Page:Weird Tales v01n01 (1923-03).djvu/140

Rh The monster gathered itself in a dozen gigantic coils and lept through the air

"GOD!" he shrieked.

"There, there," soothed a tender voice. "Don't excite yourself. You'll be all right presently. Just remain quiet, that's all."

A cool hand was laid gently upon his brow. He looked up at the young nurse who sat beside his cot.

Without saying a word he stared for quite a long time at her face, until her cheeks were as crimson as the ribbon at her throat. When at length he spoke, he was half laughing, half sobbing, and the syntax of his utterance would scarcely have delighted a professor of English at Harvard University.

"Well, I've been, girl," said he. "Got a round trip ticket. But never, never again. What'd you run away for? Yep, I've had my fill; no more metaphysics. Phew! Such reptiles! Big as this room, some of 'em. I looked three years and it ran me crazy. Ugh! those snakes and lizards. Hired detectives, too, but it was no use. And I thought it was all sunshine and flowers and sweet music. You won't run away again, will you? Could you get me a little brandy, Lily May? I'm feeling a bit faint."

man made a mistake about the newspapers. One inch was all he got, tucked snugly between a patent medicine advertisement and the notice of a sheriff's sale. It read: