Evening Star Newspaper, March 26, 1931, Page 21

MYSTERIOUS WAYE By Percival Christopher Wren, Author of “ Beau Geste” (Copyright by Frederick A. Stokes Co.) CHAPTER 1. STRANGE ILLNESS. ELLOW afternoon sunlight flooded the beautiful yet aus- tere consultation room. As the clock struck 2, Dr. Charters, followed by his secretary, a young woman, entered. Seating him- self in his own corner, the doctor swiftly signed the letters placed before him, and then, with the words: “Miss Lauderdell in five minutes,” dismissed the secretary. Dr. Charters, crawing from his pocket 8 bunch of keys attached to a gold chain, unlocked a drawer, produced & book, unlocked the book and, leaning back in his chair, studied the last entry that he had made in it. Dr. Charters, proprietor and chief physician of his famous nursing-home, ‘was quite unlike the popular conception of an eminent physician. A tall, well built and well dressed man, he wore mustache, whiskers and beard, in addition to luxuriant locks. Nor were the doctor’s hands of the type usually associated with physiicans, for they were hairy and heavy, the fin- gers short and blunt. The doctor touched a button beside his desk; the door, or to be exact, two doors ed, and a beautiful girl, ac- companied by the secretary, entered the room. “Miss Lauderdell,” said the secretary, ‘A little better, I think.” ‘Evidently the medicine is agreeing with you” “Yes, and the other was not. I felt worse every time 1 took if ‘How are _you sleeping? “Much better again, since we changed the medicine and since—" she hesi- tated—"since I refused to have any- thing more to do with Dr. MacAdoo and his treatment. He wasn't doing me any good, doctor.” ‘Well, you're in my hands now; and we're going to be all right now, eh? And you'll do whkatever I tell you, and take whatever I give you with implicit obedicnce and faith, eh?™ “Yes, doctor,” Teplied the girl after an almost imperceptible pause. “I can't understand it. I was never ill in my life until I had to go and live with my uncle and aunt. It began then suddenly.” “Do you suggest that your uncle's house is unhealthily situated? Any- body else ever ill there?” “No, doctor. Only 1" “It_couldn’t have been the house or the place, then. And, of course, you're no better here—vet " “No. A great deal worse, if anything. I want either to go away, or to have Dr. Studley. I'm not getting better, and I hate that man at the door.” Dr. Charters inhaled a short, sharp breath, the sound of which was 88 that of a contemptuous sniff. “Your going or remaining is for THE EVENING STAR, ‘'WASHINGTO! “Uncle,” said Marjorie, “I want to come away from here.” “Do you want to see her if she's here?" “No.” “Very well. Tll see you again on Thursday at 3 o'clock.” Dr. Charters touched a bsll button and a tall, powerful woman, dressed as a nurse, entered the room. ‘The girl glanced at the nurse, with her too rose-pink complexion and too coral lips, and quickly looked away again, as her mouth set mutinously. “Miss Lauderdell will go to her room now, Nurse Jones. Her guardian will see her in a few minutes, and then I think perhaps she'd better go to bed. ‘This was he of whom Marjorie Lauder- dell had bluntly expressed her hatred. As he carefully closed both doors it was evident that he was something more than persona grata to Dr. Char- ters, whose face beamed in a genuine smile. Not so that of Mr. James. “Stand by for boozy old Lauderdell, Jimmy,” said the doctor. ‘“Take him for a walk in the grounds 10 minutes {;om‘ the time he comes out from ere.” With an imperceptible nod, Mr. James retired, reappearing a minute later to announce Mr. and Mrs. Lau- derdell. plain. Il have a quiet talk with your wife in a minute,” hedged the doctor, and incontinently Mr. Lauder- dell sprang to his feet. an appreci onds, the gaze of Dr. Charters met that of Mrs. Lauderdell, the blade of one fencer holds that of another, in silence and stiliness, as each watches and waits. The silence was broken by the woman. “Is she getting better, doctor?” “I wouldn't say that.” “But she's going to, re” ‘There was & clear note of anxiety in Mrs. Lauderdell's voice. “A difficult question. It depends on so much.” “On very much, doctor? Dr. Ch