The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-04-01
y serial s.ey
RANDY HEARS TALES
CHAPTER Xxx

heard more or less about nj. de-
votion TO the unfortunate Drake
heHuEh. II Was thought very
fine Of DIR. Mitchell to maintain
a loyal friendship tor \ eoyhood
acquaintance.
Just lately there had been .
bit Of gossip about Louise Cor
don. Kings Row knew that
Louise had had a very had nerv-
Gus breakdown. DR.. Mitchell
frequently walked IN the late sf-
ternoon with Louise. and II was
noticeable that Louise had come
out amazingly.
One startling piece Of infor-
nation emerged from Louise's
chatter. II concerned the Tow
ers. II puzzled Paris . little
that Louise should be able TO re-
cali so much Of what her moth
er had said years ago of other
people. He brought himself
quickly TO attention a. the first
mention Of DR.. Tower and Cassie.
Then gradually Re pieeed to-
gether the casual fragments. He
was unable 20 recall precisely
the words OF DIR. Towers diary
AT this point. but he WAS certain
now that the mysterious person
or persons who had blocked his
purpose of working at the asy-
lum had been the Sordons.
In the fall Louise had an at
tack OF bronchitis. and DR.. saun-
ders. one OF Kings Rows older
doctors. was called. DR.. Saun-
ders happily ended Paris wor-
ries about Louise He advised
Mrs. Gordon to take Louise to
Florida for the winter. and when
his own advices were added, Mrs.
Gordon agreed.
Paris did not realize how
tired he was until DR.. Nolan or
dered reorganization of his
schedule. There were times when
he felt too much outside of the
life Drake and Randy shared In
the little white house. They
were happy; their business was
successful.
Paris and Randy walked out
toward the Old Cemetsry one
afternoon. Randy was troubled,
but he waited for her TO speak.
They crossed the stone stile and
came presently to a small square
enclosed with evergreen that re-
minded Paris OF the thickets
where he used to play with Re
nee. Severe granite slabs In the
square had only names and
dates: ALEXANDER Q. TOWER
and CASsANDRA TOWER.
Paris was SURPRISED that the
plot was so carefully tended.
with some sort Of shiny leafed
vine covering the ground.
He looked at Randy. She
colored and looked a little en-
barrassed.
I've been taking care of these
graves. Paris. rrake told me
that Cassie and her father meant
a lot to you"
They went back through the
little green alley and across the
cemetery 10 the slope where the
sunshine was warmest.
well. Randy"
81 don't know how TO begin.
Paris. I've been hearing some
stories that I don't understand
So / thought Id letter let you
know"
Paris felt a curious chill Of
apprehension.
We'll, 90 ahead"
1T seems that talk sort OF
runs around and around and
takes on first one meaning. then
another. When first heard
Louise's name mentioned, they
said you were going with
Louise
Paris nodded He remembered
his talk with DR. Nolan.
Then came the old stories
again"
"Just-whst were the old stor-
les. Randy ,"
1T was said that Louise said
her father performed unneces-
ssry operations just well. Just
because he liked TO and that he
did too many Of them without
chloroform
I'm" Paris nodded again.
People began 10 remember
You ought to hear the long lists
OF operations Dr.. Gord.n did
without an snesthotiei It's al
ways the same story. Tn. pa
tents heart was weak"
Strange"
But Psr1s have YOU ever
counted up the number a ter
ribly disfisursd people he left
behind him ,"
She hsd gon. doathly pale.
Drake shs Whispsrs
Drake
PARIS held perfectly still
Randy shook his arm violently.
Paris"
Yes Randy >"
You've got 70 tel me-"
He shook his head
Then the stories are true :"
Listen. Randy tner. are
strange cases In medical history
like this But u doesn't fol-
loW that every operation DR..
GORDON performed was Of could
have been unnecessary. Do you
know any Of the details q
brakes injury"
He wasn't run over. 4 that's
what you mean"
He wasn't"
No He was caught BY the
train-some cars we're beng
syafrEaN II ,s-zu -r-Na~ "a. ar