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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: An American Suffragette
+
+Author: Isaac N. Stevens
+
+Release Date: August 9, 2007 [EBook #22285]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE
+
+A NOVEL
+By
+ISAAC N. STEVENS
+
+Author of "The Liberators," "Popular Government
+Essays," etc.
+
+New York
+William Rickey & Company
+1911
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1911, by
+William Rickey & Company
+
+Registered at Stationers' Hall, London
+(All Rights Reserved)
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+PRESS OF WILLIAM G. HEWITT, 61-67 NAVY ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+DEDICATION
+
+To those noble and courageous women of England and America who are
+trying to demonstrate to the world that Civilization cannot reach the
+supreme heights of progress without giving freedom to the mental,
+spiritual and physical energies of women, and that government will
+always lack a vital element in its functions, so long as women are
+deprived of equal participation in its operations--THIS BOOK IS
+RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    "But life shall on and upward go;
+      Th' eternal step of Progress beats
+    To that great anthem, calm and slow,
+      Which God repeats."
+
+                                --Whittier.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                                          PAGE
+
+    I. A DOCTOR RETURNS FROM INDIA                                  1
+   II. A MYSTICAL PARADE                                           15
+  III. THE MYSTERIOUS YOUNG WOMAN                                  22
+   IV. A SUFFRAGE BAZAAR AND BALL                                  33
+    V. HYPNOTISM USED FOR AN ANĘSTHETIC                            46
+   VI. SOME STRENUOUS ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS                             56
+  VII. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SURGERY                               61
+ VIII. THE OMNIPRESENT EYES OF FIFTH AVENUE                        74
+   IX. LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MUSIC                                    82
+    X. A DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSIVE WOMEN                           91
+   XI. THE ADVANCING COLUMN OF DEMOCRACY                           99
+  XII. A TUBERCULAR KNEE AND A WORRIED SURGEON                    117
+ XIII. AN ANTI-SUFFRAGE MEETING                                   125
+  XIV. FAITH IS THE BASIS OF ALL PROGRESS                         140
+   XV. AN EVIL PROPHECY BEGINS TO BEAR FRUIT                      154
+  XVI. THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF EMMA BELL                         164
+ XVII. THE ARREST OF DR. JOHN EARL                                180
+XVIII. DR. EARL IS INDICTED FOR MURDER                            194
+  XIX. A GREAT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS                                199
+   XX. A WOMAN AND SPOOKS FIND A LETTER                           211
+  XXI. SILVIA HOLLAND'S GREAT PLEA TO THE JURY                    225
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A DOCTOR RETURNS FROM INDIA
+
+
+Among the hundreds of people who were awaiting the arrival of the big
+Cunarder there were two groups, the second of which seemed determined
+that the first should not get far away. The young men of which this
+second group was composed represented the various newspapers of New York
+City, and while a "beat" was evidently impossible, each of them was
+determined to get a line for his own journal from the returning hero,
+Dr. John Earl, which he would not share with the others of the
+fraternity, and several of them held anxious consultations with their
+photographers who, by special permit, had been allowed upon the pier.
+
+The other group had moved a number of times to escape the cameras, and a
+red-haired youth was expatiating upon the glories of American scientific
+achievement, concluding with a peroration that called forth an
+exclamation from one of the older men:
+
+"Oh, shut up, Bedford; you sound like a Fourth of July oration. Who are
+the people you are trying to snapshot for your lurid sheet?" he said
+wearily, as becomes a Chicago newspaper man when in New York.
+
+The red-headed one looked at him with cheerful surprise. "Don't you know
+anybody?" he asked. "The tall, handsome blonde is Mrs. Ramsey, wife of
+George Ramsey, at whose frown the great gods sit tight and the little
+ones scuttle to cover. Luckily, he is a kindly disposed arbiter and the
+Street basks under his smile."
+
+The Chicagoan turned and looked at the lady curiously, and the reporter
+went on: "The fair-haired lady with the wild-rose face is old Gordon
+Kimball's daughter; born with a diamond teething ring in her mouth, but
+has never succeeded in getting anything else of value inside her pretty
+head."
+
+"Well, she doesn't have to," said the Westerner.
+
+Young Bedford grinned. "That's what Dr. Earl thinks; he can furnish
+brains for the family. Their engagement was reported two months ago. The
+man with them is Earl's brother, Frank Earl, corporation lawyer, amateur
+actor, one of those guys that does everything well, and never gives away
+his own hand. Go after him for a story about some combination his road
+has gone into and you come away with a great spiel about bumper crops;
+always gives you the glad hand, but nothing in it. You'd never take him
+for Mrs. Ramsey's brother, would you? She's a looker, all right. So is
+Dr. Earl, one of these big, handsome, powerful-looking men that makes
+folks ask who he is."
+
+"What's all the hullabaloo about, anyhow?" asked the Chicago man.
+
+"Where have you been that you don't know about Earl?" answered Bedford.
+"Why, I thought everybody in the country had heard of him. He's the chap
+that raises the dead, you know; just takes 'em by the hand, makes a few
+passes, and says, 'Say, it's time to wake up, old fellow,' and the dead
+one sits up and asks for beefsteak. He's the man that saved Hall, the
+copper mines king, over in Paris. Hall was finished, all done but
+putting him in a box, when in comes Dr. Earl. 'Let him alone,' he says.
+'He's tired out. When he finishes this nap he'll be just as good as
+new.' But you know how impetuous the French are, and they were going to
+have poor old Hall done for, sure enough, when this Earl man stands them
+off, and promises to bring Hall 'round in six hours. And he does it
+after the whole bunch of them have parleyed over him and waved
+looking-glasses across his mouth, and found him as dead as Rameses."
+
+There was a general buzz among the newspaper men, and one of them, older
+and more dignified in manner than the others, said quietly, "Bedford,
+you ought not to hand out that kind of fiction, even in your unreliable
+journal."
+
+Bedford winked slyly at the Chicagoan. "It was my only hope," he said in
+a rapid aside. "That's Tourney. He was over there at the time, and he'll
+tell us all about it trying to put me right."
+
+"If you don't like my story you can give us the straight steer yourself,
+Tourney," he said, and, nothing loath, the older man told how Hall had
+been suddenly stricken with appendicitis in such severe form that an
+operation was necessary at once. Upon this the French surgeons agreed,
+but his heart action was so bad that they dared not administer an
+anęsthetic, and one of them, who was a noted hypnotist, expressed a
+doubt whether he would be able to rouse the patient from a hypnosis
+sufficiently profound to enable them to perform the operation.
+
+"This Frenchman," Tourney went on, warming to his subject, "had seen
+Earl do some wonderful things and he knew he was in Paris and where he
+was stopping. He put the case to Hall, and seeing that it was all day
+with him unless something was done, he told them to send for Earl and
+they got him there on the double-quick. I was waiting in the hall when
+he went into the operating room and I stayed there until he came out,
+and as I had done him one or two good turns he told me about it before
+he realized that I was a newspaper man. When he saw me last I was
+coaching Harvard students with more money than brains. That has nothing
+to do with it, except to show that he isn't one of these 'for
+publication only' wonder workers."
+
+"Hurry up," said the Chicagoan, "he'll be here in a few minutes, and if
+he's one of these human clams you are the hope of the press. What did he
+tell you?"
+
+"He agreed with the others in the main points, but he said if Hall was
+willing to take the chance, he believed he could pull him through by a
+system he had seen used in India. Then he cleared them all out, and when
+they came back Hall was comatose. The appendix was removed in record
+time, and the wound cleansed. Just before Earl finished, one of the
+Frenchmen noticed that the patient was not breathing, apparently, and
+exclaimed that he was dead. Dr. Earl pointed out the fact that the blood
+showed no signs of other than a normal condition, such as would be found
+in a patient under hypnosis. His idea, as I got it, was that the patient
+must be kept unconscious long enough for the body to regain its
+functions and get over the strain of the operation. He told them if he
+were more familiar with Hall's constitution, he would be inclined to
+prolong his condition of suspended animation, but under the
+circumstances he would restore him to consciousness in three hours.
+
+"One or two of them got excited and swore the man was dead, and
+according to a lot of tests he was, but the rest, knowing he would have
+died anyhow, were willing to wait, and at the end of the time Earl
+brought him back to consciousness in such good condition that the other
+doctors were wild over it. In their enthusiastic French way they
+heralded the story everywhere. I thought he'd never be allowed to leave
+Paris. They wanted to keep him right there and string medals around his
+neck and pin ribbons all over his coat, but he wouldn't stand for it.
+He's an awfully modest fellow, and he went over to London with Hall, who
+swears by him; says he believes he put a new heart in him, and all that
+sort of thing. There comes the boat now. Better have your photographers
+ready, for all you'll get will be a picture of him keeping his mouth
+shut."
+
+As the big English boat swung slowly into its dock, with the help of
+half a dozen tugs that puffed and pounded at its side, the newspaper men
+and Dr. Earl's family caught sight of him simultaneously, as he waved
+his hand and called across the intervening space with all the abandon
+of a returning traveler.
+
+He could make them hear now. "Leonora, dear, how are you!" as a
+remarkably sweet-faced girl threw a shower of kisses in his direction,
+which passed on their way an equal number of his own. "And Hilda! And
+for the life of me, there's Frank! Love to all of you!" A few minutes
+more and he was with them. He caught the girl in his arms and gave her a
+long and tender embrace. Then he turned to the others and greeted them
+with all the fraternal warmth natural after eighteen months' separation.
+
+"How splendid it is to see you all again! What brought you to New York,
+Frank?"
+
+"Oh, just to see if I could cross Broadway without being bumped into by
+a trolley car or a taxi-cab or an airship. Incidentally, to keep you
+from losing your breath and hearing in the new tunnels through which you
+will be shot under these New York rivers."
+
+"Tubes, you mean, brother dear, tubes. I've been doing nothing else but
+shoot the London tubes for the last fortnight."
+
+"Where I live, in the wild and woolly Rockies, we call them tunnels,"
+answered his brother. "Wouldn't the railroad builder howl at the idea
+of 'tubing the mountains,' and the miner would have a war-dance of
+delight at the suggestion that he must 'tube his claim.' These English
+airs are all right, Dr. John Earl, but you may as well learn to talk
+real American if you expect to chop bones and exploit microbes in this
+country," and the young man glowed his admiration while plying him with
+badinage.
+
+The first greetings were scarcely over when the newspaper men made known
+their mission, Tourney acting as spokesman for them all. Earl shook his
+hand warmly.
+
+"I'm awfully glad to see you," he said, "but you know I never give
+interviews. I don't know how, to begin with, and I couldn't say anything
+that would interest your readers. I have come back to practice my
+profession in New York City; that is all I can tell you."
+
+"But that Paris case," pleaded Bedford. "Do tell us about that."
+
+"Did you use the Hindoo method of respiration that the Swami
+Bramachunenda gave an exposition of here two or three years ago?" asked
+another of the fraternity, and the others followed with different
+interrogatives, but Earl laughed and waved them all away.
+
+"I don't know what the Swami did," he said, "but if he is like some of
+his brothers I'm ready to believe anything. All that I did, and a great
+deal that I never thought of doing myself, or heard of anybody else
+doing on this planet, was told in your papers at the time. Really, if I
+had anything worth your while as a news story I would be glad to give it
+to you--one of these days I may have, but you must excuse me now."
+
+His manner was courteous but unmistakable, and turning away from them he
+was soon absorbed in conversation with the pretty girl and his brother
+and sister. He hardly took his eyes off the former as he recounted his
+adventures abroad.
+
+Three months previously he and Leonora Kimball had been betrothed in
+Vienna, and it was agreed that they were to be married soon after his
+arrival home. In a social way, the match met the approval of New York's
+select set, for they belonged to equally wealthy and prominent families.
+The Earls had come to New York from New England, two generations ago,
+and the foundation of the family fortune had been laid in a small block
+of New York, New Haven and Hartford stock, which had grown into a huge
+block of both stocks and bonds from the various expansions of stock and
+consolidations of property that had meanwhile taken place. The Kimballs
+had come from the Pacific coast, where the same alchemist's result had
+been wrought with a block of Southern Pacific Railway stock. The family
+tree of the Earls had rooted itself into the subsoil of real culture,
+while that of the Kimballs was mostly displayed above ground with only
+here and there a stray fibre that had sunk to any depth.
+
+Leonora Kimball, who at this time was slightly over twenty-three years
+of age, possessed a most winning and gracious manner--a face that might
+have served as a better model for a madonna than many of those
+apparently used by the old masters; a lithe and graceful figure and an
+abundance of vivacity when doing the things that pleased her. She had so
+captivated John Earl from their first meeting that he had never tried
+nor cared to analyze her. Indeed, had he so wished, he would have found
+it a difficult undertaking, for he was too content with the pleasure he
+felt in her presence to care to question it.
+
+Dr. Earl had taken infinite pains to search the world for the sources of
+disease and its prevention and cure. He had delved deeply into the
+mysteries of mental and spiritual therapeutics, and had closely studied
+the influences surrounding the origin of individual human beings. But
+while he had harnessed many more or less occult forces into scientific
+service in treating invalids, strangely enough, it never occurred to him
+that similar elements might have an important mission in determining the
+natural affinity of those attracted by the tenderest passion in the
+world, and might do much, if properly regarded, to render stable that
+one-time sacred bond of the sexes known as the marriage relation, which
+at this time, everywhere, was resting upon such shifting quicksands of
+mismating as to menace its existence.
+
+"Love is of man's life a thing apart," applied with full force to Dr.
+Earl, and he accepted his relations with Leonora Kimball with the same
+confidence and light heart that might characterize the least thoughtful
+man on Manhattan Island. While he had traveled many thousands of miles
+and burned many a midnight lamp to ascertain if improvement could not be
+made in the prevailing orthodox method of treating disease, he blindly
+accepted, as millions of strong men before him had done, the prevailing
+orthodox method of selecting a wife.
+
+In any event, after the brother and sister had been left at the Ramsey
+mansion on upper Fifth Avenue, he and Leonora proceeded to spend the
+time from eleven to three o'clock very much as other lovers similarly
+situated would have consumed those four hours. They motored until one
+o'clock, when they went to her house, not far from his sister's
+residence, where he had luncheon with her and her widowed mother, and at
+three o'clock he arrived at the Hotel Gotham, where he had engaged
+apartments.
+
+When he stepped into his new sitting-room a large photograph of Leonora
+confronted him on the dressing-case, his valet being a man of rare sense
+and tact.
+
+As he looked into the counterfeit impression of the large blue eyes and
+reflected back her smile he declared to himself for the twentieth time
+that day that she was the most fascinating creature in the world.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A MYSTICAL PARADE
+
+
+When Dr. Earl arrived at his hotel he noticed crowds of people gathering
+on the sidewalk, and lining up along the curbstone further down the
+avenue, evidently expecting a parade of some sort. He had dismissed the
+matter from his mind and was startled about an hour later to hear the
+tap of a drum on the street, then a martial air by a band, followed by
+the clatter of horses' hoofs and the shouts of policemen clearing the
+way. Throwing open a window, he witnessed a sight that dazed him for a
+moment, and he wondered whether or not he really was in an American
+city.
+
+As if by magic, the street was now filled with women, arranging
+themselves in marching order, with the shout of command ringing clear
+upon the air, and down Fifth Avenue as far as he could see, other
+columns of women were forming to the strains of military music and to
+the stirring echoes of fife and drum.
+
+He grabbed his hat and stick, and joined the throng that packed the
+sidewalk. His six feet of height and his athletic training rendered him
+good service in ascertaining where to go and making it possible to get
+there. He hurried along several blocks until he reached what he thought
+must be the leading column of the march. Then he elbowed his way to the
+curbstone and took up a position to witness this, as yet, mysterious
+demonstration.
+
+The air was sharp for a day late in April, but the sky was clear and the
+sun shed occasional rays of splendor over some of the lower buildings
+upon the waiting multitude.
+
+The crowd was remarkably quiet. There seemed to be a spell over the
+whole performance that savored of some of the wonders he had so recently
+witnessed in India. There was something electric in the air that brought
+with it an echo from some distant past or a promise for the future which
+he tried in vain to catch and recognize.
+
+Finally the order, "Forward, march!" was given, and to the air of
+"Marching Through Georgia" the first column swung down the Avenue with
+easy grace and in perfect step.
