The Argosy, September 1915 — page 62: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

276 course, no knowing, you can’t expect him to restrain himself. He’s always been accustomed to leading an active life.”’ “ Active, my dear! Why, he’s vio- lent. My knuckles are still aching. Do you really think we ought to let him have ham—and coffee? ”’ “We might as well,” said Rosalind in a hopeless voice. “ He’d probably make a scene over toast and tea.”’ “And he seems so healthy, poor fel- low! And so strong!” “ He’s deceptive,” Rosalind observed hastily. | There was a heavy tramping of feet overhead, then a crash that rattled the dishes in the pantry. Mrs. Witherbee rushed into the hall, stifling a scream. Rosalind bit her lip. When the mistress of the island re- turned her eyes were wide with terror. “He—he carried his trunk up- stairs!”’ she gasped. “ He wouldn't let Stephen or Tom touch it.” “He does those things,” said Rosa- lind unhappily. ‘‘ He doesn’t realize, you know. We can’t restrain him by force, but we must do all we can.” “Does he have—attacks?”’ “Oh, often. ‘Terrible ones.” Mrs. Witherbee clasped her hands. “And it’s a two-mile sail to the nearest doctor!’ she moaned. “ Never suggest a doctor to him,” warned Rosalind. “‘ He wouldn’t un- derstand and you can’t tell what he might do. Don’t think of such a thing!” “But if anything should happen—’” “ We must run the risk. We must make the best of it somehow. I'd cut more ham than that, I think; he'll only be out after more if you don’t. I'll get the bread; no need to call the servants. I imagine we'd better bring it to him on the porch.” An awed household watched Regi- nald Williams eat. It was a rapid and extensive proceeding. ‘Sorry to have put you out,” he roared genially as he emptied the cof- fee-pot. “But a man has to have a THE ARGOSY. bite now and then to keep his body and soul in close relation.” “Of course,” assented Mrs. With- erbee gently. “ Good food, rest, and plenty of sleep.” “Oh, I’m not sleepy! I’m good for all night if there’s anything doing.” “We live very quietly here, Mr. Williams.” “Oh, well, we'll manage to start something. Won't we, Tom?” Tom Witherbee mumbled an unin- telligible reply and glanced at Rosa- lind. She shook her head severely. Suddenly Reginald missed the mas- ter of the house. “Where's Mr. demanded. “He—he went out in the launch,” faltered Mrs. Witherbee. “Why the dickens didn’t he invite somebody? Nothing Id like better on a night like this.” ; Witherbee?” he “He just went over to Mr. David-— son’s island,” explained Gertrude in a soothing tone. “ He didn’t think any- body would want to go.” At this point Fortescue Jones, who had been regarding Reginald with amazed eyes, entered the conversation. Said he: ‘He went over to see about bur—” The elbow of Tom Witherbee put an abrupt end to the sentence. “To see about what?” demanded Reginald. Mrs. Witherbee rolled her eyes helplessly. Her husband had gone to the burglar meeting. “To see about burlap,” said Rosa- lind hastily. “ Burlap?” “Certainly — burlap. He wants it to wrap things in.” “Must want it pretty badly,” com- mented Reginald, “if he has to make a special voyage to get it. Oh, well, if we can’t go sailing let’s start some- thing. Let’s dance!” Rosalind leaned weakly against a pillar. of the porch. “We—we don’t dance,” said Ger- trude. CORNICLOOOKS (C@)