Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-01
CHAPTER XIV, (continued)


man in evening attire sprang out of
the chair and pushed the man in white
violently away from him.
"You let me aone! he bawled IL
don't care if I've got hydrophobia.
You'll not stick that thing down my
throat" W.
The doctor looked at H. Hedge.
IF YOU won't submit to examination
I cannot permit you to stay, said the
efficiency man to the patient.
The patient glared for five seconds
and then stalked from the room.
Next" called the doctor.
At that point Constance INTERVIEWED
She walked swiftly across the library
and planted herself resolutely in front
Of the efficiency man.
"Explain,'' she commanded.
Certainly he said suavely, Il am
safeguarding the members of this
household"
You mean"
Just this. Miss Brooke, am charg-
ed with the care of you three children
That extends to your health, among
other things. Large assemblies OF per-
sons offer exceptional opportunity for
the transmission of infectious and COZ
tagious diseases. do not propose to
have any of you run the risk of illness.
Neither do suppose, if all reasonable
care can prevent it, to have any guest
in this house participate In dancing
unless his or her heart and lungs are
in a proper condition to endure the
strain. It would be embarrassing to be
compelled to cali coroner. am,
therefore, taking every precautton. Dr.
wardell will not only conduct such ex-
aminations as may be necessary, but
will also remain in attendance during
the evening, ready to perform profess
sional services whenever they may be
required. And may compliment you
upon your gown"
Constance did not hear the cnmpli-
ment. Her ears had ceased to record
any definite sounds, somewhere In the
middle of the efficiency mans explana-
ton She was quivering with silent
rage.
"If you will go across the hall into
the parlor," observed H. Hedge, you
will find number Of your guests, who,
am happy to say, have passed sat
isfactory examination. suggest that
you join them. They should have been
dancing before this, but do not seem
to have begun. ] wish you would ask
them to start Unfortunately, shall
be busy here for some time
He gave her a nod of dismissal and
turned to make note of the name,
age, and address of terrified little
blonde in blue, who was holding out
rosy tongue for inspection, and having
her pulse perused at the same time.
Constance made her way mechani-
cally in the direction of the room that
H. Hedge insisted upon calling par.
lor. to her daily horror. She was max
ing a violent effort to perserve her
sanity. The company of young people
upon whom she gazed did not appear
to be attending a party. They were
making about as much noise as the
figures on a movie screen. Most OF
them were gathered in little groups.
Occasionally there was a whisper, but
for the most part silence. Constance
hesitated at the threshold. The situa-
ton was at verge of fatality.
She crossed the room quickly and
went into the MUSHROOM, where she
found Horace, the butler, standing
stiffly at attention.
Where is the music?" she demand.
ed, giancing about her. Tell them to
start at once"
II am the music, Miss Brooke said
Horace in a hollow tone.
"You. What do you mean"
There Is no music except me, miss.
! ami am" The buffers voice fall
tered 81 am to play that thing
He pointed gloomily in the direction !
of the monograph, which had been |
moved in from the library.
You've been playing that"
Twice. Miss Brooke. Too Much |
Mustard and oh, You Beautiful DOLL !
Nobody danced am about to try Gu
pid Astray."
With suppressed shrek Of horror, |
Constance charged upon the music ma
chine. slammed the lid and locked it
Throw that key out of the window
she commanded, "and find my brother
Bring him here"
She flung herself at the piano and
began playing wildly, conscious only
Of desire to make terrific noise.
Billy Brooke had to shout in her ear
before she was aware Of his presence.
Make them dance" she screamed.
Make them do something. I'm going
crazy. I'm going to play and play and
play until die. Make them dance. run,
iump-or anything. don't care. We're
all gong to commit suicide when it's
over. anyhow, so what difference does
i make? Ha, ha!"
She laughed Historically and beat
,ut a two-step until her fingers throb-
ned. She was still playing when the eff
iciency man, having superintended the
of the last guest, who
vas rejected for adenoids, joined his
lntiseptic party and gravely demon
trated the Danse Economiqne.
At ten O'Clock there was service
Il sandwiches in sealed and sterilized
Wrappers. accompanied by lemon
de and ginger ale, the choice
vas optional among the guests. This I
ook place in the dinning-room. where
numerous campchairs had been ar
anged in soldierly rows along the
wallis
But of all this Constance was uncon-
cious. She had escaped to far corner
I the conservatory, where she wept