The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-01-26

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Eve 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 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 glance at his
face told me that we we're again des-
tined to disappointed.
Il sent up my card" he reported
briefly, "and Miss Holiday sent down
word that she must beg TO be excused
Mr.. Royce's face fell.
"And that was alp he asked
THAT was ALL OF course there was
nothing for me to do but come away.
l couldn't insist on seeing her."
No" assented the other; mo. How
do you explain it, doctorT
Jenkinson sat down and for a mo-
ment studied the pattern of the car
pet
Frankly, Mr.. Royce" he said at last,
Il don't know how to explain it. The
most probable explanation is that Miss
Holiday is suffering from some form
of dementia, perhaps only acute pri-
mary dementa, which is usually mere
ly temporary, but which may easily
| hnanmn a
nent"
The theory had occurred to me, and
saw from the expression of Mr..
Royce's face that he also had thought
Of it.
rs there no way that we can make
sure?' 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
l know of. l 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 GEES
ture of repugnance.
"Oh, that's absurd!' he cried. 1--WE
have no possible reason to take such
action. 1t would offend her mortally."
mo doubt" assented the other. so
l 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 Il moment.
mot the slightest" said the doctor
emphatically. Her father and mother
were both sound and well balanced. l
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 his daughter was born. Since
then he has been careful, and has never
been bothered with recurrence of the
trouble-in fact, that's the only illness
in the least serious l ever knew him
to have"
There was nothing more to be said,
and we turned to 60
IF there are any further develop
ments," added the doctor as he opened
the door, Twill you let me know? You
may count upon me If 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 a per-
picking one for me and a 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
firm of Swift & Currer had that day
presented at the subtreasury the sum
Of 100000 in currency for conversion
into gold An inquiry at their office
next morning ELECTED the fact that the
exchange had been effected for the ac-
count of Miss Frances Holiday. 1t
was done, of course, that the recipient
of the money might remain beyond
trace of the police
CHAPTER TX.