Argosy, Vol. 112, No. 2 — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

the er thing buf rut Author of “ Anything but the Truth,’”’ “‘ Annexing Bill,” etc. WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED ILLIAM HERVEY, to be married to Helen Gray the following week, left her to motor up to Blythedale in his new red runabout in order to put the last few finishing touches to the room that was soon to be their bridal chamber in the pretty cottage. Loomis, his book- keeper, reminded him not to fail to be back in town that night by eight, as most important busi- ness matters would then claim his attention. At Blythedale he found the house next door occupied by a newly married couple, of whom only the bride, Annabel Elton, was at home. Each was so much in love with love that they could not help but get acquainted, and the Elton car not having yet been delivered, what more natural than for William to offer to take her to Dobson's chicken farm for a dozen fresh eggs, wanted for “ Jackie”’ when he should return from his first absence on the morrow, her Aunt Fannie having promised to come up from the city to spend the night with her. No one, however, seemed to know exactly where Dobson’s was, but at last, leaving the car in a shed of the Turnstile Inn, William and Annabel climbed a small mountain to what at last they felt was the right spot, only to find themselves addressed as Mr. and Mrs. Otis, consigned to a private sanatorium for six weeks’ treatment under a Dr. Baiswell, who, when William very naturally resisted, ordered him into a strait-jacket, and declared to. his man Peter that he must advise the cousin, Marlowe, who had sent the couple, that three months rather than six weeks would be required to cure such an obstinate case, CHAPTER V. FORMS OF MADNESS. VEN on the high spots, the sun had finished work for that particular day. Dusk was gathering in the library. The good doctor reached for the wall-switch and turned on the lights on the rusty old chandelier overhead—and William Hervey, incidentally, regained some of his wits. “ Doctor!” he began thickly. ‘We failed rather miserably in our ef- forts at calm discussion, Mr. Otis,” the doc- tor said briefly. ‘I think that we may eschew further attempts just now.” ce pe “Number fifteen, Peter—and you, Miss Wray,” said the doctor. “ Together?” Peter asked. The doctor caressed his beard again. “Yes, I think so,” he said meditatively. “The history of their cases shows no an- tagonism between them, I believe. Yes, put them in fifteen together.” “What is ‘ fifteen ’?” hysterically. “Only a room, and one of the best and most comfortable in the house, my child,” the doctor said very quietly —and then grew stern again. ‘“ And before you are taken up, young man, and you, too, young woman, I want to say just one thing more to you.” Helplessly, they faced him. The doctor trained a warning forefinger on them. “ Your troubles you have brought solely upon yourselves. High living—fast going— late hours—alcohol—tobacco, and all the Annabel cried, This story began in The Argosy for September 6. 210 GEomichbooks (EO)