+
+Long before the first standard came near he knew it was a Woman
+Suffrage parade, and before he could get a view of the women carrying
+it, he read the inscription on the banner:
+
+    Forward out of Error,
+      Leave behind the night;
+    Forward through the darkness,
+      Forward into Light.
+
+Then the standard bearers were opposite him. The one nearest to him was
+an exceedingly pretty young woman, as was also the second one, but as
+his eyes rested upon the one farthest away he gave a startled
+exclamation that attracted the attention of those around him.
+
+"My mystery! Again she has dropped from the clouds!" The object of his
+interest was a tall young woman, scarcely more than twenty-five years of
+age, gowned in white cloth with black trimmings, with a white hat turned
+straight up on the left side and lined in black. She showed grace and
+energy in every movement and intellect and force in every glance.
+
+Her large, sapphire-blue eyes gleamed with the intensity of her
+feelings, and the touches of bronze hair that could be seen beneath her
+hat gave evidence of the vivacious character of her life.
+
+As she marched with queenly grace at the head of this mighty host of six
+thousand American women, Dr. Earl had visions of the reality of the myth
+or history, whichever it may be, of Semiramis invading Assyria and the
+Amazons conquering Asia.
+
+The entire line of march was no doubt interesting, but the head of the
+column was absorbing to our hero, so block after block he marched as
+nearly abreast of the banner on the sidewalk as a dense crowd would
+permit him, and when the column broke ranks at Union Square he was there
+to witness it.
+
+No sooner did the mysterious banner bearer quit the march than she
+rushed to the custodian of the posters, and, gathering an armful, she
+coaxed, or with mock heroics terrorized, every person she approached
+into buying one for "the good of the Cause!"
+
+Earl was certain his heart would never beat again when she asked him in
+deep, musical tones to "Please buy one for the Cause." He did so, and
+loitered around watching her a few moments longer, then started up
+Broadway.
+
+When he swung into Fifth Avenue he was impressed again, as he had been
+when he came from the boat, with the changed atmosphere of the street.
+He had always read the mood of New York in its silent reflection in this
+expressive part of the city's physiognomy. Long ago, he had discovered
+that Fifth Avenue smiles or weeps, applauds or hisses, effervesces with
+enthusiasm or gazes somberly like the image of despair, revels in
+fervent expressions of patriotism or looks with gloomy distrust upon
+public affairs--all according to the mood of the dominant portion of New
+York's population--those who control the destinies of the huge private
+enterprises that are the marvel of the age, and the management of which
+means so much in the way of industrial slavery or economic freedom to
+the American people.
+
+This evening there was a note of more seriousness in the air than he had
+ever before witnessed on this gay thoroughfare. The rush of automobiles
+and taxicabs and carriages with beautifully gowned women and
+fine-looking men as occupants was as great as ever; the perfectly
+groomed New York woman on the sidewalk, with figure and carriage such as
+outclasses the women of every other large city in the world, was there
+in numbers quite as great as formerly; the Western woman, who had come
+on to take New York by storm, or who imagined the acme of human
+existence was in New York café life, with all of its vulgar display and
+raucous manners, was abundantly in evidence.
+
+But over the entire concourse there appeared to drift an atmosphere of
+the spiritual, which lifted them from the plane of the Fifth Avenue
+crowd of a year and a half before, and impressed him in the same manner
+that he had been impressed in the far East by adepts when they gave
+public demonstrations of their powers, or conversed with their Chelę
+without the medium of written or spoken language.
+
+When he left America the woman suffrage movement in New York was a
+subject of more or less ridicule; a few wealthy women had begun to
+identify themselves with it, but they were called "faddists" and their
+efforts were not taken seriously. It was apparent now that the suffrage
+cause had been given the impetus of the world-wide movement that was
+reaching the women of all countries, and had changed from a gospel of
+tracts to a militant crusade for their share of the duties and
+responsibilities of life and the power properly to discharge them. Never
+had he seen so many of the real leaders of New York society engaged in
+any work, charitable or otherwise, as had taken part in this parade,
+marching on foot the full two miles, and often side by side with the
+working-women of the city.
+
+He had once seen a painting of the Maid of Orleans in a foreign gallery
+that carried so much of spiritual earnestness that he felt that he could
+appreciate how easy it was for the French army instinctively to follow
+her lead, and how much easier it was for the poor dupes of ignorance and
+superstition to believe that this overmastering spiritual nature was the
+product of witchcraft.
+
+Absorbing though these thoughts were, they did not exclude another train
+which had to do with the mysterious banner bearer, and as he entered his
+hotel he clenched his right hand suddenly and muttered to himself, "I
+must dismiss her from my thoughts."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS YOUNG WOMAN
+
+
+Dr. Earl took a late dinner at his sister's house, after having spent an
+hour with his fiancée on the way. There were just the four of them at
+table, his sister and her husband, his brother and himself.
+
+His sister was the oldest member of his family, which comprised but the
+three of them, his father and mother having died some years before.
+
+During the college days of both himself and his brother, who was two
+years his junior, his sister had assumed the rōle of a mother to them,
+and right devotedly had she filled the part. She had been more of a
+"pal" to them than anything else, and some years' residence in England
+during her schooldays had broadened her vision of the true meaning and
+value of this relation between those of opposite sex and particularly
+between brother and sister.
+
+She possessed now, as always, the unbounded respect and confidence of
+these two young men of thoroughly dissimilar character and temperament,
+and she was the repository of the sacred secrets of each of them, which
+she was warned she must never betray to the other. And she never did.
+
+Eight years previous to these occurrences, she had married George
+Ramsey, President of the Gotham Trust Company, which institution had
+recently absorbed half a dozen weaker concerns doing a similar business,
+and more recently had taken over from the New York bankers, who were
+stockholders in the trust company, the handling of most of the public
+utility securities that were floated in this country. But George Ramsey
+was not the pretentious pawnbroker in spirit and manner that so often
+presides over the destinies of American banks, but he was a
+philosophical financier who understood perfectly the strength and
+weakness of the system under which he worked, and who, while he wondered
+at the supine idiocy of the people that would permit of the prevailing
+Dick Turpin methods of high finance, never took his eye from the horizon
+of public action, where daily he expected to see "the cloud no bigger
+than a man's hand" that was to expand into the storm that would engulf
+these and other long permitted public ills.
+
+Many times recently he had sounded the alarm of the dangers attending
+recapitalization of properties that already bore a heavy weight of
+watered securities, but his colleagues had laughed at what they termed
+his fears, and had attempted to reassure him of their complete
+possession of the departments of government that controlled such
+matters. Bred to the banking business, he had no thought of transferring
+his abilities and energies to the realm of statesmanship, but in the
+sanctum of his own home he would often pour forth his disgust with, and
+his fear of, such methods, to the tall, clear-eyed, clear-brained and
+beautiful woman from whom John and Frank Earl were wont to seek advice
+in their perplexities. And from her he always received valuable
+suggestions, a keener insight into the motives of men, a broader, more
+humane view-point, and withal a firmness to set himself, in part, where
+the law of the land should have been set wholly, as a barrier against
+the worst of these public depredations.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. George Ramsey were the same lovers now that they were
+during their honeymoon. In the crowded ballroom, at the opera, in the
+automobile after the harassing cares of the day, on land or sea, he was
+always the admiring and devoted attendant, and gave expression to his
+feelings in a variety of new and interesting ways. It was evident that
+they had not run counter to the influence of the stars in waiting for a
+natural affinity. In their home they entered into the spirit of whatever
+was borne to them by their guests. With scholars and philosophers they
+held their own in abstruse and abstract discussions. With musicians and
+music lovers they were at ease, for both played and sang with more than
+amateur skill. With young people bent on a frolic, they could be the
+gayest of the party. Their outlook upon life was always across green
+meadows or perfectly kept beds of beautiful flowers.
+
+Every guest found ready sympathy for whatever was nearest and dearest to
+him, and went away convinced that he had never rightly understood his
+own hobby before.
+
+In this atmosphere, and at table with this couple, John and Frank Earl
+seated themselves at eight o'clock for dinner.
+
+It would be difficult to imagine two brothers more widely separated in
+physical and mental characteristics. John was tall, athletic, with dark
+hair, large, dreamy brown eyes, perfect poise, a silent and dignified
+bearing that easily commanded attention when he spoke, a low, musical
+voice and an exceedingly strong and graceful hand.
+
+Frank was of medium height, spare of figure, with light hair,
+penetrating blue eyes, resilient voice, quick and nervous of speech,
+with large hands and feet, and not a shadow of dignity in his bearing.
+
+The one personified reflection; the other action. In the eyes of one
+appeared the dreams of centuries; beaming from the eyes of the other was
+the fun of the ages.
+
+"Did any of you people, aside from Jack, see the suffragette parade
+to-day?" asked Frank, with laughing eyes fixed upon his brother.
+
+"I--how do you know I saw it?" asked John, and his confused manner
+brought "Eh, Jack?" from the other two.
+
+"It's all right, Jack; I won't tell Leonora, but how jealous she would
+be if she could have seen you following the banner carried by those
+three pretty girls," answered Frank. "Why, I followed you a dozen blocks
+myself, almost touching you the whole time, just to see which one of the
+three girls was making you join the parade. The next time get right out
+into the street, old man, and don't block the view of us spectators, for
+you know you were a part of that parade to-day, in mind at least."
+
+The absurdity of the scene as depicted by Frank made even John throw
+back his head and join in the unrestrained laughter of the others.
+
+"I was in the Waldorf-Astoria at a tea-table near the window when the
+head of the column came in view. I, too, liked the looks of those pretty
+girls carrying the banner, but before I could decide which one I liked
+best, my dearly beloved brother hove in sight, with eyes glued on the
+third one, wandering down the Avenue like either a slow-hatching lunatic
+or a good subject for a hypnotist. I knew Jack would need me in New York
+to steer him right until all that Indian mysticism gets out of his
+system, and that is the reason I left the delights of the wilds for the
+barbarism of the city. Well, I excused myself and hurried out to take
+possession of Jack, but when I got close to him and was just about to
+slap him on the shoulder, I followed his eyes--and for the life of me, I
+couldn't touch him!"
+
+Here Frank's tone became half serious and his changed manner hushed the
+laughter of the others. "I have always ridiculed the idea of hypnotism
+and in every experiment where I have been present I have set myself to
+disprove its effects. But candidly, folks, I was hypnotized.
+Unconsciously I followed that parade a whole dozen blocks myself, and
+when I finally came out of the trance, or whatever it was, and started
+back to the hotel, the entire atmosphere seemed filled with some kind of
+uncanny dope. I never witnessed such contagious energy and earnestness,
+and every step emanated spiritual sparks that blinded my eyes and took
+possession of my faculties. Who is she, Jack?"
+
+"That is what I want to know. I call her my 'Mystery.' One day while I
+was in London and near Trafalgar Square I saw a demonstration of women
+down toward the parliament buildings. I went that way to see what was up
+and soon discovered that it was a body of English suffragettes making an
+attempt to exercise their claimed right to petition parliament. As
+usual, the demonstration was more or less strenuous and the police
+interfered. When I got close enough to identify them, I saw my 'Mystery'
+in the front ranks, exhorting the women, protesting and pleading with
+the policemen, and gradually getting nearer and nearer the parliament
+buildings until they had almost reached one of the entrances. It looked
+very much as if they might get entirely in and vindicate their claim,
+but just at that moment a fresh squad of police arrived under an officer
+superior to any present, and ordered the arrest of the leaders. My
+'Mystery' was the first arrested. It was then that I discovered that she
+was an American girl. The speech she delivered to those police officers
+on human rights and human liberties and women's rights and women's
+liberties is worthy a place among the world's great orations. They took
+her and the rest of them away, but I noticed that they treated her with
+marked respect. I don't think any of them were jailed on that occasion,
+but she defied them to jail her. The next time I saw her was at the
+Grand Opera House in Paris, two months later. She was with some friends
+in an adjoining stall. It was a gala performance for the benefit of the
+flood sufferers and the most noted singers in the world had volunteered
+their services, and single acts from a number of operas were given. It
+was difficult to believe that this beautiful, stylish, richly-gowned
+girl was the one I saw arrested in a suffrage disturbance on the streets
+of London. Throughout the performance I watched her closely, and her
+expressive face reflected the emotion of every leading role. She partook
+of the abandon of the gayer airs in 'Carmen,' and her cheeks were
+flooded with tears at the misfortunes of Marguerite in 'Faust.' I was
+dying to know who she was, but I was with foreign surgeons, and saw no
+Americans that I knew. To-day is the first time I have seen her since.
+Who is she, Hilda?" eagerly he asked of his sister.
+
+"You and Frank give me a lot of exclamation points, with a vivid
+description of how the atmosphere affected you, and then want me to name
+a vision for you. Please describe the physical girl, leaving out all
+adjectives, mystical pieces of air, _et cetera_, and perhaps I can tell
+who she is."
+
+Jack described the girl in the parade, somewhat repressing his
+enthusiasm under Frank's amused scrutiny.
+
+"I don't wonder at your captivation. That is Silvia Holland, one rich
+American girl who is determined to justify her existence, live a life
+that is worth while, and demonstrate the ability of women to be
+economically independent, for although her father has a half-dozen city,
+country and resort residences, she insists in maintaining at her own
+expense a modest apartment in the Whittier Studios, and keeps up her own
+country home on the Hudson at Nutwood. Just now her parents are on a
+trip around the world. You know she is a graduate of the law school at
+Columbia and was admitted to practice a few months ago. You should thank
+your stars, Jack, that it is not the medical profession she is seeking
+to enter, or the dry bones there would be worse shaken up than they will
+be by your new theories, and you would have a formidable rival."
+
+"She is not the daughter of John J. Holland, the steel magnate?" he
+inquired.
+
+"Yes, his daughter and only child."
+
+"Whew! There is hope of the American woman after all. There certainly is
+a big social revolution on in America," and Jack arose with the others
+to go into the library for coffee.
+
+"It might interest you young men to know that these suffragists are to
+finish their day's work with a ball and a bazaar to-night, and I have
+tickets for a box," suggested Hilda.
+
+"Of course Jack can't go, but I shall be delighted to bask in the smiles
+of this modern Semiramis a while," answered Frank. "Then, too," he
+added, "she may convert me to suffrage, which living in Colorado among
+suffragists for two years has failed to do."
+
+"Oh, that is because you are looking at the matter through a railroad
+attorney's eyes; long ago it was truly written that 'no man can serve
+two masters,' and your railroad employment is your master just now,"
+answered his sister.
+
+"I have heard reports that indicate that woman's suffrage in Colorado is
+apt quite soon to cause not only you railroad lawyers but our holders of
+railroad securities some concern about the quantity of water we inject
+into any one issue of stocks and bonds," laughingly suggested Mr.
+Ramsey.
+
+"Come, gentlemen, your charming Amazon will not stay up all night, and
+it is ten-thirty now," called Hilda, who had already garbed herself for
+the automobile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A SUFFRAGE BAZAAR AND BALL
+
+
+A suffrage bazaar does not differ essentially from the same iniquity
+under other auspices. There are the same useless articles for sale and
+the same aggressive methods of disposing of them; the same varieties of
+fancy work, knit, embroidered, drawn, quartered and crocheted; the same
+display of canned goods and home-made jellies and feminine apparel; the
+same raffles and "drawings" and "chances" by which churches have long
+conducted their clerical lotteries; the same side-shows and the same
+appeal to the social world to come and mingle with the "high-brows" and
+be fashionably robbed.
+
+Only in this instance far more ingenuity had been displayed in the
+number and nature of the side attractions. There were guessing machines
+where the cocksure were reduced to humbleness of mind by their failures
+to state accurately the number of women voting in the world or some
+section thereof; the number of countries that have recently swung into
+line in the woman movement; the number of subjects reigned over by
+women, and similar questions, all of which proved "extra hazardous" to
+most of the guessers. Many of them did not even know what the five stars
+on the suffrage flag indicated.
+
+They had a row of Chinese examination booths, in which persons wishing a
+certificate of "Efficient Citizenship" were given blanks to fill out, in
+which they revealed their knowledge, or their crass ignorance, of
+conditions in various parts of their own country. Mrs. Jarley conducted
+a wax-works performance, and there was a moving-picture show in which
+Mrs. Cornelia Gracchus, the favorite example of the "Antis," was shown
+lecturing in the Forum on medicine to grave and reverend seigneurs, Joan
+of Arc leading her troops, and Florence Nightingale bending over the
+sick and wounded.
