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Monday, October 6, 1924. %tru I i SOUL Mf r?. ROUSSEAU iVi VICTOR V m COPYRIGHT by W-G.CHAPMAN > ,1 >’Jh. j i ways a lot of business to be done. Doctor Jenkins, Doctor Lancaster Is in no condition to attend to busi ness,” said Joan. “What is the mat ter with him?” The doctoir looked right and left, if trying to find some refuge. But the girl was standing in front of him, and he could not enter the buggy with out pushing her away. “Miss Wentworth, please don’t ask me about the doctor,” he said. “I do my best for him. It Isn’t In my power to do more than I am doing.” "It is in your power to help him to be master of himself. How can the most famous surgeon' in the South come here and be at the mercy of a man like Myers?” V.- “Why, Miss Wentworth, you’ve got that wrong,” protested Jenkins. “Mr. Myers is only the secretary. Mr. My ers does all he cun for the doctor. We’ve got to keep the Institute to gether, Miss Wentworth, and we’re each doing onr best. You see, the trust fund wasn’t made over to the doctor. He was only in charge of it, and when the money was missing it worried him. And—and—” , He stopped, as If he had caught himself babbling about something tha! should not have been mentioned, Then, as Joan stood aside, he leaped into the vehicle. “Good morning,” he muttered, raising his bat, and drove away furiously. Joan remained where the buggy had been. She realized that for the pres ent she could get no help from Jenkins. He had seemed afraid, not for him self, but for Lancaster. What had Lancaster done, then, that he should be in the power of Myers? Had he embezzled the funds of the Institute? The question was an absurd one. It was unbelievable that Lancaster should be a thief; besides, the expla nation would not solve the problem at all. She went hack to the verandah. was resolved to reach the bottom of the mystery, for Lancaster's sake; to prove her loyalty although he had withdrawn his demand on her. As she reached the front door she was startled to hear her name spoken In the matron's room. The speaker was Myers. She knows a good deal too much,” Fraser was saying. “But she knows nothing at all,” Mrs Myers answered. “What do you sup pose the doctor brought her here for, if not to try to publish his shame to the world?” *• Aye, his shame,” repeated the ma tron bitterly, lt's hard work for three people to try to hold up one man, without a fourth coming In.” “Well, is that his game?” demanded the secretary. Is it or isn’t It?” “We want a nurse. You know we’ve often tried to get one, Mr. Myers, but they won't stay here. It's hard work taking care of the patients sometimes, when there’s a rush.” “Rush!” repeated Myers scornfully. “Who’d rusn to this old place with the doctor’s reputation?” They do corner nd the people trust him,” said Mrs. Fraser, half crying. 44 Yes,” scoffed the other. And the doctor still has his grandiose Ideas about building up the Institution—him that wrecked it.” 4 < Well, that girl knows nothing, any way. n “I tell you she means to help the doctor In his crazy plan of notoriety. 8hp means to undo all onr work In his own Interests,” cried Myers vehe mently. Joan walked away. She had over heard unwillingly, and enough to con vince her tuat there was a mystery, with Myers at the bottom of It, arid she had rightly sensed an enemy in him, and he In, her. Now her mind was resolute to remain and fight for Lancaster. It was as If her decision, suddenly crystallized, had suddenly grown crystal-clear. But slip had not passed the en trance when the matron’s door swung open violently and Myers came out. He stood confronting Joan with his Insulting leer. "Miss Wentworth," he began, “when you and 1 had our talk this morning you hadn’t seed®' the doctor. You didn’t know how things were situated, and I don’t blame you. Now you’ve seen that the doctor needs a guardian. Well, I’m his guardian.” “I do not think that Doctor Lancas ter needs a guardian;' Mr. Myers,” an swered Joan, facing 1dm steadily. “See here, now, Miss Wentworth,” said Myers, swallowing hard. “You don’t get the drift of things, just ns I thought. You think I’m trying to stand In the way of your work, when I’m only trying to reach a sort of working agreement to keep things In running, order. That’s my aim. Am I right?” “I don’t know whether you are right. I think you are extremely un civil. Take off your, hat!” flashed Joan. Myers removed the hard hat from ills head and stared at her in aston ishment. He could not understand her sudden initiation of hostilities. a Well, I reckon that’s my nature, and I’m sorry,” he said. H§ was try- J big to be conciliatory now. “I’m sorry if I get on your nerves, Miss Went worth," he persisted, “b.nt I wasn’t brought np to be a ladles’ man. How ever, I know my job, and I reckon you know