Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 18, 1928 — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

838 cleared about where Clare knelt, white- faced and half hysterical, her mother’s head resting against her knee. The victim was chalk white and motion- less—to all appearances dead. As Merle reached Clare’s side an elderly gentleman forced his way through the crowd. To the officers he said, ‘‘ I’m a doctor,” and they made way for him. A very brief examination, then the phy- sician said to the trembling Clare: ‘“‘ She’s alive but badly hurt. Compound fracture of the thigh, I’m afraid, and possibly there are serious internal injuries. The police will have an ambulance here in a minute.” The expected vehicle appeared shortly, and after a hideous three-quarters of an hour, during which those concerned were subjected to a hail of questions from police and hospital authorities, Merle found him- self half supporting Clare on a settee in the hospital anteroom, while they awaited the verdict of the physicians who were caring for Mrs. Hollis. Dr. Mapes, who had come forward at the time of the accident, had taken his de- parture after leaving his card with the as- surance that he would be glad to aid in any possible manner. He had caused Merle to blush furiously in spite of the situation by remarking: “ You'd better look after your wife; she will probably have a nasty reaction to all this.” Merle was thankful that Clare did not hear the words. But the girl carried herself admirably, and when, at almost three o’clock in the morning, Merle brought her to her own door again, she seemed as calm as himself —more so, in fact. Mrs. Hollis would live, but the broken thigh would require months to right itself, the doctors had declared. At her age it was serious. But, since the patient was in good hands, there was nothing Clare could do, and her mother, regaining consciousness, had insisted that the girl return home. The police were searching for the driver of the car which had caused the damage, but nobody had secured the number, and the machine had sped swiftly away from the scene. Merle’s fingers itched when he ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. thought of it, but he was helpless, of course. He had patted Clare’s shoulder tenderly at leaving her, and his whole being ached to comfort her as he would have liked to do. But she was overwrought and tired, and he felt that it would have been taking an unfair advantage. So he let her go, and spent a most mis- erable night, entirely unstrung by the calamity and what it would mean to Clare. He shuddered at the struggle which the girl must face—doctors’ and hospital bills, agony of mind—it was terrible! If only he could—if he had the right to—bah, he was a pauper himself, a helpless, penniless failure! x. WHEN Harvey Sikes learned next day of the accident to Clare’s mother, he said to Merle: “‘ Pretty tough on Clare. I wonder if there isn’t some way we could help her.” “Gosh, I’d like to!” Merle replied. “ But I just about know what Clare would say if anybody offered to help her out with cash,” “So do I,” Harvey agreed. “ She’d turn you down cold, probably be sore. Guess you’re right; it would be a miscue.” Harvey, however, at once telephoned to the girl, extending his sympathy and saying that if he could be of any service he hoped she would call on him. To which Clare re- plied that she appreciated the kindness of his offer, but there really was no way in which he could help her. She was quite all right. Yes, she would be delighted to see him if he called. Hanging up the receiver, Harvey in- dulged in an orgy of riotous thought. In his pocket was the letter from Craig, Craig & Craig. Now, less than ever, did he feel inclined to allow it to fall into Merle’s hands. He conjured up a mental picture of the scene of the evening before—the accident, Merle on the spot with aid and comfort for Clare. Such things as that brought people closer together. And with all the trouble which the girl would be called upon to face, Merle, for- tified by a snug fortune, would romp home (E(0) DOOKS Mice (E@)