The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-21

GShcu.
The man grunted and ushered us
into a comfortable little office at the
head OF the dark hall. There were
few minutes more OF waiting, then
Doctor Mayhem came briskly in, look
ing rosy and cheerfully professional.
Well" he said, what can | do for
your"
| glanced at Mrs. Lathrop, and with
half an apology, stepped over and
locked the door, and drew the doctor
aside.
Doctor Mayhem" | began, in the
best manner | could muster, you've
been recommended to me by some
| friends OF mine In New York. You'll
forgive me If | mention no names.
But you will recognize them, | am
quite sure, when | tell you that you
have under treatment an old gentle
man who"
Doctor Mayhem nodded.
Quite So" he said, quite So" Then
bending to my ear, 'Fulson?" he whis-
pered.
In turn | nodded affirmation. II
have therefore" continued, brought
my aunt TO you for treatment-my
aunt, Mrs. Lathrop. Did tell you
that my name was John Lathrop?"
What seems to be the trouble?'
asked Doctor Mayhem, for all the
world as II he really cared.
She's been acting very strangely
of late said; very strangely"
What should you say was the dis
tinctive Characteristic"
saw that Mrs. Lathrop was watch
ing me and that she was quite well
able TO overhear our conversation.
She has been showing OF late" L
said maliciously, IAN unaccountable
desire TO start On sudden Journeys"
Hum" said Doctor Mayhem re-
flectively.
And | continued, "a certain reck-
less disregard of money, which she
seems perfectly willing to intrust TO
people that have really no claim on
her. AS her nearest relative and
heir"
Mr.. Lathrop, quite understand"
said Doctor Mayhem, and il was quite
evident that he did For at the word
money" his eyebrows had gone up.
and whatever doubt | had read be-
tween his eyes disappeared at the
magical sound. He felt himself at
once on firm footing.
While we were talking, Mrs. Lath-
rop had crept stealthily to the door,
and now fumbled at the lock with d
histrionic furtiveness that won my
deepest admiration.
Careful" | said
DR.. Mayhem whirled at the word
and, crossing the little office at
stride, dragged the reluctant Mrs.
Lathrop back TO her chair and PUT
The key in his pocket; then, with
glance at me. he drew another chair
in front Of her. and sitting down, put
her few idiotically simple questions,
none OF which Mrs. Lathrop answered,
save to moan in as many different
keys, Il am not crazy" until | trem-
bled between anxiety and almost ire
pressible laughter.
Doctor Mayhem sighed VERY sad
case, sir" he said, turning to me,
while Mrs. Lathrop threw me a kiss
over his shoulder, You have my
deepest sympathy, sir. You say this
poor lady has great fortune?"
And following the silent motion OF
Mrs. Lathrop's lips:
Il u.
Then as an afterthought, "Of course
| have been unable, as yet, to deter
mine its exact extent. AS you are
probably aware, this can not be done
until she has been declared mentally
and have been appoint
ed her legal guardian"
Doctor Mayhem looked at me
1T will be very difficult case" he
said, and / can not promise you that
she will ever quite regain her facul- !
ties. For cases OF this sort, needing
such variety of treatment, our uni
form charge is six thousand dollars
a year"
Very WELL" | said. you shall have |
the first month in advance tomorrow,
by which time. suppose, you will
have the necessary papers made out. -
Yes said the doctor, "and, by the !
way, no checks, please. Doctor Garlic !
ton, my colleague, has an aversion to |
checks, and we find that. in general, |
our clients themselves prefer cur
rency."
Very WELL" | agreed, as gravely |
as | could, for Mrs. Lathrop had SID |
denly Strengthened herself from Apy
OF trance-like vacancy. and !
had started making a rabbit OF her
was in terror as to |
the lengths to which her eager con-
scientiousness might carry her.
"Of course, you will give my aunt
a good room and proper attendance"
said. "and II you will take a word !
of advice from me, Doctor, you will |
see that the maid who waits on her
has dark hair. She has a particular
aversion to blondes"
At this, Mrs. Lathrop clasped her
hands in noiseless admiration; for. in
spite of her pretended carelessness
and really wonderful courage. think
that, at heart. the thought of the grim
Mrs. Olsen troubled her.
I'VE have just the person." said
Doctor Mayhem, IL am very glad that
You brought the matter up. Five hun
dred dollars tomorrow, then, Mr.. |
Lathrop.
Eyes" said; Il am sorry I did not
bring II with me-
Doctor Mayhem unlocked the door. |
and touched the bell for the janitor.
Let me know OF Mr.. Lathrop's ar
rival tomorrow Immediately" he said |
Come, Mrs. Lathrop, | want to show |
you a pretty room in this hotel"
Boo" said Mrs. Lathrop, and shot I
the rabbit into his face.