+
+An educated pig told the uneducated person in how many States women have
+full suffrage, and which they are; where suffrage campaigns are pending,
+and the names of the distinguished Americans who have gone on record in
+favor of this reform. A Street of All Nations showed the onward march,
+all the way from the women of Washington casting their "recall" ballots
+to the women of China unbinding their feet, and Turkish ladies tearing
+their veils into tatters.
+
+Dancing was going on in an adjoining room, but the crowd was so great
+that it was impossible to even locate Jack's "Mystery," so Frank turned
+his attention to a row of booths, draped in black, with silver
+astrological symbols, palmist signs and two flaming aces of hearts and
+diamonds, where past, present and future were revealed at very
+reasonable prices--considering. "Me for the astrologist," he said.
+"Jack, go in at the sign of the glowing heart and find out whether Venus
+is going to be good to you, and then we can swap experiences."
+
+"I think I'll try the palmist," Jack replied. "If it's even moderately
+well done it is interesting," and the two brothers disappeared into the
+cavelike apertures before them. Frank's experience seemed to be highly
+satisfactory, for he reappeared grinning cheerfully. Perhaps he had
+cause, but he did not reveal it, and when his brother came forth from
+the clutches of the sorceress, he insisted that he should have his
+horoscope cast.
+
+As there seemed no hope of finding the lady they sought until the crowd
+should have thinned a little, Jack laughed and entered the
+silver-spangled tent. The seeress was gowned in white, with silver
+chains and bracelets and girdle, and a long white veil completely
+enveloped her except the face, and this was concealed by her yashmak up
+to her mocking gray eyes, with their dark, level brows. There was
+something in her eyes that attracted Jack, and made him believe in her
+uncanny powers quite against his will, and even while he told himself
+that this was but the foolishness of the hour. He gave her the necessary
+data, and she consulted her charts, and gave him a rapid and wonderfully
+correct delineation of his character, "a nature which combines the
+characteristics of Scorpio with some of those of Sagitarrius, as is the
+case," she explained gravely, "with persons born near the cusp," a term
+which produced no impression upon his mind, though he said, "Oh,
+indeed," politely. She made some cabalistic marks on a square of paper
+and turned to him with a somewhat startled expression, which faded at
+once, and the mocking eyes looked full into his as she went on.
+
+"You do not believe in anything I am telling you, and therefore I shall
+speak quite frankly, certain that you will be neither cast down nor
+elated by anything I can say. I think you are a physician; if not you
+ought to be; you seem to have come from afar, and to be about to begin a
+new phase in your life. It is well that you have two of the greatest of
+the planets, Mars and Jupiter, as controlling influences, for you will
+need them, and that very soon. You are at this moment in greater danger
+than ever before has been your lot."
+
+Jack could not repress a laugh. With youth, health, ability and love he
+felt that it would take more than a stray comet to turn the currents of
+his life awry. But the woman did not smile; he could see that much
+through the gauzy yashmak, and her eyes grew grave and her forehead
+contracted.
+
+"I am glad you don't believe it," she said, "because I should not like
+to tell you what I see if you did; before morning you will know whether
+it is all the foolishness you think it."
+
+He apologized. "I'm immensely interested," he said, "but I didn't know
+any one regarded this sort of thing seriously. So far as you've gone
+you've hit me off very well, and I don't mind telling you that I am a
+physician, and I'm just back from the far East."
+
+"Thank you," she said gravely. "Have you ever heard that if a man has
+made love to a girl under the constellation of Cassiopeia he should not
+marry until he has also made love under the Southern Cross? There is a
+conjunction of malign planets at this time; they threaten your happiness
+through love, through hate, through accident. If you have become
+interested in any person born under Saturn, that is between the
+twenty-first of December and the twentieth of January, particularly
+about the seventh of January, you should certainly take time to consider
+carefully, for there is nothing but wretchedness and misunderstanding in
+such an alliance; there may be much that is attractive on the surface,
+but you will find a complete lack of harmony, of similarity of tastes
+and ambition that would leave you forever alone, and there is much
+selfishness and stubborness of will. Saturn and Scorpio are not good
+marital allies." He gave her a searching glance, for the seventh of
+January was Leonora's birthday, but her face was quite inscrutable.
+
+"There is something here I do not understand; this accident does not
+happen to you, nor to any one near you, yet it has a lasting and a
+terrible effect upon your life----" she shuddered and pushed the charts
+away from her. "I will not tell you any more," she said, "but I wonder
+whether you would do me the favor of giving me your name and address. I
+want to cast your horoscope carefully, and I will send you the chart."
+
+He thanked her and wrote down his name as requested, somewhat impressed
+in spite of himself. As he rose to go she stood also and lifted her hand
+as if she would have drawn him back, then let it drop heavily. If it was
+a piece of acting, he told himself it was perfectly done. "Do be careful
+for the next twenty-four hours," she said, "and beware of the evil that
+may come out of good."
+
+That last Delphic utterance stamped the whole affair as a clever piece
+of mind-reading, guesswork and acting, and, somewhat annoyed that he
+should have been hoaxed even for a moment, Jack withdrew.
+
+The hour was growing late and the crowd dispersing when they turned
+from the fortune-telling booths and entered the ballroom, and presently
+Jack said to his sister, "There she is; the one in the green gown."
+
+"Yes, that is Silvia Holland. What a superb dancer, and how democratic!
+The man she is dancing with is at the head of one of the labor
+organizations that is championing woman's suffrage. Come, Jack, let us
+have a whirl, as of old, and I will then bring your 'Mystery' over to
+the box."
+
+In a moment they were in the midst of the waltz, and at its close Hilda
+had so managed that they were near Miss Holland. Stepping up to her on
+Jack's arm she presented her brother, and, accepting Hilda's invitation,
+Miss Holland joined their party.
+
+"Did I not see you a year ago on the streets in London, the time I was
+arrested?" she naively asked Jack.
+
+"Yes, but you were very busy. How in the world could you remember me?"
+
+"Don't be flattered by the apparent compliment. While I was delivering
+my little speech to the police I noted how closely you followed me and
+that you were the only American around, and I had determined to appeal
+to you for assistance if they undertook to jail the feeble old woman
+who was with us. They didn't disturb her, and so you were not called
+upon, but you see how near you came to being a militant English
+suffragette and perhaps a prisoner for thirty days," she said, half
+seriously and half smilingly.
+
+"The word of command would have made me both," he answered, with so much
+emphasis that Frank broke into the conversation with, "I wonder if the
+open door of an English jail would convert me?"
+
+"That would depend upon who was directing your footsteps toward the
+jail," suggested his brother-in-law.
+
+"Not at all; I think I am hopeless after having heard so much of the
+theoretical benefits of suffrage and seen the utter lack of effect in
+Colorado, where I live."
+
+Silvia Holland turned her great, intense eyes upon him. They were
+glowing, and he felt the same fascination he had experienced in the
+afternoon.
+
+"You from Colorado and talk this way!" she said in amazement. "Surely
+you are jesting. Take the effect on the polling places alone. Compare
+those of New York with those of Denver, and I have seen them in full
+operation in both places. In the first is the atmosphere of barrooms; in
+the second the manners and air of drawing-rooms. If I were a Colorado
+man I should be proud of the result upon Colorado women of their
+responsibility in citizenship. I know women of all nationalities, but I
+know none where the average of intelligence or womanly grace and real
+accomplishments are greater than with your Colorado women."
+
+"I am a railroad attorney, sent out by the owners of some of the lines
+traversing Colorado to look after their interests," he answered. "It is
+possible that my conclusions have been influenced by my occupation. I am
+prepared to admit that. But I have rather old-fashioned notions in
+relation to the proper place for women being in the home and not in
+politics."
+
+"Oh, you American professional men, particularly you corporation
+lawyers"--she was smiling now. "You might as well be living in the
+middle ages, for you take no note of the tremendous revolution that is
+going on all around you. What we call politics is in reality government,
+and home is the basis of all good government, and government to serve
+its legitimate aim in a democracy must reflect the sentiments of all
+the members of the society that created it, women as well as men, and
+the higher the aspirations of society the higher the purposes of
+government."
+
+The others were enjoying this little scene. "Bravo, bravo, Silvia!"
+exclaimed Hilda. "Do make a convert of him!"
+
+"You know," said Miss Holland, and she put as much sarcasm in her tone
+as possible without leaving a sting, "that this thing called government
+only needs a good house-cleaning and the application of a few vermin
+extinguishers, such as every good housekeeper knows how to administer,
+to make this country a congenial habitation for the gods of the
+Twentieth Century--the enlightened, progressive, responsible citizens of
+a democracy. Come to the Industrial League meeting next Thursday night
+and you will learn more about this than I can possibly tell you. I will
+send you a card," and she gaily floated away with Dr. Orrin Morris, her
+escort of the evening, who had been impatiently waiting for her for
+several minutes.
+
+Dr. Orrin Morris and Dr. John Earl were graduated from the same class in
+the Harvard medical school, but Dr. Morris had immediately after
+graduation settled down to the exclusive practice of surgery according
+to orthodox methods, and was already regarded as one of the rising young
+surgeons of New York City.
+
+His father had met with financial reverses in 1907 that had not only
+wrecked the family fortune but had carried him to an untimely grave. His
+mother had been dead for some years and he had no brother or sister. He
+maintained a house on East 57th Street and had much practice in two of
+the prominent hospitals.
+
+Dr. Morris presented a rather angular appearance as he strode away with
+Miss Holland. He was excessively lean, of swarthy complexion, dark eyes,
+black hair and a domineering air. His mother had possessed a strain of
+that Spanish blood that was freely mixed with the Moors during their
+occupancy of Spain, and added to the natural tendencies of the Latin
+were visible some of the ear-marks of Moorish intensity. For some months
+he had been paying marked attention to Miss Holland, whom he had known
+in a general way for a long time, and, while she did not encourage him,
+she had not thought it necessary to dismiss him, for she found him most
+entertaining, as he was regarded as one of the best non-professional
+violinists in New York. They had spent many agreeable evenings together
+over their music, she playing the accompaniments on the piano.
+
+His views on public questions were as set and conservative as were his
+views on medicine, and she never attempted to discuss those matters with
+him; the fact that she could not do so was somewhat a relief to her when
+she desired to get away from her public activities.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, Dr. Morris and Miss Holland, and the two young men
+with other ladies of their acquaintance, joined in the last dance and
+then started for the cloakrooms together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HYPNOTISM USED FOR AN ANĘSTHETIC
+
+
+Mrs. Ramsey and Miss Holland emerged from the dressing-rooms after a
+trifling delay, and found Hilda's party and Dr. Morris waiting in the
+foyer. Just as they were about making their way to their respective
+motors they heard a sudden commotion and wild cries from the street, and
+a crowd of people surged in, crying that a child had been killed by an
+automobile. Both Dr. Earl and Dr. Morris rushed toward the street as a
+man came in carrying a little girl of perhaps ten years of age, bleeding
+profusely from the mouth and the scalp, with one leg evidently broken.
+The mother of the child, a comely woman of thirty, followed, wringing
+her hands. Her excitement verged on hysteria, but at the sight of Dr.
+Morris she controlled herself by a mighty effort.
+
+"To the hospital, to the hospital, Dr. Earl," peremptorily exclaimed Dr.
+Morris, as Dr. Earl threw aside his coat and, rolling back his sleeves
+and directing the man to place the child on a table in one of the
+ante-rooms, began to examine the character of the injuries.
+
+"Oh, don't take my poor child to the hospital. I know she will die if
+she goes there; bring her home; it is only a few blocks," the mother
+pleaded with Dr. Morris, whom she seemed to know.
+
+"Don't waste time here. Where is the telephone? I will call an ambulance
+immediately."
+
+"I don't want her taken to the hospital," said the woman sullenly.
+
+"This is no place to operate on a hysterical child," Morris answered.
+"She need not be kept in the hospital, but she should certainly be taken
+there. I know Dr. Earl will agree with me."
+
+In the meantime, Earl had completed his examination. Silvia Holland was
+watching him anxiously. As Morris spoke he looked up and caught her eye.
+
+"It is only a simple fracture, and the scalp wounds are slight. I
+suppose we could get along, if we can get hot water and the necessary
+appliances," he said dubiously, and then added, turning to the woman,
+"Dr. Morris is quite right, madame, in advising the hospital, and I
+assure you there is no danger."
+
+The woman turned pleading eyes to Silvia. "She's all I have, and I can't
+let her be taken away from me. Couldn't we go home? It is only a few
+blocks away, and I know I can make her comfortable. Oh, please, please
+don't let them take her away!"
+
+Miss Holland looked at Dr. Earl and put her arm around the woman
+protectingly. "If it isn't any worse than that," she said hesitatingly,
+"don't you think you could do as she asks? Setting a simple fracture
+isn't a very complicated operation, is it?"
+
+Earl smiled. "Oh, no," he said, "it can be done in a comparatively few
+minutes."
+
+"Then why not do it," she said, "and spare the mother all this
+protracted agony, and get the child home?"
+
+"Because there are no appliances here to administer an anęsthetic or do
+anything else properly," answered Morris impatiently, "and no one can
+tell from a cursory examination whether or not there are other injuries,
+to say nothing of the danger from septicęmia if the work is done in a
+clumsy, slipshod manner."
+
+Earl colored, and Miss Holland replied with some spirit that even the
+absence of the usual accessories need not imply clumsiness of method,
+and again asked Earl if he could not manage where they were. He turned
+to the mother.
+
+"If you insist upon it, I have no doubt that I can do all that is
+necessary without bad results. As to the anęsthetic, we can dispense
+with that."
+
+"I will have nothing to do with the case under these circumstances,"
+Morris said angrily.
+
+The woman hesitated, and then said firmly, "I should prefer the other
+gentleman to take charge. I won't have her taken to the hospital."
+
+"Very well," said Earl, and taking a notebook from his pocket he wrote
+out a list of necessary appliances, bandages, alcohol, antiseptic
+solutions, surgeon's scissors, needles, silk and thread, and giving it
+to Frank bade him hurry to the drug-store around the corner which
+carried surgical supplies and procure them, and also to bring a box that
+would do for splints.
+
+"I must have an assistant," he said, and without a word, Miss Holland
+improvised an apron from some of the bunting that was in evidence
+everywhere, and put herself at his disposal. He sent all the others out
+of the room, and bent over the child for a few minutes. What did he do?
+Miss Holland watched, but could not tell. The moaning ceased, the little
+limbs relaxed, and the child fell into a quiet sleep.
+
+The mother stood just outside the door, listening with strained
+attention, and after two or three impatient turns about the foyer,
+Morris joined her.
+
+"You can do as you please so far as I am concerned," he said in a low
+tone, "but I warn you that you are taking big risks. Allie is nervous
+and excitable at any time, and to-night she is close to hysterics, and
+she won't get over the shock of even a simple operation in a hurry,
+especially if he is fool enough to attempt it without an anęsthetic."
+
+The woman wavered for a moment, and then turned away without a word, and
+shrugging his shoulders Morris strode down toward the entrance. A moment
+later Silvia Holland came out of the ante-room.
+
+"You can go in now," she said, "only don't disturb your child; she is
+sleeping and you must be very quiet. Did you see Dr. Morris? Oh, there
+he is."
+
+Mindful of the amenities of life, she hurried to his side. His face was
+dark with something more than anger, and did not lighten as she laid the
+tips of her fingers on his arm.
+
+"I know you will excuse me, Orrin," she said gently. "You mustn't be
+angry with me, but I really feel as if I ought to see this through; the
+poor woman needs me. You will forgive me?"
+
+He looked at her with sudden passion. "Oh, yes, I forgive _you_," he
+said, with unmistakable emphasis on the pronoun, and was gone. Silvia
+Holland looked after him for a moment, conscious that, accustomed as she
+was to his moods, this was quite a new one, and then joined Dr. Earl,
+who had come into the foyer to say goodnight to the Ramseys and Frank
+Earl, who had returned with the surgical appliances and found nothing
+more that he could do. "By the way, old man," Dr. Earl called to his
+brother-in-law, "send the machine back if you don't mind," and with a
+word of thanks he re-entered the ante-room, followed by Miss Holland,
+and closed the door against further interruption.
