Nogales international., 1934-10-13

Richard stood Still; SnOCk OF
horror shook him out of his preoc-
cupation. He was not a vain man,
but he could not have misunder-
stood her words or her manner.
He drew her hands into his. He
made her sit down.
For Heavens sake, Helena, DON'T"
he implored her. Command yourself
you'll be i'll, indeed"
She caught the note in his voice and
she laughed suddenly and wildly. I'D
better die" she said why don't you
say SO, Richard?"
He flushed darkly, still holding her
hand. Helena, Pm Kings friend, his
physician; he trusts me. In Gods
name, what can l say? 1t can't be as
bad as that!" he groaned. He could
not tell her now that he and Nancy
were married, not until Nancy gave
him leave!
But Helena felt the chill of his
silence even more bitterly than his
words. She rose slowly to her feet,
looking at him little wildly
GO and tell herr she painted furi-
ously. go and tell her | came to you
for help and you froze me stiff |"
Helena |" he cried, aghast.
But she continued to laugh wildly,
Historically. Then suddenly she
Strengthened herself.
"I'm crazy, Richard. It's the chloral
forget what I've said, forgive me"
She caught his hand and pressed her
hot cheek against it. Forgive an un-
happy woman-who is your friend =
she cried, and made her way unSteadily
past him to the door.
He turned, conscience-stricken, and
sprang to help her. Helena, let me
go with you. /"
But she waved him back, evaded his
outStretched hand and went out alone,
shaken from head to foot with an
emotion that seemed to tear at her
very heart. She hated Nancy. She
blamed it on Nancy. But for Nancy
she would have had his love to heal
the cruel wound she had inflicted on
her own heart
Bravely Nancy neared her own
home. But she got no farther than
the back door, when all the misery
physical and mental-came 10 a eli
max. She crumpled up against the
door-poSt
"Mandy!" she cried family.
Il declar' ter goodness" The col
ored woman, strong and broad-shoul-
dered as man, stopped and picked the
girl up. "Dere-yo' keep still, honey /;
yo' amt gwine-ter walk any more
now" Amanda bore her into the library
and laid her down on the lounge.
"Yo' wait, Miss Nancy; | reckons
can fix yo' up as good as doctah." ;"
Nancy, cuddling down in the OLD
pillows with her first feeling OF relief,
Smiled "Its been done already,
Mandy; DR.. Morgan's bandaged il"
Mr.. Gordon had just come from
the bank, his days work done, and he
had some papers in his hand. He had,
in fact, succeeded in selling out some
old shares in copper mine. He
would be able to pay Richard Morgan
another FIVE hundred. He was hall
way to the centcr-table before he dis
covered her, and he stopped short,
looking at her over the top OF his
spectacles.
Hello, Nancyl Got headache 7"
81 hurt my ankle-twisted it-that's
all, Papa"
He came across the room and stood
looking down at her kindly.
(which ankle? Whereabouts did
you twist it, child?"
Nancy blushed. Richard bandaged
it. hurt it in the field as | left Angie
Fuller's. He saw me fall, and"-she
drew a quick breath-"he's bound it
up"
Her father eyed her shrewdly. TN
the field? Nancy, you were running
away from Morgan?"
Her eyes fell under his, and she
WINGED mserably. He sat down in an
armchair beside her and sighed
heavily.
Child" he said gently, "don't you
want a divorce?"
He felt her start of amazement
and fancied it was one of relief. She
did not look up; she seemed to be
considering his question.
How can l get one, Papa"-her
voice sounded smothered-"w without
telling people I'm married."
You might-there'd be some talk
Of course. put it up to Laverick