Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-03-30

Il knew that, of course, he said.
1--WE doctors hear all the gossip going.
/ might add that wG5 glad to hear
this bit If you1l 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 be-
hind one corner OF the curtain--perhaps
one glimpse would be enough to pene-
trate the mystery But, in hair an
hour he was back again, and glance
at his face told me that we were again
destined to disappointment.
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 all?' he asked.
"That was all. OF course, there was
nothing for me to do but come away,
/ couldn't insist on seeing her
mo" assented the other. mo. HOW
do you explain it, doctor?'
Jenkinson sat down, and for mo
ment studied the pattern of the car
pet
Frankly, Mr. Royce he said at last,
II don't know how to explain II. The
most proba bic explanation Is that Miss
Holiday Is suffering from some form
OF dementia-pe perhaps only acute prl-
mary dementia, which is usually mere
ly temporary-but which may easily
grow serious, and even become perma-
nent
The theory had occurred 60 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
A.. h., DO Of 10
gal age, and absolute mistress OF her
actions. There are no relatives TO In
terfere-no intimate friends. even, that
| know or | see no way unless you. her
legal adviser, apply 10 the authorities
for an inquest OF lunacy'
But Mr. Royce made an instant ges-
ture Of repugnance.
"Oh. that's absurd" he cried. I'VE
have no possible reason TO take such
action. II would offend her mortally."
mo doubt" assented the doctor. so
fear that at present nothing can be
done--things viii just have to take
their course till something more decided
happens
"There's no tendency TO mental dis
ease in the family?" inquired Mr..
Royce, after a moment.
mot the slightest" said the doctor
emphaticaly. Her father and mother
were both sound and well-halanced. l
know the history of the family through
three generations, and there's no hint
of any taint 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
went all to pieces over that Central
Pacific deal-and had a touch Of
spopleXia 1t was just touch, but
made him take a long vacation, which
he spent abroad with his wife. II was
then by the way, that his daughter
was born. Since then, he has been
careful and has never been bothered
with a recurrence of the trouble In
feet that's the only illness in the least
Eerious ] ever knew him to have
There was nothing more TO be said.
and we turned to go.
IF there are any further develop
ments," 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
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 a dozen times,
ard had received not a single word
for answer For myself / had dis
covered one more development OF the
mystery. on the day following the
delivery of the money, had glanced. as
usual through the financial column OF
the Sun as l rode home on the car,
and one item had attracted my atten-
tion The brokerage firm of Smith g.
Currer had that day presented at the
subtreasury the sum Of one hundred
thousand dollars I'm currency for CON
version into gold. An inquiry at their
office next morning elected the fact
that the exchange had been effected for
the account of Miss Frances Holiday.
IL was done, of course. that the recip-
lent OF the money might remain beyond
trace OF the police.