+
+There was a sink in the room, with hot and cold water, and he directed
+Miss Holland to cleanse the basin and implements in the boiling water,
+and follow this up by dipping them in an antiseptic solution; in the
+meantime he ripped the box to pieces, and selected two strips, which he
+whittled into splints, shaping them to the child's leg, and working with
+great rapidity. The bandages, cotton and other things were laid out upon
+the table, and then he took the basin and a cloth and washed the wounds
+on the head, putting back the tousled locks as carefully and tenderly as
+a woman.
+
+"Ordinarily," he said to his assistant, "I should have done this first,
+but my examination showed that this injury is very slight. Of course she
+has bled profusely, but it has come from the nose, and it looks pretty
+bad, but there is nothing serious. Half a dozen stitches will be ample
+for the scalp. Thread that needle with the silk, please. Now let me have
+it." He took it from her, and in a moment the cuts on the head were
+sewed, and he was pulling the leg into place, applying the cotton, the
+splints and bandages, working deftly and silently. "The other needle
+with the thread, please," he said, not looking up, and Miss Holland
+handed it to him. Presently he raised his head and threw back his
+shoulders.
+
+"It is all done," he said simply, and called the mother. "I shall return
+in a quarter of an hour," he said, "and bring her out of this sleep. Do
+not try to rouse her, for you cannot. Do you not think, Miss Holland,
+that it would be well for me to get a nurse to assist in taking the
+little one home? I can 'phone when I return these instruments."
+
+"Your machine is coming back, isn't it?" Miss Holland answered. "It
+seems to me that with what help her mother and I can render that we
+shall manage."
+
+"Excellently," he said. "Then you will be on guard until my return; see
+that the child is not disturbed. I shall be gone but a few minutes."
+
+He readjusted his attire, and taking up his hat strode out of the
+building, unconscious until he reached the door that half a dozen
+energetic reporters were eagerly asking particulars. Finding him
+unwilling to tell them anything more than the vaguest generalities, the
+more resourceful returned to the improvised operating-room, and before
+Silvia Holland knew it they had the story from her enthusiastic lips,
+supplemented by a few facts gathered from the woman. For thus are
+first-page sensations secured and created.
+
+Silvia noticed that the woman spoke with visible reluctance, and she
+herself passed over the controversy between Dr. Morris and Dr. Earl,
+anxious to spare her friend any unnecessary annoyance.
+
+"I am sorry, Mrs. Bell," she said contritely. "I didn't realize at first
+that we were being interviewed."
+
+"Oh, there is no harm done," the woman said quietly. "I hope the doctor
+will not mind; won't he be back pretty soon?"
+
+Almost as she spoke, his tall form was seen making its way through the
+besieging ranks of the Fourth Estate. He waved them aside good
+humoredly, but refusing to be interviewed, he took the child in his
+strong arms and, followed by her mother and Miss Holland, made his way
+to the auto. While she was in a profound sleep when he returned, she
+wakened instantly when he commanded her to do so, and the cool night air
+evidently refreshed her greatly as they drove to Mrs. Bell's home. Dr.
+Earl carried the little one upstairs, gave her mother explicit
+directions, and promising to call early the following day to adjust a
+cast, left the apartment with Miss Holland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+SOME STRENUOUS ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS
+
+
+Several of the New York papers carried lurid headlines and more or less
+sensational accounts of the accident to the child and the treatment
+administered by Dr. Earl, as well as a tribute to the heroism of the
+volunteer nurse. All of them contained a report of some character of
+these occurrences.
+
+When Dr. Earl called at the home of his fiancée, according to
+appointment, to take her and her mother to luncheon the next day, he
+found Leonora in a sullen mood, and it did not take him long to discover
+that he was not in high favor at this particular hour.
+
+He greeted her with a kiss, but hers in return was perfunctory. He was
+not compelled to wait long for an explanation, for she poured out her
+feelings without any questioning.
+
+"Oh, Jack, dear, how could you mix up with that suffrage crowd! Don't
+you know that mamma is vice-president of the Anti-Woman Suffrage
+League? She is so annoyed! And that horrid Silvia Holland--why, Jack,
+she is a downright socialist. Don't you know she was arrested in England
+for trying to break into parliament with a lot of other suffragettes,
+and she was arrested here only last month for defying the police and
+taking sides with a lot of girls who refused to work in the factories
+where they were employed! Even when in school she was horrid. When they
+wouldn't let her make a suffrage speech on the school grounds one night
+she took the girls to a neighboring graveyard and spoke from a flat
+monument! And to think the papers have you mixed up with her, and our
+wedding soon to be announced! Oh, it's terrible!" and she buried her
+face in the sofa pillows.
+
+Had this scene occurred with any one else, Jack felt certain he could
+not have restrained his laughter, for he could see Miss Holland
+delivering an exhortation to the schoolgirls from a tombstone in a
+cemetery by night. But he understood the prejudices of a certain element
+of New York society, and while the past twenty-four hours had led him,
+somewhat, to believe that this progressive democratic wave sweeping
+over the world had engulfed all New Yorkers, he now realized how sadly
+mistaken he had been.
+
+With infinite tact he told her that his sister had taken their party to
+the ball--pointed out his own duty when the injured child had been
+brought in from the street, and how he had not even suggested that Miss
+Holland should assist him. He saw that the present was no time for a
+discussion of the merits of the case or a pronouncement of his own
+views, but he distinctly realized, with something of a jolt, it is true,
+that a wide gulf separated the Bourbon element of America's supposed
+democracy from the advancing column of her real and inspired democracy,
+and he wondered whether it were at all possible to tunnel under or
+bridge over this gulf. He lightly changed the subject.
+
+"I have just discovered that I can get my old offices on East 53rd
+Street, as the year's lease expires the first of next month, and the
+agents heeded my letter asking them to wait for me. So I shall feel
+quite at home in the old quarters," he said.
+
+She smiled at this, but was not quite ready to drop the former subject.
+"Jack, dear, did you take Miss Holland home at one o'clock in the
+morning?"
+
+He laughed at her this time, as he bent to kiss her. "I really believe
+you are jealous, you little nymph. Of course I took her home. She could
+not stay there all night, and there was no one else to take her."
+
+She looked very serious. "No, I don't know what jealousy is," she slowly
+and emphatically said, "but I don't want to know people who do the
+things that Miss Holland does, and I don't want you to know them."
+
+"My dear child," he said, taking her hands in his and catching her eyes
+with his own steady glance. "I must know whoever is thrown into my path
+either in a professional or a social way. All people are intensely
+interesting to me, for we are, after all, but one great family of human
+beings, trying to carve out lives that are worth while, and this we can
+do better by getting the best there is from each other." He hesitated a
+moment, still looking steadily at her. She quivered slightly, but he was
+dimly conscious of the colossal character of the will she was summoning
+to her aid. Then very slowly, but with all the earnestness of his
+nature, he added, "You must get away from these views, for they are
+dwarfing and not becoming to you, and if you do not we shall be very
+unhappy. Miss Holland is a remarkable young woman. She is destined to
+fill a great place in our American social and political life. She is
+well worthy of your friendship."
+
+She withdrew her hands, but still kept her eyes fixed on his. Her brow
+contracted and with emphasis she said: "Miss Holland has forfeited her
+place in our set by her conduct; why, Jack, you don't know how she is
+criticized by our friends or you would not suggest such a thing."
+
+He arose with a shrug of his shoulders. Fortunately, Mrs. Kimball
+appeared at this moment and they motored to the Plaza for luncheon,
+which was a somewhat formal and unsatisfactory affair, in spite of all
+his efforts to make it otherwise. The young man could not but feel that
+Mrs. Kimball shared her daughter's views--was, in fact, their
+author--and that in the eyes of his future mother-in-law he had been
+guilty of a breach of etiquette far more serious than an infraction of
+the moral law. He left them with the understanding that he would
+accompany them to the theatre in the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SURGERY
+
+
+The days of a militant suffragette are full to overflowing, and Silvia
+Holland was not able to see Mrs. Bell and her little daughter early the
+following morning as she had planned. It must have been well toward the
+middle of the afternoon when she entered the modest apartment, and going
+to the bed, visible in the alcove, kissed the child and put a great,
+dewy bunch of violets in her hand. She took them, and hugged them tight
+in her thin little arms, while her eyes looked into Silvia's
+wonderingly, and her mother turned away to hide the sudden tears.
+
+The apartment was well though not expensively furnished, and both mother
+and child had the unmistakable air of good birth and refinement. As
+Silvia glanced at Mrs. Bell she was conscious of something in her face
+at once baffling and appealing. She had the indefinable look of one who
+dwells with a sorrow for which there is no cure.
+
+"Are you quite sure there is nothing I can do for either of you to-day?"
+Silvia asked, a trifle diffidently, for she did not want to offend by
+overzeal.
+
+"You and Dr. Earl have placed us under so many obligations that we can
+never hope to repay them," Mrs. Bell said quietly. "If I do not speak
+more freely of what I feel, it is because I have no words for its
+expression."
+
+"Don't speak or think of obligations," Silvia said lightly, "and here is
+my card, so that if at any time I might be of service to you I hope you
+will not hesitate to call on me. I live at the Whittier Studios." The
+card which she gave Mrs. Bell read:
+
+                            SILVIA HOLLAND,
+                    Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law,
+                        City Investment Building,
+                            New York City.
+
+Mrs. Bell looked at it curiously. "Oh, it isn't possible that you are
+_that_ Miss Holland, _the_ Miss Holland!" she said incredulously.
+
+Silvia laughed. "Don't I look as if I could say 'Gentlemen of the jury'
+with sufficient gravity?" she said. "Probably I shall do better when we
+say 'Ladies of the jury,' too."
+
+"You look like what you are, a beautiful and fashionable lady," Mrs.
+Bell answered. "Surely no one would ever take you for a professional
+woman."
+
+"Must a fashionable lady be a listless parasite? Even if she wishes
+merely to be a queen of society, would she not be more queenly if she
+knew the trials and afflictions of others, and, better still, knew how
+to help them? Would she be less a queen if she were not dependent upon
+some man for her daily bread----"
+
+A sudden flash of something, she could not tell whether it was pain or
+rebellion or despair, crossed Mrs. Bell's face, and Silvia hesitated and
+then went on rather hurriedly, as if, knowing she had struck a false
+note, she sought to distract the other woman's thought from it. "I am
+trying to demonstrate the glorious mission that belongs to woman when
+she fills her predestined sphere of economic independence and political
+freedom."
+
+"Political freedom will come first and easiest," said the woman slowly.
+She raised her eyes, filled with trouble, and looked full into Silvia's.
+"The other is the greater boon, and will be harder to win. Some day I
+may need to consult a lawyer; there is no one I would so gladly trust;
+it is a personal matter and may adjust itself, if not----"
+
+"If not, telephone to make sure that I am in, and I shall be glad to see
+you at any time," answered Silvia.
+
+There was the sound of a quick, firm step in the hall, and the bell
+rang. Mrs. Bell opened the door and admitted Dr. Earl. After a few
+questions and the exchange of greetings, he went over to the bedside of
+his small patient. He found the child doing admirably, and glanced
+hastily about the room, trying to make up his mind whether he might
+offer any other assistance than that of a professional character. He
+decided that he could not, and realized with a sense of pleasure and
+relief that Miss Holland would be able to attend to such details with
+more tact and skill than he could. Nor could he help the glow of
+gratification that they should be associated in so vital a matter, one
+that he felt swept away the petty conventionalities of society, and
+placed them on a footing of understanding and common sympathy not to
+have been acquired by months, or even years, of the ordinary social
+amenities. After a few directions for the care of the small patient,
+and a promise to look in the following day, he told Mrs. Bell how to
+find him in case of any sudden need and took up his hat and stick.
+
+"Were you going, Dr. Earl? Can I set you down anywhere? My car is at the
+door."
+
+He bowed, and followed her out. "We have an embarrassment of riches," he
+said, "for my car is also here." Then, rather boyishly, moved by an
+impulse he would have found it hard to explain, he said, "Suppose we
+dismiss them both, and walk up through the Park?"
+
+She acquiesced, and a few moments later they were strolling up the
+Avenue, rather silently, considering that each had many things to say.
+As usual, it was the woman who broke the silence.
+
+"Tell me about all this. I never was more interested in anything in my
+life," she said, looking up at him with a glance that carried the
+subtlest flattery, and, while her query was vague, he understood and
+made no attempt to evade it.
+
+"It is a long story," he said; "have you time for it to-day? And it is
+really no more remarkable than the effect you produced in your parade
+yesterday, and I think the causes are the same. The world is full of
+mystery, but before honest, earnest purpose of any kind the storehouses
+of mystery will eventually open. The fact is, that the present
+tremendous progressive movement in the world is spiritual and every
+phase of it is interdependent upon every other element. The thoughtless
+call these things 'fads.' In reality, each one of them marks a
+crystallization of centuries of thought and hope and dream for the
+advancement and elevation of the human race. The world, as usually
+happens in spiritual matters, awakened to the importance of all of them
+at the same time." He paused, as if realizing for the first time how
+personal was the story for which she had asked. "You will think me an
+egregious egotist, Miss Holland, I fear."
+
+"No, whatever you may be, or I may think you, you need have no fears on
+that score." She answered simply, directly. "Please tell me--if you
+think I deserve so great a confidence."
+
+He bowed gravely; there was no hint of coquetry in her manner.
+
+"Directly after my graduation at Harvard, three years ago, I opened
+offices in New York, intending to specialize in surgery, for I had
+prepared for that, though I desired to obtain a general practice for a
+while to put into effect and improve my theoretical knowledge. In a
+misty way I soon realized that neither my own efforts nor those of my
+colleagues were crowned with the success that should attend a profession
+founded upon strictly scientific principles, as modern surgery is. The
+chief cause of disturbance with me was that so many operations were
+performed which subsequent developments showed might have been avoided,
+but which at the time seemed imperative. I redoubled my studies of
+_materia medica_, hoping to find a way by which this difficulty might be
+obviated or overcome, and while my constant researches helped, I still
+found much difficulty in arriving at accurate conclusions before
+attempting an operation. I found nothing that satisfied me. I was also
+greatly bothered and baffled by the large number of cases which the
+surgeon encounters, controlled or dependent upon nervous conditions and
+the futility of the drugs ordinarily given.
+
+"While in this mood a friend of mine called at my office one Wednesday
+evening by appointment. He was the general manager of a large utility
+company that has to do with the people of every section of the
+civilized world, and a man of rare judgment, knowledge of the world, and
+poise. We were on most intimate terms, and I had already told him
+something of these perplexities. This evening, I had supposed that he
+was coming to see me professionally, and I had made other engagements.
+As soon as he stepped into my private office, he said: 'Doctor, cancel
+every engagement you have for this evening. I need you very badly in
+affairs of my own. You are to ask no questions, but do as I request and
+send me your bill to-morrow.'
+
+"Of course I could not refuse him, so I arranged to go with him, and
+then asked whether I should require surgical instruments or only a
+medicine case. He replied that I would need neither, and I could gain
+nothing from his manner, for he was very grave. At his suggestion we
+walked, going up Fifth Avenue to the Park, and then across the Park to
+the corner of 96th Street and Central Park West, where there stands a
+great church. The rolling notes of the organ filled the quiet with an
+impressiveness I had never felt before, and the congregation was singing
+an old hymn with an earnestness and depth of feeling quite different
+from most congregational singing. We entered and were shown to seats in
+the balcony, in the front row, where we had an excellent view of most of
+those below. 'You will find many of your acquaintances here,' he said,
+and on looking around I was surprised at the great number of prominent
+New York men and women in the audience.
+
+"After the preliminary proceedings those that desired to do so were
+invited to tell their experiences in combating disease, or other adverse
+conditions. What I heard was a revelation. This experience,
+corroborating, as it did, my own observations, emphasized how little of
+the field of suggestive and mental therapeutics the ordinary medical
+practitioner really filled, and I determined to explore that field
+before going any further with my practice. I thanked my friend for
+taking me to this place, and within a month I decided to go abroad. I
+visited the institutions of note in Europe, where suggestive
+therapeutics are practiced, and then went to India, where I spent many
+months. There I found the original source of suggestive, mental and
+spiritual treatment.
