Evening star., 1922-03-04
JOHN LINDSAY
ASSERTS HIS RIGHTS.

HE dinner party in Cecily Le-
lands studio had come to
dramatic pause. The women
were gasping my dears" at
each other, the men pushing back
their chairs in amazement. and at the
upper end of the table, with the guest
of honor steadying her arm. Merriam
Lindsay, looking very ethereal in her
fragile evening gown. had risen.
From the kitchen came a strange
babble of sounds. the high pitched
voices of the Japanese serving boys
and Susan Sues shrill accents.
"The more l tell him she never was
in Japan. the more he keeps hollering
that he saw her there a month
Ned Merrill, who was a lawyer, rose
determinedly. John Lindsay was al
ready at the other end of the table
with his arm about his trembling,
little wife.
"Sit down, darling" he told her
soothingly. "Neds the chap to find
out things-,hell bring the Jap back
ip here
The boy came. he was not much
row black eyes "n ners: He could
talk very little English. Merrill. who
had taken charge. called the other
boy to act as interpreter; it seemed
am interminable time before he could
Ldig out their queer story.
kato had come back from Japan
acting as courier for wealthy
American. His employer had kindly
given the boy weeks holiday so
that kato could visit his family in
the northern part of Japan: 1t was
while on this visit that Kato had
seen Merriam. Not Merriam herself.
the patient lawyer finally discovered.
but picture Of Merriam-with the
same high backed comb she was now
wearing, in the inside cover of the
case of a travelling clock.
Dads" cried Merriam. 81 gave it
to him for his birthday. just before
he sailed last year."
The, clock was in the room of an
American gentleman, man with
white hair. who had been in a serious
accident He wasn't i'll bodily. but
| he couldn't tell anybody where he
| came from or what mis- name was.
"Some sort of aphaSia or amnesia,
Ned Merrill iElerpolated.
Very white, extraordinarily quiet,
| Merriam turned to Leila Graham.
Have you Richard Slocum's ad-
dress? she asked. DO you know if
he's still in Japan"
Isn't it providential that he is
Leila had forgotten her langu!d
drawl in the excitement of the mo-
ment. her words were tumbling over
each other. I'll phone my apartment
for the address. it's on my writing
Fright now" Merry's words came
family. We'll hurry-oh. my poor,
JOINS arm frightened around her.
Just one minute he said authorita-
lively. Naturally. l don't care to dis
cuss this matter before strangers: but
there are several reasons why it seems
to me quite unnecessary to drag Slocum
into something that is entirely a family
matter. The thing to do is to get in
once and have him communicate with
the detective agency which is already
conducting the search"
Silence in the room. Merriam turned
in absolute amazement.
'Johnsy!" she stammered. you must
be out Of your mind! Richard is right
there in Japan this minute, and he'd do
anything in tine world for me. and he
adores dad-why, he's thousand
times better to send than any stupid
old detective agency that's been looking
these four long months and done moth
ing at all but send bills-Johnsy, you
aren't serious.''
Big and blonde and obstinate, John
stood his ground.
81 think my judgment is better than
soaIs III .lis Hia,.ei' ue ieapo.ueu u
stiff1y. "If you communicate with that
chap Slocum, you do so against my eX-
press wishes. J do not care to have my
wife under any obligations to the sort
of man that Slocum has shown himself
to be-"
"JohE Lindsay" Leila's voice cut in,
don't be so pigheaded. Merry's right;
We'll cable Richard at once"
very tiny. looking very white, but
strangely self controlled for so pas
sionate a creature, Merriam seemed to
ignore everybody in the room but her
obstinate John. She stood away from
him, with her arms folded. There was