The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-09-13
AUDREY'S
APHASIA
BY EPES w. SARGENT.

| Copyrighted, 1907, by Z. c. PARCELS. [
b~~~~0~~~~
1t had been rubbing it in to ask
Dick Fitzgerald to act as one of the
uShers at the Craven-M ountford we'd
ding. Dick had been in love with
Audrey Craven long before Sir Henry
Mountford had come across the water
in search of bride and q bank &C
count.
Mrs. Craven had shrewdly argued
that with Dick acting as one of the
ushers she would put a stop to the last
shred of gossip. For several years
their friends had looked for the an
nouncement of Dicks engagement to
Audrey, and the new turn Of affairs
had not met with popular approval.
II Dick was an usher he might seem
to give countenance to the, alliance.
No one blamed Audrey for the en-
gagement. Mrs. Craven, had she been
a man, would have achieved credit as
ward boss. In her feminine sphere
she hectored her family, the charita-
BILE societies of which she was ,invaria-
bly, the president, and even the rector
of St Jude's recognized God, Mrs.
Craven and the bishop in that order.
When Sir Henry was graciously
pleased to accept Mrs. CravenSS diplo-
matte overtures their set had regard
ed Dicks fate as sealed and with a
murmured Poor Audrey" gave their
attention to other affairs. The an
nouncement that Dick was to be one
Of the ushers brought forth an addi-
tional Poor Dick" but he rather en-
jOyed his duties as, standing on the
steps Of st. Jude's, he explained to the
wedding guests that the service was
postponed owing to the absence Of
Miss Craven.
Eve only know what word was sent
up from the house." he assured Mrs.
Ponders. Miss Craven went out to
visit Nell Testra last night. She left
so early that no escort seemed neces-
sary, but she did not return home. No
one knows what happened. Mrs. era
ven is Frustrated. Sir Henry? l IN
derstand he is taking 1t very badly"
He bowed her away and turned to
the next conner. There had been no
time to recall the Invitations, and the
six ushers were too busy to give more
than passing attention to any one per-
son.
Sir Henry was taking ii very badly
indeed. He was storming up and
down the long hall of the Craven
home. and between disappointment
and wounded pride the fioodgates Of
speech were opened, and his language
would have done credit to a stable
boy.
Mrs. Craven shut herself in the H.
brary long before he had concluded his
remarks, and the stolid butler, aided
by the coachman, elected Sir Henry
from the house, to the huge delight of
the reporters who had vainly besieged
the front door for the last hour or so.
Then Mrs. Craven took to her bed
and vowed that no daughter of hers
should ever marry into the British no
bility, while Carver Craven hurried
down to the police station to ask that
! q general alarm be sent out.
Nothing came of this action, and aft
er couple of days the papers dropped
the sensation. Dick was distracted.
| Two days before the ceremony Audrey
had assured him that things would
| turn out all right and had told him
not to worry but her long silence ar
gued that she had not been able to
make things go as she had planned
and that she had killed herself rather
,Lo low
! In the hope of distracting his mind
the senior Fitzgerald intrusted him
with commission in Chicago, and
| Dick, glad to get away for few
| days, took the train after exactlng a
promise that he should be Informed
| by wire of any development.
The trip seemed interminable, but at
| last he reached town and established
| himself at a hotel He could not see
| the people he wanted until the follow
ing morning, and to dispel his loneli-
| ness he hunted up Jim Dalton.
Dalton and he had been chums In
| the college days before Dalton had
gone west to study medicine. He was
| inferno in one Of the hospitals now,
| and after dinner Dick and he went
| out
"Want to see the animals?' asked
| his chum after the first flood OF ques-
| lions had been asked and answered.
| Dick shook his head.
I'D rather talk" he said. I'm In
no mood to look upon suffering"
| We've got one celebrated case"
said Dalton proudly. Been In the pa
| pers almost week nova ripping
pretty girl with aphasia. Doesn't
know who she is or where she came
from or where she wants to go. The
funny part is that she suffers from
none of the causes Of the disease
"Dick smiled. 1T must be pleasant
| to forget everything sometimes he
| said. You couldn't innoculate ME,
could you?"
| 81 never knew that 1t was infec-
| tious," said Dalton. Still. you might
try 1t in the interest of science. She
| usually comes In for chat In the
| evening. She likes to talk about her
case. She knows as much about the
disease as do"
He rang the bell, and a trim nurse
| appeared Twill you ask Miss Smith
| to come in If she has not yet retired"
he said, and he turned to Dick.
I'll have to Introduce you as re-
porter" he said shes not like the
| average charity patient In clinic, you
know. It's evident that she Is gently
bred. and she might resent being on
| exhibition"
Dick nodded. but when the door
opened to admit the patient he scan
dalized the physician by jumping up
and clasping the girl in his arms.
To Dalton's further amazement the
| patient did not appear to resent the
| caress, and it was not until he stood
beside them that they appeared TO re-
member his presence. Then they sep
arated, the girl blushing a rosy red.
"The sight of Mr.. Fitzgerald has re-
called me-" she said in explanation.
Il am Audrey-Audrey Craven. am 1
not!" she asked Dick nodded.
II remember now" she went on. IL
was to be married to Sir Henry.
| Where Is Sir Henry, Dick?"
Home" said Fitzgerald beamingly.
Sailed the other day. He was kicked
| out of the house for cursing at your
mother"
But you said you lived here in Chi
cago." interrupted Dalton. I've new
er thought of inquiring in New York"