Julia's Last Hope Part 10

"I just wanted you to knowa"to understand," he continued.

"Of course," said Julia. "Please, please let us know how we can help. If there is anything you needa""

"We are very comfortable," he quickly a.s.sured Julia. Then he paused. "But there is one thinga""

Julia waited for him to go on.

"Would ita"would it be possible for your good husband to put aa"a lock on her door?"

Julia tried to hide her surprise.

"This morning I was so frightened. This time it was only the kitchen, but what ifa"what if she had wandered off down one of the mountain trails? I don't know what I would have donea"

Julia understood the man's concern. "Of course," she said. "John will put a lock on the door as soon as she wakes up from her nap."

"Thank you. Thank you!" the man exclaimed. "Now I must get back. She doesn't sleep well."

He hurried off, and Julia gave the swing a slight push and let the motion sweep away some of the anxiety from her heart.

"The poor soul," she said softly. "What an awful burden. I wonder how long this has been going on?"

The family accepted Mrs. Williams with her strangeness. Indeed, they decided to do more than accept her. They decided to try to help her.

"Do you think they like to be alone so much?" Jennifer asked at their evening prayer hour.

"I don't know. He certainly wants peace and tranquillity for her."

"But if we sat quietly, and talked quietly, do you think it might be good for her to have company at meals?"

"I will talk to Mr. Williams," Julia promised. "We'll let him decide."

"In the meantime," said John, "if she wants to sit in the hall and look at the paintinga"or in the kitchen to drink teaa"then we'll let her."

"She is friendly," stated Felicity.

"And she's not bossy," added Jennifer.

"She always says *thank you,' " Felicity recalled.

"I like her," Jennifer concluded.

"It's a shame we can't help her more," said Julia. "She seems so sweet."

"Maybe they will stay longer if they like it here and it's peaceful and quiet. Do you think so, Mama?"

"Perhaps," said Julia.

"We'll try to make her feel at home," Jennifer decided.

They included the Williams couple in their prayers that night.

Three days later Julia was startled by a knock at the door. Two men in dark uniforms showed Julia their credentials.

"Are you Mrs. Harrigan?" asked the larger of the two.

"That's right," Julia nodded.

"May we come in?"

Julia moved aside and motioned them in. She led the way to the parlor.

The smaller man took charge.

"Mrs. Harrigan, I understand that you keep boarders."

"Short-term guests," Julia corrected.

"Do you ask for references?" he asked.

"No."

"So your guests at present are strangers?" Without waiting for her answer he continued. "We understand that you have a Mr. Williams and hisa"his companion here."

"Yes."

"You know nothing about them?"

"Just that they wanted a quiet place toa"for Mrs. Williams to regain her strength."

The men looked at each other.

"Are they here now?"

"Why, yes. They area"are resting."

"So you know that the woman has been ill?" asked the larger man.

"Yes. Mr. Williams said she has been ailing," admitted Julia.

"What else did he tell you?"

"Nothing."

"Then you don't know that she has been a.s.signed to an asylum?"

Julia drew in her breath sharply.

"And that she is absent without permission? That Mr. Williams spirited her away to avoid the authorities?"

"What? Ia"I can't believe it. They seem likea"like such a fine couplea""

"In fact," the man continued, "Mr. Williams is indeed Mr. Williams, but Mrs. Williams is Miss Margaret Whistler."

"Buta"whya"why woulda"?"

"Apparently they were childhood sweethearts and then the war and circ.u.mstances separated them. When he returned she had been terribly ill, and the fevera"well, she has been in the asylum for years. He kept visiting her, determined that she would recover. She didn't. He kept asking for her release, but they wouldn't grant it. Finally he just took it upon himself to run off with her."

Julia could not hide her amazement. "Mr. Williams? There must be some mistake. He seems soa"soa""

"Shrewd? Oh, he's shrewd all right. Downright clever. He planned the whole escape himself. Outsmarted everybody. Folks at the hospital got so they trusted hima"and then he took off. Now it is costing a small fortune to find them and take them back."

"But surelya"surely you don't have to take them back. He cares for her. He seems most solicitous. Hea""

"Oh yes. He cares. He means well. We've been told that he even has the foolish notion of a hasty marriage. Thinks that will give her *security'a"help her get well again. It just doesn't work. We've tried to let others out. They do all right for a few days or possibly weeksa"and then they need to be locked up again."

"Locked up?" gasped Julia. It sounded so cruel. "What do you mean? She is such aa"a sweet, agreeable person. Perhaps a bit confused, but perfectly harmless. Shea""

"No one confined to an asylum can be considered harmless," said the man. "She might seem fine todaya"but who knows what her confusion will cause her to do tomorrow? She might start setting fires, or she might take a knife to someone or something."

Chapter Thirteen.

A Twist Julia's eyes widened with shock. "Not Mrs. Williams!" she gasped.

"Miss Whistler," corrected the smaller of the two men.

"Why Ia"I just can't believe it. I meana""

"We're going to be taking them back," said the bigger man.

"Oh my! I do wisha"You don't think they would be fine if someone watched out for them? I meana""

"Sorry, ma'am, but we can't take those chances."

"Of course," murmured Julia.

"Now if you'll just go get your boarders, we'll be on our way."

"House guests," Julia corrected. All the way up the long flight of stairs and down the hallway Julia mumbled. "What a shame! What an awful shame." She raised her calico ap.r.o.n to brush away the tears.

She hesitated before the door of the bedroom occupied by Mr. Williams. She had decided to speak to him first. He could talk to his wifea"to Miss Whistler. He would know the best way to break the news to her.

Julia sniffed away her tears and lifted a trembling hand to knock. There was no answer so she knocked again. Still no answer.

"Mr. Williams? Mr. Williams," called Julia, softly at first and then louder. Still no answer.

"That's funny, I didn't see them go out."

A noise behind Julia caused her to wheel around. The small man was eyeing her with suspicion.

"They a they don't seem to be in," Julia faltered. "I didn't see them go out, but perhapsa""

The man pushed past Julia. He opened the door without knocking and entered the room with one swift motion.

Julia peered over his shoulder. The room was empty. The bed neatly made. The two small suitcases missing.

"He'sa"he's gone. But howa"?"

"Tricky littlea"" The man bit off the rest of his remark, perhaps remembering that a lady was present. Then he confronted Julia. "You really knew nothing of this?" he quizzed.

"No, I had no idea. They didn't saya"I mean, he said they would stay untila""

"Well, I guess I'll just have to accept your word," he interrupted, implying that he still doubted her.

"My word can be taken," she said firmly. "G.o.d has set a standard. We are not to liea"even to protect someonea"someone we have grown fond of. I tell you the truth, Mr.a"Mr.a""

"Is there any place you know of where they might be?"

"No," said Julia.

"No place where they liked to go?"

"No."

"Is there any way out of this town?"

"Just the railroad."

"When did the last train go through?"

"Why, it was the one you arrived on, I believe," answered Julia.

The man looked surprised. Then he mumbled something Julia couldn't understand. She guessed they were more words he didn't want her to hear.

"Slipped out right under our noses," he growled.

Julia turned to hide the relief in her eyes. Then she noticed something on the dresser. She crossed the room and picked it up. It was a letter addressed to her.

Dear Mrs. Harrigan, You have been most kind to Margaret and me, and I am sorry we cannot stay as long as planned.

I have left the amount we owe you in the top drawer of this dresser. I have also left what I believe is an appropriate amount for the picture from the hallway.