OCR Text |
Show i Tins iPANBIt FORK PRE23, BPANTSII FORK. UTAH a V wm imtf B AUTHOR, 'ev?o CIRjCULAR, STA.IR.CASE? , V5Z& MAN MAN MAUIUES A SLOWER. TEN. WHEN Pf.X BERT SMITH ILLUSTRATED YNOPIIl !( Jnnli. N-po- l rpra Th-bo- rn a a, non-ftn- CHAPTER VIII, Continued. rnt of the evening wan quint, end 1 needed 1C Ml Patty and Mr. von lowald talked by tbe Oro and 1 think bo told bar something not allot tbo scene In tbo eprlnghouse. For ebo patted Mr. Pierce at tbe foot of tbo eulre on her way up for tbo night and ehe pretended not to eeo him. About twelve oclock, Juet after 1 went to my room, somebody knocked at tbe door. When 1 opened, tbo new doctor was standing In the ball. "I'm sorry to disturb you, bo said, "but nobody aocma to know where tho pharmacy clerk Is and Ill have to get some medicine.1 "If 1 had my way, we'd have had a bell on that pharmacy clerk long ago," 1 snapped. getting my keys. "Who's Tfag alckr "Tho big man." bo replied. is hie name, 1 think, "Blgge a aenator or eome-Jilng.- " 1 was leading tbo wray to tho stairs, but I stopped. "I might have known 1C" 1 said. "Ha hasn't been natural all evening. What'e the matter with hlmT Too much fast?" "Fast?" 'He laughed. "Too much feast! Hes got aa pretty a case of In digestion as 1vo seen for some time. Hes giving a demonstration thats almost theatrical." Well, the pharmacy was locked, and we couldn't find a key to fit 1C And when 1 suggested mustard and warm water be jumped at the Idea. "Fine!" he aald. "Better let me dish out the spring water and you take my Lead on, MacDuff, to the Job! kitchen." Well, I got tbe mustard and water ready, put out tbe HghC and ho took the things and started ouC but he came back In a hurry. "There's somebody outside talking," he said. I went to the door with himand listened. , "The sooner tbe better, Mike wae saying. "Im no good while Ive got It on my mind." And Mr. Thoburn: "Tomorrow is too soon; theyre not In the mood yeC Perhaps the day after. Ill let you know." I didn't get to Bleep thing to do. Aa Mr, Ram aald, Mr. Plvrco didn't want to stay, anyhow, ud aa likely aa not If we weat to him la body and told him ba must corns to tbo shelter botieo br Instructions, and bo auavo and gentlo when bo waa called down by the guest about tbo iMtn plpea making n racket, he'd o probably prefer lo go down to tbo and Uka Doctor names' place washing dlabeo at tba station. Hut bo uellled It by appealing himself. Me camo across tbo anow from tbo direction of Mount Hope, and bo bud n pair of akees over bis shoulder. (At that time 1 didn't even know tbo flam of tho things, but 1 learned enough about tbam later.) I must say bo looked very well beside Mr. Dick, who wasn't very large, anyhow, and who hadnt had time to put on bin collar. and Mr. Bam, whos always UUn and sallow and never takes n sup be doesnt bava to. I let him In, and when bo saw us all there ho started and hesitated. , "Come In, Pierce," Mr. Bam aald. "We've Just beeo talking about you." Ho came In, but bu didn't look very comfortable. "What bavo you decided to do with mo?" be asked. "Put mo voder reny Mlnnl. pcl" houM girt flap sanali op rut witn in rt torium, tot;Mi Ihs mho t r armsl at 4 la b tnttt4 la marry prtnes, nil lit 4atti of in tkl doctor who own llit sanatorium. Th Mint I loft to grandson, iHchp Carter, who must appear on a oertaln dal and run 1h aanalorium aurtHMsfully lor two rsontha nr forfeit fh Inlierllanr. A eaa of mump delara lMk'a arrival. Mr. la bovertn about in hopea of ee- Uia place for a aummer hotel. urine preftr-- , a nolle man In hard lock. Ibrother-in-vail ! upon hr Van Alairna. la.-law. to (raperoonata tba missing hair and taka rhara of tha sanatorium unlit Carier arrtvea. Inch, who has eloped with I'artv- rouner latr, ttomtbr. and tha roupls - Into biding In tha old ahelier houae. Krtng to fan Twtrothra father, wh la at th vanalor-toIhck arrance with IMerna to In thn maoamsnl of th proper! r. Julia Hummer, leading ladf of Inerra etranded theatrical oompany. arrive. Hhe la suing Incky fur breach of promt, Tha prince, under tha Incognito of tiekar eon law id. arrives at th sanatorium. character man with Pierce' show Itarpe, nd a gradual M. It., take th plar nf anatorlum physician. 