lowly nodded his head.. she opened her Dr. Charters glanced at the paper, smiled and dropped it, a crumpled pel- let, into the waste-paper basket. “A thousand ,” he said. n thousand,” smiled Mrs. Lauder- Charters, rising. by the way? We must have a little celebration.” “Oh, how nice of you! The first of September. An easy date to remember. Twenty-one on the first of ber.. “September the first,” nodded the doctor, and added, “partridge-shooting begins. “Yes,” smiled Mrs. Lauderdell, as her husband, accompanied by Mr. James, approached. Boyce & Lewis Announce the Opening of a s flight of stairs the doctor led mypvum while Mr. James again seated himself in the chair by the con- afternoon, Aunt Maud,” she added, without offering her hand. “How are you, darling child?” replied Mrs. Lauderdell, kissing her. “Uncle,” she replied, “‘8 from here.” “Oh, how splendid,” cried Mrs. Laud- erdell with obvious relier. “Then you must be better, Marjorle. But we mustn't be o~ “No, no, Marjikins,” agreed Mr. Laud- erdell, &l:ehlnl her cheek.. But jorie remained rebellious, and the slightest cloud cooled their usual friendly regard as, almost tearfully, she kissed her uncle good-by and less af- fectionately bade his wife farewell. “I want to come | ¢ 601 13th N.W. Announce— Closing of Store 601 13th N.W. COPLEY COURTS 1514 17th St. N.W. Decatur 0300 2 large rooms, i Lt 24hour Elevator and Telephone Serv Low Rentals and departed, closing the heavy doors silently behind her. As she did so it could ‘be seen that a quietly dressed man sat on a heavy oak seat, once a stall, beside the outer door which opened into a stone-flagged hall. “Good afternoon Dr. Charters,” sald the girl, seating herself. ‘The doctor studied the young face framed in curling hair, noting the healthy pallor of its complexion, and the look of grave intelligence and W eetness. ‘How are you feeling today?” your uncle to decide. Your changing from Dr. McAdoo to Dr. Studley is Mr. Lauderdell, a weak, feeble- minded country gentleman, stupid, beery and handsome, greeted Dr. Charters. “Well, doctor, and how's my little Marjorie going on? “Rome wasn't bullt in a day—and { Marjorie won't be rebuilt in a day— # & week. Or & month, I'm afraid. “What the devil is the matter with er?” Lauderdell asked suddenly. “There may be deep-seated and ob- cure nervous lesion, difficult to ex- “Yes, doctor. Come along, dear. and, smiling effusively, the nurse waft- ed the girl away. The doctor touched another bell- push and the secretary appeared “When does Sister Weldon return? Wednesday, April 1 Startling Price Reductions 500 NEW SPRING FROCKS Regardless of Cost $3.75 G5 313 - DRESS AND SPORT COATS 145 32380 Values up to $39.50 for me to decide. And you'll certainly not do it. What you have got to do is to get well. And you'll best do that by helping instead of hindering us. “However,” continued the doctor, “I'll tell your uncle what u say. | Tomorrow, isn't it?” he asked. He's probably here now. t was ‘es, sir. In the morning. why I sent for you.” r. and Mrs. Lauderdell here?” “I should like to see him." ‘es, sir.” “I'll bring them to your room at T'll see them in three minutes.” 2:30." Summoned by Charters, Mr. James “Is my aunt coming?” entered, leaving his seat in the hall. Juvenile Department Featuring Service, Style and Corrective Lasts in Infants’ and Children’s, Boys’ and Girls’ Footwear At last we have realized our dream—to be able to offer GUAR~ , SERVICEABLE, STYLISH and CORRECTIVE footwear for infants, children, boys and girls, and thereby to complete our service offered to the women of Washington _through our con- nection with Wilbur Coon—makers of the world famous Wilbur Coon shoe for hard-to-fit feet. Tomorrow we will be ready to greet the kiddies, big and little, in s afimmt especially designed for TS - BROOKS S G Street—Between |1th and 12th Thrilling New Dress Fashions Chiffon Chantilly Lace Point D’Esprit “No Foot Too Hard to Fit"—at Boyce & Lewis Exclusive Representatives for Wilbwur Coon Shoes for Baltimore Store 418 North Charles St. Formal Semi-Formal Afternoon 20 Reproducing the fashion successes of the recent Paris showings. 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