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About Eugene weekly guard. (Eugene, Or.) 190?-1910 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1905)
Holladay Case “WllTyou verify the amount?" "Ob, no; that Is not necessary.” “I have a receipt here," and be pro duced it and bis fountain pen. "Please sign >t” She took the pen with trembling fin gers, laid the receipt upon her chair grin without reading and signed her name with a somewhat painful slow- Hess. Then she leaned back with sigh of relief aud burled her face In her hands. Mr. Royce placed the re ceipt iu his pocketbook and stopped hesitating. But the maid had opened the door and was awaiting us. He: mistress made no sign; there was no excuse to linger. We turned and fol lowed tbe maid. "Miss Holladay seems very ill," said Mr Royce iu a voice somewhat trern 1 A Mystery Of Two Continents Bx BURTON E. STEVENSON Coo/n/ht. 1905 by Henry Holt end Company Jenkinson smiled. "The advice to seek rest and quiet seems sane enough." he said, “and ut terly unlike tiny that a faith curtot would give.” “But still, If you could see for your self," persisted Mr. Royce. The doctor hesitated, drumming with his fingers upon the arm of bis chair. "Such a course would be somewhat unprofessional," be said at last. “Still I might call In a merely social way My Interest in the family would, I think, excuse me.” Mr. Royce s face brightened, and be caught the doctor's baud. "Thank you, sir," he said warmly. “It will lift a great anxiety from the firm, and, I may add, from me person ally.” The doctor laughed good natu redly. “I knew that, of course,” be said | “We doctors he ir ail the gossip go ng I might add that I was glad to beat this bit. If you’ll wait for me here. I II go at once. We instantly assented, and he callee . bls carriage uud was driven away. > felt that at last we were to see behind i one corner of the curtain—perhaps one i glimpse would be enough to penetrate the mystery. But In half an hour he was back again, and a glance at his face told me that we were again des- tlued to disappointed. "I sent up my card.” he reported briefly, “and Miss Holladay sent down word that tbe must beg to be excused.” 1 before us in the k> * uj — lu or hr. 11. "Yes, t I ; .«■tain i ••• v ' I took advant•t:te of die chance io 1 »ok at her Inteutiv. 11 r hair was turning gray, certainly; h< i tare it us -earned with Hues whtc'.i omy cure and poverty could have graven there, and yet. beneath 't all. ( fancied I couiil detect a fa ted but living likeness to Hiram Holladay’s daughter. I looked again-it was faint, uncertain—perhaps m.v nerves were overwrought nnd were deceiving me. F or how could such a likeness possibly exist? "She has a physician, of course?’ asked my companion. "Oh. yes, sir." "He has advised rest and quiet?” “Yes, sir.” “When do you leave for the coun try?" "Tomorrow or the next day after that. I think, sir.” He turned to tbe door and then paus- ed. hesitating. He opened his lips to say something more—bls anxiety was clamoring for utterauce — then he changed his mind and stepped outside as she held tbe door open. “Good day,” be said, with stern re pression. “I wish her a pleasant Jour ney.” The door closed after us, aud we went down the steps. "Jenkinson's the family doctor," he said "Let’s drive around there aud find out how ill Miss Holladay really 1». I’m worried about her. Lester.” "That's a good idea,” I agreed and gave the driver the address. Jenkiu- son was lu his office and received us at once. “Dr. Jenkinson,” begin our junior without preamide. "I am John Royce, of Graham A Royce. You know, I sup nose. that we are the legal advisers of 'iss Frances Holladay.” ves,” answered Jenkinson. "Glad to •eet you. Mr. Royce.” “In consequence we’re naturally In tel->sted In her welfare and all that concerns her, and I called to ask yon for some definite details of her condi- tioi.." 