1tema, who very much Intersated In Patty, allow a von Inwald. strong diallk for until almost morning, and then it was to dream that Mr. Pierce was ahoutlng Hypocrites" to all the people In the sanatorium and threatening to throw glasses of mustard and warm water at' them. When people went down to breakfast the next morning they found a card hanging on the office door with a half dozen new rules on it, and when the I went out to the eprlnghouse guests were having an Indignation meeting In the sun parlor, with the bUhop In the chair, and Senator Biggs, so wobbly he could hardly stand, making a speech. I tried to see Mr. Pierce, but early as It was, he had gone for a walk, taking Arabella with him. So I called a Miss conference at the shelter-housPatty, Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstyne, Mr, and Mrs. Dick and myself. We were In a tight place and we knew it. ' "He is making It as hard for us as "The he can," Mrs. Sam declared. Idea of having the'eardroom lights put out at midnight, and the breakfast room closed at ten! Nobody gets up at that hour." "He wats to come here every evening for orders," said Mr. Dick. "He came just once, and as for' orders well, he gave em to me! But Miss Patty was always fair. ehe asserted. "I "I loathe him, want to quarrel with him the minute I see him. He he is presumptuous to the point of Impertinence but hes honest; he thinks were all hypocrites those that are well and those that are sick br think they are and he hates hypocrisy." "You and old Pierce would make a fine team, Pat, Mrs. Dick remarked with a yawn. "I like hypocrites myself. Theyre so comfy. But if youre not above advice, Pat, youll have Aunt Honoria break her neck or something anything to get father back to town. Something Is going to explode, and Oekar doesnt like to be agitated." She curled up on the cot with that and went sound asleep. The rest of us fead coffee and talked, but there wasnt e RINEHART til-lag- straint? & EDGAR 0 eapywottr r loo lata. 1 aaw ber rise, saw the glaae of water at bar elbow roll over and smash on tho floor, and aaw her dutch wildly at Mr. Pterre'a aboulder, "Not not Dicky Carter!" aho cried. "Itkbard they rail blin Dick," Mr. Plerco aald uneasily, sod loosened her finger from blc coat Oh. well, everybody know It now-b- ow aho called Mr. Dick everything In the calendar, and then began to cry and aald nobody would ever know wbat shed beau through with, and the very drees oho bad on .was part of tbo trouaaeau shed had made, sod what with tho dreeamakero bills Suddenly aho stopped crying. "Where Ic bo now?" she demanded. "All we are aware of," Mr. Pierce replied quietly, "la that be la not lo tbo aanalorium." She looked at ua all closely, but abo got nothing from my face. Oh, very well," oho aald, ahrvgglng ber shoulders, "Ill watt until bo shows up. It doesn't coat anything." Then, with ono of ber easy changes, h laughed and picked up ber muff to go. "Minnie and L" she aald, "will tend bar hero, and la our leisure moments we will pour aulphur water on a bunch of Dlcky't letters that 1 bavo to cool 'em. 8bc walked to tho door and turned around, smiling. "Carry nro lnauranca on 'em all tbe time," the finished and went out. leav--. tng ue staring at one another. Of course, he bad to bo set right about tba sanatorium, and Mr. Bam began It Mr. Pierce listened, sitting on tbo floor and looking puxzled and more and more unhappy. Finally be got up and draw a long breath. a. "Exactly, he agreed "I know you CHAPTER IX. are all right and I'm wrong according to your way of thinking. But If thee 1 went to bed early that night people want to be well, why should I What with worrying and being alterencourage them to do tho wrong thing? nately chilled by tramping through the They don't vent to be well; they're all enow and roaetad aa If 1 waa sitting hypocrite!." on n volcano with an eruption due, 1 "That's not the point. Pierce," Mr. waa about all In. Dick broke In Importantly. "You were I It was about four o'clock In to com here for orders and you tbo guesa when n band slid over my morning haven't done It You're running this face, and 1 aat up and yelled. Tbe place for me, not for yourself." band covered my mouth at that and Mr. Pierce looked at Mr. Dick and aometblng long and white and very from thera to Mr. Sam and smiled. thin beside tbo bed eald: "8h! For "I did come," be explained. "I