The Kevin review., 1927-10-06

which CnreabeueQs as Ilme WenJ Oh y
engulf her. Twice she found her heat
nodding, and the fingers around the bool
relaxing dangerously
Finally. when she was certain 1t mus
be past midnight, she managed. by care
ful manipulation. to turn her wrist sl
that her watch was Illuminated by tns
glow at the curtains edge. Ten o'clock
She had been there just one hour and
half. YEARLY she Strengthened up a
would probably be another two hours a.
best s..
But only fifteen minutes later, the silk
gown again rustled into the room. Hope
stirred. Perhaps, after all. they wouldn
sit up all night.
The pen stopped scraping. Eleanor
yes. she just dropped off,"
"Whats her temperature?"
Ninety mine two. The lowest its been
Good. He seems to be doing pretty
well by her. in spite OF everything. Z
("He2" Nell's head moved closer to the
crack of Hght.)
'Y-yes," I" admitted Mrs. Brewster. slow
~. But really, Alden, he's one Of me
most insuherable young men ever en-
countered"
The eaVesdropper bit her lip, waiting
breathlessly for the next speech.
It came, in tone unpleasantly con-
vincing. HE is. He's strange young
person..
monotonous voice2 Or seen such a quaint
stilted manner?"
"Never. my dear; never And his Eng
Iish! I'm sure that, outside the covers
of book, no one ever used such
thoroughly proper EnglishI"
II know. It's too laughable. And yet
Mrs Brewster spoke musingly be-
ginning to think there's more behind
these tdiOsyncrasieS than we nrst su-
spected. I'm afraid. Alden, that this un-
canny manner Of bis is q mack, assumed
deliberately land unWisely Ito cover
some dread taint villainy or
lunacy, Or
Repressing an impulse to scream, Nell
wondered whether it were not her
bounden duty at this point to rush out.
throw her own shame to the winds, and
set them right in their estimate OF her
Tommy. But discretion, and perhaps
of both pride and curiosity,
forbade SO melodramatic gestuTes ana
she remained where she was. rigid with
horror.
Mr.. Brewster was saying induIgently,
Don't be so harsh, Emily. You sound as
though you'd been reading dime novelsl
And can't believe you're right. MY
theory is that he's masking nothing more
dread than lack Of knowledge which,
after all, is dread enough in his profess
sion, heaven knowsl He's really only q
boy, and can't have had any experience
to speak OF.
"Hmmm. Yes Still, he came
here well recommended by the hospital,
and by several New York doctors, hear.
[ can't understand it. Personally, I
haven't an atom Of faith in him; he be-
naves too queerly."
HE does. But you'll have to admit
that he's doing well with Eleanor. And
ne cured Nyra Fish, too"
ffT-1r-- T41& eI1< a1wrxrr4 H.
;ists that she'll never be the same mem
ally! He shattered her pOise forever!'
Mrs Brewster laughed reminiscent1y.
Alden, what was it he said when you
asked him how long Eleanor would be
n bed2"
;hud of doom. g Possibly one. possibly
,wo, but positively not over three, weeks
unless, of course, something most I'M
oreseen and undesired should occur!"
Behind her curtain, Nell gripped the
book with impotent rage. Her eyes had
1lled with tears Of chagrtn.
yes, that was itl' said Mrs. Brewster
FancyI What could be more more un-
But he was even funnier when
7ou offered him highball."
Thank you, no." quoted her hus-
oand. sedately. a man mar. in int, the active tive
40 indulgences OF any nature, however
Ilight.'"
At Mrs. Brewsters ripple Of laughter,
Nell's tears spilled over and ran down
Ter cheeks.
'.He simply isn't human" went on the
course, a doctor shouldn't drink when
les working that part is all right. But
% refuse In such peculiar way
Oh. don't try to tell me that there isn't
obnoxious underneath it all. I know
here is. I'm positive it's leaning to-
yard insanity
Mr.. Brewster laughed. mo, no, Emily.
les just inexperienced. He doesn't know
lis Job, and he's trying to conceal it,"
well, could almost forgive him
hatl But I'm certain it's something
worse. For instance, have you noticed
he way he always tries to appear in such
hurry Not that want him to sit
round and chatl Heaven Forbid But
imply that it's too absurd for him to
ehave as II he were the busiest doctor
q America. when, as matter Of fact,
Le probably has no practice at ALL"
hettc, when you come to consider It,"
Ieu blessed him inwardly for his kind
Ter tone.
Mrs. Brewster said, impatientIy, I'll
ont think so. think It's painful
lot dishonest, exactly. but -un-honest.
Ionaiiy @ II lacking. It practically proves
Perhaps" There was renewed rat i,
ling Of papers. Apparently Mr.. Brew !
Ter was losing interest In Tommy and /.
is peculiarities. "6it down, Emily, and !
lad while. I'm not through here yet"
(sI was right" Thought Nell, desoiate-
(; they are sit-up p-all- -nightersl")
do hurry up. I'm tired I'll Just i
lance through that blessed quarto. and :
len go up" I1
The silk swirIed toward the table, ! :
here was short silence, and then Mrs. :
rewster said, alden, where did you put :
le Shakespeare quartoP"
Nell's hot tears gave sickening place
, cold beads Of fear. The equarto" It +
luld only mean d
What did you say2" He spoke abb 6
.ntly, as though deep Ia work.
The quarto- The one we Just bought G
" .L,ost2' put it there. on the table"
mo. it isn't here c
1T must be, Emily. I was glancing
trough it just before the doctor came.
remember putting It thereon /
le left hand corner"
''But it isn't here, Alden. Think again" t
There's no need to think, my dear" 9
r. Brewster returned, somewhat testify. 4
That's where put it."