Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-10-23
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ton I cannot permit you to stay"
said the efficiency man. to the patient.
The patient glared for five sc -ou..J
and then stalked from the res.
Next" called tho doctor.
AT that point Constance ..'r>,~
vened. She walked swiftly &C..
library and planted herself re.--.
ly In front OF the efficiency ma.
"Explain" she commanded.
Certainly" H. said suavelv. al
am safeguarding the membl :; C..
this, household" SCI
You mean"
Just this. Miss Brooke. -,
charged with the care of you tkrc>
children. That extends to your
health. among other things. Large
assemblies OF persons offer excep-
tional opportunity for the transmits.
sion of infectious and contagious
diseases. I do not propose to have
any OF you run the risk of Illness
Neither do I propose. If all reason
able care can prevent 1t. to- have any
guest in this house participate: III
dancing unless his or her heart and
lungs are in a proper condition to en-
dure the strain. 1t would be embar-
RAISING to be compelled to, call
coroner. am. therefore,. taking
every precaution. DR.. Wardwell will
not only conduct such examinations
as may be necessary. but will also
remain In attendance during the, eve
ming. ready to perform professional
services whenever they may be, re-.
quired. And may / compliment, you .
upon your gown" (;
. Constance did not hear the compli. /
ment. Her ears had ceased to record Z
any definite sounds. somewhere in /,
Che middle OF the efficiency mans ex.
PLANTATION. She was quivering with ,
silent rage.
IF you will go across the hall into :
the parior,' observed IL. Hedge.
you will find a number of your
guests. who. am happy to say. have
passed a satisfactory examination. l
suggest that you join them. They
should have been dancing before
this. but do not seem to have begun.
1 wish you would ask them to start.
Unfortunately. shall be busy here
for some time"
She crossed the room quickly and I.
went into the music.room. where she
iouno Horace, the butler, standing :
stiffly at attention.
Where is the mus!c?" she de- {
mandcd. glancing about her. Tell !
them to start at once"
am the music. Miss Brooke" !
said Horace in hollow tone.
You! What do you mean?"
There is no music except me- 5
miss. I ami am" The buffers
voice faltered. ~ am to play that
thing"
He pointed gioomily In the dircc- !:
ton of the photograph, which had /,
been moved in from the library.
you've been playing that!"
With a suppressed Shrek of hor.' !
ror. Constance charged upon the mu. !.
sic.machine. slammed the lid and |,
locked 1t.
Throw that key out Of the win.
dow" she commanded, land find I
my brother Immediately. Bring him
here"
She flung herself at the piano and !
Began playing wildly, conscious only /;
OF desire to make terrific noise. 4 :
Billy Brooke had to shout in her
ear before she was aware of his
presence. -
Make them dancer she screamedl
Make them do something! I'm going
crazy. I'm going to play and play
and play until die. Make them
dance. run. jumper anything.
don't care We're all going to com.
NIT suicide when it's over. anyhowI
SO what difference does it make? Ha,f
har
She laughed Historically and beat
out a two-step until her fngersls
throbbed. She was still playing whenIi
| tho efficiency man, having superin.I
tended the examination OF the last
guest. who was rejected for adenoids.l
joined his antiseptic party and gravel
ly demonstrated the Danse Ecol
| nomique.
Al ten o'clock there was a service
on sandwiches In sealed and sterilized
wrappers, accompanied by lemonade
| and ginger ale. the choice OF which,
| was optional among the guests. This
took place In the dining room. vherc1
| numerous camp-chairs had been arr
ronged In soIdierIy rows along tho
wallssI -
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piano 20 eloDe..
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