The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-11-23
CHAPTER XII

q HE was not Diane Merrell. Doris
y almost smiled. Relief loosened
her nerves.
Perhaps she was crazy. Perhaps
she was an escaped lunatic. A
subtle panic emanating from that
dark nightmare face tore at her
heart. This was the man in the
cab. Why did she hate him? Why
did he terrify her?
"Come, dear, let me take you
home"
He put a protecting arm out to
touch her shoulder.
She jerked away. Dear! There
1t was again. AS she stepped back
he came closer, whispered, "For
G-d's sake come away from this
old fool"
Doris turned and began to run.
| She ran through the tree tunnel
to the place where she had hidden
Beatrice's car.
The man in the cab had said she
was not Diane Merrell. And the
man in the cab knew. Why was
she running away from him then?
Because she hated him, because
she feared him. because 1t was her
instinct to run. She was foolish.
She stopped and turned around.
The young man was not pursu-
ing. There was a soft whirr as he
started up his motor. She watched
him back his car. He was turning
around. Why was she afraid of
him? If he were her husband,
Rocky had said she could divorce
him.
She drew q long breath and wait
ed for him to come up to her.
Her heart gave little leap OF
pleasure. She was not Diane Mer'
| rell. And when she told this young
man she could never belong to him
no matter what their relation had
been, she would be free. Then she
would go back to the st. Gardens.
She would 60 back to Rocky. The
thought gave her so much courage
that she smiled as the car drew
up beside her.
"Get in"
She shook her head. "No. You
get out"
He hesitated, opened the door,
hesitated again and got out. 1--WE
! might walk for a bit. It's risky,
though"
"Why is it risky?
might get caught. / guess not
though. Eve been searching for
you everywhere"
slow did you find met"
Through the papers. / came to
the st. Gardens, saw you leaving
just as I came from the train ]
followed you up the road"
81 thought someone was follow.
ing me-" ---.--- ~.
eyes. But lost the trail up the
road. What did you do with your
car? Finally I saw you standing
In front Of the drug store" His
manner changed. He caught her by
the shoulders. "Oh my sweet, car
you ever forgive me? You must
have been through hell" "
Doris clenched her hands. She
Strengthened her shoulders and
shook off his arm. The "Oh my
sweet" was too much. She might
as well come to the point quickly,
Look here" she said abruptly,
"who are you anyway"
He looked at her in establishment
Are you kidding me?"
Absolutely not. I've lost my
memory. I don't remember any
thing" "
He stopped. His brows drew to.
gether. "But-but oh my Cd! Dc
you mean that? Do you mean you
don't remember what happened?"
II don't remember what hap
pened." .....s. ~
He came close again. His dark
unhappy eyes pleaded with her
But you remember George? You
can't have forgotten"
Il don't remember. Are you
George?"
Darling! Darling! You've for.
gotten me?"
Doris drew a long angry breath.
"Yes l have-but tell me about
George" a-- .-e. .as..s -as.es -e.~~e ..
sI'm George. George Mortimer
| He took off his hat and smoothed
the dark why hair back from his
brow nervously. They had walked
| away from the tiny village and were
standing near brook that rumbled
over gray stones.
| George Mortimer. The name meant
nothing to her.
She was afraid of her next cues.
ton: Who am I? He would surely
answer: Mrs. George Mortimer. She
looked up at him, gathered her
1 nerve, spoke calmly: who am I2'
He seized her in his arms.
She pushed him with all her
strength, showed his shoulders
until she faced him. Tell me who
l am"
He crushed her close. 81 wouldn't