Rose O'Paradise

  CHAPTER XLIII

  THEODORE SENDS FOR MOLLY

  Theodore King was rallying rapidly in the hospital. All danger ofblood poison had passed, and though he was still very weak, hissurgeon had ceased to worry, and the public at large sat back with asigh, satisfied that the wealthiest and most promising young citizenin the county had escaped death at the hand of an assassin.

  One morning a telephone message summoned Molly Merriweather to thehospital. In extreme agitation she dressed quickly, telling Mrs. Kingshe would return very soon. Never had she been so hilariously happy.Jinnie Grandoken had disappeared, as if she had been sunk in the sea.Molly now held the whip hand over her husband; she could force him todivorce her quietly. It was true of them both now their principalenemies were out of the way. Theo was getting well, and would comehome in a few days.

  While she had thought him dying, nothing save Jordan's tales of thegirl's experiences in the gorge house had been able to rouse her tomore than momentary interest.

  With glowing cheeks she followed the hospital attendant through a longcorridor to Theodore's room. She entered softly and for a moment stoodgazing at him admiringly. How very handsome he was, even with thehospital pallor! When the sick man became cognizant of Molly'spresence, he turned and smiled a greeting. He indicated a chair, andshe sank into it.

  "You sent for me, Theodore?" she reminded him softly, bendingforward.

  "Yes."

  He was silent so long, evidently making up his mind to something, thatMolly got up and smoothed out his pillow. Theodore turned to her aftershe had reseated herself.

  "Molly," he began, "do you know where Jinnie Grandoken is?"

  Molly's eyelids narrowed. So he was still thinking of the girl!

  "No," she said deliberately.

  "It seems strange," went on King somberly. "I've tried every way Iknow how to discover her whereabouts, and can't. I sent to theGrandoken's for her, but she was gone."

  "You still care for her then?" queried Molly dully.

  "Yes. I know you dislike the poor child, but I thought if you knewthat I--well, I really love her, you might help me, Molly."

  It was a bitter harvest to reap after all these weeks of waiting--histelling her he loved another woman--and as his voice rang withdevotion for Jinnie Grandoken, Molly restrained herself withdifficulty. She dared not lose her temper, as she had several timesbefore under like conditions. With her hands folded gracefully in herlap, she replied:

  "If I could help you, Theo, I would; but if Mrs. Grandoken doesn'tknow where her own niece is, how should I know?"

  "You're so clever," sighed Theodore, "I imagined you might be able todiscover something where a woman like Mrs. Grandoken would fail. She'sgot a young child, I hear."

  "What do you suggest?" inquired Molly presently.

  "I want to find out quickly where she's gone," the sick man saidbluntly.

  "You want to see her?" demanded Molly.

  Theodore nodded.

  "Yes, I'd get well sooner if I could," and he sighed again. Then hisivory skin grew scarlet even to his temples, but the blood rushedaway, leaving him deathly white. Molly went to him quickly and leanedover the bed. She wanted--oh, how she wanted to feel his arms abouther! But he only touched her cold hand lightly.

  "Help me, Molly," he breathed.

  Molly choked back an explanation. She would glory in doing anythingfor him--anything within her power; but nothing, nothing for JinnieGrandoken. Suddenly an idea took possession of her. She would make himdoubt Jinnie's love for him, even if she lied to him.

  "Of course I knew you cared for her," she said slowly.

  "Yes, I made that clear, I think," said Theo, "and she cares for me. Itold you I asked her to marry me."

  He laid stress on the latter half of his statement because of acertain emphasis in Molly's.

  "I don't like to hurt you--while you're ill," she ventured.

  Theodore thrust forth his hand eagerly.

  "Come closer," he pleaded. "You know something; you can tell me.Please do, Molly."

  "I don't know much, mind you, Theo----"

  "Take hold of my hand, Molly!... Please don't keep me in suchsuspense."

  She drew her chair closer to the bed, her heart throbbing first withdesire, then with anger, and laid her white fingers in his.

  "Tell me," insisted Mr. King.

  "There was a boy----"

  "You mean the little blind boy?"

  "No, no," denied Molly, paling. The very mention of such an afflictionhurt her sadly. "No," she said again, "I mean a friend of the boy whowas shot; you remember him?"

  "Oh, I remember Maudlin Bates; certainly I do; but I don't think Iheard of any other."

  Molly hadn't either; she had shot at random and the shot told.

  Theodore sat up in bed with whitening face.

  "Molly," he stammered, "Molly, has any one hurt her? Has----"

  Molly shook her head disgustedly.

  "Don't be foolish, Theo," she chided. "No one would want to hurt agrown girl like her."

  "Then what about the man?"

  "I think she went away with him."

  "Where to?"

  "I'm not sure----"

  Theodore sank back. Molly's fingers slipped from his, and for a momenthe covered his face with his hands, soundless sobs shaking his weakbody. The woman knew by his appearance that he believed herabsolutely.

  "It'll kill me!" he got out at last.

  Molly slipped an arm under his head. She had never seen him in such astate.

  "Theo, don't! Don't!" she implored. "Please don't shake so, and I'lltell you all I know."

  "Very well!... I'm listening."

  The words were scarcely audible, but Molly knew and hugged the thoughtthat his belief in Jinnie Grandoken had been shaken.

  "Did you hear that Jinnie was in Binghamton?"

  "Yes," murmured Theodore.

  The woman released her hold on Theodore, and said:

  "The man was over there with her."

  Theodore turned his face quickly away and groaned.

  "That's enough," he said. "Don't tell me any more."

  They were quiet for a long time--very quiet.

  Then Molly, with still enlarging plans, burst out:

  "What if I should bring her back to you, Theo?"

  He flashed dark-circled eyes toward her.

  "Could you?" he asked drearily.

  "I think so, perhaps. Suppose you write her a little note, andthen----"

  "Ring the bell for writing material quickly."

  He had all his old-time eagerness. He was partly sitting up, and Mollyplaced another pillow under his head.

  Theodore wrote steadily for some moments. Then he addressed anenvelope to "Jinnie Grandoken," placed the letter in it, and fasteneddown the flap.

  "You won't mind?" he asked wearily, handing it to Molly and sinkingback.

  Molly took the letter, and with a few more words, went out. Once athome in her bedroom, she sat down, breathing deeply. With a heartygood will she could have torn the letter into shreds, but instead sheripped open the envelope and read it.

  After she had finished, she let the paper flutter from her hand andsat thinking for a long time. Then, sighing, she got up and tucked theletter inside her dress.