'Tier conditiou? I don't quite under stand.” "We should like to know, doctor, just bow ill she to." "Ill!” repeated Jenkinson, in evident surprise. "But Is she ill?" "She's your patient, isn’t she? I thought you were the family doctor.” “So I am,” assented the other. "But I haven't seen Miss Holladay for ten days or two weeks. At that time she seemed quite well—a little nervous, perhaps, and worried, but certainly not requiring medical attention. She has always been unusually robust.” Mr. Royce stopped, perplexed. As for me, my bead was in a whirl again. “I’ll tell you the story." he said at last. “I should like the benefit of your advice." Aud he recounted rapidly the facts of Miss Holladay’s illness, in so far as be knew them, ending with an account of our recent visit aud the statement of the maid that her mis- , tress was tinder a doctor's care. Jen kinson beard him to the end without Interrupting, but he was plainly puz- zled and annoyed. "And you say she looked very 111?” be asked. "Ob, very ill. sir; alarmingly Ill, to my unpracticed eyes. She seemed thin and worn. She cduld scarcely talk, she had such a cough. I hardly knew her.” Again the doctor paused to consider. He was a very famous doctor, with many very famous patients, and I could see that this case piqued him— that another physician should have been preferred! “Of course. Mr. Royce.” he said final ly. "Miss Holladay was perfectly free to choose another physician if she thought best.” "But would you bare thought It prob able?" queried our junior. "Ten minutes ago I should have thouglit it extremely Improbable," an swered th»* doctor emphatically. "Still, women are sometimes erratic, as we doctors know to our sorrow.” Mr. Royce hesitated and then took the bull by the horns. "Dr. Jenkinson." he l■»•inn earnest ly, "don’t you think it would be wise to see Miss Holladay—you know bow her father trusted you and relied ou ym—ami assure yourself that she's In good bands? I confess I don’t know what to think, but I fear some danger Is hanging over her. I’erbaps she may even have fallen Into tbe bands of the faith curlsts." Mr. Ro. c . • 1. "And that was all?" he asked. Of course there wai "That was a nothing for me to ■'•» but come away. I couldn't Insist on seeing her." “No,” assented the other no. How io you explain it, doctor?” Jenkinson sat down and for a nn> meut studied the pattern of tbe car pet. "Frankly, Mr. Royce," be said at last, “I don't know how to explain It. The most probable explanation is that Miss Holladay is suffering from some form of dementia, perhaps only acute pri mary demeutia, which is usually mere ly temporary, but which may easily grow serious aud even become perma nent." The theory had occurred to me, and I saw from the expression of Mr. Royce's face that be also had thought of it. “Is there no way that we can make sure?" he asked. "She may need to b< saved from herself.” "She may need It very badly." agree the doctor, nodding. “Yet she is o' legal age and absolute mistress of het actions. There are no relatives to hi terfere. no Intimate friends even tbu I know of. I see no way unless yol as her legal adviser, apply to the au tborities for an inquest of lunacy.” But Mr. Royce made an instant ges ture of repugnance. "Oh. that’s absurd!" he cried. “W- have no possible reason to take sue! action. It would offend her mortally.’ "No doubt," assented the other. "&■ I fear that at present nothing can b< done. Things will just have to their course till something more elded happens." "There’s no tendency to mental ease In the family?” Inquired Royce after a moment. "Not the slightest,” said the docto emphatically. “Her father and motile were both sound and well balanced, know the history of the family throug. three generations, and there’s no hit. of any taint. Twenty-five years ug Holladay, who was then Just workin to tile top in Wall street, drove hlmse. too hard -it was when the market wen all to pieces over that Central I’adb deal—aud had a touch of apoplexy, i was Just a touch, but I made him tak> a long vacation, which lie spent abroa' with bis wife. It was theu, by tin way, that bis daughter was born. Sine, theu he has been careful, and has neve beeu bothered with a recurrence of th trouble—iu fact, that’s tbe only ilhie iu the least serious I ever knew bin to have.” There was nothing more to te sai< aud tfe turned to go. * e.- "If there are any furthi meats." added the doctor .1 the door, "will you let u:e k of may count’ upon me it’ I eai assistance." "Cer'.aluly." auswereJ oar J.;ui< “You're very 1;.i d. ai I v ■■ we back to our cab. A «43 il pv Tbe week that fvuow< mlserobl- p lex mg u«e f>r me an one for Royce, A-4 1 hEJW U » V, be bu< written her half a do a^«.u tl— received not a slug e • word of muwe For myself. I had di: iscovered one mo” developn.i nt of tbe mystery. On th« day following the de silvery of the uiou ey I bud glanced, as Usual, through tie financial column of my paper us 1 r>.