Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-04-04
BY BURTON E.. STEVENSON.

II knew that. OF course" he said.
w doctors hear all the gossip going.
/ might add that ! was glad to hear
this bit. If you'll walt for me here.
III go at once
We Instantly asserted. and he called
his carriage. and was driven away.
felt that. at last. we were to see be-
hind one corner of the neutrality-suspicious.
one glimpse would be enough to pene-
trate the mystery. But. in half an
hour he was back again. and a 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 thai was all?' he asked.
THAT was all. " course. there was
nothing for me to do but orn away.
l couidn't insist on seeing her.
NO" assented the other. No. How
do you explain 1t. Doctor"
Jenkinson sat down. and for n mo-
ment studied the pattern OF the car
pet.
"Frankly. Mr.. Royce" he said at last.
II don't lnow how to explain 1t. The
most probable explanation is tina Miss
E%oiladay is suffering from some form
Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS only acute pri-
mar dementia. which Is usually mere
ly temporary-but which m Ia easily
grow serious. and ever become perma-
nent."
The theory had occurred to me. and
I saw from the expression of Mr..
Royce's face that he. also. had thought
of 1t.
is there no way that we can make
sure" he asked. She may need to
be saved from herself. --
She nay need it very badly agreed
the doctor. holding. Yet. she is of le-
gal age. and absolute mistress II her
actions. There are no relatives to in
terfere-no Intimate friends even, that
| know OF. 1 see no way unless YOU. her
legal adviser. apply to h authorities
Tor AN inquest of lunacy."
But MIR. Royce made an instant ges-
ture of repugnance.
"Oh. that's absurd!" he cried. I'VE
have no possible reason to take such
action. 1t would offend her mortally."
mo doubt" assented the doctor. so
{ fear that at present nothing can be
something's will 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 II moment.
Not the slightest" said the doctor
emphatically. Her father n mother
NSA WI oaiAA tNAtb 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 vas then the market
ven all to pieces over that Central
Pacific deal-and had a touch OF
a%poplexia. 1t vas just a touch. out 1
made him take a long vacation, which
ne spent abroad with his wife. 1t was
then. by the way. that his daughter
was born. Since then. he has been
careful. and II never been bothered
with y recurrence Of the trouble. In
fact. that's the only illness in the least
serious I ever knew hin 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. x 1 can be OF any
assistance"
Certainly" answered our Junior.
You're very kind. sir" II we went
back to our cab.
The week hat followed vas a per-
picking n for me. and a miserable
n for Royce. AS l know now, he
lad written her half a dozen times.
ard had received not a single word
tor 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 U as l rode home on the car,
and II item had attracted my atten-
ton. h brokerage firm of Smith &
Currer had that day presented at the
~subtreasury the sum OF one hundred
thousand dollars In 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,
IT was done. of course. that the recip-
lent OF n money might remain beyond
trace OF the police.
CHAPTER TX.