yours. If you think I’m trying to stand between the doctor and you, come and see him right now. I “I have no complaint t» make, and I have made none," said Joan. «« Come and see him,” persisted My ers. You’re the nurse, and I guess it’s up to you.” She looked at him, dismayed by his expression. “Is Doctor Lancaster worse?” she asked. Well, nothing that I didn't expect, but he might be better,” said Myers, sneering. He walked toward the door of Lan caster’s room and opened It. Through the aperture Joan saw Lancaster stretched out In a large chair, his head bent forward on his breast, his limbs immobile. She hnrrled Into the room. But Myers preceded her to Lanens ter's side. He raised the limp arm and turned up the sleeve. Joan saw that the skin was densely scarred with tiny punctures. Lancaster was breath ing heavily, and beside him, upon A little table, was a syringe, and near that a little bottle containing a few drops of a pale fluid. Joan drew In her breath quickly. It was what she had feared. 44 Morphine,” said Myers, 'He al ways does this when he comes home. Now yon understand what I was try ing to get at this morning, Miss Went worth. I’m responsible for him. It’s my job to keep him straight if I can. When I can’t, I try. Now you see, perhaps, why he’s lost his will power. and why I have to keep after him like a dog following his master. And I guess you won’t think I’m trying to set him against yon. The bully in the man was coming to the surface again. He thrust out his head toward Joan. "Because, if yon do, I may as well say. Miss Wentworth, I’m the boss here. Understand that?” he continued, with a blustering air. “The doctor hires ail sorts of people when he’s like this, and It doesn't mean nothing. He can't pay out no salaries unless my O. K.’s oq the vouchers. We want a nurse, and If you like to stay on you can. But if yon stay yon help me so far as the doctor's concerned, and you do what I tell you. That’s straight. Is It clear or Isn't it?" Joan looked at him indifferently. "Help me put Doctor Lancaster on the bed,” she said, “and then run and get me a hot-water bottle. He scowled furiously, hut he obeyed her. And all the while Joan sat at Lancaster's side watching him, her mind ran over the questions that were puzzling her. Why had Myers spoken of Lancaster as coming home, when he lived In Avonmouth ? Who had hired him to be the doc tor’s keeper? And with whom had Doctor Lan caster been speaking so bitterly In his consulting room that evening when Joan called at the house? Chapter VI She sat for hours beside the sick man, conscious sometimes that Myers had come In and spoken to her. But she never answered 1dm. As the pulse strengthened she let her mind work upon the problem again. Lancaster had taken an Immense overdose, one inconceivable In the ordinary morphine habitue. And he must have taken It during the brief period when Myers was with him; he must have taken It as soon as he got hack to his room. Why had Myers permitted It? At last. Lancaster opened Ijis eyes. His gaze fell upon Joan's face, at first without recognition, then with wonder. “Water! lie gasped, after a few lu effectual attempts (o speak. Joan drew a glassful and gave It to him, and then another. Lancaster gulped down the liquid greedily. Pres ently he sat up, stood on his feet, und groped his way to the chair. “I’m sorry," he said, looking at Joan with a whimsical expression, “I should have told you.” “Doctor Lancaster. I am ashamed of you," said Joan. “God knows I’m ashamed of my self," he burst out fretfully. “Miss Wentworth, In the third drawer of that desk, beneath a pile of letters, you'll find a bottle—” “No,” said Joan decisively. I She knew by the wholly unneces sary secrecy In the eoneealment, characteristic of the drug habitue,, that 1 Lancaster had gone a long way down the declivity. 44 Miss Wentworth, yojL ijjisuniJer- GRIFFIN DAILY NEWS stand me. It’s an antidote N>r~alka loldal poisoning. I Was experimenting with a new drug.” m Joan fonnd herself sobbing, and she was astounded. It was the wreck of the man’s moral nature that was un bearable. She saw the latent fineness in him, and It was as If the needless lie was the voice of the morphine devil that spoke through his lips. Lancaster looked distressed. “Miss Wentworth, you had better leave me and go back to Avonmouth on the eve ning train,” he said. <4 I ought never to have brought you here. It was pure selfishness on my part. Miss Went worth. please don’t cry. Go away now, and we’ll talk it over before you start for the station.” <( If I go away,” wept Joan, “you’ll take another hypodermic, ■ ‘‘I pledge you my word of honor no,” said Lancaster, with almost Ingenuous candor. “I nm really not accustomed to such a thing; that is why It knocked me out. I have been suffer ing from Insomnia, and I tried