*< home ou the car. aud one item bad at traded my attention. Tbe brokerage firm of bwift A Currer bad that day presented at the subtreasury tbe sum of »100.000 In currency for couversior Into gold. An Inquiry at their office next morning elicited tbe fact that the exchange bad been effected for the ac count of Miss Frances Holladay. It was done, of course, that the recipient of the money might remain beyond trace of the police CHAPTER IX TR regular work at the office just at that time happened to be unusually heavy and try ing. Tbe Brown injunction suit, while not greatly attracting pub lic attention. Involved poluts of such nicety and affected Interests so wide- -pristd that the w.e.le l..ir of New York was wutcbuig It. The Hurd sub stitution case was more spectacular and appealed to tbe press with peculiar force, since one of the principal vic tims bad l>een tbe eldest son of Pres ton McLandberg. the veteran manag ing editor of tbe Record, and tbe bring ing of tbe suit impugned tbe honor of bis fan.Uy. But it Is still too fresh lu the public mind to need recapitulation here, even were It connected with this story. The incessant strain told upon both our partners and even upon me, so that I returned to my rooms after dinner one evening determined to go early to bed. But I bad scarcely donued my bouse coat, settled iu my chair uud got my pipe to going when there came a tap at tbe door. “Come lu," I called, thinking It was Mrs. Fitch, my landlady, aud too weary to get up. But it was not Mrs. Fitch’s pale countenance, with its crown of gray hair, which appeared In the doorway; It was a rotuini and exceedingly florid visage. "You will jKirdon me, sir,” began a resonadt voice, which I Instantly re membered. even before the short, square figure stepped over the thresh old Into the full light, "but I have Just discovered that I have no match with which to iguite my gas. If I might from you burrow one"— "Help yourself,” I said, and held out to him my case, which was lying or. file table at my elbow. "You are very good,” he sail, nnd then, ns he stepped forward and snw me more distinctly, he uttered a little exclamation of sun>rlse. “Ah, It Is Mistalr"— “Lester,” I added, seeing that he hesi tated. “It is a great pleasure." he was say ing as he took the matches; a “great good firtune which brought me to this house. ¡Sa . ... um grows at times— mil then, 1 greatly desire some ad- | vice. If you would have tbe leisure'— “Certainly,” ami I waved toward a chair. "Sit down." “In one momeut,” he sald. “You will pardon me.” and he disappeared through the doorway. He was Wack almost at once with a handful of cigarettes, which he placed on the table. Then lie drew up a chair. With a little deprecatory gesture b< used one of my matches to light a cigarette. “It was truly for the gas,” catching my smile, "and the cigarette!” There was something fascinating about the man—an air of good humor. of comradeship, of strength of pur pose. My eyes were caught by his stodgy, nervous bands as he held the match to his cigarette. Then they wandered to bls face, to the blaca hair flecked here and there with gray. to the bright, deep set eyes, ambushed under heavy brows; to the full lips, which the carefully arranged mustache ■ lid not at all conceal; to the projecting chin, with its little plume of an im perial— a strong face and a not un handsome one, with a certain look of mastery about It. “It is true that I need advice,” be was saying as he slowly exhaled a great puff of smoke which be bad drawn deep into bis lungs. "My name is Martigny—Jasper Martigny”—I nod tied by way of salutation—"and I am from F’rauce, as you have doubtless long since suspected. It is my desire to become a citizen of Amer-ric’." "How long have you been living In America?" I asked. "Since two mouths only, It is my intention to establish here a business in wines.” "Well." 1 explained, "you can take no steps toward naturalization for three years, Then you go before a court and make a declaration of your intentions, lwo years later you wiil get your papers." “You mean," he hesitated, "that it takes so many years”— "Five years’ actual residence—yes.” "But.” and be hesitated again. “I bad understood that—that'-— “That It was easier? There are ille gal ways, of course, but you can scarce ly expect