came heaven's sake, Minnie! twice, and each time wo played rouwas Miss Cobb! 1 lighted n It 1 lost all the money I'd had in candle and set it on a cbalr beside the lette. advance. Honestly," ho confessed, "I bed and took n good look at ber. She felt 1 couldn't afford to coma every waa shaking all over, which waen't day." for I sleep with my window Mias Patty got up. "We are talking strange, aha had n key In her band. and open, around tbe question," ehe eald. "Mr. ehe gasped, holding out the "Here," Tierce undertook to manage tbe sanawake tbo house Minnie, "here, key, sucIt torium, and to try to manage and him, oh, Minnie, for bear but, get cessfully. Ho cannot do that without ena saka, save my reputation!? aomo at attempt making conciliating who?" I demanded, for 1 saw It the people. Its It's absurd to an- .was"Get room key. her tagonise them. "1 locked n man In my room!" have "Exactly," he eald coldly. "I was to she declared In a terrible voice, and colmanage It, and to try to do It successInto middle of tbe bed. the lapsed methods I'm dont aorry my fully. Well, 1 leaned over and tried to tell meet with the approval of this er executive committee. But It might ae her she'd make n mistake. Tho more well be clear that I intend to, use my I looked at her, with her hair atanding straight out over her head, and 'her own methods or none. we do? wb&t Miss could Well, Patty cambric nightgown and a high collar went out with her head up and tho and long sleevea, and the hump on her rest of ua stayed and ate humble pie, noee where her brother Willie had hit and after a while he agreed to stay if her In childhood with a baseball bat, He said the surer I was that somebody had ho wasnt Interfered with. he and Doctor Barnes had a plan that mada a mistake likely tbe man. I aat down on the side of tbe bed he thought was a winner that If and put on my slippers. or the make break would either place "What did he look like?" 1 asked. and he thought it would make It. And "Could .you eee him?" by that time we were so meek that Bhe uncovered one eye. we didnt even ask what It waa. "Not not distinctly," ehe said. "I Doctor Barnes and Miss Summers were the first to come to the mineral think he waa large, and and rather handsome. That beaat of a dog must spring that morning. have got In my room and waa asleep It?" she Isn't old "Curious world, the bed, for It awakened me by under said between puffs. "Here we are the three of us snug and nice, having snarling." There was nothing In that to make water and not aeven kinds of hell-firme nervous, but It did. As 1 put on a meala three to for It; pay having I was thinking pretty bard. kimono my beds day and afternoon tea ditto, good 1 could not waken Mr. Pierce by ditto and four days and steam-hea- t knocking, so 1 went In and shook blm. "Mr. Pierce! Mr. Pierce!" It was two or three minutes at least before 1 bad him Bitting on the aide of the bed,, with a blanket spread over hie knees, and was telling him about Mlsa Cobb. After be seemed pretty well wakened I went out I waited In the g-room and I beard him growling as he put on hla clothes. He was quiet when we got to the bedroom floors, however, and when we stopped outside Miss Cobb's door he was as sober as any one could wish him. 1 gave him the key and he fitted It quietly in the lock. Arabella, just outside, must have heard, for she snarled But the snarl turned Into a yelp, as if shed been suddenly kicked. Mr. Pierce, with his hand on the knob, turned and looked at me in the candle-light- . Then he opened tbe door: Arabella gave another yelp and Not Not Dicky Carter!" She Cried. rushed out;' ehe went' between my feet ago where were we? Pierce, you were like a shot and almost overthrew me,1 and when I'd got my balance again hocking your clothes! Doc, you "Washing diehes!" he said. I never looked Into the room. Mr. Pierce was knew before how extravagant it la to at the window, staring out, and the room was empty. have a saucer under a cup! The Idiot! Mr. Pierce said. "If "And I! she went on, I, Julia Summers, was staring at a ceiling in the it hadnt been for that snow-bank- ! Finleyville hotel, with a face sthat Here, give me that candle! He stood there waving It in circles, looked liko a toy balloon. "And now, said Doctor Barnes, you but there was neither sight