a new alkaloid—not morphine, you know, but a derivative—for the benefit of my patients.” The words came from Ids lips so glibly that Joan was almost con vinced—would have been, had not the first lie been different. She hesitated. She had no intention of leaving the room, but she turned away. ' Lancaster misunderstood her action. With Incredible swiftness his hand shot out toward the little bottle. He had uncorked It and plunged In the syringe before the girl could snatch it away. “Your word of honor!” said Joan. He leaned back In his chair and looked at her with amusement. Miss Wentworth," he said, “you are a nurse. Surely you are aware that I am not to be trusted, that my ward of honor Is worthless? That I am essentially devoid of honesty and de cency? Don’t you know that this ac cursed thing”—he pointed toward the bottle—“robs men of their honor and self-respect, and lowers them beneath Die beasts? n He spoke as If at a clinic, and quite Impersonally; there was the shadow of a whimsical smile about hit lips, which twitched, nevertheless, with pain. “That does not refer to you, K an swered Joan. “You asked me to help you In the biggest fight of your life. Well, I am going to help you la that fight.” “It Is too late,” said Lancaster. “Never!” replied Joan valiantly. “You don’t understand, Miss Went worth. That’s tfie mistake all people make In trying to cure us. Don’t you know that a man or woman never be comes a victim to a drug except from sleeplessness, or physical pain, or un der stress of mental anguish? If you could cure me the old trouble would still be there. I should fall a victim again. Life Is worthless to me, Miss Wentworth,” he ended, quite simply. "For happiness?- perhaps—I don’t know. But not for duty. Your life is to be used, Doctor Lancaster. fOT the sake of the people, and I am going to help you use Your wonderful skill—” He groaned at the words. Joan saw that, though he was differing physi cally. there was some mental trouble which her words had evoked. “Doctor Lancaster,” she said, “the first thing you have to do is to use your will. And I am going to give you your first test, a little one only. It will last thirty seconds. Can you put forth your will for just that length of time? He fixed his eyes anxiously on hers and nodded. Yet she saw them waver toward the bottle. “I am going to cross the room,” she said. "Don’t stir a finger till I re turn. She heard Myers In the hall, and. going to the door, she turned the key. She heard Myers halt near her door. But she had no time to think of him She went back to Lancaster, whose hands were strained hard against the arms of the chair. “Well done!” she said. “Miss Wentworth, I must have that hypodermic now. M “I want you to wait Walt half an hour, Doctor Lacaster. “I can’t!” he cried, starting up. 1 tell you I must have it. After an over dose one must have a smaller one. It will set me up nicely. Just half the quantity, Miss. Wentworth.” “In half an hour,” said Joan. He sprang to his feet, shaking and furious. “Give me that bottle at once!” he cried. “In half an hour.” Lancaster sat down. 44 Confound you, why ever did you come here?" he asked, Suppose that I discharge you?” “I shall not go, Doctor Lancaster. We have covered that point in our conversation already. •• Then, seeing his distress, she went on rapidly: Listen to me, Doctor Lancaster. You Xjught me here upon an Impulse, because you had no one whom you could trust, You wanted to fight and you wanted me to fight with you. Well, I am going to do It, and we are going to win. She took out her watch and laid it on the table. In twenty-five minutes you shall have half a dose. Then we shall have won. the first skirmish, G, Doc tor Lancaster, fight like a man and help us win!” She spoke with so much earnestness that she kindled his enthusiasm. “Yes, we’ll make the fight!” he cried, with blazing ^yes. "If only I had had you long ago!” He was In the full reactlop from his despondency. He struck his fist em phatically upon the nrm of the chair. "I’ll be a man again!” he cried. "If (To Be Contimwd) WILLIAMSON NEWS The Ladies’ Aid Society of Beth any church met at£ the home of Mrs. W. W. Shannon Thursday af ternoon. An interesting program on “The Sowers” was rendered af ter which a delicious salad course was served. Among those shopping in Griffin Friday were Mrsji Edward Ridley, Misses Tommie and Sarah Reynolds 3 . Dr. J. C. Beauchamp left Frida ^ morning for Atlanta. Mrs. Jesse Gill spirit Thursday in Atlanta. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. McClurd and family will spend this week end in Columbus with relatives. The Harmony Four, of Griffin, will give a program at Hollonville, church October 7 at 8 o’clock. Ad mission 10 and 20 cents. ' o B. A. Ridley left Wednesday night for Asheville, N. C. He will be away for two or three months. F. S. Drewry spent Friday in Griffin. School opened at Dunbar school house Monday, Sept. 29 with Miss Lucille Eppenger as teacher. Paul Beauchamp, Tebe Dickinson, Bill Cole, Charles Farrar, Bill Fill yaw, Glen and Carl Shivers attend ed the football game played by Locust Grove and Griffin high school Friday afternoon. Charles Farrar, Horace Pitts, Misses Susie and Evelyn Blanton who are attending other schols, are at home for the week-end. Mrs. Newton Allen, Mrs. D. Coch ran, Mrs. Z. Scott went as delegates to the Woman’s Club convention held in Jackson Friday. News from Our SMAHA SHOE SHOP Shoes Repaired While You Wait Leather Half Soles for Men and Women Shoes, 85c pair, w Work *? a,f will be and done Heels, at the $1.25 above Few prices steps during October, from Depot. MONEY TO LOAN ON REAL ESTATE Local Clients—No Delay BECK & BECK, Attorneys COAL COAL COAL Why waste money buying the cheapest coal? We have best grade TENNESSEE JELLIC0 ______ at a reasonable price. PEOPLES ICE COMPANY PHONE 287 LOW EXCURSION FARES to ATLANTA Account SOUTHEASTERN FAIR October 4th to 11th, inclusive. Tickets on sale October 3rd to 10th. Good returning to October 13th. SOUTHERN RAILWAY BEAUTIFICATION WORK IN’ BA IN BRIDGE, GA. Mrs. Gordon Chason, of Bain bridge, chairman of Civics for the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, makes the following interest ing report for the year: The work of the civic division has flourished during the past year as never before. The same line of work has been pursued on a broader s^ale, more school grounds, parks, ceme ^eries been and railroad stations having improved and beautified than ever before; more trees, shrubs, flow ers of^all kinds, including bulbs of every variety having been planted, and more tree planting and flower planting along the highway than any previous year during my chairman ship.—Atlanta Constitution. The Loose Handle. If there is anything so irritating as to have an umbrella whose handle comes off each time you raise it? Fill the cavity in the handle with melted alum and then quickly press the stick into it, holding it firmly until it sets. S. G. BAILEY REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE FOR SALE Three choice lota on South Hill street. . The attractive Royster home, South 12th street. i <• FOR RENT Offices 114 West Solomon street. Will improve to suit tenant. S. G. BAILEY Real Estate and Insurant * 114 E. Solomon St. Phones: Office 2. Res. 1 PAGE EN Parcel air mails now deliver from London to any part Germany or Denmark in from to three days. ■#* T V'J ▼ CJ % every Cleanses month and •cam and aids digestion. Relieves (hat over eaten feeling sold ■toe Ml Its 1-a-s-t-l-n-g Haver satisfies the craving lor sweets. valne Wrlgley's is datable la the benefit i pleasure It provides. in uf runty CHI v *7 KmI a M. 2 She flavor £77, S Funeral Directory iiHliillliilllilliiiltilllSIHitHflBIMllgBlMiilBlMfiM miB ll l i fiiillfJHiifllllBpff ^ HAISTEN BROS. FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS Griffin and Senoia, Georgia Office Phone 575. Res. Phone 68 FRANK S. PITTMAN Funeral Director and Embalmer Office Phone 822. Res. Phone 6& Lodge Directory WARREN LODGE No. 20, I. 0. 0. F., meets ewy Monday night at 7:80 at Warren Lodge Hall. Visiting brothers eor dially invited. R. A. PEEL, Secretary. W. T. ATKINSON, N. G MERIDIAN SUN LODGE No. 26, F. & A. M. Regular meeting Tuesday night, October 7th, 7 o’clock. Note cha&ge in hour. Visitors welcome. , C. H : Scales, W. M. Bill Wells, Gee. W. 0. w. Meets every Thursday, 7:36 p. m. Sovereigns, your camp needs your presence. You will find your Clerk all times at Slaton Powell Clo. Co. Visiting Sovereigns Welcome. Come. L. J. SAULEY, C. C. C. C. STANLEY, Clerk. Pythagoras Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M. Regular meeting, Second and Fourth Thursday, 7:30 p. m. Visitors wel come. WM. T. ATKINSON, H. P. BILL WELLS, Secretary. _ _1 Ben Barrow Lodge j No. 687 F. & A. M. * Next meeting Oct. 2nd. L. B. GUEST, W. M. CLIFFORD GRUBBS, Sooty. E. D. FLETCHER Embalmer and Funeral Director Wlth Griffin Mercantile Co. Office Phone 474 Res. Phone 481 ”/ r/ • Railroad Schedule CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RY. Arrival and Departure of Passenger Trains at Griffin, Ga. The schedules are published as infor mation and are not guaranteed: North South 2:29 p.m. Altanta-SavTi 11:06 p.m. 4:80 a.m. Atlanta-Sav’h 9:67 a.m. 5:47 a.m. Chigo-Cin-Jax 11:55 p.m. 6:53 a.m. Chigo-St. L.-Jax 8:42 p.m. 9:01 a.m. Atlanta-Macon 5:20 p.m. 12:25 p.m. Atlanta-Macon 2:17 p.m. 6:57 p.m. Atlanta-AIfcany 12:19 a.m. Chattanooga Division From: For: 2:30 p.m. Chattanooga 9 :45 * — 8:15 a.m. Cedartown 5:25 SOUTHERN RAILWAY From: Fog: Atlanta points— 5:53 p.m. East—West 10:02 a.; ®0:02 a.m. ColTum-Ft/Valley 6:63 fu