me to advise you cuu> erniiig them, Mr Martigny." "N'o. Of course, no!” he cried has tily, waring his hand in disclaimer. “I IM not know—It makes nothing to n.e —twill. wait—I wish to obey the laws." He picked up a fresh cigarette, lit It from the other and tossed away the end. "Will you not try one?" be asktsl, seeiug that my pipe was finished, uud I presently found myself enjoying the best cigarette I had ever smoked. "You comprehend French no?” “Not well enough to enjoy it," I said. “I am sorry. I believe you would like this book which I am reading." and he pulled a somewhat tattered volume from his |>ocket. “1 have read It. oil, ver’ many times, as well as all the others, though this, of course, is tbe masterpiece." He held it so that I could see tbe title. It was "Monsieur Lecoq." “I have read It In English," I said. "And did you not like it—yes? I am ver’ fond of stories of deteetl mi . Thai Is why 1 was so absorbed in that af fair of Mees Mees ah, I have forgot teu! Your names are so difficult for me." "Miss Holladay," I said. “Ah, yea. And has that mystery ever arrived nt a solution?" “No,” I said. “Unfortunately we haven’t any M. Leeoqs on our detective force." "Ah, no,” he smiled. "And the young lady—In her 1 conceived a great inter est, even though I did not see her. How is she?" "The shock was a little too much f >r her.” I said. "Sne’s gone out to b. country place to rest. She'll soon be all right again. I hope." He bad taken a third cigarette am! was lighting it carelessly with his face half turned away from me. 1 noticed bow flushed bis neck was. “Oh, undoubtedly,” he agreed after t moment; “at least I should be most sad to think otherwise. But It Is late; I perceive that you are weary; I tham- you for your kindness.” "Not ut all." I protested. “I boi*t you'll come in whenever you feel lone ly." "A thousand thanks! I shall uvai myself of your Invitation. My apart ment is just across the hall." be adde as I opened tbe door. “1 trust to set you there.” "You shall,” I said heartily, and baile him good night. ’Twas the Week Before Christmas Y folks act funny nowaday»— 1 can't te'l what ia going on. V*hen ma come» in »he always say». “AX’hat bundle» come w hen I was gone An’ if I touch a cloael door Or hunt for playthings anywhere Somebody run» acro4 the floor And *a>< 1 *‘mustn t go m there I M Mi mter laika • heap with ma. But whi*pera when I come aroun'. An' they hide thing» away to pa Won’t aee ’em when he cornea from towu I told pa all about it too ; He only laughed, an Mid to me, “Thu time o' year it'a beat for you Not to obaerve the thiaiga you aee." "HAVK TOU UEKN L OKUtU?’’ There’a packages behind the bed In ma’a room. When I 1 nnd them there 1 art her what they was. She vid. “Have vou i-een looking ? I declare I" An* now they're gone ; but there s a lot Of bundles in the cellar, though. An’ ma says she won’t tell me wnut They are, for I don’t need to Ipow. In tl>e week that I II ’w‘ d ' - n good deal of Martigny. 1 wouci- me bint on the stairs or in toe U.i 1. u came again to aee me, and 1 returnee bls visit two nights later. Upon wbk< occasion be produced two bottles ol Chateau Yqueni of a delicacy beyond al) praise. And 1 grew more and more to like him. He told me many tturie- Ma hides thi.-gs from my slater—yea. of Paris, which, It seemed, bad always An' usler she hides th.ngs from ma. been bis borne, with a wit to which They’re sewin' somepin not a d.ess. bls slight accent and formal utterance An’ both of them hCs that from pal gave new point; he displayed a kindly There’s somepin poked behind the books. Interest In my plans which was very But pa he’s cotte an’ tamed the lock ; pleasing; he was always tactful, cour An’ near as I can see, it looks teoua, good humored. He was plainly Like somepin's hid behind the clock. a boulevardier, a man of the worl.i with an outlook upon life a little star My folks acts funny—I can’t see Hing in its materiality, but interesting W hy they should all drop ever'thmg in its freshness and often amusing in An’ pick some errand out far me Its frankness. And he seemed to re Whenever they hear our bell ring; turn my liking—certainly it was hr An' 1 ain’t treated ti^lil, 1.0.10W. who sought me, not 1 who sought him. It don’t aeem just exactly (air He was being delayed, be said, in es Wherever 1 ara started now tablishing his business; be could not Cne of ’em says, “Don't