+
+"If the Yogi of India could supplement his method of training the
+subconscious mind with the knowledge which our regular physicians
+possess, and could apply both with discriminating skill, we would have
+the greatest human healing power ever known. The best I could hope for
+was to apply as much of the wisdom of the Yogi and other cults in India
+and Europe as I could master in the brief time at my disposal, and that
+I am attempting to do. With all the perfection of system in training the
+subconscious mind that characterizes a comparatively few of the
+inhabitants of India, the millions are left without any appreciable
+benefits therefrom, just as the millions here are left without the full
+benefits of the special training of the few.
+
+"We are but touching the borderland of this mysterious realm of the
+occult, the subconscious and the spiritual forces that have such an
+important bearing upon all phases of human life, and which, when
+intelligently applied to the child in school and the direction of the
+individual in his career, promise so much for the elevation, longevity
+and achievements of the human race.
+
+"The world is just waking up to the vast significance of the spiritual
+teachings of Jesus Christ, and their bearing upon all phases and
+activities of human life. When Christ told the Pharisees that 'the
+kingdom of God is within you,' he carried the lesson, though little
+understood then, and so fully comprehended now, that Christianity,
+citizenship, government, health, happiness and progress are all
+dependent upon the character of the ideals and purposes and daily life
+of the individual.
+
+"When Christ told the lawyer that to 'love thy neighbor as thyself' was
+one of the essentials of salvation, he laid the corner-stone for a pure
+and honest democracy, without which underlying principle there can be no
+lasting democratic government. We now know, in medicine, that much of
+longevity and good health and power of recuperation depend upon the
+ideals of the individual, and their inspiring influence.
+
+"It is too bad that with all our tremendous progress we allow bigotry
+and prejudice to hamper us in getting the most out of the wisdom around
+us as well as that of the ages, all of which is correlated. Yet very
+often the orthodox Christian, who believes that Christ not only healed
+the sick but also raised the dead, decries the Christian Scientist who
+only professes to restore the sick on the theory that disease cannot
+exist in an individual properly imbued with Christ's teachings. Too
+often the orthodox doctor of medicine denounces the healer who overcomes
+apparent disease through mental suggestion or arrests a nervous
+breakdown in a patient by teaching that patient how to relax, when the
+doctor himself does not hesitate to give bread pills in the first
+instance and to recommend a sanitarium where relaxation is the only
+thing attempted in the second. And I presume this quotation from the
+Dhamma-pada, which is many centuries older than the Christian religion,
+would be denounced as heresy by some of the Christian Scientists,
+although it embodies the spirit and almost the words of their own
+teachings: 'All that we are is the result of what we have thought. It is
+founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speak
+or act with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the
+foot of the ox that draws the carriage.'"
+
+Presently Dr. Earl hailed a passing taxi-cab, and gave the order to be
+taken to the Whittier Studios. The drive home was silent. Once or twice
+Silvia looked at her tall companion. She was frankly curious about the
+Paris case, but something in the quiet, self-contained face of the man
+beside her did not invite questions. On his part, John Earl was asking
+himself why he should have given his confidence to this comparative
+stranger, and the longer he thought about it the less able was he to
+answer his question.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE OMNIPRESENT EYES OF FIFTH AVENUE
+
+
+The source of gossip in a village is the corner grocery store; in a
+small city, what goes on about the public square; in the medium-sized
+city, what transpires in the leading café; in New York, Fifth Avenue and
+Central Park are the all-abounding sources of gossip. The Avenue has a
+thousand curious eyes; those on the sidewalk peering into automobiles
+and carriages for sensations; those being whirled along in vehicles,
+straining their power in the quest of salacious information among the
+throng beyond the curbstone. All New York passes along Fifth Avenue at
+some time or another. All of one's friends are always passing along that
+way when one does not particularly wish to be seen by them. If one is
+walking, the friends are invariably driving; if one is driving, of
+course the ubiquitous acquaintances are out for a stroll. Sometimes
+people have been known to escape two-thirds of the omnipresent eyes that
+line the sidewalks, pack the Avenue and infest the highways of Central
+Park, but no person has ever been heard of who escaped all of them.
+
+So the lot of our strollers was but the common lot of all, visitors as
+well as resident New Yorkers.
+
+While mutually absorbed, the one in reciting the tale, the other in
+listening to it; while diverted and interested by the thousand sparks
+that radiate from the batteries of youthful energy and enthusiasm and
+tingle the sensibilities of a congenial comrade; while speculating on
+the unknown vista from peep-holes that show only fragments, but
+realizing all the vastness and richness of the world force and universal
+sympathy possessed by each of them--it is not strange that in four
+blocks on the Avenue they were passed by two ladies in an automobile,
+who took more than an ordinary interest in their movements, and by a
+dark-eyed, dark-haired man in another car, whose eyes gleamed and whose
+cheeks blanched at the sight of their absorption in each other.
+
+But the things garnered on the Avenue are never placed in cold storage,
+and soon enough both of them were to hear about this stroll.
+
+When Dr. Earl called that evening to take Mrs. and Miss Kimball to the
+theatre he discovered that his reception in the morning had been
+tropical compared to this one. He was compelled to wait fully fifteen
+minutes before Miss Kimball appeared in house gown and slippers,
+indicating her purpose to remain at home, and the bearer of a message
+that her mother begged to be excused, as she had retired with a sick
+headache.
+
+In vain he sought for a reason for his frigid reception, and feeling
+that his presence was an affliction he arose to go.
+
+"I hope you had a pleasant stroll this afternoon," came in icicle tones.
+
+This shed all the light necessary upon the character of his greeting.
+
+The eyes of Fifth Avenue had not grown dim.
+
+"Yes," he replied, looking at her steadily, "it was a most delightful
+stroll."
+
+She could stand the strain no longer; she came close to him and he
+stooped and tenderly kissed her.
+
+"Oh, Jack, why do you persist in having anything to do with her when
+you know how unhappy it makes me!" she said in her gentlest tone.
+
+They sat down and he related the entire story of the occurrences of the
+afternoon to her. It pacified her to a degree.
+
+"But Jack, dear, you will promise me never to see her again, will you
+not?" and her tone was pleading now.
+
+"I promised to go with my brother to a suffrage meeting she is holding
+Thursday night. Of course _you_ would not wish to go, and I am certain
+you do not want me to break my promise."
+
+"I am certain," she said, emphasizing each word, "that I do not want you
+to see her again."
+
+"Let me understand you, Leonora, dear. There are many prominent New York
+women in this suffrage movement. Some of my very best old-time friends,
+I am informed, are participating in it. Is it your desire that I shall
+cut their acquaintance also, or is it just Miss Holland you want me
+never to see again?"
+
+"Now, don't think I am jealous of her, for I am not. She is the most
+conspicuous one in this suffrage movement on account of the awful
+things she does, but I don't care to associate with any person who is
+identified with this crusade. Neither does my mother, nor any of our
+social set, and of course I would like you to feel the same way."
+
+"But suppose I do not feel that way. Suppose my sympathies are with them
+and my profession as well as my political predilections should carry me
+among them?" he asked earnestly.
+
+"Oh, Jack, what has come over you that you are so plebeian! Can't you
+see how these women are cheapening New York society, associating with
+workingmen and shop girls!"
+
+"But that is what they should do in a democracy, and I am sure I never
+saw better-looking women in my life than these same busy suffragists.
+They have something to do, and are not dying of _ennui_ or
+listlessness," he answered.
+
+"Their stock argument," she answered, "but whoever heard of an
+aristocracy based on such things as these women engage in. Promise me,
+Jack, that you will have nothing to do with any of them."
+
+"You are unduly wrought up to-night," he answered, "but I will promise
+you that I shall do nothing to cause you unnecessary annoyance. You
+must not be too captious, dear, and remember that I go Thursday night."
+
+She started to protest, but he drowned the effort in a shower of
+caresses and bade her goodnight. Each of them, in the silence of their
+own apartments, thought long and earnestly of this interview. Leonora
+Kimball had been taught to believe that the chief badges of an
+aristocracy were complete idleness of the women, and the possession of
+enough wealth to support such idleness. It mattered not how mentally
+insipid or morally opaque or physically inane such women might be, the
+true test of being fitted for the purple was whether or not they had
+ever done any useful work, and whether or not they had money enough so
+that the other members of their set might feel assured that they never
+would do any useful work. An aristocracy of trained brains or unselfish
+culture were meaningless terms to her.
+
+But this night she was greatly disturbed over the attitude of the man
+she was to marry. She had been quite honest with him when she asserted
+that jealousy was foreign to her nature; affection did not run deep
+enough with her to strike its eternal renewing fountain--jealousy. The
+practical character with which she had been endowed easily enough
+conducted affairs of the heart along paths directed by the head, and
+while her professions of love were quite sincere and her loyalty beyond
+question, yet she had not the remotest idea of the grand passion. She
+knew that she was very fond of John Earl; that he was worthy of her;
+that he could sustain her manner of life and that his social standing
+was all that either she or her mother could desire. She also knew that
+she did not wish to lose him, and much as she abhorred the suffragists,
+she determined to be lenient with his present mood, certain she could
+change it ere long, else of what avail was the all-powerful "silent
+influence" upon which the Anti-Suffragists laid so much stress?
+
+Earl was more than disturbed by her attitude, for he discovered traits
+of character and a shallowness of sympathy that shocked him. His dream
+of married bliss was the absolute _camaraderie_ he expected it to bring.
+He feared now that she would not enter into his life or ambitions, and,
+like too many of his married acquaintances, they would be seeking
+happiness along diverse paths.
+
+"However, it's all very new to her," he said to himself after an hour's
+reverie, "and she is quite young. A few weeks will properly adjust our
+relations."
+
+The dominant characteristic of this young man was a deep sense of
+justice, and while other feelings were all too manifest in his
+subconscious being, he permitted himself only to try to solve the
+problem of what was the right thing along the lines where he had cast
+his future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MUSIC
+
+
+The telephone bell in her apartment was ringing as Miss Holland entered
+from her stroll, radiantly happy and at peace with all the world. She
+took the receiver from the maid.
+
+"Dr. Morris? Yes, I shall be home this evening, and glad to see you, of
+course. Bring your violin and come by eight-thirty. Yes--yes. I meant to
+have called you and apologized for my somewhat cavalier desertion of you
+last night. I am sorry I was rude, I didn't mean to be, but come and let
+me ask you to forgive me." Her tone was adorable and melted the sullen
+mood of the man at the other end of the wire.
+
+Having sworn that he would not see her again, having 'phoned to make an
+appointment at which he meant to utter as bitter reproaches as he dared,
+he appeared promptly at the hour set, ready to implore her grace and
+accept with gratitude any smallest favor, any ray of hope she might see
+fit to bestow upon him.
+
+Like many another professional man in New York, in order to cater to the
+class in society in which he hoped to establish his reputation and
+clientele, Morris had found it necessary to live in a style which far
+exceeded his income, although that was a good one for a man still young
+in his profession. He was not popular with men, who regarded him as
+rather theatrical and a _poseur_, but his music, a certain deference of
+manner, a more romantic quality than is to be generally found among
+American business men, gave him a great vogue with women, and he
+cultivated them, especially the older ones, and they made life very
+pleasant for him, introduced him to the right people, and gave him much
+good advice now and then.
+
+One of the smartest of these social leaders said practically one day:
+"My dear boy, why do you let all these rich girls marry those silly
+foreigners, without an idea to bless themselves with--dukes, debts and
+diseases seem synonymous; you are not only clever, but you have the one
+gift, saving the title, that commends these creatures to our girls."
+
+He smiled his inscrutable smile and bowed. "And that is?"
+
+"You seem to have found the lost art of making pretty speeches, and
+paying a woman the small attentions that we all like so well. If I were
+a man," went on this dreadful dame, "I should never forget to kiss my
+wife and send her flowers and remember all the family anniversaries. It
+is by attention to such small details as this that a man may purchase
+immunity in larger and more important matters. I know this is most
+immoral, but it makes the wife happy, the husband comfortable, and would
+go far to decimate the divorce rate, so what more could you ask?"
+
+"Perhaps I owe this to the fact that my father was a Hungarian
+nobleman--oh, just a trumpery little title, with nothing to pay for the
+necessary gold lace, so when he came to America he decided, like so many
+of the revolutionists of that period, to be ultra-American, and dropped
+even the foreign spelling of the name, changing the 'itz' to plain
+'r-i-s,'" he answered. "I'm sure my music belongs to the other side of
+the Atlantic."
+
+"That accounts for it all," she said. "There is absolutely no reason why
+you shouldn't marry almost any woman you want to. Why not find one who
+can give you millions in money and the social position you need without
+taking a generation to create one? I hope you haven't any foolish
+entanglements," she added.
+
+He flushed, but did not answer, and when a few weeks later he and Silvia
+Holland had played together for some charitable entertainment, his
+venerable mentor had sought him out, ready to bestow her blessing at the
+earliest possible moment, approving his practical judgment and his good
+taste. That was a long time ago.
+
+He had resented the implication at the time; to do him justice, had
+Silvia been penniless she would still have attracted him as no other
+woman ever had. It was partly her personal charm, partly her music. It
+may be true that the world of art is still the world, but it is a very
+different world from that in which most of us live and move and have our
+being, and Morris was conscious when her fingers touched the keys, and
+he took up his bow and drew it across the strings of his violin, that
+they entered upon a new and boundless universe in which sound superseded
+all other mediums of communication, and seemed to take the place of
+mere mundane sensation. Whether his passion for Silvia grew out of their
+music, or the wonder of the music was a result of the perfect accord of
+their natures, he could not tell. They had become one in his mind.
+
+He fervently hated her various public activities. Here again the
+ancestral traits dominated. He thought of her as a great lady, and being
+that, she should have been content without anything more. Rushing madly
+about doing things for other people implied a certain loss of caste. But
+until the previous evening his discontent had been free from the bitter
+draught of jealousy. There had been safety in the number of Miss
+Holland's admirers, and when he was surest that she did not in any way
+return his feeling for her, there had been balm in the thought that she
+was too busy elevating the condition of her own sex to have much time to
+waste upon any member of his. Instinctively he knew, when he intercepted
+the first look between the lady of his dreams and his erstwhile college
+associate, that the hour had come that he had dreaded. Silvia Holland
+had at last met a man whom, consciously or unconsciously, she
+acknowledged king. His rival was there, upon the threshold of her life,
+and he was a rival to be feared. That he might also be a rival in his
+profession, that he was so rich that he was far above the straits in
+which Morris found himself more and more frequently involved, only added
+to the flame that consumed him; life without Silvia herself would be
+dull, colorless, objectless; life without her music would be but "wind
+along the waste."
+
+He had no patience with the theories of the newer medical practitioners
+who refuse to be frightened by the cry of "professional ethics" or by
+the demand that practice shall be "regular" whether the patient survives
+or not; and yet while he denounced all forms of mental therapeutics, he
+was conscious of a strain of superstition which he could in no wise
+overcome. Weird folk-lore and uncanny rites kept up by some of the
+primitive people of Hungary had had a strange fascination for him when
+he was abroad. In himself, he found a singular mixture of the primeval
+savage, and the ultra refined that approaches decadence. Of one thing
+alone he was certain. To lose Silvia was to lose his soul; without her
+there was neither here nor hereafter. Ruthlessly as he had brushed aside
+the one woman in his life who came between them, he was prepared to
+thrust out of his way any man who sought to become a part of her life.
+
+It was in this mood that he entered her presence, and in this mood he
+accepted her _amende honorable_, which she made with charming humility,
+but when she would have led him to the music-room, for once he
+hesitated.
+
+"In a few minutes," he said, "but just now there is something I must say
+to you. It is true that I was deeply hurt last night, but your regret,
+so graciously expressed, emboldens me to think that you would not
+willingly hurt me." He stopped, and she looked at him with a rather
+puzzled air. "We have been friends for a great while," he said
+irrelevantly.
+
+"Yes," she said cordially, and somewhat relieved. "Haven't we? And what
+a friendship it has been! A triangular affair, like a loving cup--you
+and I and some one of the great masters of melody. Shall it be Chopin
+to-night, or shall we begin with something lighter and finish with the
+Twelfth Nocturne, as usual?"
+
+She led the way, and stood by the piano, rippling her fingers over the
+keys, and he stood before her, his face white and intense with feeling.
+He laid his strong, brown fingers over the white ones, and raised them
+to his lips, and Silvia laughed a trifle nervously. It was one of his
+old-world ways that she liked, but disapproved with all proper
+democratic fervor.
