Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-03

euce OI InlS WlIueSS It was the maids turn to hesitate I saw her lips tighten ominously.
 "Very well, sir" she said. But 1 warn you she is most nervous, and it has been forbidden her to talk"
 "She will not be called upon to talk, retorted MT. Royce curtly, and with out answering the woman turned and led the way up the stair and to her mistress room.
 Miss Holladay was lying back in great chair with bandage about her head, and even in the half light could see how changed she was. She seemed much thinner and older and coughed occasionally in way that frightened me. Not grief alone, I told myself, could have caused this breakdown; 1t was the secret weighing upon her. My companion noted the change, too, of course-a greater change perhaps than my eyes could perceive-and saw how moved and shocked he was.
 My dear Miss Holladay," he began, but she stopped him abruptly with little imperative motion of the hand.
 Pray do not" she whispered hoarse- ly. ."Pray do not" s-r
 He stopped and pulled himself to- gether When he spoke again it was in ! quite different tone.
 T have brought the money you asked for" and he handed her the package.
 Thank you" she murmured. f
 twill you verify the .amount?"
 "Oh, no; that is not necessary" F
 "I have a 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 a somewhat painful slow ness. Then she leaned back with a sigh of relief and buried her face in her hands. Mir 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 finger. We turned and fol- lowed the maid.
 Miss Holladay seems very ill.," said MT. Royce in a voice somewhat tremu- lous as she paused before us in the lower hall.
 "Yes, sir; yer H."
 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 graven there, and yet, beneath it all, [ fancied I could detect a faded but living likeness to Hiram Hefladay's daughter. looked again-it was faint uncertain-perhaps my nerves were overwrought and were deceiving me- For how could such likeness possibly exist?
 She has physician, of courseT asked my companion.
 "Oh, yes, sir
 He has advised rest and quiet?"
 'Yes, sir"
 When do you leave for the coun- tryT' -a1 -r -aTi71 -s .
 Tomorrow or the next day after that, think. sir"
 He turned to the door and then paus- cd, 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- pression. T wish her pleasant jour ney."
 The door closed after us, and we went down the steps.
 "Jenkinson's the family doctor" he said. Let's drive around there and find out how ill Miss Holladay really is. I'm worried about her, Lester"
 That's a good idea" agreed and gave the driver the address. Jenkin- son was in his office and received us at once.
 "Dr. Jenkinson," began our junior without preamble, 'I am John Royce. of Graham & Royce. You know. I sup pose, that we are the legal advisers of Miss Frances Holladay."
 Yes" answered Jenkinson. Glad to meet you, Mfr. Royce"
 Tn consequence we're naturally in. terested in her welfare and all that concerns her, and I called to ask you for some definite details Of her condi- tionS
 Her condiionI I don't quite under stand"
 We should like to know. doctor, just how Ill she is
 ''Ill," repeated Jenkinson, in evident surprise. But is she ill?"
 She's your patient. isn't she7 thought you were the family doctor"
 50 ann assented the other. But I haven't seen Miss HolIaday for ten days or two weeks. At that time she seemed quite weII-a little nervous. perhaps. and worried. but certainly not requiring medical attention. She has always been unusually robust"
 Mfr. Royce stopped. perplexed. As for me. my head was in a whirl again
 'TH tell you the story" he said at last T should Ike the benefit of your advice" And be recounted rapidly the facts of Miss Holidays illness. in so far as he knew them, ending with an account of our recent visit and the statement of the maid that her mis- tress was under a doctors care Jen- kinson heard him to the end without intsrrupting, but he was plainly puz- zled and annoyed
 And you say she looked very HT- he asked.
 ssSkE - an -s-. nu.,---s-z.s-- srr .