The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-18
The Evening Story

(By Michael J. Porter.)

DR.. Eastman nat before his desk
with a telephone receiver at his ear.
The voice that came over tn wire
was the impatient one of q busy man.
II will send her to your ONCE In
taxicab. have told her that you arc
a real estate agent who will take her
to look at q house 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 have had to concoct this scheme
in order that you may take her 20 Dr-
Wfddle's for observation Once there.
I presume. she can be easily per-
suaded to remain
ut seems rather . clumsy method
Of getting your ward to the sanitar
ium. but II that Is the arrangement
you made with DIR. Gray, must carry
it out. I am sorry that his serious III
ness prevents him from taking care
OF this matter himself Miss TrimD!e
has been under his care and she would
have more confidence in him thar IN
a perfect stranger. Still. I will 90 as
you request. and we will telephone
you from DR.. Widdle.s. Suppose you
arrange for her to be here at
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
- -
the purpose. Drive or as fast az pos
sible OF course, the whole AFFAIR Is
quite unconventional. but the very
suggestion of going to Wtddle's would
drive her to hysteria. 1t is delicate
mission. and I'm placing entire con-
f1dence in you, DR.. Eastman.
s'I will do my best, Mr.. Smith" said
the doctor as he hung up the receiver
He paced up and down the room
with his chin on his breast. He was
averse to carrying out this clumsy
plan Of Jonas Smiths. to have his
ward, Margaret Trimble placed under
restraint pending an investigation OF
her mental condition. Miss Trfmble
had been dissipating a vast fortune IN
reckless real estate speculattons. II
Jonas Smith had been one OF his own
patients as we'll as Miss Trfmbie. LIT.
Eastman would have made a siren
uous objection to the plan: but they
were DIR. Gray's wea,thiest patients.
and in the Illness of his confrere the
younger man did not wish to offend
Jonas Smith. Hence his consent.
At 3 o'clock he put on a straw hat
and went down the steps to the side
walk where a green taxicab waited at
the curb.
With a word to the chauffeur, DR..
Eastman opened the door. stepped in
side and seated himself beside
young woman who was gazing intent
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.''
I'm sorry,"e said the surprised ply
stefan, apologetica1ly, and at the sound
Of his voice she turned great brown
eyes upon him and uttered a 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 car" she
| ordered.
turn his head Bat drove steadily on:
| If anythingss their speed increased.
The girPlturned to- the physician
with blazing eyes. -
you coward!' she exciafmed
Miss Trfmble,'' he said. gently;
| pray don't excite yourself. I am Mr..
Eastman, the real estate agent your
guardian recommended. You may re-
| member am to show you 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. ne
to see a place in Westchester county
an old colonial mansion which is for
sale. Mr.. Smith wished me to show
it to you." -s
who is Mr.. Smith" she asked Gu
riously.
Jonas Smith, the banker
1T have heard of him." she said
slowly,
It was positive you would recollect
the circumstances, Miss Trimble," sadi
the doctor, wiping his perspiring brow.
This young woman with black-iashed
brown eyes was beautiful. indeed. A
rich color came and went in her
cheeks, and under the brtm OF her
white hat her black hair curved soft
ly against her temples. A little smile
lowered around her lips and her hands
played nervously with silver.meshed
purse.
How long will it take us to inspect
the place and RETURN" she asked after
a while. II have an engagement at
o'clock
1T is not a long ride" evaded the
physician. II have directed the chauf-
feur to lose no time. Perhaps you
would like to look over the photo
very attractive property"
Thank you," said the girl demure-
~, as she took the papers that Jonas
Smith had sent to him for the pur-
pose. 1T seems a beautiful estate,
/ am afraid you are wasting your
time. 1 could not possibly buy it,
The physician was silent. 1t was a
very embarrassing situation for him.
this kidnapping of a 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 DIR. Widdle's sanatorium he
would turn her over to the kindly care
of that great specialist with unquali-
fled relief. The whole situation was
repugnant to him.
He stole a glance at her. She was