The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-12-07


ton / 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 inter.
rened. She walked swiftly across the
library and planted herself resolute
~ in front of the efficiency man,
Explain" she commanded.
Certainly" h. said suavely Il
an safeguarding the members of
this household"
you mean"
Just this, Miss Brooke. l am
charged with the care of you three
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 | propose. if all reason
able 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 en-
dure the strain. 1t would be embar-
RAISING to be compelled to call n
coroner. l 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-
CURED. And may / compliment you
upon your gown"
Constance did not hear the compli-
ment. Her ears had ceased to record
any definite sounds. somewhere in
the middle of the efficiency mans cx.
PLANTATION. 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 a satisfactory examination. l
suggest that you join them. They
should have been dancing before
this, bat do not seem to have begun
y u
Unfortunately, ! shall be busy here
for some time
She crossed the room quickly and
vert into the music-room where she
found Horace, the butler. standing
stffly at attention.
Where is the music?" she dc.
mand"d, Glancing about her. Tell
them to start at once
I am the music. Miss Brooke"
said Horace in a hollow tone.
You. What do you mcan?'
There is no music except nc.
miss. | ami am" Tho buffers
voice faltercd Il am to play that
thing"
He pointed sloomily in the dir.c.
ton of the monograph. which had
been moved in from the library.
you've been playing that
With a suppressed shrek of hor-
ror, Constance charged upon til. nv
sicmachine. slammed the lid and
locked it.
Throw that key out of the win
dow" she commanded land find
my brother Immediately. 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
car 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. Max. them
dance, run, jumper anything. l
don't care. We're all going to com
nit suicide when it's over, anyhow,
SO what difference does it make? Ha,
hai"
She laughed Historically and beat
out a tWo.Step until her fingers
throbbrd. She was still playing when
the efficiency man, having superin-
tended the examination of the last
guest who was rejected for adenoids.
joined his antiseptic party and grave
ly demonstrated the Danse Eco.
nomiuue.
At ten O'Clock there was a service
OF 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, where
numerous camp-chairs had been ar.
ranged in soldierly rows alon. the
walls. 4
j
NEXT CHAPTER, Constance
plans TO eiOpc.