+
+"Has it indeed been a loving cup from which we have drunk?" he said,
+with passionate sadness. "I dare not think so, I dare not even hope so
+much grace! And yet how is it possible that a man should feel what I
+feel for you unless there is a response, little as he may deserve
+it----"
+
+He paused, and she took away her hand, and laid it lightly on his
+shoulder as he sank down on the seat before the piano.
+
+"Please don't," she said gently. "Don't you see that you are quite
+right? If it were really, truly love that had come to you, I should feel
+it also, there could be no question of doubting or daring; no thought of
+hopelessness. Some time you will know that this is true, when some other
+heart speaks to yours in the unmistakable tone of the one only love of
+your heart. Each of us has his place in life, and in the lives of those
+with whom we come in contact. No one can ever have your place; I can't
+tell you how much rest and happiness you have brought me when I have
+been a-weary of this world. Come, Orrin, don't rob me of my friend that
+I may lose a lover."
+
+By a herculean effort he restrained his feelings, and answered lightly,
+"You shall keep your friend, my sorceress of song," but he added under
+his breath, "Look to it, when the lover comes, for you may still lose
+_him_." Then he took up his violin, and the night became a splendid
+harmony, despite the discord that raged in his soul.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSIVE WOMEN
+
+
+The group that had foregathered about Mrs. Ramsey's tea-table that
+Thursday afternoon had scattered and gone its several ways. The last of
+them was bidding her adieu as her husband entered and joined her
+brothers, who were lingering for a farewell word with her, each occupied
+in characteristic fashion, John gazing into the fire that smouldered on
+the grate, for it was a raw and chilly afternoon, and Frank endeavoring
+to coax a last cup of tea from the silver tea-ball and the still
+steaming kettle.
+
+"If you really want another cup, Frank, let me have the tea-ball
+refilled," Mrs. Ramsey said, and then laying her hand on her elder
+brother's shoulder, "A new Lincoln penny for your thoughts, Jack. You
+look as if they might be romantic, but I suppose you are really off on
+the quest of the blooming bacillus or the meandering microbe, or hanging
+over--what is it you call your garden beds of disease--a culture?"
+
+He looked up and patted her hand. "It is too bad not to be able to be a
+hero to one's own sister, but the truth is, I wasn't thinking at all,
+just wool-gathering. By the way, Frank, are you going to motor down to
+that meeting of Miss Holland's to-night?"
+
+"Wool-gathering, he calls it!" said the younger man, letting his lump of
+sugar clatter on his saucer. "I'd say it was all cry and no wool; at
+least you are pulling none over my eyes. Am I going to motor down to
+hear the protests of the proletariat to-night? No, dear brother, I am
+not. When I go out to mingle with the down-trodden and oppressed I take
+the 'L'; a surface car would be even more appropriate, but they take
+forever, and I compromise on the 'L,' but you never did have any sense
+of dramatic fitness."
+
+"Might I ask why this sudden interest in the militant laboring ladies?"
+said Ramsey, drawing up his chair before the fire, and lighting a
+cigarette. "Are you going to obtrude your somewhat massive personality
+upon the scene?"
+
+"Yes, that's what I'd like to know," added Frank.
+
+The doctor laughed rather diffidently. "Why not?" he said. "Why
+shouldn't I go, if I wish to?"
+
+Frank flung out his hands with a gesture of mock despair. "Now, wouldn't
+that come and get you!" he said. "I appeal to you, Hilda. You were
+present; you heard Miss Holland invite me to this Manifesto Makers'
+meeting. You know she never said a word to Jack; she didn't even look at
+him. He was foolish enough to let her see that he was already a convert
+to her little gospel, and therefore no longer in need of her
+ministrations. But as for me, 'I was a wandering sheep; I did not love
+the fold,' and hence, as a good missionary, she feels a deep interest in
+me. Off and on, I should say at least fifty Colorado women have tried to
+make a suffragist of me. Some of them were very pretty," he added
+reminiscently, "and I've noticed that the prettier they are the longer
+it takes 'em to make me see the error of my ways. Now with Miss Holland,
+I wouldn't mind letting her tinker with my political views so long as we
+both shall live."
+
+"Frank, you are incorrigible," said his sister. "If Miss Holland knew
+what a flighty, inconsequent infant you are, she wouldn't waste a
+thought on you, let alone a whole evening. What makes you want to go,
+anyhow?"
+
+"What's the use of her wasting thoughts on a solemn dub like our
+brother?" he demanded aggrievedly. "What business has he trailing the
+soap-boxing suffragers around when he is about to take upon himself vows
+to cleave only to the daughter of a militant 'Anti' leader, some time
+when he can jar himself loose from his professional cares long enough
+for a honeymoon?"
+
+"I'm afraid, Jack, you will find your prospective mother-in-law quite as
+strenuous as the most ardent of the suffragists," said his sister. "I
+haven't gone into this thing at all, I haven't time, but it is certainly
+amusing to watch the 'Antis' outdo even the most ardent suffragettes by
+way of proving their contention that woman's sphere is home. If they
+were consistent, they would never appear in public----"
+
+"Except by 'Now comes the counsel for the defendant,'" interrupted
+Frank, "but they never are. There is a little bunch of them in Colorado
+who have failed to command the same attention in politics that their
+money imposes upon the social world, so they rush into type and get
+themselves interviewed and asked to speak when they come East, all by
+way of proving their sensitive and shrinking nature. I don't agree with
+the suffragists, not a little bit, but I can fraternize with them; they
+are sincere, but none of the 'Antis' for me; never saw one yet who
+wasn't either a snob or so narrow-minded that a toothpick would look
+like the Brooklyn Bridge by comparison."
+
+"Hear, hear!" cried Jack. "Miss Holland has certainly made an impression
+upon you; not that I see what difference it makes, since women already
+vote where you hail from."
+
+"That just goes to show how foolish a smart man can be," replied his
+brother cheerfully. "You think because you may have a vote on the
+enfranchisement of women that it is very important what you think, but
+is it? Not at all. But with me it is different. I've paid office rent in
+Denver for two years, and spent a third of the time here or in
+Washington. I've looked in on two State conventions, and forgot to
+register at the last election, but because I come from Colorado I am
+considered an authority on woman suffrage, and when I say it's no good,
+and swell out my chest and look gloomy, it has great weight, great
+weight!" He leaned back in his chair and gave way to unseemly mirth as
+he recalled some occasion on which he had evidently hoaxed some trusting
+reporter.
+
+"Nonsense, Frank," his brother-in-law answered. "I don't believe you
+know the first thing about politics or suffrage, or what the women have
+done or haven't done."
+
+"There you wrong me," the young man answered gravely. "The first thing
+to know in politics is when to come into the game and when to keep out.
+Personally, I can't make my firm believe that it is cheaper to buy the
+other fellows' men after they are elected than it is to try to elect our
+own, and have them raise the ante on us, but they'll come to it after a
+while. As to the women, bless you, voting doesn't change their nature,
+and so long as women are willing to believe what men tell them, it's
+mighty unsafe to trust them with the ballot. Before you know it, they'll
+find us out, and then you'll see the first result of the suffragist
+dream of heaven on earth--there'll be no more marrying or giving in
+marriage. Oh, I'm dead against it!"
+
+They all joined in the laughter that followed this sally, and Hilda
+said thoughtfully, "If you boys are intent on this meeting, I'll hurry
+dinner, for they probably begin early." As she rose to go, Frank caught
+her hand with the piteous entreaty, "Oh, please make my big brother take
+his marbles and go home. He wasn't asked to this party. Miss Holland
+didn't say a thing to him. I don't see why he has to have first show
+with all the pretty girls in New York!"
+
+"When Miss Holland knows you, and all your native charm, she will never
+smile again upon your older brother," laughed his sister, "but in the
+meantime I suppose it's an open meeting, and we can't prevent his going.
+But don't worry; his fatal beauty will but serve as a foil to your more
+sparkling type. Besides, with your vivid imagination, unhampered by a
+slavish subserviency to facts, you should be able to furnish canards
+that will occupy all Miss Holland's time for a month."
+
+As she left the room her husband opened the door, and her brothers rose
+and remained standing until it was closed after her.
+
+"If all women were like her----" Frank said impulsively, but Ramsey
+stopped him.
+
+"If half of them were like her," he said reverently, "I would be in
+favor of turning the government over to them, certain that the hand that
+rocks the cradle would never give this storm-tossed old world more
+shaking up than is good for it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE ADVANCING COLUMN OF DEMOCRACY
+
+
+As the two brothers turned into the cross street that led to the hall
+where the Industrial League had its headquarters and held its weekly
+meetings, Dr. Earl laid his hand on Frank's shoulder.
+
+"Dear old fellow," he said affectionately, "would you mind telling me
+what on earth possesses you to come down here to-night? I'm not asking
+out of mere curiosity, nor do I believe that is the motive that brings
+you."
+
+"Then if I say the pursuit of the good, the true and the beautiful, you
+will not believe me?" his brother answered lightly.
+
+"I shall know you do not wish to tell me the real reason, and will drop
+it, but I shall not be deceived. I haven't studied my kind for this long
+without knowing at least the a-b-c of human nature. You use your cap and
+bells and an air of frivolity to conceal your true character from the
+world, as other men cloak themselves in an atmosphere of austerity and
+reserve."
+
+"Discovered!" cried Frank, with a laugh, "after all these years in which
+I flattered myself I had made such a good job of it, too. Truth to tell,
+no mask and domino ever afforded such perfect protection as the jingle
+of my jester's bells. I am apparently so given up to pomps and vanities
+that nobody gives me credit for a serious thought, and so takes no pains
+to conceal his own from me. It has long been one of the wonders of my
+world how I hold my job."
+
+"Well, since you put it that way, I have asked myself at times how you
+have achieved the standing you have in your profession, a standing of
+which we are all immensely proud, by the way. But if you are a profound
+student, it is something recent; I used to think you learned too easily
+ever to know how to study, and law is a vocation."
+
+"Law is one thing and success in the legal profession is another," said
+the young man oracularly. "Between our omnipresent legislatures which
+spend our time and money repealing what we lawyers already know, and
+enacting laws for the courts to set aside, these are what might be
+called parlous times for the profession, but my long suit is not in
+understanding statutes, but people."
+
+Insensibly he had dropped his flippant tone, and was speaking,
+seriously, with conviction. There was a moment's pause and then Jack
+said, "And you go to this meeting because----?"
+
+"Because, little as I like it, I am not such a fool that I do not know
+that the enfranchisement of women is certain, and it may help me to
+understand the new and troublesome element which is to be injected into
+public life if I watch the workings from the beginning. Anyhow, it is
+part of my business to understand these things, and hence my acceptance
+of Miss Holland's invitation. This is the place, isn't it?"
+
+The house differed in no wise from the rest of the block, save in its
+air of thrift and cleanliness, and the brass plate on the door bore the
+name, "Industrial League House." It was evidently a settlement with
+resident workers, for a troop of boys was straggling down into the
+basement, where a gymnasium had been established, and several young
+women were standing in the hall discussing some matter connected with
+sterilized milk. At the right of the wide hall there was a large,
+old-fashioned double parlor, with plenty of chairs for a meeting of
+sixty or seventy people, and perhaps half that many were already in the
+room. They were singing as the two men entered, and Dr. Earl and Frank
+stood in the hallway listening to the words sung to the soul-stirring
+old tune of "John Brown's Body."
+
+    "These are they who build thy houses, weave thy raiment, win thy wheat,
+    Smooth the rugged, fill the barren, turn the bitter into sweet;
+    All for thee this day--and ever. What reward for them is meet?
+              Till the host comes marching on."
+
+As they struck into the chorus, the boys downstairs took up the swelling
+chords, and it was echoed from the street beyond.
+
+    "Hark, the rolling of the thunder;
+    Lo, the sun! and lo! thereunder
+    Riseth wrath, and hope, and wonder,
+          And the host comes marching on."
+
+"I wonder whether they sing the sixth stanza," said Frank curiously.
+Jack looked at him in amazement. "What is the song?" he asked,
+conscious that he was getting new sidelights upon his younger brother's
+character this evening.
+
+"It's William Morris' 'March of the Workers,' and the verse I'm talking
+about begins, 'O, ye rich men, hear and tremble.' Come on in, Jack," and
+a moment later John Earl heard his brother's beautiful voice take up the
+words:
+
+    "Many a hundred years, passed over, have they labored deaf and blind;
+    Never tidings reached their sorrow, never hope their toil might find.
+    Now at last they've heard and hear it, and the cry comes down the wind
+              And their feet are marching on.
+
+    "On we march, then, we, the workers, and the rumor that ye hear
+    Is the blended sound of battle and deliv'rance drawing near;
+    For the hope of every creature is the banner that we bear,
+              And the world is marching on."
+
+Silvia Holland turned quickly when she heard the strong, unknown voice
+join in the ringing words, and fairly gasped when she saw that it was
+Frank Earl who was singing, while his brother looked at her with an air
+as bewildered as her own. The moment that the song was concluded she
+greeted them, and found them comfortable seats where they could see and
+hear without being too conspicuous.
+
+"We like to have men come to our meetings, and a few generally drop in.
+I expect several to-night, for we have a speaker from Colorado, but we
+don't often have the luxury of a baritone note for our music, so we owe
+you a special vote of thanks, Mr. Earl," she said to Frank.
+
+He bowed. "Oh, no; it's the other way about," he said lightly. "You
+don't know how grateful I am to you for not singing the 'Day of Wrath'
+verse, in which all of us who haven't succeeded in swearing off our
+taxes hear what is coming to us. How well that girl presides," he added,
+as a businesslike young woman dispatched the reading and adoption of
+minutes and the reports of committees without a hitch or a moment's
+useless delay.
+
+"That is Florence Dresser," explained Miss Holland. "She is one of the
+leaders in the Laundry Girls' Association. The secretary," indicating a
+young woman who might have been a twelve-year-old child, save for her
+sad, careworn face, "has nearly killed herself sewing for sweaters to
+take care of her family; we've found homes for the children and she
+lives here now; we are trying to make up to her for the lost years, but
+it is hard work," and she sighed.
+
+"We have one meeting a month when we have a program," Miss Holland
+explained. "At the other three we consider various phases of industrial
+life as it affects our own membership or women in general. I am rather
+sorry that this happens to be a program night, for you would have had a
+better idea of the scope we try to cover at the other kind, but perhaps
+this will be more entertaining." She turned more directly to Frank. "A
+business meeting here always makes me think of the 'Antis,' and their
+twaddle about woman's sphere, which they would like to reduce to a
+demi-hemisphere."
+
+Frank nodded. "Of course there's nothing to that with intelligent people
+now; woman's sphere is wherever she can make good, but I think it is a
+pity that she has to take so large a place in the industrial world, and
+I don't believe that voting will help her."
+
+"But it has helped men," Miss Holland replied quickly.
+
+"Not half so much as their unions," he answered. "The thing that helps
+is getting together and standing together."
+
+"Now you've lost your whole case," laughed Dr. Earl. "There has never
+been anything that brought all sorts and conditions of women together
+like the suffrage cause. You see that in England. In fact, you see it
+everywhere. Women are waking up, and getting to their feet and
+stretching out their hands--to us? Not at all, to each other."
+
+"Oh, I wish you'd say that to my comrades here," said Miss Holland. "We
+should all be so glad to hear you. Will you not let me present you for a
+few minutes during the informal discussion?"
+
+For an instant he wavered, then the face of Leonora flashed before him,
+and he shook his head decisively. "I'm too new at this sort of thing,"
+he answered. "Get my brother here to talk to you about Colorado, and let
+the audience heckle him."
+
+"We'd be delighted," laughed Miss Holland. "The lady who is to conduct
+the question box, which is the main thing to-night, comes from Denver.
+Her name is Carroll Renner; do you happen to know her? Will she be able
+to hold her own? Sometimes they ask pretty sharp questions."
+
+"Don't give yourself a moment's uneasiness," Frank answered. "There'll
+be no twelve baskets needed to remove the fragments of the contumacious
+when she gets through. A small blotter will answer."
+
+"You know her very well, then?" Miss Holland said, openly surprised.
+
+"Rather," he answered laconically. "She is the most persistent lobbyist
+in the State, and she infallibly discovers the one deadly section in a
+bill that you thought so well hidden that no one would ever notice it.
+She's the most troublesome woman I know and the best fellow."
