Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-07-29

draw" he suggested. II give you that
option" Yet he had no hope of win
ming thus easily. and the result justi-
fed his lack of confidence, for Andrew
calculated only a single word. inso-
lently:
"Proceedp'
Andrew moved to an inconspicuous
position by the wall across the room
from Wainwright His manner was
wholly unconcerned. save for IA mere
pickering light of anticipation, which
Lucene observed apprehensively. Mar
shall moved TO a place near the door.
IN obedience TO Wainwright's order.
The others remained as they had been.
but all exhibited something of new
alertness, for now, ut last, the crisis
was come. Soon the door was opened
by Parker. who stood aside to permit
the entrance Of DR.. Forbes. The ply
stefan advanced quickly TO the master
Of the house. who. with Lucene, rose to
greet him.
Or Forbes bowed acknowledgment
Of Lucene's invitation to a seat. MS she
herself returned to her chair. but he
chose to remain standing. while he
glanced about the room over the i'll as
sorted group with an expression of
professional expectancy.
"What is the trouble" he questioned
AS a matter of fact, doctor" Vain
wright explained. we've had rather a
lively eyening-or night, | might better
say-here in the house. The thing has
been bit bothersome, taking it first
and last | shall give you the full de-
tails as to all that has occurred in due
course; but now it would take too
much time. The upshot Of the whole
matter is that we've got a lunatic in
our usually quiet and respectable
home. Naturally. we want you TO take
him off our hands"
a lunatic, ehY'' he said. Il had
hardly anticipated anything of the
sort. since | have some acquaintance
with you all. Some stranger. sup
pose"
Wainwright shook his head empha-
tically.
No" he said decisively, mot a
stranger-not by any means a stran-
ger" He raised his arm and pointed
toward Andrew. There he isw
The physicians first establishment
now became an unqualified amaze
ment. as his eyes followed the direc-
ton indicated by his friends gesture.
"What-Andrewr he demanded.
Wainwright nodded regretfully.
Yes" he said.
Andrew himself was standing mo-
tionless. in n posture of particular hui
mility. His eyes were downcast, his
hands were clasped as If In mute APP
peal. The expression of his counten-
ance was shamefaced, with a feeble,
varying smile OF depreciation. DR..
Forbes surveyed the unexpected pa
tent for full minute, scrutinizing the
detected attitude. the disconsolate face.
us he violentw he asked first.
We'll, no; he hasn't shown any
symptoms Of a violent sort as yet"
Wainwright admitted. But, as is nat
ural. | think Mrs. Wainwright is afraid
he may get dangerous at any moment,
and l must confess for my own part
that |, too. feel nervous concerning
the matter. Lucene has noticed that
he has been acting very oddly for
some days. I've been so busy with the
work of my campaign that failed to
pay much attention to him myself.
But the others of the family, being
less occupied, have observed his pecul-
lar actions, and tonight the thing came
to a head"
"Ah, l seer the physician remark
ed noncommittally. NOW, Cortland, I
wish you to explain to me as accurate
ly as your unframed mind will en-
able you to do the exact details OF the
disorder displayed by our unfortunate
patient here"
why, as to that" was the answer,
the poor man seems to have the most
extraordinary notions about the char
acter of my wife's relatives. That
would be strange enough by itself.
But it is worse than that His de
fusion even goes so far that he has the
like monstrous ideas about my wife
herself in spite Of the fact that hith-
erto he has appeared devoted to her
service, and there can be no doubt
that he himself actually believes these
absurd Authorizations. Ny brother-in-
law, | believe, was the first to notice
this feature of his insanity. Perhaps
you would wish him to tell you him
self" Wainwright fixed his glance i'm
/ peratively on Walter and addressed
him by name, with yelled note of
menace in his tones Please tell DR..
Forbes what Andrew said about you"
oh Walter explained jauntily,
I've noticed the old chap looking kind
Of queer for several days noww He
turned toward Blount boyishly. You
remember my speaking to you about it,
don't you, dad?"
why, yes, son. he replied. Now,
let me see, that was He paused
meditatively as if searching his mem
DRY.
1T was the day before yesterday at
luncheon. ] spoke of ii as soon as An
drew was out of the ROOM" Walter de-
clared glibly.