nor sound are more beautiful than ever. I am from below. After a minute Mr. Pierce a successful physician. And my yoitng put the window down and we stared friend here Pierce Julia, Pierce has at the room. All the bureau drawers now become a young reprobate named were out on the floor, and the lid of Dicky Carter, and may the Lord have poor Miss Cobbs trunk was open and . the tray upSfet. mercy on his soul!" We waa back to her room, her I In out to but brought I tried time, get e sittin- and the didn't know whether to be happy that she waa vindicated or mad at the elate her things were la Bbe drew my head down to her and her eyea wero fairly popping out of her bead, "I feel as though Im going crazy, Minnie! eh whispered, "but the only things that are gone ars my letters from Mr. Jones, and my black woolen tights!" I slept lata th neat morning, and when I'd had breakfast and waded to the spring bouse It wae nearly Bins. As I floundered out I thought I aaw somebody slink around tbo corner of the spring bouse, but when I got there nobody waa In eight. I was on my knees In front of tbo fireplace, raking out the fire, when I heard tbo door close behind mo, and when I tuned, there stood Mr. Dick, muffled to tba neck, with bis hat almost over his face. , "What tho dauee kept you eo late this morning?" bo demanded, la n sulky voice, and limping over to n table bo drew a package out of his pocket and slammed It on tha tablo. "I waa up half tbe night, as usual" 1 aald, rising. "You oughtnt to be hero, Mr. Dick!" Ilo waa pulling something out of hla overcoat pocket, an Inch at n time. "For God's sake, Minnie," ho exclaimed, "return this this garment to whomever It belongs to!" He handed It to me, and It wao Mlsa Cobb's black tlghta! I stood and stared. "And then." ha went on. reaching for tho package on the table, "when you've done that, return to 'Hinkle these letters from ber Joneale. "Don't stand and atare," he continued Irritably, when I didn't make n move, "at least get that that Infernal black garment out of sight" "So It was you!" I gaaped. putting tbe newspaper over tho tights. "Why In the name of peace did you Jump out of tbe window, and what did you want with with tbeas thlnga?" "Want with those things!" he snarled. "1 suppose you can't under stand that a man might wako np In mad tho middle of the night with craving for n pair of black woolen tights, and" "You needn't be sarcastic with me." I broke In. "You can save that for your wife. I suppose you also had a wild longing for tbe of an Insurance agent" And then K dawned on me, and 1 eat down and laughed until 1 cried. "And you thought you were stealing your own letters! I cried. "The ones he carries fire Iniurence on! Oh, Mr love-letter- s Dick, Mr. Dick!" "How waa I to know It wasnt Ju Mian Summers room?" he demanded angrily. "Didn't I follow the dratted dog? 1 gave her the beast myself. Oh. 1 tell you, Minnie, if I ever get away from this place" . "Youve got to get away this minute, I broke In, remembering. Theyll be coming any Instant now." He got up and looked around blm helplessly. "Wherell I go?" he asked. "I can't go back to the I looked at him and he tried to grin "Fact," he said, "hard to believe, but fact, Minnie. She's got the door locked. Didn't 1 tell you she la of a suspicious nature? She was asleep when I left, and mostly ahe Bleeps all night. And Just because ahe wakes when I'm out, and leta me come In thinking abe'a asleep, when she has one eye open all the time, and she sees what I'd never even seen myself that the string of that damned garment, whatever It Is, Is fastened to the hook of my shoe, me thinking all the time that the weight wae because Id broken my leg Jumping doesn't she suddenly sit up and ask me where Ive been? . shelter-house.- " And I I'm unsuspicious, Minnie, by nature, and I said I'd been asleep. Then she Jumped up and showed me thing those things, hanging to my shoe, and she hasn't spoken to me sine. 1 wish I was dead. And Just then a dog .barked outside and somebody on the' step stamped snow off his feet. We were both paralyzed for a moment. "Julia! Mr. Dick cried, and went white. 