+
+Miss Holland and Dr. Earl both turned and looked at the little woman,
+who had come in a few minutes before with a party of people, with added
+interest. She was very simply gowned in black, and but for a certain
+twinkle of the dark gray eyes, and a rather mocking smile, there was
+nothing particularly distinctive about her.
+
+"Tell me some more," said Miss Holland curiously. "Sometimes the voting
+woman helps and sometimes she hurts; if they're freaky, and of course
+some of them are, they hurt dreadfully."
+
+"I've seen her a good deal while I've been watching the Senate," he
+said. "I'd been out there for several sessions of the General Assembly
+before I located there. She came in one day with a letter from some
+national woman's organization--wanted the Beveridge Child Labor Law
+endorsed, I think. Anyhow, time was of the essence of the contract, so
+we drew up a concurrent resolution, and she got a Republican and a
+Democrat to introduce it together, and it slid along on its way to
+Washington within forty-eight hours; she and a Mrs. Platt worked it
+together. All they said was that the women wanted it."
+
+Miss Holland gasped. "Go on," she said.
+
+He lowered his voice, for the president was introducing a handsome girl
+who was to give a reading.
+
+"Another time there was a bill--I don't recollect it, but something
+about committing girl prisoners, or something of the sort; I saw her get
+pretty white, and shut her lips hard, and then she got up and started to
+walk out, and one of the Senators saw her, too. 'Say, you don't like
+that bill?' he said, and she answered, as if she could hardly control
+her anger, 'It's infamous!' 'Oh, it is, is it?' he said. 'Well, then,
+we'll make them adjourn over until we can get a conference and amend the
+thing.' No fuss, no talk; just straight goods. That's Carroll Renner."
+
+"And that's what it means to be an enfranchised woman!" said Miss
+Holland, with a long breath. "None of us could do that here!"
+
+"Well, that's part of it," acquiesced Frank, and then they listened
+silently. The girl who was reading was not particularly well-trained,
+but there were passion and pathos in her voice as she told the story of
+the eaglet, chained to a log for fear it might fall if permitted to
+attempt to fly.
+
+"We also have our dream of a Garden," the strong young voice went on.
+"But it lies in a distant future. We dream that woman shall eat of the
+tree of knowledge together with man, and that side by side and hand
+close to hand, through ages of much toil and labor, they shall together
+raise about them an Eden nobler than any the Chaldean dreamed of; an
+Eden created by their own labor and made beautiful by their own
+fellowship.
+
+"In his Apocalypse there was one who saw a new heaven and a new earth;
+we see a new earth; but therein dwells love--the love of comrades and
+co-workers.
+
+"It is because so wide and gracious to us are the possibilities of the
+future, so impossible is a return to the past, so deadly is a passive
+acquiescence in the present, that to-day we are found everywhere raising
+our strange new cry, 'Labor, and the training that fits us for labor!'"
+
+"You recognize it, of course?" Silvia said to Dr. Earl, but he shook his
+head, and Frank answered, "It's Olive Schreiner, isn't it? She does good
+work, but I've never read anything that compared with that book on
+'Woman and Economics,' and when an American writer has the whole world
+sitting up and taking notice, I don't see why we don't boost her game."
+
+There was a little buzz and stir while slips of paper and pencils were
+distributed to the audience, and the questions collected for the next
+speaker.
+
+The presiding officer made the usual preliminary remarks, and introduced
+Miss Renner, who gathered up the goodly sheaf of white slips in her
+hands and ran over them as if looking for some query that would make a
+specially apt beginning. Her face lit up as she came across one with
+which she was evidently familiar.
+
+"This is a favorite question of mine," she said cheerfully. "I should
+miss it dreadfully if it failed to turn up, but it is such a troublesome
+and comprehensive question to answer that I have set the reply to music,
+and will have it sung for you, in order that you may all remember it.
+The question is, 'What have Colorado women done with the ballot?' I
+don't, myself, consider that a fair question, since none of us come down
+to Philadelphia or New York or Pittsburg or any of the other cities of
+sweetness and light and ask what you men have done with your
+all-powerful vote, but this seems to be the main one, especially to the
+masculine mind."
+
+Dr. Earl laughed, for he had written the question, and seating herself
+at the piano, Miss Renner looked up at a merry-faced girl, who began
+singing to her rippling accompaniment a song of miraculous changes which
+should have ensued upon woman's enfranchisement, and concluded with a
+long chant, recounting some of the more notable achievements of the
+voting woman, ranging all the way from joint ownership of children and
+property, minimum salary laws, juvenile courts, medical inspection of
+school children, State institutions built and endowed, equality in
+inheritance and a host of other things, up to the adoption by her State
+of the initiative and referendum.
+
+After that, Miss Renner had her audience with her until she dropped the
+last twist of paper on the table beside her. "You ask me why it took us
+so many years to pass a good law regulating child labor, and why we have
+failed in limiting the hours of woman's labor. As to the first, it is
+true that our law was by no means equal to yours, but we had the means
+to enforce it, and as a consequence we have little or no child labor.
+You have a good statute, one of the best in the Union"--there was a
+ripple of applause--"but in addition to this excellent law prohibiting
+child labor," she went on evenly, "you have in this city alone over
+twenty thousand child wage-earners.
+
+"When we have gone to our legislatures asking for laws for the
+protection of the weak, we have generally obtained them easily, when
+they did not interfere with 'big business.' It took Illinois women nine
+years to get a State Home for children. We passed such a law without
+any effort whatever. In two-thirds of the States of the Union women are
+trying to make mothers co-equal guardians of their children, and trying
+in vain. That was the first law our enfranchised women wrote upon our
+statute books. One only learns to understand these things by experience.
+You may find it hard to see why railroads should go into a deal to
+defeat an eight-hour law for women, but that statute was flagged by a
+Pullman palace car towel and fell asleep at the switch, because that
+company complained that it couldn't get a change of sheets unless
+laundry girls could be compelled to work overtime. You don't dream when
+you talk of 'big business' to what little business it will descend."
+
+There was a sudden hush, and she flung out her hands with an impulsive
+gesture, and there was a passionate earnestness in her voice that
+gripped her hearers. "Let me tell you something you do not know when you
+hold the women in the suffrage States responsible for conditions they
+are the first to deplore. A handful of men in this city have more to do
+with Western industries and their regulation than have both the men and
+women. We have steel works; their policy is dictated from lower
+Broadway. We have smelters; they are closed at the order of a syndicate
+in this city. We have railroads, all of them controlled by your fellow
+citizens, and it was the deals entered into between the representatives
+of these interests and our local corporations that defeated the
+eight-hour law for women, and every bit of reform legislation pledged to
+the people. It was this condition, this failure of alleged democracy,
+that made us go on record for real democracy, for the initiative that
+makes it possible for us to enact the laws our representatives are
+cajoled into pigeon-holing, for the referendum that enables us to scotch
+the snake so that the people may have a chance to kill it. This was the
+first great fundamental reform which the women demanded, and it was
+owing to the work of education they began twenty years ago, and kept up
+untiringly, that Colorado has won this great victory. Woman suffrage is
+not alone for women, or to enable us to secure certain readjustments of
+law. It is for our country, which cannot exist half enfranchised and
+half irresponsible, half democracy and half a feudalism; half of it
+privileged to shirk or exercise its civic rights, and half denied aught
+but the burden of those rights. Women need the franchise if only to make
+their influence, of which we hear so much, effective, but more than they
+need the ballot, this nation needs the active devotion of its women to
+transmute to golden fulfillment its leaden life; it needs, it must have
+all that we can give it, your life and mine; if it is to go forward, its
+sons and daughters must go forward--together!"
+
+There was generous applause, and the two young men followed Miss
+Holland, and she presented Dr. Earl and was about to introduce his
+brother, when Miss Renner held out both hands to him.
+
+"Hast thou found me, O mine enemy," she cried. "I'm awfully glad to see
+you, Frank. I was much minded to tell how you helped me get my dove bill
+through, but I feared they might hold you responsible for the defeat of
+the eight-hour law and turn and rend you."
+
+"You promised never to reveal any of my good deeds," he answered. "Keep
+it out of the papers, Miss Holland. I can't afford to lose prestige as
+the exponent of the Mammon of Unrighteousness."
+
+"Unfortunately, he is a great god with legislatures, East as well as
+West," answered Miss Holland, and then they all went out together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A TUBERCULAR KNEE AND A WORRIED SURGEON
+
+
+Dr. Earl found his hands uncommonly full for the next few weeks. What
+with the endless detail attendant upon the arrangements for his new
+offices, and the perfection of his equipment, it seemed as if there were
+not enough hours in the day to meet all the calls upon him. Leonora
+looked aggrieved, and Hilda complained loudly that he had deserted them.
+
+The spectacular manner in which the yellower part of the New York press
+had handled his first case after his return, brought him telephone calls
+and personal visits from many old patients, and a goodly number from new
+ones, not to mention freaky interviews with persons representing all
+sorts of cults. He was asked to address half a dozen different branches
+of the New Thought movement. The Society for the Propagation of Esoteric
+Buddhism asked him to tell them of his experiences in Hindoostan;
+"Purple Mother" and "Besant" Theosophists sent committees to wait on
+him, and various believers in Spiritist exploitations, astrologists,
+psychometrists and all sorts and conditions of dabblers in occultism
+pestered him with letters, circulars and requests of every conceivable
+nature.
+
+It had been no part of his plan to return to his native land and set up
+a practice by which he should exploit to the world the results of his
+study. A real student, he knew very well that a lifetime would be all
+too short to devote to the as yet but little known field of mental
+therapeutics, and nothing could have been more foreign to his character,
+individually or professionally, than the fanfare of trumpets with which
+his return had been heralded. The principles which he wished to prove
+must be brought home to his profession if they were to be of great and
+lasting benefit, and the publicity and advertising which a man of a
+different calibre might have enjoyed, were annoying in the extreme to
+Earl. He was still a young man, and modest withal, and he felt that
+nothing could be more detrimental with the men whose regard he wished to
+secure and hold, so he declined all invitations to speak, all requests
+for articles or interviews, and gave himself up to getting back into
+the harness. His patients, both old and new, took up more time than he
+could have hoped for, and before the middle of summer he found himself
+not only well launched in his profession, but with all that he could
+possibly find time to do, and work piling up ahead of him, so that he
+could only promise indefinitely when the Ramseys urged him to come down
+to their Newport place, and Leonora had to put up with fractions of
+Sundays until she and her mother left for Bar Harbor.
+
+There were times when that young lady was by no means certain that she
+wished to marry a successful physician. "You wouldn't like me any better
+if I were unsuccessful?" he asked teasingly, but she came back to her
+point, and he had to explain gravely that the theories of the laboratory
+must be worked out in actual practice before they can be transmuted into
+accepted facts.
+
+"But you don't need the money," she argued, trying dimly to apply some
+of the principles which he was fond of expounding. It seemed rather
+hopeless, but with infinite patience he sought to make clear to her that
+any human being whose life is not to be useless and profitless must
+have some object to attain, some work to do which will develop his
+character. When she replied that he had character enough, and her only
+object in life was to be his wife, what more was there to say? Flattery
+at once so charming and so complete left him defenseless, and he kissed
+her and went away, trying not to ask himself whether a legal ceremony
+could ever make wedded souls of two mortals of such diverse views of
+life. And yet, she was so sweet, so sweet!
+
+In spite of the many other demands upon his time, Dr. Earl saw his first
+patient very frequently. Mrs. Bell did not appear cramped for means, and
+provided everything that could add to her little daughter's comfort,
+including not a few luxuries, which Dr. Earl felt convinced were the
+gift of Miss Holland. If he had vaguely hoped that he might meet her at
+his patient's he was destined to disappointment. Once her car arrived
+just as he was leaving, and another time they passed on the stairs. He
+told himself that it was better so, and yet when he took her hand, and
+felt the firm, strong fingers, well-knit and efficient, for no soft,
+yielding little five-and-a-half glove-wearer ever compassed Beethoven,
+he knew that hers was a nature that could answer to his own, and his
+hand tightened involuntarily. There was something in his look as he met
+the blue eyes on the step above that brought the warm blood to her face,
+and she swayed toward him almost imperceptibly, and then with a word of
+courteous greeting went on her way, for she knew that according to
+common report he was to marry Miss Kimball that fall. Her lip curled a
+little, for she remembered Leonora of old; she knew her pink-and-white
+prettiness and the few and simple enfoldments of her elementary little
+brain, just large enough to hold a few attractive near-ideas, a thorough
+comprehension of all the social conventionalities, and a fixed and
+stubborn conviction as to what was or was not "smart." "If she has a
+soul," Silvia said to herself with rather unusual heat, "no one could
+tell whether it is in a condition of arrested development, hopeless
+atrophy or complete ossification. As well seek diamonds in a common
+sandbank as inspiration or aspiration in its sawdusty recesses." Then
+she laughed, and said, "Cat!" softly, which was really most irrelevant.
+
+The day that the cast was to be removed, Silvia appeared laden with good
+things that they might celebrate the occasion with due ceremony.
+
+With infinite care and gentleness, Dr. Earl cut down through the cast,
+and took it off. The fracture was perfectly knit, but there was a slight
+swelling about the knee, and as Earl examined it Silvia saw him compress
+his lips in a hard, straight line. Without looking up, or changing his
+tone, he asked the child if she had had a fall since the cast had been
+changed. She answered readily that about a week before her crutch had
+slipped as she was coming indoors, and she had fallen, striking the
+injured leg against the stone step, and she winced as he touched the
+thin knee.
+
+"It's too bad," he said, "but there will have to be another cast about
+this knee, and you must be more careful, little girl."
+
+The tears came to her eyes, and her mother turned to him with an
+expression of anxiety. His cheerful face reassured her. "We'll hope it
+won't be for long," he said, "but there's no use taking chances. Has her
+health generally been good?" he asked Mrs. Bell.
+
+"The diseases common to childhood went rather hard with her and she had
+considerable trouble with her neck and throat a few years ago," Mrs.
+Bell replied.
+
+He made an examination of the glands of her neck, but said no more.
+
+In spite of many insistent calls elsewhere, Dr. Earl remained long
+enough to help lend an air of festivity to the small party, which Silvia
+presided over with infinite tact, and with a last admonition to Mrs.
+Bell to keep the little girl in bed until he came again, and as quiet as
+possible, he took his departure, and Silvia went with him.
+
+"Tell me what is the matter?" she said, with her usual directness, when
+they were out on the street.
+
+"What makes you think anything is?" he parried.
+
+"I beg your pardon," she said, a trifle coldly. "I should not have
+asked."
+
+He turned to her and stopped, mute reproach in his eyes. "There isn't a
+shadow of doubt that tuberculosis has developed in that knee, and while
+I hope to arrest it, and perfect a cure in time, I am very anxious,
+nevertheless."
+
+"But the break has united?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, yes, and that goes to show that this condition is very recent, and
+mild, but with her antecedent history no one can tell what may happen,"
+he said.
+
+"Antecedent history?" Silvia said, rather puzzled. "I thought you did
+not know the family?"
+
+"I didn't," he answered, "but you may remember that I looked very
+carefully at the bruises about the knee when I set the leg, and I asked
+Mrs. Bell some general questions but received no very definite replies
+until to-day, and what you heard indicates that the child has already
+had a slight attack of tuberculosis. I had counted on my treatment to
+overcome the weakening influences of confinement to bed and crutch for
+so long a time."
+
+Silvia was silent, as if thinking out some plan, and said suddenly,
+"Then it will all resolve itself into a contest between health and
+disease, with a considerable handicap against the patient?"
+
+"Yes," he said. "With plenty of good food and good air and the right
+kind of care, there is no reason why she should not win. And I intend
+that she shall," he concluded energetically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AN ANTI-SUFFRAGE MEETING
+
+
+Dr. Earl redoubled his attentions to Leonora, determined to give her no
+just cause for complaint. The doubts that had beset him disappeared, for
+no one could be more charming than Leonora, when she was permitted to
+follow her own bent. Her mother also showed her gratification at his
+devotion, and tried, with consummate tact, to wean him away from his
+evident partiality for the suffrage cause. She gave him the best of the
+tracts issued by the Anti-Suffrage Society; while he was waiting for his
+offices to be fitted up, she took him to lectures and teas and
+receptions where anti-suffrage sentiment abounded, and tried in various
+ways to convince him of the superior social status of the "Anti" women.