go in there ! get just the quarters be desired, but —W. D. Nesbit 1.1 Chicago 1 nbune. iu another week there would be a place vacant. He would ask me to draw up ChrUnuna XX Itla l.ess la anal Clark, the lease. Meanwhile time bung rati' Some rain at different times last <*r heavily on his hands. "Though I do not quarrel with that.” night anil fihowetn of hail, with inter be added, sitting In my room one even vals of fair niarllght. This moin'ng at ing; "ft Is necessary for me that I day we were saluted by oar party un take life easily. I have u weakness of der our winders, a Shout and a Song. flic heart. which has already given After br> ikfast we tilvi led our tooae- me muc h trouble. Besides, 1 have yov co, wh.el. amounted 2 t'uii otv. «> h !.' c unpanionsbip. which is most wel we gave to the party who used Tobuc- come. ami fur which I thank you. 1 co, -hose who did uut we gave a Hand trust Mees— Mees— what you call—Ilul kerchief as a present. The day proved showery ull day, the Bids, left us this i„ ay is again well.” "We haven’t heard from her." I said. evening, all our party moved Into their She is still at her place in the couu- huts, we dried some of our wot g irsls I receive 1 a present of a Fleeae Hos- 'Oh, she Is doubtless well -in her i ery (fleece hosiery), vest, draws A take such an Interest—you will pai- Socks of ('apt. Lewis, pr Mockersoua of Whitehouse, a small liluian Lasket don me if I weary you.” >f Gute.ich 1'io idricli) A 2 1' >z wen "Weary me? But you don’t!" “Then I will make bold to ask you— seis tales of the S ,u: r of Shah »no i have you made any—what you caii— wine black roots of the Indiana. On Dinner to day consisted of i»oro Elk theory of the crime?” “No," I answered—“that is, none be- boiled, split tish A some roots, a bad youd what was In Hie new-p.'per- tin Christinas dinner, warm day Froir illegitimate daughter theory. I suppose “Newly Discovered Personal Records you snw it. That seems to fit the case.' of Lewis aud Clark.” He nodded meditatively. “Yet I like to imagine how M. I.ecoq would np A Carlon» < aatom af Oxfordshire. proach it. Would lie believe It was a In some places iu < (Lforilshlre, Eng murder simply because it so appeared land. It was the right of every maid Has it occurred to you that Mees Hol servant to ask the hired matt for a bit iaday truly might have visited her fa of Ivy to trim the house. If be turned ther mid that his death was not a mur a deaf ear to her Importunities or fur- der at all. but an accident?" got her request she would steal a pair “An accident?" I repented. "How of bis breeches and nail them to tbe could it lie au accident? How could a gate In the yard or on the highway. man be stabbed accidentally in the This was supposed to debar hltn from neck? Besides, even if it were an ac- all privileges of f.e mistletoe. rf lent, bow would that explnin his d. .ghter's rushing from tbe buildinc For St. .Mi-holns* XX hits Horse. without trying to save him. wltboti In Belgium tbe children expect tbe giving the alarm? If It wasn’t a mur good St. Nicholas to visit them. They der. why should the woman, whoever think be rides on a white horse, so they she was, be frightened? How else cun polish their shoes with great care, fill you explain her flight?” them with bay. oats or carrots for the He was looking at me thoughtfully. saint's horse and put them in the fire “All that you say Is ver’ true." be said. place or on a table, and In th» morning. “It show« that you have given to tbe Instead of the forage, they find sticks case much thought. I believe that you for the bad rhlhlren nnd candles for also have a fondness for crimes of the gcssl once. mystery," and he smiled at me. “Is it not so, Mistalr Ia*ater?" Lanrel For iXrlitsnut DereraSSoa. "I had never suspected It,” I laughed The laurel l»elng an evergreen makes “until this ease came up. but the mi ' a striking feature in 11 winter land crobe seems to have bitten me." scape. Enormous quantith-s are used “Ah, yea.” be said doub’fully, u ¡In the Christmui dr. ,s.ug of chtirchM quite understanding. “And I've rather fancied at times." I for wreaths and other decoration«. admitted, “that I should like to take M Mountain laurel can be grown for dec b uid at so|v Ing it—though, of course, 1 orative purp-n-e«. and it to easily culti never «hall, our connection with tie vated. What comes to market Is gnth- I »red from the wild laurel growth. case is ended.” He sb t ni • a <ju! k glance, then light»«! a not hi The Spirt« nf OtvIns. • «»tippo-c it were tn you f Don't give only where you export a solve iu" he a ski'd, “how would yw" retnru or wonder whether you will K ret •ll'O'lt It?" »ttnposed to buy somcthlag for A B. 1 the • r C. 