The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
MAGAZINE

Miss Browne, who was much concerned over story she had just read in the eve ming news and wished to verify. It seemed that she knew Mir. Hallidan. Aubrey assured her that I was the John Hallidan to whom she referred. The case, he said, was extremely interesting The sufferer lay in his bed delirious and repeating the name Mary lad infintum. At this point Miss Browne hung up. And that night, Martin, a bouquet of ong-stemmed roses arrived for me.
 "There was no name attached to them, but just plain white card with this scrawled across it; Courage, mon ami
 Courage, my boy. I went out of that bed like jack-in-a-box and did an inl- promptu spring dance with a linen cover by way of robe. My nurse screamed for help and tackled me. She was strong as a boy, but she couldn't control me until pair of broad-shouldered orderles hove in the offing. Then I dived back into bed and ex- ecuted fine relapse with much grooming.
 "The nurse sent for Aubrey and he eX- paned that such hysterical outbreaks were to be expected. My nurse, however, looked rather thoughtful. In fact, she's thought full sort. So we let her in on the secret, and she laughed, Martin, till the tears rolled down her cheeks.
 "What little brick she was! Threw her self right into the spirit of the game. Am brey gave orders that further telephone in- quiries about my condition should be re- ferred to Miss Boone. The hall telephone was just outside my room, and when Miss n |. if my door was left little ajar.
 "The first call came early the next morn ing when we were having very cozy break fast with the roses in tall glass vase in the center of the table.
 "'Yes Miss Browne said my nurse when she answered it." This is MT. Hailidan's purse.'
 GA most baffling case.
 No, the doctor has given up hope, but Mir. Hallidan may finger for few days.
 Having? Yes, he lies repeating the name Mary all day long and all night. He never sleeps.
 "'No, the doctor will not allow any one to call on the patient. The slightest shock may prove fatal
 "'Nov shouted as she hung up. Whats the idea? Isn't it the whole plan to get Mary Browne into this room?'
 "1t is,' said Miss Boone, but little waiting will be good for her.
 Ut required moment for the idea to sink into my brain and then sat down, clear out of breath woman uses small wea- pons, but by love, they are sharp! That afternoon Mary Browne called at the sana- torium and asked for Dr. Aubrey. I would give year of life to have overheard that scene, but it went something like this:
 "Ambrey received her dressed for the operating room as if he had just finished using the knit. He had all the costume complete, from the skull-cap down, and not being overly pleasant at any time, he must have looked like regular angel of death, and devilish ugly one at that. When he came into the waiting room he found her sitting in her furs with the faint, aloof smile, but he wasted no time.
 Very busy day. You'll have to talk quick, Miss Browne. Just :e-s a dead man on the table and I'm going to another one What do you want?'
 ''She froze in her very best manner, say ing: I presume, doctor, that I should have selected an hour when you would have had more leisure?'
 "'Much better snapped Aubrey ,and turned on his heel.
 'When he reached the door weak voice called: 'Dr Ambreyv
 "He whirled around and giared at her. hotI ,po, r+