The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-15
DOBLEYS LEARN A c
EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT or THEIR
FRIENDS THE PLA0ATTERS.

w JILL AAIxk hbkN n OJSAlLA II
EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF rHsIH
FRIENDS THE FLA0ATTERS.
A Young Csspls whs Lived In An Apc-t7ens
Where the Rsiss Forbade Everythine-Tws
white Rabbits, . Squirrel and . Setter
Pep In the Secret which Was Pink.
Il saw Flaghtter downtown yestarday. =
said Mr. Dobley and he wanted to know
why We hadn't been round to call upon them.
He seems to feel hurt about It. And do you
know. I think he's got what I diagnose a. natitis
He says that people who live In houses put on
airs over folks that live In apartments. He
looks swfully worried. and I told him that he
was working too hard. He has reached that
stage that he forgets what he said the minute
before and calls you by your wrong name. This
life In cities saps the energies and makes people
old before their time
Life In fats does said Mrs. Doblsy. 4
tell you there's something wrong with the
Taghtters I was round there Q month ago
and they acted 90 ouserly that I decided not to
call again. I was conscious Of something
queer. well almost criminal about their man.
ner. I never saw people act 20 strangely in
my life"
How do you meant ssksd Doblsy.
well. I can hardly explain II. They kept
running in and out Of the room In the most i'm
polite way. and they whispered and the maid
oams In and whispered to Mira raghtter. and
when the Dell rang she almost started out Of
the chair. saw shs was awfully nervous. %
I came away.
The cook was going 10 lsavs or he ioe
mar hadn't come. suggested Mr.. Dobtsx.
mo. II was something more than that said
Mrs.. Doblsy. There was Q guIlty sort Of oon-
oealment about It all. And II wa mysterious
too
That's fadtis.' said Doblsy. IT'S . COM
mon disease in New York. II 10 . form Of
nervous hysteria that comes from always Us
ing an elevator. Climbing stairs ID one OF the
most healthful exercises In the world. II
drives the blood to the feet and expands them
and II keeps the brain COOL"
Il should hate to think that they wers IN any
trouble said Mrs. Dobley. They seemed %
happy when they moved to New York from the
South after their wedding tour. 1t was quito
amusing how they enjoyed having q nat. They
never lived In ono before and I found them In
the kitchen one day playing with ths dumb
waiter. They thought It was great fun until
tia jsnitor cams up and stopped them and told
them II was against the rules
They never quito mastered he speaking
tube said Doblsy. Every time I spoke
through it I could hear Mrs. Flashtter begin TO
cry becadss she couldn't understand. and then
Flaghtter came and swore. II might seem an
odd way Of welcoming q visitor. but ] under
stood It was their hospitable Southern way OF
letting one know they were at home.
They may have some secret sorfow.' sus-
gestsd Mrs. Dobley: something they feel they
must keep to themselves. Perhaps Mr.. Flasht-
ter's health Is falling
Il had luncheon with him. said Dohaey
and, despite his worried look. he ate with a
most remarkable appetite. No. don't think
his physical health 10 failing. I'm not SO sure
about his mind. though
Sometimes trouble takes that FORM laid
Mrs. Dobley. Il had q seamstress onco who
had lost a fortune In stocks and she had to have
four lamb chops for lunch. I am convinced
that the Flaghtters are In some touble and they
are hiding It. Perhaps Mr.. Flaghtter has had
SOM financial losses"
No. said Dobley. n. was telling me OF q
lucky deal he had made. It's not that
That MAJ be Just a blind suggested Mrs,
Dobley. They may be deeply In debt and
too proud to ask for money. think II IL our
duty TO fnd out what Is the matter and help
them In some way. We pay 90 much attention
20 our friends physical Ills and none to their
mental troubles
Il don't think there really 10 any trouble.
said Mr.. Dobley. They are Southern peo-
pie. unused to our ways, and life here has made
them both nervous. That Is ALL"
A all events. We shall 60 around there to-
night and see them. We will DO Just a. sym
pathetic a. possible and II they act Queerly
why, we will pretend not TO notice 1t. Then
we'll talk about things that will lead them or
70 tell US what the trouble Il. Perhaps they
have had some foolish quarrel
They always seemed devoted to zach other,
said Dobley. why. even yesterday Flasht'
ter had q squirrel In a revolving cage. two
white rabbits and a three-weeks-o'd setteI
DUE. He said he had bought them - presents
for Mrs.. Flaghtter.'
all things!' exclaimed I'm. Dobley
Now. don't you think that seems aueerf
do believe that living in New York he's turned
their heads. We must be very cautious ant
delicate in our investigations.
That evening the Dobleys started ior the
PvTamlU. LnS hphTtul0ut houso al W"Nu Wy
Ftaahtters resided. Mr.. Dobley. was stocked
With good cigars and Mrs Dobiey had some
Are Mr., and Mrs. Flaghtter q homs'' asked
Dobley Of the elevator boy.
4 don't know" said the boy. u was told
not to say: III take you up and you can 'es
The Dobleys glanced mesningly at each
other. Here was mystery. already.
Just ring the bell said the boy. and theyI
open that sliding panel in the door. They've
He disappeared from yiey and III Dob
leys stared IN amayement at the paneled door
way. Sure enough. there was a square Slid
ing panel set In the woodwork.
THEY can't be- running q faro game In a
iat," said Dobley.
Perhaps they have one Of those society
poolrooms. said Mrs. Dobley. Its quite
4 fad 10 have them nowadays;
We'll 1ns at all events" said Dobley. press
"A mufied c~olloouy and some scufiins, were
heard and after some delay the panel was
pushed back and the face Of Flaghtter was
pressed to the opening.
Alloy there IN the look out. said Dobley.
.Oh. Is that you old mnn?" said .Flaghtter.
-Just walt a minute and III let you In"
nohlav wjnked ut his wife. After q pause