The Washington times., 1916-05-14
Dramatized by Charles w. Goddard.

nervousiy. Mrs. Maynard tossed the
paper to the table, almost glaring at
the girl. as the maternal Indignation
Now. Myra. my little girl. We may
as well have a little common sense talk
right now. ! cannot understand why
this precious DR.. Alden should interest
Few day Uu Ms ss only s n or nS
with lot Of wretched, stupid, imprac-
ticai piffe, which he calls psychic
science. And today. in particular. he
a most dreadful ordesi.not 10 mention
my own sufferingsr
Mother. Darlington are the most
darling mother In the world-there are
san aoas y9s un.SS e
older than you. and that YOU are just
big. sweet girl and that I'm your
doll Can't you see how much DR.. AL
den did for me aireadyf He saved my
Mrs. Maynard threw up her hanks dis
YES. and what of It, It just happen:
ed that in some way he interrupted
from your father. I appreciate that,
dear: but I do want you to stop these
experiments with hypnotism and magic.
and the rest of this silly rubbish. You
brain 700 Wiz yS0 such ga Wives taies Xnd
| DR.. Alden In too old man to be doing
Il. Why he r. entirely too old for you"
| Myra became indignant In turn. Here
was the question which always raises
| objections In the mind OF q miss Just
escaping from her teens.
| Indeed DO not see why7 I am
eighteen now and many girls are mar
| ried when they are sixteen TO much old
er men than DR.. Alden ana much
worse-looking ones besidesv
Mrs. MAYNARD sensed the drift Of Ny
why i thought you liked Arthur
Varnev!'
as she averted her face. and the sprang
up. She walked around the table to
kiss her mother. although the blush
| still remained.
! Dear don't know exactly what
4 do think. Arthur is a dear fellow-so
/ thoughtful and SO strong. Yet he is an
| idler and does nothing but 70 around
his clubs. or motoring. or eating. orr
here her voice took on serious tone
drinking. Mother. I may be a silly
girl. and almost a prude. but It does
| seem to me as though Arthur Is dissi-
pating terribly Of late.
Mrs. MAYNARD was silent,
HE looks changed, mother. He used
to be no CHEEKY. 30 strong. while OF late
he seldom looks me In the eye with
that old jolly way OF his. / am disap-
pointed in Arthur" and Myra walked
pensiveiv TO the window. But I do
wish DIR. Alden would telephone to let
me know that he has not done anything
rash"
She looked down the driveway toward
"oh, see the funny man selling bal
looms. 4 haven't seen one since we were
down at the seashore. And, look. moth
err. there comes Arthur yarnev now!
Mrs. Maynard was cheered at the
thought OF a little conversation on sub
iects which she understood: Varney's
! conversation was never intellectual
enough to adduce headaches.
I'm glad" she said; We'll have !. q
Myra was watching In surprise. a,
why. he's talking to the balloon man
Surely. Arthur wouldn't buy a balloon
how absurdr'
prise that the neddfer was walking ur
the drive with her friend. :,.S
Myra went to meet him at the door
as Mrs. MAYNARD ordered Willis to pre-,
"Hello. Myrai This man tried to sci
want some yourself" he jestingiy
"of course not. I'll take nothing lesl
expensive than hydroplane or a Yep
answered the girl. Come in. for an
worried and want your advice. Wha
were you talking about so earnestly 4
your balloon merchant Were you ex
] planning the beauties Of our architec
ture? ! saw yon pointing up towar'
The sharp eyes somehow seemed (,
have embarrassed the visitor. who hest
} tated and then laughed genially.
mo. vas just asking him how higl
J these balloons would iy. I'm Away
interested In scientific subjects. yo'
know"
well. I don't want any balloons. s,
go away Mr.. Balloon Man. and sci
your airships to the boys down tn
street. at the schoolhouse," and Myr,
closed the door behind her visitor
What Is worrying you. dear grip
asked varney, pressing, her hand ten
room.
He frowned ever SO slightly as he fel
the fingers drawn quickly away from
his own.
IT can't think why DR.. Alden has no
telephoned me as he promised he would
You know he Is investigating the Blacl
Order, and am afraid that somethinl
has happened to him."
THE Black Order? Whatever ma.
that be? think that man has studio,
too much. Or more than likely he doe
! what most doctors are said to do-use
} the hypodermic needle to increase hi
Ina ginative ability"
Mrs. Maynard looked up startled.
do you mean that he uses dope.
: Arthur? Oh. how dreadful"
Myra shot an indignant glance.
Arthur. that. Is a cowardly remark
You should say II to his face"
But Varney shook his head wisely.