Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-11-21
CHAPTER XVII

The doctor frowned. 9TH
morning? After an attack Xix
that?"
Nella's gesture, her intent loo
at him, were neither quick no
guarded enough. "You fixed thi
up between you, I presume" sal
Todd gently. "We can't accus
you of malpractice, DR.. Crane
You were just erring on the sid
of safety when you advised us tt
keep Barby in bed indefinitely
Mrs. Peabody, too-she's an OLE
patient of yours, I know. YOUR
fond of her and concerned about
her health, and you'd see nothing
wrong in an innocent conspiracy
to protect her." He stood straight
and smiling, his hands in his
pockets.
"Oh, the heck with it," said
John Crane suddenly, with a dis
arming grin. II can't keep it up,
Nell"
"All right" Nella swung round
couragously to face her guests.
II made Up my mind I'd go to any
lengths to keep you. It-isn't fair
that you should help me so much
at the first and then leave when
it's-when it's"
"Only lille while before the
man comes for the furniture"
Todd completed it. "I'm sorry,
Nella, but circumstances beyond
our control"
IT know!" She grasped the new
ell, shaking visibly.
There was a pause. Then DR..
Crane said abruptly, II apologize
for my part in this-innocent con-
spiracy, I think you called it."
CEORGINE'S breath futtered
" on a laugh. Think nothing
of it."
T'll be getting back to the office
now. Nezla-"
ooh, very WE'LL" said Mrs. Pea
body YEARLY. "The gasoline is in
cans, in the bushes, behind the
summer-house. I didn't mean to
keep it, you know"
Todd waited until Nella had
gone swiftly into the kitchen and
closed the door, before he said,
"Are you all ready?"
'In two minutes, I had to un-
pack some of our things"
It'll save time, then, by doing
an errand. It's daylight, and you
can stay in the OPEN"
"Where are you going?" Her
lower lip went up.
ITO the garage, to get that car
buretor adjusted. 1t was acting up
Yesterday. I'll be back in half an
hour"
Having a little trouble getting |
started?" Mary Helen stood |
against the door-jamb and met |
Georgine's eyes. Their was a
queer look about her: was she |
or resentful, or only i'm
,atient to see the last of them?
eyes, a little" Georgine got
uddenly to her feet, on a disturb
ng thought. Mary Helen was say
ng something about must they |
eally go? and she replied absent
Y, eve are due at a wedding.
sarby! Barbee!" The child had
cen gone for much
onger that it would take her to
I'm to the summer house and
ack.
There was no answer. She call
again, louder and more urgent
7. Her voice seemed to ring far
IF, across the empty cellar-hole
the Bacon lot, high up to the
illsit chimneys. where is she?"
eorgine breat he d, swinging
ound. "She always answers when
CALL"
Georgine thrust Mary Helen
side and made for the stairs. She
cached the second floor. The
oors stood open, the bedrooms
right and innocuous in morning
CHIT, and empty. She called again.
3arby!"
That smothered sound was COM
e from above her, the humping
,companied by muffled squeaks.
Barby's voice cried
1t, as if through layers of cot
Mamma! Come quick!"
Georgine, at the top of the attic
airs, stopped in her tracks; she
as smitten by a wave of helpless
lighter. On the floor at the far
ID was something resembling an I
.topus in a chintz house coat. 1t 1
lmped up and down, it rose neat
upright and collapsed again, it s
'ew protuberances that failed
e air in vain. {
"Barby Wyeth," said Georgine
hen she could speak, chow on c
nth did you get yourself tangled S
, with that thing?" The Upper t
'ess bag it was. Had Barby lifted t
down from the hook and got t
over her head somehow? "Lie
ill, darling, I'll come and get r
~ out" She started across the S
'or still chuckling. u
"Stand still, right where you a
e." said harsh whisper. h
NEORGINE checked herself au- q
} tomatically for a wild glare
ound the empty room. The last Ii
her laughter seemed frozen on t
u. Inns UXMh nt-urln nrn y che | 1.