Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-05
A Mystery
q 4 I w O
Continents
BY
Blu E.
STEVENSON
Copyright. 1908. by
Henry Holt and
Company


for" and he handed her the package.
'Thank YOU" she murmured.
''Will you verify the amount?"
ooh, no; that is not necessary"
II have receipt here" and he pro-
duced it and his fountain pen. "Please
sign it,"
She took the pen with trembling fin
gers, laid tle receipt upon her chair
arm without reading and signed her
name with 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.
Eyes, sir; YER ILL.,
Again the voice! 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. l looked again-it was faint
uncertain-perhaps my nerves were
overweight and were deceivlng me
For how could such likeness possibly
exist?
.'She has a physician, of course"
asked my companion.
'Oh. yes, sir
"He has advised rest and quiet?
Eyes, sir"
when do you leave for the coun-
try?"
Tomorrow OF 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. 81 wish her a 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
G,,J \, noll1
is. I'm worried about her, Lester
That's a good idea" l agreed and
gave the driver the address. Jenkin-
son was in his office and received us
at once.
"Dr. Jenlinson," began our Junior
without preamble, Il am John Royce,
of Graham \ Royce. You know, sup
pose. that we are the legal advisers Of
Miss Frances Holiday
eyes," answered Jenkinson. "Glad to
meet you, Mr. Royce"
"In consequence we're naturally In
teIested in her welfare and all that
concerns her. and | called to ask you
for some definite details of her condi-
ton"
''Her condition? 1 don't quite under
stand"
I'VE should like to know, doctor, just
how ill she is"
"lll!' repeated Jenkinson, in evidens
surprise. But is she ill?''
Shes your patient, isn't she? i
thought YOU were the family DOCTOR
so l am assented the other. "But
haven't seen Miss Holiday for ten
days or two weeks At that time sho
seemed quite well-a little nervous,
perhaps, and worried, but certainly
not requiring medical attention. She
has always been unusually robust"
Mr.. Royce stepped, perplexed AS for
me, my head was in a whirl again.
I'll tell you the story" he said at
last Il should like the benefit of your
advice And he recounted rapidly the
facts of Miss Holidays illness. in SO
far as lie 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
but he was plainly puz-
Zled and annoyed.
And you say she looked very ill?'
he asked.
''Oh, very i'll, sir; alarmingly i'll, to
my Impractical eyes. She seemed thin
and worn. She could scarcely talk
she had such cough. l hardly knew
her
Again the doctor paused to consider.
many very famous patients, and l
could see that this case piqued him
that another physician should have
been preferred!
"Of course, Mr.. Royce" he said final
ly, Miss Holiday was perfectly free
to choose another physician if she
thought best"
But would you have thought it prob
able?" queried our Junior.
Ten minutes ago l should have
thought it extremely improbable" an
swered the doctor emphatically. "Still,
women are sometimes cratic, as we
doctors know to our sorrow"
Mr. Royce hesitated and then took
the bull by the horns
CDR. Jenkinson," he began earnest
ly, don't you think 1t 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
is hanging over her. Perhaps she NAV