardly understand what was
happening.
Servants were rushing from other
parts of the house, but it was Rath-
bone who dragged Nero away, almost
4hrottling him in his iron grip, Rath-
bone who throwing the dog aside into
someone else's custody, lifted Diana in
his arms.
"Oh my-God"
She looked up at him, her eyes half
mad with terror, then with a little
convulsive gesture she put her lacer-
ated arms round his neck, clinging to
him desperately for one heartbreaking
I.aon1ent before she tainted.
J He carried her into the study and
laid her on the couch; his face was
gray, and his breath came tearing from
him as if it were he who was suffering,
and not she.
The chauffeur was in the room now,
and the housekeeper, middle-aged
woman with quiet, capable face; and
seeing that for moment at least Rath-
bone was utterly unnerved, she fetched
water and brandy and gently bathed
Diana's face and bleeding arms.
1t seemed an eternity to those around
before she stirred little and then
opened her eyes eyes still so terrified
and wild that it was almost unbearable
when she started up, crying and moan
ing afresh:
Donald ). Donald -. Save mel"
He went on his knees beside her.
ITS all right :. I'm here :. don't
be frightened . you're quite safe. :.
its all right i. +. I'm here :. . you're
quite safe with me-"
He put his hand over her eyes for
an instant as if to wipe the last terrible
moments from her memory, but she
pushed him away, crying out like a
frightened child
He tried to kill me =. he tried to
kill me -. oh, why didn't you come?
-. He tried to kill me :. :" And then,
with a shuddering sob:
"Oh, my arms :. look at my arms !"
1t was a relief to them all when she
slipped back into unconsciousness, but
when Mrs. Farmer tried to force
brandy between her lips Rathbone pre-
vented her.
mo, leave her alone"
He dressed and bandaged her arms
{ while she lay unconscious he was as
gentle as woman, thorough and ca
pable, but the sweat was standing in
great beads on his forehead, and his
curious hard breathing alone broke the
silence.
When at last he had finished, Mrs.
Farmer gave little sob.
Thank, God her face isn't touched,
sir"
Rathbone said nothing He stood
looking down at Diana with queer
blank look in his eyes.
Mrs. Farmer spoke again; hesitat-
ingly:
"Shall we put her to bed, sir ?"
He turned then
dere in this house! No, III
take her home"
When they brought the rug he
wrapped Diana in it and lifted her in
his arms, carrying her out to the car
himself
He laid her on the seat with a cush-
ion beneath her head and let down the
windows to the cool night air.
"Drive carefully" he said.
The car moved slowly away.
Rathbone sat opposite Diana, lean
ing little forward, his hands gripped
between his knees, staring at her.
1t was like some monstrous night
mare from which he could not free
himself.
How had it happened Why had she
come? Why, in Gods name, had she