Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-04-20
CHAPTER VIII tContinued).
JenkinSOn smiled.


1.-The advice to seek rest and quiet
seems sane enough" he said, "and ut.
terly unlike any that a faith curist
would give"
But still. II you could see for your
SELF" persisted Mr. Royce.
The doctor hesitated, drumming with
his fingers upon the arm Of his chair.
such course would be somewhat
unprofessiOnal." he said at last. "Still
I might call in q merely social way.
My interest In the family would.
think, excuse me-"
Mr.. Royce's face frightened, and he
caught the doctors hand.
Thank you. SIR" he said warmly.
ut will liftAa great anxiety from the
firm. and, may add. from me person.
ally"
The doctor laughed good naturally.
Il knew that, Of course" he said.
I'VE doctors hear all the gossip going.
might add that was glad to hear
this bit. If you'll wait for me here, I'll
60 at once.
We instantly assented, and he called
his carriage and was driven away. I
felt that at 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 q glance at his
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 be excused"
Mr.. Royce's face fell.
"And that was allT' he asked.
THAT was oil. OF course there was
nothing for me to do but come away.
couldn't insist on seeing her"
NO." assented the other; mo. How
do you explain 1t. doctorT
Jenkinson sat down and for q mo-
ment studied the pattern Of the car
pet.
Frankly, Mr.. Royce" he said at last,
II don't know how to explain it. The
most probable explanation il that Miss
Holiday Is suffering from some form
Of dementia, perhaps only acute pri-
mary dementia, which is usually mere
" temporary. but which may easily
grow serious and even become perma.
nent"
The theory had occurred to me, and
saw from the expression of Mr..
Royce's face that he also had thought
Of 1t.
us there no way that we can make
sureY he asked. "She may need to be
saved from herself"
''She may need it very badly" agreed
the doctor. nodding yet she Is Of
legal age and absolute mistress Of her
actions. There are NO relatives to in
terfere, no intimate friends even that
I know Of. see no way unless you,
as her legal adviser, apply to the au-
thorities for an inquest Of lunacy."
But Mr.. Royce made an instant ges-
ture Of repugnance.
"Oh. that's absurdr' he cried. I'VE
have no possible reason to take such
action. 1t would offend her MORALLY"
mo doubt" assented the other. $50
fear that at present nothing can be
done. Things will just have to take
their course till something more de-
cided happens"
There's no tendency to mental dis
ease in the family" inquired Mr..
Royce after a moment.
Not the slightest" said the doctor
emphatically. Her father and mother
were both sound and we'll balanced. 1
know the history Of the family through
three generations, and there's no hint
Of any faint. Twenty-Five years ago
Holiday, who was then just working
to the top in Wall street, drove himself
too hard-it was when the market went
all to pieces over that Central Pacific
deal-and had a touch of apoplexy. 1t
was Just touch, but made him take
a long vacation. which he spent abroad
with his wife. 1t was then, by the
way. that bis daughter was born. Since
then he has been careful. and has never
been bothered with a recurrence Of the
trouble-in fact, that's the only illness
in the least serious ! ever knew him
to have"
There was nothing more to be said.
and We turned to 60.
A. tACAC oAC uuy AuEluc OcVelOp-
ments." added the doctor as he opened
the door, will you let me know? You
may count upon me IL can be of any
assistance"
certainly" answered our Junior.
You're very kind, sir" and we went
back to our cab.
The week that followed was q per-
picking one for me and q miserable
one for Royce. As know now, he had
written her half dozen times and had
received not a single word of answer.
For myself, had discovered one more
development Of the mystery. On the
day following the delivery Of the mon
ey had glanced. as usual, through the
financial column Of my paper as l rode
home on the car, and one item had at
tracted my attention. The brokerage
nrm Of Swift & Currer had that day
presented at the subtreasury the sum