'vhe snlrlt of Christmas lies In I »«te loving and the e1v''»e .»»evar In »he I te -olein g Coot In u»d New Y ear’s Day In Faroff China Greatest of Festivals In the Celestial Empire, • Happy Tune For Pigtsuled Creditors. O F’ al) Chinese festivals that Ol New Year’s day is the greatest Being a iH-culiarly couLaiUc- tory nice, the Chinese do not reckon time by t'ue sun. as we do in America, but by tlie ui «»n, so that ths Chinese New Year's day may come al any ttme*l>etw««n the middle of Jan uary aud the middle of February When the time approaches, creditor* are happy, for bj the last day of tli< old .tea. all debts must Is- paid. Tbe Chinan .11 who cannot pay up must hide his lie-id until the fcitivnl Is over. Another ?re nation Is a r •: al wash ing up. L -< hold l>el >uglngs and per sonal atti. .• arc put through a sever« course of -.tap and waler in order that tlie new year tnaj b< begun with clean 11 uess When tlie night of New York's e\ t approaches, the sound of tlio firing ul crackers beglus aud is kept up with an incessant din until dawn. 'Hie first l usiness in the new year Is the sacrifice to heaven and earth. A table is spread witli offerings of foml mid drink, can tiles and incense, and crackers are lei off again Just outside tlie front door Then tlie father of the family come forward nnd kneels down iu front of tbe table, holding a stick of Incens Ir. Ills hand mil knocking his head three times on the ground. Rising to hit feet, lie places tlie Incense In the ecus 1 oil the» table More ernckers are let off, and paper money is burned. After this ceriBiiony the household gods are worshiped in tlie same way, and then tlie ancestral tablets, after which the "living idols" have their turn. The father ninl mother sit down side by side, mid nil their children and grandchildren knee! before them and do them reverence, but offerings ar« not made to tbe living, us they are to the dead. Then the servants come for ward, dressed In their best, mid kneel down, bowing their heads to the grotthd before their master and nils tress, receiving presents when they Long l»efr»re all these ceremonies are rise. finished it is quite light, but in the early hours of New Year's morning the atreeta l<M»k as deserted as if no one "«til«» SHI, Kt MO SHI I” was living In the city. The shops art» all shut, and the Inislest streets are at quiet as if it was nn ideal Habimth of rest. But the quiet does not last long. Oc caslonal crackers are let off. and strings of beggars soon appear on ev ery hand They are far tiiqro numeroui than usual nnd more importunate. They know they will reap u rich liar vest on this happy tiny, for It Is lucky to begin the year with good deeds, and It is not long before the streets are filled with it well dressed multitude starting out to pay New Year's calls. Custom requires that till the men In china shall call on their relation*, teachers and friends, and for thre■» days the visiting goes on. Women r- - not expected to pay New Year’s calls or to see the visitors who come to their houses. As tliese are men, of course that would lie highly Improper, When friends meet in the street for the first time in the new year they stand and bow very politely; they put their hands together and shake them, saying, "Kung ebl, kung ahi,” which means “I respectfully wish you Joy.’* and they often add, "May you grow rich," for that Is tlio Chinese idea of !ia|>plness. For three days the New Year’s re JoJcfng goes on, and then all the poors, class«-» begin to work again. Large shops and places of bnslnesa are closed for a mouth.- Brooklyn < itixen. Drr«r ef Sew Year's Calle. Not many years ago It was the cus tom In all countries to visit one’F friends on New Year's <1: y, aud In thl* emu try open bou-o» was kept ail day until « matter of some ten or flftesn years ago It is questionable whether?« will ever become fashionable to se New Year's day aside for calling again Tl>« ancient Romans made much O' their Now Year’s call«, mid after th empire "f Itome had passed away th" etist >tn II1 «1 In England. Franc nt GUY'a-'J