The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

THANKS TO THE B. R. T. “Tf you will permit me,” he said gent- ly, “I should be very glad to take you— wherever you’re going.” Miss Catterson’s head nodded a slow negative. “No,” she murmured. “But after that little experience, wouldn’t it be better?” “No,” the girl said again, and the con- fusion seemed to increase. ” Dr. Bowen persisted. This time it was plain that the unfor- tunate young woman was making a vio- lent effort toward coherent thought. The fast-winking eyes remained upon him and then looked about uncomprehendingly, and the girl’s smile was pitiful as she said at last: ‘““No—no. I want to be alone, please.” “Very well,” said Dr. Bowen. “Tm—looking for something, Catterson went on vaguely. “ Can’t I be of some assistance in find- ing it?” The stricken young woman hesitated and shook her head again. “No, I—want to find it all alone, please,” she replied softly. Dr. Bowen drew a deep breath. There was something about this girl that cut him to the quick! She was will- ing, temporarily, to talk, too; perhaps, with a little careful assistance, she could be led into connected thought. “Do you mind telling me just what you are looking for?” he asked, ever so gently. “Why —I don’t know,” the girl laughed helplessly, and ceased laughing on the instant! ‘‘ That is what troubles —troubles me so. J want: to find it, and still, when I look, I can’t remember—I can’t remember—”’ “Was it a box, by any chance?” Dr. Jim asked suddenly. An astonishing flash of intelligence came to the girl’s eyes. “Yes, that was it—that was it! A box!” she said eagerly. “A metal box?” Dr. Bowen suggested. “Yes, yes! A metal box!” the girl ” Miss don’t you remember? o1 cried. ‘“ You know where it is, don’t you? You'll tell me where it is? Where is the box, please?” “T can’t tell you just where it is at- this minute, but if you'll try to think where you put it, perhaps we can find it together,” said Dr. Jim. “ Now, you took it from home, did yow not?” “ Home?” “Yes, you had it when you left the house, and then you went somewhere— Just where did you go?” The girl, conte once more, seemed almost in foxx of him now, for she drew back slowly, and the eagerness was all gone as she said: «< ” Ro=tome don’t “know. Please let me go.” ‘ F shall not detaill'¥on, if I am unable *6 help you,” Dr. Bowen smiled. “But —where did you go ‘that day?” “Day?” the girl breathed with never a sign of understanding; and _ then, ,’ shrinking farther from him, she mut- ~ tered: “ No, I want to go alone, please. I want to go and find it all alone. I =— to find it.” One last perplexed, frightened stare, and Miss Catterson shook her head de- cidedly and turned away from him swift- ly. Fhe conversation was over. The hunt, as strange a chase as was afoot in Brooklyn that evening, was on again and .- the way still led along the high iron fence. Well, at last he had spoken with her and been given an external suggestion of her purpose, with whatever ill success. Dr. Bowen, following at a judicious distance, secure in the knowledge that she had for- gotten his very existence again by this time, cursed his lack of forestelees in neg- lecting the nervous diseases. Miss Catterson, by the way, seemed upon a fresh trail. Her pace had grown swifter and more purposeful; she was past the iron gate down there, and the steps that led to the high stone tower, and hurrying beside the board fence. She came to the corner and stood there with- out turning—and this locality at least, = ECOPICLOOKS (E@)