The Red Cloud chief., 1905-12-08

uPSS was nnucr II DOCTOR care. Jcn-
kinson heard him to the end without
in%tcrrupting. but he was plainly pug
zled and annoyed.
And you say she looked very ill7''
he asked.
"Oh, very Ill, sir: alarmlngly III, to
my Impractical eyes. She seemed thin
and worn. She could scarcely talk,
she had such n cough. l hardly knew
her.
Again the doctor paused TO consider.
He was n very famous doctor, with
many very famous patients, and l
could see that this case plqucd him
that another physician should have
been preferred!
"Of course, Mr.. Royce" he said final
ly, Miss ! 'uday was perfectly free
to choose another physician II she
thought best"
but would you have thought It prob
able?' queried our Junior.
"Ten minutes ago | should have
thought II extremely improbable" an
swcred the doctor emphatically. still,
women are sometimes erratic, as we
doctors know to sorrow"
Mr.. Royce hesitated and then took
the bull by the horns.
"Dr. Jenklnson,' he began earnest
ly, don't you think II would be wise
to see Miss Holladay-you know how
her father trusted you and relied on
you-and assure yourself that she's In
good hands? l confess | don't know
what to think, but ! fear some danger
| 10 hntuinn .xsnt Inr IbnrI,n,o ghn "A
even have fallen into the hands Of the
faith curlsts."
Jcnk inson smiled.
"The advice tn seek rest and quiet
seems sane enough" he said. land ut
terly unlike any that II faith curlst
would give"
But still, II you could see for your
SELF" persisted Mr.. Royce.
The doctor hcsitatcd, drumming with
his fingers upon the arm of his chair.
such Il course would he somewhat
unprofessional." he said Mt last. "Still
! might call In n merely social way.
My interest In the family would, l
think, excuse me-"
Mr.. Royce's face frightened. and he
caught the doctors hand.
''Thank you, sir" he said warmly.
ut will lift II great anxiety from the
firm, and. / may add, from me person
ally"
The doctor laughed good naturally.
81 knew that, of course he said.
1--WE doctors hear all the gossip gong.
| might add that | was glad to hear
|, this bit. If you'll wait for me here, I'll
go at once.
We instantly ~assented, and he called
/, his carriage and was driven away. |
felt that mt last we were to see behind
; one corner of the curtain perhaps one
, glimpse would be enough to penetrate
, the mystery. But in half an hour he
. was back again, and a glance at his
t face told me that we were again des'
, tined to disappointed.
II sent up my card" he reported
, briefly, land Miss Holiday sent down
word that she must beg TO ~ excused
"And that was all?" he asked.
, 'That was all. or course there wa
nothing for me to do but come away
l couldn't insist on seeing her"
NO" assented the other; mo. How
do you explain 1t, doctor?'
Jenkinson sat down and for n mo
ment studied the pattern of the col
pet.
Frankly, Mr.. Royce" he said at last
II don't know how to explain 1t. tn
most probable explanation Is that Mis-
y Holiday Is suffering from some forn
. Of dementia, perhaps only acute pr
= nary ementia, which IL usually mere
v ly temporary, but which may easll
grow serious and even become perma
!. nent."
The theory had occurred to me, nm,
I saw from the expression Of MI
y Royce's face that he also had though
- Of 1t.
- SIS there no way that VIC can max
- sure?' he ASKED. "She may need to b
: saved from herself"
, "She may need 1t very badly" agree
y, the doctor, noddiI.g. yet she Is
;, legal age and absolute mistress OF ht
actions. There are no relatives to II
~. t%erfere, no intimate friends even tia
a l know Of. ! see no way unless yo1
=. as her legal adviser, apply TO the al
thorities for IN inquest OF lunacy.'
But Mr.. Royce made an instant &c
ture Of repugnance.
"Oh, that's absurd!' he cried. "N
a. hPve no possible reason to tai sue
action. 1t would offend her mortally
N mo doubt" assented the other. Is
A. I fear that at present nothing can |
Ia,n Urlsa,., mill inuf havn IN tal