Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-07
6be
Holiday
Case


-
"Oh, no; that IL not necessary"
~ have receipt here" and he pro-
duced it and his fountain pen. "please
sign it."
She took the pen with trembling fin-
gers. laid the receipt upon her chair
! arm without reading and signed her
name with II somewhat painful slow.
ness. Then she leaned back with a
sigh OF relief and buried her face In
her hands. Mr. Royce placed the re.
ceipt in his pocketbook and stopped.
hesitating. But the maid had opened
> the door and was awaiting us. Her
mistress made no sign; there was no
excuse TO linger. We turned and fol.
lowed the maid.
"Miss Holiday seems very Ill.," said
Mr.. Royce In voice somewhat tremu-
lous as she paused before us in the
lower hall.
Yes. sir: YER ILL.,"
Again the voice! I took advantage
OF the chance to look at her intently
Her hair was turning gray. certainly:
her face was scanned with lines which
only care and poverty could have
craven there, and yet. beneath it all,
fancied | could detect a faded but
living likeness to Hiram Holidays
daughter. looked again-it was faint,
uncertain-perhaps my nerves were
overwrought and were deceiving me.
For how could such u likeness possibly
exist?
"She has a physician, Of courseY'
asked my companion.
"Oh. yes, sir
'He has advised rest and quiet?"
Eyes. sir"
"When do you leave for the coun-
try!"
Tomorrow or the next day after
that, think. sir"
He turned to the door and then paus-
ed, hesitating. He opened his lips to
say something more-his anxiety was
clamoring for utterance - then he
changed his mind and stepped outside
as she held the door open.
Good day." he said, with stern re.
preston. II wish her pleasant jour-
ney.'
The door closed after us, and we
went down the steps.
"JenkinsOn's the family DOCTOR" he
said. Lets drive around there and
find out how III Miss Holiday really
is. I'm worried about her. Lester"
That's good idea." ! agreed and
gave the driver the address. Jenkn-
son was in his office and received us
at once.
"Dr. Jenkinson." began our Junior
without preamble. II am John Royce
of Graham Il Royce. You know, sup
pose, that we are the legal advisers Of
Miss Frances Holiday"
Yes" answered JenkinsOn. "Glad Il
meet You, Mr. Royce"
'In consequence we're naturally m
terested in her welfare and all that
for some definite details Of her condi
ton"
Her condition? don't quite under
stand"
I'VE should like to know, doctor jus,
how Ill she is
Ill" repeated Jenkinson. in evident
surprise But is she ill!"
She's your patient. isn't she?
thought you were the family doctor"
80 am" assented the other. Blu,
l haven't seen Miss Holiday for tel
days or two weeks. At that time sh,
seemed quite well-a little nervous
: perhaps. and worried, but certainly
not requiring medical attention. Shit
has always been unusually robust"
Mr.. Royce stopped. perplexed AS fol
Inc. my head was in whirl again.
"I'll tell you the story" he said al
last II should like the benefit Of your
advice" And he recounted rapidly the
: facts Of Miss Honaday's illness. in sc
far as he knew them, ending with ar
> account Of our recent visit and thu
statement Of the maid that her mis-
tress was under a doctors care. len
; kinson heard him to the end wlthou
interrupting, but he was plainly puz
zled and annoyed.
And you say she looked very ill!'
he asked.
"Oh, very Ill, sir; alarmingly i'll. I,
my Impractical eyes, She seemed THU
and worn. She could scarcely tall
she had such cough. l hardly knew
her"
Again the doctor paused to consider
He was very famous doctor, witt
many very famous patients. and
: could see that this case piqued him
that another physician should hav
: been preferred!
: "Of course, Mr.. Royce" he said final
ly, Miss Holiday was perfectly fire.
= to choose another physician IL sh
, thought best
! but would you have thought 1t prob
, able" queried our junior
!. "Ten minutes ago should hav
u thought it extremely improbable" ar
), swered the doctor emphatically. "Stil
women are sometimes erratic, as W
J, doctors know to our sorrow"
u Mr.. Royce hssitated and then too
= the bull by the horns.
CDR JenkinsOn," he began earnest
ly, 'dOn't you think it would be wis
:, to see Miss Holladay-you know no,
her father trusted you and relied o
you-and assure yourself that she's |
good hands? l confess l don't kno1
" what to think, but I fear some DANCE
y Is hanging over her. Perhaps she ma
u even have fallen into the hands of tn
y faith curists."
n Jopytpcnn apnilo6