Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-12-11
N THE WRONG TAXI.
How a Perfectly Sane Girl Was
Taken to a Sanatorium.
: BY MICHAEL J. PORTER.

BY MICHAEL J. PORTER.
Copyright 1914. BY the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
Doctor Eastman sat before his desk
with a telephone receiver at his ear,
The voice that came over the wire
was the impatient one, OF q busy man.
Il will send her to your Office in a
taxicab. have. told her that you are
a real estate agent In Westchester. !
told you she had q mania for buying
real estate. and can't interest her
in anything else. She Is so suspicious
that l have had to concoct this
scheme in order that you may take
her to Doctor Widdle's for observation.
Once there, l presume, she can be
easily persuaded to remain"
1T seems rather a clumsy method
OF getting your ward to the sanatorium,
but IL that is the arrangement you
made with Doctor Gray. l must carry
1t out. am sorry that his serious
illness prevents him from taking care
OF this matter himself. Miss Trimble
has been under his care and she would
have more confidence in him than In
a perfect stranger Still, will do
as you request, and we will telephone
you from Doctor Widdle's. Suppose
you arrange for her to be here at
three o'clock"
Three o'clock. Remember to look
for a green taxicab at your door. Just
run down the steps, tell her you are
Mr.. Eastman, the real estate agent,
and use the letter have sent you
for the purpose. 1t is delicate mis-
sion, and I'm placing entire confidence
in you, Doctor Eastman"
Il will do my best, Mr.. Smith," said
the doctor as he hung up the receiver.
At three o'clock he put on a straw
hat and went down the steps to the
sidewalk where a green taxicab waited
at the curb.
With a word to the chauffeur, Doc
tor Eastman opened the door, stepped
inside and seated himself beside q
yOuue "Oulou '" ~ WOO 64LlA6 AASSAS
ly out Of the opposite window.
She did not turn her head until the
car started and then it was to say
carelessly: you've been long while,
Tom"
Pm sorry" said the surprised phys
ician, alphabetically, and at the sound
O. his voice she turned great brown
eyes upon him and uttered cry of
alarm.
"Oh, who are your" she asked in
dignantly. What are you doing
here?" She lifted the speaking tube
and spoke to the chauffeur. stop
the carl" she ordered.
The man on the seat outside did
not turn his head but drove steadily
on; II anything, their speed in
creased.
The girl turned to the physician
with blazing eyes.
You coward" she exclaimed.
Miss Trimble," he said, gently;
pray don't excite yourself am Mr..
Eastman, the real estate agent your
guardian recommended. You may re-
member now am to show you a
house in Westchester."
You have made an absurd mis-
take" said the girl coldly. Il am not
Miss Trimble-I do not know what
you are talking about"
The doctor repeated his words pa
tiently. You may remember" he
added, that you particularly wished
to see place in Westchester county
an old colonial mansion which Is
for sale. Mr.. Smith wished me to
show 1t to you"
"Who is Mr.. Smith, she asked
curiously.
Jonas Smith, the banker"
Il have heard of him." she said
slowly.
II was positive you would recollect
the circumstances, Miss Trimble,"
said the doctor, wiping his perspiring
brow.
How long will it take us to inspect
the place and return?" she asked after
q while. Il haze an engagement at six
o'clock"
1T is not long ride" evaded the
physician. II have directed the chauf-
feur to lose no time. Perhaps you
would like to look over the photo
graphs of the house now. 1t is very
attractive property"
fhn nj, a va1,,
as she took the papers that Jonas
Smith had sent to him for the pur-
pose. 1T seems a beautiful estate.
but as l am as poor as church mouse
am afraid you are wasting your
time. l could not possibly buy it."
The physician was silent. It was a
very embarrassing situation for him,
this KIDNAPPING Of beautiful young
lady, who appeared to be as sane as
himself. Her denial of her own iden.
tity convinced him that she was de.
ranged, as her guardian had testified
Also her remarks concerning her pow
erty were indications Of insanity
If he could interest her until they
reached Doctor Widdle's sanitorium
he would turn her over to the kindly
care of that great specialist with un.
qualified relief. The whole situation
was repugnant to him.
Suddenly the girl tilted back her
head and laughed. Il wouldn't miss
seeing that place for anything" she
gurgled. There can't be another like
it in the world, Mr.. Eastman!"e
There isn't" he said. gloomily, and
cooled by her mirth at his expense he
sunk into dignified silence.
Presently the girl allowed the pho
tographs to slip to the floor. while