1 made a leap for the door, Just as the handle turned, and put my back against It. Just a minute, I called. "The carpet is caught under It!" Mr. Dick had lost his head and waa making for the spring, as if he thought hiding his feet would conceal him. I made frantic gestures to hint to go into my pantry, and he went at last, leaving his hat on the table. I left the door and flung it after him the hat, of course, not the door and when Mlse Summers sauntered In just after, I waa on my knees brushing the hearth, with my heart going three-fou- r time and skipping every sixth beat. "Hello! she said. "Lovely weather for polar bears. If the natives wade through this all winter its no wonder they walk as if they are Don't bother getting me a glass. I'll get my own." . Bhe was making for the pantry when caught her, and I guvaa I looked pretty wild. "ill get II" I aald. "I -t- hat's one of the rules." Bhe put ber bends la tbe pockets of ber white sweater and smiled at me. "Do you know," ehe declared, "the old ladles' knitting society Isn't no far wrong about you! About your making rules whatever you want, whenever you want 'em. Bhe put her bead on one elds. "Now." ebo went on, "suppose I break that rule and get my own glaae? What happens to me? 1 don't think 111 be put out!" 1 4krew up my hands la despair, for I waa about at tho end of my airing. "Get U then!" I exclaimed, and ant down, waiting for tho volcano to erupt I . CHAPTER X. That waa on n Baturday morning. It bad stopped snowing and tho aun waa shining, although U so cold that tho anow blew Ilk pander, lly eleven o'clock every on )o could Hut aho only laughed and nat down walk bad coma to tho pringhous.. About Iwelv o'clock Mr, Tboburty on n table, twinging her feet camo In, and aa ba opened tba door. In Min"When you know mo better, nie," ehe said, "you'll know I dont leaped Arabella. The women made a over the creaturo and cuddled her, poll sport. 1 happen to know you fuss have somebody In tbe pantry more- and when 1 tried lo put her out everyBo she stayed, end over, I know Itn n man. There nro body objected. Miss Summers ber through n lot put tracks on tbo little porch, my dear while tbe men crowded of tricks, made not Also, girl, by your galoshes. my dearest girl, there's a gentleman's around. Mr. von Inwald and Mlsa Patty came glove by your chair there!" I put In Juat then and stood watching. on foot show to "And Just It my you am" wbat n good fellow I She got off tho table, still smiling, and aaunlered to tbo pantry door, watching mo over ber shoulder. My heart was skipping every eecond beat by that time, and Mlea Julia stood by tbe pantry door, her head back and her eyea almost closed, enjoying every minute of It If Arabella hadn't mads a diversion Juat then 1 think ld have fainted. She'd pulled tbe newspaper and the tlghta off tha tabls and waa running around the room with them, one leg In her mouth. "Stop It Arabella!" aald Mias Julia, and took tba tlghta from her. "Youra?" he asked, with her eyebrows raised. "No yes," 1 answered. - "I'd never suspect you of them!" she remarked. Mr. 8ara and hia wife 'cants In at that moment,. Mr. Sam carrying a bottle of wine for the ahelter-houie-, wrapped In paper, and two cane of something or other. He was too busy trying to make the bottle look like something else which a good many people have tried and failed at to notice wbat Mlsa Summer was doing, and ahe had Miaa Cobb's protectors stuffed in her muff and waa standing very dignified In front of the fire by the time they'd shaken off the enow. "Good morning!" she said, "Morning!" aald Mr. Sam, banging "And now," eald Mr. von Inwald, "I propose, as a reward to Mias Arabella, a glasa of thla wonderful water. Minnie, n glasa of water for Arabella!" "Hhe docent drink out of one of my glasses," I declared angrily. "H'a one of my rule that doss" "Tut!" said Mr. Thoburn. "Wbat'a good for man la good for beast Be- sides, tbe little beggar's thirsty. Well they made a great fuss about the creature's being thirsty, and so finally I got a panful of spring water and It drank until I thought It. would burst. I'm not vicious, ae 1 aay, but wish It had. Well, the dog finished and lay down by the fire, and everything seemed to go on as before. "Juet what la the record here?" the bishop asked. "I'm ordered eight glasses, but I find It more then a sufficiency." "W had ona man bars once who could drink IS at a time," I said, "but be was a German." "He wee a tank," Mr. Bam