Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-03-29
The Holiday Case
BY BURTON e. STEVENSON. !
EnzzzznzHnzz~ Copyright. 1903 by Henry Holt & Co =suupmmHHHn (


II knew that. of course" he said.
"We doctors hear all the gossip going.
I might add that l was glad to hear
this bit. II you'll wait for me here,
I'll go at once"
We instantly assented, and he called
his carriage, and was driven way. l
felt that, at last. we were to see be-
hind one corner Of the curtain-perhaps
one glimpse would be enough to pene-
trate the mystery. But, in half an
hour he was back again, and q glance
at his face told me that we were again
destined to disappointment.
II 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 tina was all?" he asked.
THAT was all. OF course, there was
nothing for me to do but come away.
I couldn't insist on seeing her.
NO" assented the other. mo. How
DO you explain it, doctor?"
Jenkinson sat down, and Tor a mo-
ment studied the pattern Of the car
pet.
Frankly, Mr.. Royce he said at last,
IT don't know how to explain 1t. The
most probable explanation Is that Miss
Holiday is suffering from some form
OF neutrality-suspicious. only acute pri-
mary dementia, which is usually mere
ly temporary-but which may easily
grow serious, and even become perma-
nent."
The theory had occurred to me, and
I saw from the expression of Mr..
Royce's face that he, also. a thought
Of it.
rs there no way that we can make
sure?" he asked. she may need to
be saved from herself"
OCH $500 RaaI a. xynVyy hr Ill - ,pyT0nl
the doctor, nodding. Yet, she is OF le-
gal age, and absolute mistress of her
actions. There are no relatives to in
terfere-no intimate friends. even, that
I know OF. l see no way unless you, her
legal adviser, apply to the authorities
Cor an inquest of lunacy."
But Mr.. Royce made an instant ges-
ture OF r~epugnance.
"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 doctor. ;
I fear that at present nothing can be
done-things will just nave to take
their course till something more decided
happens
There's no tendency to mental dis
ease In the family?" inquired Mr.,
Royce, after n moment.
mot the slightest" said the doctor
emphatically. Her father and mother
were both sound and w"ell-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 then the market
all to pieces over that Central
Pacific deal-and had a touch OF
apoplexia. 1t was just a touch, but l
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
and has never been bothered
with a recurrence of the trouble. In
tact, 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 go.
IF there are any further develop
added the doctor, as he opened
the door, will you let me know? You
may count upon me, If l can be of any
assistance"
Certainly answered our Junior.
You're very kind. sir" and we went
to our cab.
The week that followed was a per-
one for me, and q miserable
ne for Royce. AS / know now, he
lad written her half a dozen times,
had received not a single word
Tor answer. For myself, had dis
one more development of the
mystery. On the day following the
OF the money, / had glanced, as
usual, through the financial column Of
he Sun as l rode home on the car,
one item had attracted my atten-
ion. The brokerage firm OF Smith e.
currer had hat day presented at the
'ubtreasury the sun of one hundred
dollars in currency for con-
Tersion into gold. An inquiry at their
,fhce next morning elected the fact
the exchange had been effected for
he account of Miss Frances Holiday.
{ was done, of course. that the recip-
or the money might remain beyond
race OF the police.
CHAPTER TX.