The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-08-24
CHAPTER 1

L circles poured In. They were
swallowed by purple rings. She
was lost. Vast Railways opened.
She was riding. She was going
somewhere. " --
''You tainted, dearest. It's been
too much for you" -
She was burning hot. She was
full Of something like fear, but it
was. worse than fear. 1t famed
and cracked up as If she stood In
the midst of fire. She gasped as
If smoke choked her.
"Poor darling"
She kept her eyes closed. She
felt motion of something under
her, carrying her.
3Open your eyes, DEAR"
But she did not. She did not
want to see the person who spoke
to her. She knew she was In a We
hicle Of some kind, going some
where. ~ X
Cautiously, she clutched at the
seat beneath her, running her fng-
ers over cool leather. She half
opened her eyes. A taxicab. She
was riding in a taxicab. She shiv-
cred and closed her eyes again.
@You're all right, sweet"
It was a mans voice. She hated
It. She turned her head away from
fits presence. Beneath lifted lids
she saw the streets Of New York.
A large firm hand closed over hers.
"Tm afraid it's been a shock"
She kept her head averted.
''Poor sweet"
II don't"
3'Don't talk, darling"
She turned and looked at the
man beside her. Dark earnest eyes
plumbed hers anxiously.
His tanned. face was flushed. His
brow was damp.
"You don't what, swees?"
ST don't know" She gave a long
sigh and closed her eyes. Waves
swept over her. She was losing
something, or was 1t already lost?
Her familiar self was fleeing. She
opened her eyes. She Strengthened
her hat.
Feeling betterw
She searched his face. Every
curve was strange. Who was he?
He spoke as If he knew her well.
Yet she could not remember him.
Who was he? His smile was ter
rifying. She could not remember
him. How had she got there?
Where had she been before? Who
was he? Who was anybody? She
did not even remember her own
name.
She sat straight and tense, her
eyes wide open and frightened. The
loss of her identity did not matter.
If only she could get away from
this horrible man.
His fingers were on hers again.
Her eyes took him in furtively. He
was young, yes, young, we'll
dressed and In a way good look
ing.
"You need something to drink"
mo, no. I'm all right"
SIN going to get you bromide"
.'I1l take nothing"
He set his jaw. There was
drug store In the next block.
She thought: l must get away
from him. She thought it so strong
~ there was no room for her to
wonder even about the loss of
memory.
He was rapping on the glass win
dow of the cab. You'll feel better
as soon as you've swallowed some
thing soothing"
''Please don't bother"
The driver turned q roughly
shaved face toward them.
'Stop at that drug store ahead"
She shook her head. 81 won't
take anything"
The cab was slowing down.
"Yes you will" His smile was
wan and anxious. I'll get them to
mix something to make you feel
better. It's the hi of a jam. No
wonder you tainted"
She did not ask what the Jam
was. She was filled with dread.
But her eyes were determined. She
would take nothing from him. The
cab was stopped. The driver leaned
toward them.
Cant get right up in front of the
place."
sThis will do" The young mans
hand was already on the latch.
"Come on. But no, you better wait
here. I'll bring it out to you" He
was forcing smile. He was suf-
fering. She saw that. Put she did
not pity him. He went down the
street, turned into the drug store
AS she saw the last of him through
the swinging doors, she was flood
ed with relief. She sat paralyzed
He was gone. She leaned forward
steadying herself against the glass
behind the driver. ''Drive on" SHE
said. "Drive on"
The man turned his head slowly
looked at her stupidity.