corrected grumpily, lie was watching something on the floor I couldn't eee wbat. Consider." aald Thoburn, standing and bolding hla glaaa to the light, "bow we are at tbe mercy of this little spring! A convulsion In the bowels of I the earth, and Ita properties .may be changed to tbe direst poison, llow do w know, you and I. some such change has not occurred up bla overcoat with ona baud, and tryUnlikely as it Is, Ite a posovernight? ing to ppt the bottle In one of hie sibility that, sitting here calmly, we pockets qltli tbe other. Mra. Sam may be tipping our death potion." didnt look at her. Soma of the people actually "Good morning, Mrs. Van Aletyne!" down their and everybody be-- , Mlsa Summers almost threw it at her. gan to look glasses except Mr. Ham, uneasy "I spoke to you before; 1 guesa you who was still watching something I didn't hear me." could not aee. He suddenly straight- "Oh. yea, I Jieard you, answered ennd up and glanced .at Miss Mrs. Sam, aqd turned her back on her. I'm mistaken," he e&id, "but woman I think there Is Give me a little something the mattery for sheer devlllshneet! with Arabella." I'd expected to eee Miss Sttmmere Everybody looked. Arabella was lyfly to pieces with rage, but she stared ing on her back, jerking and Witchat Mra. Sama back, and after a min- ing and foaming at the mouth. ute ehe laughed. "She's been poisoned!" Miss Bum"I see! she remarked slowly. mers screeched, and fell on her knee Youre the sister, arent you?" beside ber. "It's that wretched wa- Mr. Sam had given up trying to hide ter!" tbe bottle and now he aet it on the There was pretty nearly a riot in a floor with a thump and came over to minute. Everybody Jumped up and the fire. atared at the dog, and everybody re"Its you see, the situation ia em- membered tbe water he or ahe had barrassing, he began. "Under the juet had, and coming on top of Mr. Thoburn'a speech, it made them babbling lunatics. Well, I did what I could. The worst of it was, 1 wasn't sure It wasn't the water. I thought possibly Mr. Pierce had made a mistake in what he ItRd bought at the drug store, and although don't aa a rule drink it myself, began to feel queer in the pit of mv health-givin- g pt Summers.-"Perhap- s light-haire- d , 1 1 stomach. Mr. Thoburn came over to the spring, and filling a glass, took it to the light, with every one watching anxiously. When he brought It back he stooped over the railing and whispered to me. , "When did you fix it? he asked that-v-th- ham-strun- brought Mr, Dirk out to lb fire. Hie slater would not speak to him. Mike went to Mr. litres that day and asked for a ralao of salary. He did not get II. Perhaps aa thing have turned out. It was for tba beet, but It la atrang lo think how different things would have been If ttad been given It. II was sent up later, of course, for all months for malicious mischief, but by that lima tbo damage waa done. Hadnt If Arabella Think I Made a Diversion Would Have Fainted. I sternly. Last night, I answered. It was no time to beat about the bush. "Its yellower than usual, he said. "I'm Inclined to think something has gone wrong at the drug Btore, Minnie." Mr. von Inwald was watching like the others, and now he came over and caught Mr. Thoburn by the arm. "What do you think he asked nervously. "1 I have had three glass-e- s of it! "Three!" shouted Senator Biggs, circumstances, dont you think it would coming forward. "I've had eleven! I be er better form if er under the tell you. Ive been feeling queer for 24 circumstances hours! Im poisoned! That' what 1 "I am not going to leave, if that Is am. what you are about to suggest, she (TO BE CONTINUED.) said. "1ve been trying to see Dicky Carter the last ten days, and I'll stay New Idea for Suspenders. here until I eee him. Ill stay right Suspenders which are supplied with here, and Ill have what's coming to light weight metal springs Instead of me or Ill know the reason why. Dont elastic, and thus do away with tha forget for a minute that I know why necessity of knotting the .suspenders Mr. Pierce is here, and that I can spoil when the rubber thread give out are the little game by calling the extra being used by an English manufacturer. The metal springs are said to ace, if I want to. When she waa safely gona 1 give as readily as the clastic band |