Nogales international., 1935-11-02

NOW, W yin W4411 41G oAOAsA'
AS they waited the door opened
and Mr.. Trumbull reappeared. But
he was alone, a different man from
the shrewd, vigilant attorney who,
only brief time before, had left the
office. He had difficulty finding his
tongue.
"Good God, come quickly, all of
you" he managed to gasp out. Il
don't know what's the trouble, but
something is seriously wrong in
there =.
He grasped the back of his chair
70 support himself, and Mr.. Dawson
sSut in sharply.
Something wrong, Mr.. Trumbull?
What do you mean-what's the
4natter?"
Allen Rowland was the first to
spring to his feet.
Whats happened, Trumbull?" he
demanded, in voice filled with anx-
iety, Mrs. Keith's all right, isn't
she? There's no reason to worry
about her?"
The other shook his head solemn
ny. "I'm afraid she's very i'll, Row.
land. She's unconscious-completely
out; she shows no animation and
can't get any reaction or rouse her.
And she looks dreadfully white.
-. We had all better hurry"
His excitement and agitation con-
Veyed themselves ~ his listeners, as
they hastened from the Office. In his
concern, Mr.. Rowland pushed ahead,
1he lawyer Immediately behind. Mr..
Dawson came next. Mr.. Willard
made way for his sister, in whose
eyes cleaned light, had it been
observed, that suggested an emotion
more powerful than mere interest;
While his own lips curved in srnirk.
In this order, they all passed
through the chamber adjoining Mr..
DaWson'S office, an anterOom into
which mis- door opened. 1t was also
the law library of the concern. Two
other doors led from the library,
the one in the left wall, opposite the
windows, into the main Office OF the
suite, where the employees-stenog-
raphcrs, telephone operator and law
CIerks-worked. The second door
opened directly across from Mr..
Dawson'S.
1t was ajar, and, led by Rowland,
the group crowded through it into
still another office. 1t contained a
dark oak table, oak chairs with
leather seats, and plain, dull green
carpet From the hall, the inscrip-
ton read, "1505. Law Offices. Daw-
son, MacQuire & Locke. Entrance
at 1907"
A woman sat in the swivel chair,
but in a peculiar position that
promptly revealed something was
wrong. She slumped rather than
rested in it, her weight pushing it
back on its pivot. Her head, barely
protruding above the rear support,
was thrown back as against cush-
ion, so that she stared at the ceiling.
Her left leg stretched out straight,
while the right one was bent at the
knee. drawn against her body. Her
mouth was open, but strained and
thin, rather than loose, In a sugges-
ton of mortal agony.
The sight of the recumbent, mo-
tionless figure caused the group to
pause on the threshold for an in
Stant Anxiety was written in every
face, except Mrs. Rowland's.
"First l thought she had just
fallen asleep" Mr.. Trumbull re-
marked. ''I spoke to her, and when
she didn't respond, I tried to waken
her Then l discovered that
she wasn't well."'
''But what is it? What's the mat
ter with herr" the clerk queried
breathlessly. "She looks so strange
SO pale and stiff"
In two quick strides Allen Row
land crossed to the swivel chair. He
placed trembling hands on Mrs
Keith's shoulders.
His voice sounded tense and ap-
palled. Barbara! What is it, Bar
bara? Answer me- :" Receiving
no reply, he recoiled visibly, looking
up in distress. "It's really serious" !"
he whispered swiftly. "Mr. Daw-
son. isn't there a doctor in the build
ing?"
The lawyer followed him to the
woman's side, grim lines of worry
changing the more genial aspects of
his countenance. He took her right
wrist, and as he felt for her pulse,
he became still more grave and seri-
Gus
eyes, we should cali DOCTOR" he
agreed, after a moment of utter still
ness, painful and pregnant, "but [
fear IT'S too late to do anything for
her" He shook his head "She
isn't just i'll Or unconscious; she's