+
+The culmination was reached, however, when he escorted her and Leonora
+to a meeting in a large theatre one afternoon. They were prominent
+figures in one of the boxes nearest the stage, and Silvia Holland and
+Carroll Renner, who were sitting well toward the rear of the parquet,
+had ample opportunity to watch the effect of the meeting upon him.
+
+Frank Earl, who had come in directly afterward and taken a seat just
+back of them, leaned forward and talked while the crowd gathered. "Oh,
+don't mind him," he said, when Miss Renner asked if that were not his
+brother with the anti-suffrage leaders. "He can't help himself, but if
+he doesn't go away from here ready to enlist under Miss Holland's banner
+I miss my count. Even I should, were it not that I have seen the folly
+of it all on its native heath. Don't make faces at me, Carroll, or
+people will know you are a suffragette."
+
+The theatre had been profusely decorated with flags, flowers and
+bunting, and mottoes were festooned along the walls, one of which was
+"God Bless Our Homes," and another, "Imbecile Children Will Be the
+Product of Imbecile Voting Women."
+
+Dr. Earl was much impressed with the audience, which, nevertheless,
+seemed rather chilly and unresponsive. A dignity prevailed which either
+could not or dared not give way to any decided demonstration, in marked
+contradistinction to the enthusiasm which characterized the suffrage
+meetings he had witnessed.
+
+In addition to the bunting and the mottoes, there were a number of large
+pictures, done in the style of the cartoonist. One of these showed a
+colonial dame at her spinning-wheel, with the words "An American Lady of
+Four Generations Ago" beneath it; beside it was the picture of a
+masculine-looking woman, in a harem skirt, standing on a box at a street
+corner, addressing other women similarly attired; this was called "The
+American Suffragette." Another picture showed a nurse caring for the
+sick and dying soldiers on one side, and on the other a suffragette
+charging the police; this picture was labeled "Before and After Taking."
+
+The meeting opened with a spirited address by the president of the
+association, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who was welcomed with a brief rustle
+of well-bred applause, led by Frank Earl.
+
+"Got to do it," he said, in answer to Carroll's reproachful look.
+"You'll see; even Jack will catch on before the end of the meeting.
+Always applaud these folks when they begin; maybe you can't when they
+quit."
+
+Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss told of the enormous gains recently made by the
+"Antis" among the select people of the city, and passed off the suffrage
+parade as merely a tatterdemalion host of the riff-raff of the city led
+by a few notoriety seekers.
+
+"You see, Miss Holland," Frank whispered, "what a good thing it is that
+I came here; I never should have known that that parade wasn't one of
+the finest assemblages of women in the world if I hadn't."
+
+Silvia laughed in spite of herself, and the stout lady on the platform
+went on piling up the indictment against her sex, and showing how
+demoralizing the vote had proved to women; how the suffrage sentiment
+was dying out in the West; how the "Antis" were organizing even in the
+suffrage States to lift the curse from their kind; how much purer and
+nobler politics would be without the influence of woman, and wound up
+with a glowing peroration on behalf of the women who were fighting to
+maintain the sanctity of the home and the elevation of the children.
+
+Silvia gave an impatient ejaculation. "How can you take it so quietly,
+Miss Renner?" she asked. "I confess it always stirs me up."
+
+"It wouldn't if you had the ballot," said the smaller woman. "It's just
+amusing, or tiresome, according to how well it is done. You women are
+the worried and worrying Marthas; we are the Marys, who have chosen the
+better part that shall not be taken away; we know it can't be, and this
+is something like hearing people laboriously argue that the world is
+flat with the sun revolving around it."
+
+After the opening speech there were brief addresses by Dr. David Dearson
+on the disastrous results to motherhood should women participate in the
+active life of the nation; by the Reverend Jayson Yerkes on the Pauline
+doctrine of the subserviency of the truly feminine woman; by Mrs.
+Workman Werther on the decadence of feminine charm among women aping
+men's interests in life, and Crawford Dorer, a labor leader, opposed the
+movement because the natural timidity of woman would, he predicted, set
+back all hope of militant progress for the workers of the world. The
+"Antis" listened with a somewhat strained and puzzled attention, and a
+group of working-women, out on strike, and sitting in the balcony, gave
+an angry hiss, which was instantly suppressed. The last speaker, Mr.
+Reuben Rice, was one of those wandering scribes who travel through the
+West and write up suffrage from a Pullman-car window, and as he exposed
+the weaknesses, the failures and the pitiful spectacle that voting women
+make of themselves, he galvanized the audience into a semblance of real
+life and interest.
+
+Dr. Earl found the speeches entertaining if not enlightening, and after
+the second, gave himself up to the silent enjoyment of collating the
+arguments presented in juxtaposition. No sooner had one speaker
+convinced his hearers that women would precipitate anarchy by their
+radicalism than the next proved equally conclusively that an era of
+dilettantism and millinery shop legislation would be the inevitable
+result of woman suffrage; no sooner were they filled with the horror of
+the degradation of politics by the class of women certain to participate
+in it, than another speaker assured them that politics was already so
+vile that any woman would be hopelessly contaminated who had anything to
+do with the gangrenous growth, and yet another showed that women
+wouldn't vote anyhow. It was all he could do to control the muscles of
+his face when the Reverend Mr. Yerkes told them in one sentence of the
+dissension that would rend families and in the next that married women
+simply voted as their husbands dictated, and he could not repress a
+smile when the doctor and the professor made it clear that if woman is
+to reproduce the race she must not be expected to do anything else, only
+to have Mrs. Werther show how woman must be free to take part in the
+ennobling activities of the world, philanthropy, charity, etc., if she
+is to "bring to motherhood that crown which is the glory of the race,"
+and much more of the same sort. He heard the ancient argument about
+bullets and ballots, and in the same breath his attention was called to
+Semiramis conquering Assyria, the Amazons invading Asia, the triumph of
+Sappho in song, Aspasia in the salon, Deborah among the Judges of
+Israel, George Eliot in literature, and a host of others who had won
+distinction.
+
+The audience was told that it was entirely proper to agitate, cajole,
+coax, beseech, threaten, bully and browbeat men into voting for
+candidates and measures desired by the women; anything that stopped
+short of blackmail and personal intimidation bore the hallmark of
+refined femininity, but to take two minutes to accomplish results for
+themselves by depositing a ballot on election day meant everlasting
+damnation to all feminine traits! And Leonora patted her pretty little
+hands, and looked up to Earl for approval, feeling that at last he must
+see that Silvia and her cohorts were routed horse and foot.
+
+When the attack upon Western women was well under way, and Mr. Rice, a
+dapper little chap, looking like a freshman from high school, was
+rolling out his arraignment of Denver women in particular as typical of
+the nethermost depths to which the voting female may descend, Carroll
+Renner wrote a few lines on a bit of paper, and gave it to one of the
+ushers, and a few minutes later she had the satisfaction of watching the
+portly Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss read it. When Mr. Rice had concluded his
+diatribe, the lady stated in dulcet tones that Mr. Frank Earl was said
+to be in the audience, and as he lived in Denver, and was known to have
+strong views on this question, there was an urgent request that he
+should come to the platform, that they might know from one who had long
+witnessed with regret the deteriorating effects of woman suffrage that
+nothing that they had heard was in any way exaggerated. She vouched for
+Earl as one whom she had known since his boyhood, a member of one of the
+most highly respected families in New York, and who had never failed to
+reply when she had needed statistics from the field of woman's
+dethronement.
+
+There was a bustle and stir over the audience, and John Earl looked a
+good deal startled, while Leonora was openly delighted. An excellent
+speaker, and a trained debater, the occasion had no terrors for Frank
+Earl. In fact, he confessed to himself as he made his way to the
+platform, he had not had so much fun as he expected to enjoy in the next
+fifteen minutes for many a long day. He was introduced with many rather
+florid expressions, and began by stating his position calmly,
+unmistakably, as opposed to the extension of the franchise to women. He
+then made a few complimentary references to those ladies who nobly put
+aside their own devotion to the home, the sphere they adorned so
+admirably, in order to save their misguided suffrage sisters from the
+evil effects of their mistaken zeal.
+
+There were a good many suffragists and some suffragettes in that
+anti-suffrage meeting, and Frank saw that the chilly audience had at
+last thawed, melted, warmed up and was rapidly approaching the point
+where it might reasonably be expected to boil over.
+
+"I am unalterably against the extension of the franchise to women," he
+repeated, and went on, "but my reasons for this opposition are concrete
+and practical rather than abstract and theoretical, and are based upon
+the experience I have gained from my residence in Colorado. I am also
+opposed to it because it is all too evident that the suffrage should be
+restricted rather than extended. The ballot should be the reward of
+intelligence, education, and a comprehension of the great political
+problems of the nation."
+
+"Give us the truth," some one at the left of the parquet cried.
+
+"I shall," he said, "and that necessitates correcting a few impressions
+which seem to me at variance with the facts. If it were true that women
+would not vote, or would vote as directed by the male members of their
+families, I should not so much deprecate giving them the ballot; but
+neither contention is true. Women do vote, and what is worse, they vote
+in steadily increasing numbers. Out of seventy thousand votes cast at
+the last election in my city a little less than half of them were cast
+by women, and judging from the results, I must say that the men of their
+families had very little influence with them. The possession of the
+franchise has developed the secretive instinct among women; they no
+longer confide their intentions to their doting husbands; they listen to
+their words of wisdom and then--they vote the secret ballot as they
+please."
+
+There was a wave of laughter that swelled into a gleeful sort of shout
+of mirth, but with an air of the most grieved surprise the speaker
+turned wonderingly to Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who still beamed upon him,
+though she was looking worried.
+
+"But surely, Mr. Earl," she said, "when the disagreeable duty is thrust
+upon them, the conservative women do what they can to protect the
+interests of the State?"
+
+He shook his head sadly.
+
+"This is one of the most frightful discoveries we have made since women
+began to vote. When Mr. Dorer speaks of the innate conservatism of women
+he shows that he is not conversant with the woman movement. It is true
+that there are a few intensely partisan women, who can be held by party
+ties, but the rank and file observe no such allegiance. They read and
+study, but in addition they go to the legislative halls, and there they
+see that both parties make and break promises with equal facility, and
+what is the result?"
+
+"Well, what is it?" cried an impatient feminine voice.
+
+"I hardly know how to break it to you," he said, "but the result is
+revolt, revolt all along the line. Yes, ladies; women, lovely, refined,
+gentle, educated women utterly refuse to be dictated to by political
+leaders, and openly sneer at ward bosses. They can't be kept in line.
+They no longer sing the sweet strains of 'The land of the free and the
+home of the brave.' On the contrary, they raise the battle cry, 'Let
+independence be our boast,' and in spite of the passionate pleas of
+their natural leaders, they go on record for the most radical
+legislation. Why, I'm told that nearly every so-called progressive law
+enacted in my State has been passed by their continued efforts.
+
+"They have no conception of the ideal of government laid down by
+Hamilton; they will submit to neither checks nor balances, and would
+subvert the whole scheme of representative government and replace it
+with an out-and-out democracy. In accord with this mistaken view they
+have adopted the initiative and referendum, carried it overwhelmingly,
+three to one, in every county in the State, and I need not tell an
+audience of intelligence that this is the most insidious form of attack
+now being made upon the fundamental principles of our government."
+
+By this time Silvia and all the suffragists in the audience were
+applauding wildly, while Carroll Renner laughed till the tears ran down
+her cheeks, and once more Frank turned a patient and puzzled countenance
+to the presiding officer.
+
+"I do not understand the applause, ladies," he said mildly, with a gleam
+in his eyes that none but Carroll understood. "The thing I am telling
+you is frightful. The enfranchisement of women means the end of the
+Republic as it now is; it means the rejection of all theories that are
+found wanting, and the putting out on the vast uncharted sea of
+experiment; it means interference with those great business enterprises
+that have built up, I had nearly said that 'make and preserve us a
+nation'! It means a reckless disregard for property rights in the
+sentimental desire to protect the individual, as if a nation could
+become great and strong by individual effort alone, and without the
+guiding and sustaining hands of statecraft and financial genius gripping
+the rudder of the ship of state. They will not listen to the voice of
+experience; they cannot be intimidated; they cannot be deceived for an
+indefinite number of years; if the established order seems to them
+unfair, unjust or illiberal, they have little respect for tradition when
+it's results they're after."
+
+"But if the anti-suffrage movement is growing as we have been told,
+can't the anti-suffragists overcome those tendencies?" asked an old lady
+on the platform.
+
+Frank restated the question for the benefit of the audience, and then
+answered with indescribable pathos, "I cannot conceal the truth from
+you; improbable as it seems, when once this poison becomes virulent in
+the body politic it spares none, and the very women who have battled
+most nobly against this corroding innovation are apt to succumb to its
+insidious influence; even the anti-suffragist, home-loving, God-fearing,
+modest and retiring as is her nature, has developed a talent for
+political intrigue that has led to the downfall of more than one of the
+best laid plans of mice and men."
+
+He tried to go on, but the audience was convulsed, not so much by what
+he said as by his manner, and by the sudden turning of the tables after
+the long tension had reached the snapping point. Still uncertain whether
+to regard his as friend or foe, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, after rapping
+vainly for order, was obliged to dismiss the meeting, and by some irony
+of fate the orchestra played "Hail Columbia," and the suffragettes took
+up the words and sung them with much unction, especially the lines--
+
+    "Let independence be our boast,
+    Ever mindful what it cost."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+FAITH IS THE BASIS OF ALL PROGRESS
+
+
+Early in June, Dr. Earl received a letter which puzzled him not a
+little. It was complimentary in the extreme, and yet something back of
+it made him say, "'For it is not an open enemy that hath done this.'"
+The letter asked him to speak on "Mental Therapeutics" before a meeting
+of one of the great medical societies of the city of New York; stated
+that there would be no other speaker, but there would be an open
+discussion after his address, and hoped he would find time to comply
+with the request. Once he started to write his acceptance; twice he
+actually wrote, declining, and then tore up both letters. It was true
+that he was crowded for time, but he could make time, and in his heart
+he knew perfectly well that he would have done so without a thought, but
+for the unexpected complications which had occurred with Alice Bell.
+Already he had heard one or two thinly veiled sneers at the result of
+this much-lauded case. He had met Towers and Hershell, both of them
+eminent in the profession, but the day before, and their greetings had
+been singularly cool; once or twice at the club they both frequented
+Morris had been little short of insulting, but his well-known
+infatuation for Silvia Holland would account for that. A reporter from
+one of the less reputable dailies had asked for an interview, and had
+written an article which barely escaped being libelous. There were not
+wanting those in the profession who openly denounced him as a "fakir."
+
+The longer he thought about it, the more unwilling he was to act upon
+his own judgment alone, and so he turned to the one unfailing counsellor
+of his life, his sister Hilda. With him, to will was to do, so within an
+hour he was in his sister's drawing-room, and not five minutes later
+Silvia Holland entered and was warmly greeted by Mrs. Ramsey. The day
+was dismal and the rain was descending in a steady downpour that gave no
+promise of ever ceasing; it was late afternoon, and Mrs. Ramsey said
+cordially, "Let us have tea in my sitting-room; nobody else will come
+such a day as this, and it will be so much more cosy. I distrust from
+his air of supernatural gravity that my brother has something on his
+mind----"
+
+"Then I will be _de trop_" said Miss Holland. "I will amuse myself in
+the library until you are at liberty. I was awfully glad to get your
+'phone message to come over, for it's a wretched day, and I was
+wondering where I should go for tea as I came up town from my office.
+Have your conference and never mind about me."
+
+"Indeed," said Jack eagerly, "if you would be so kind as to give me your
+opinion also on the matter I have called to consult my sister about, you
+would confer a great favor," and even as he spoke he knew it was for her
+quick comprehension he had been unconsciously wishing all the time.
+
+She laughed and assented graciously, and they followed Mrs. Ramsey to
+her own charming little room, as dainty and distinctive as its owner.
+Upon the tea-tray there were cigarettes, and Dr. Earl rather wondered
+whether Silvia would accept, but she shook her head. "No," she said
+lightly, "I emulate men's virtues, not their vices; maybe my nerves may
+need alternate sedatives and stimulants some day, but as yet I hardly
+know that I have any."
+
+Hilda lit one rather languidly. "My doctor says it isn't so much nerves
+as lack of nerve with me; I don't know what you call it, but I confess I
+find the smoke-wreaths pleasant; you won't join me either, Jack? Well,
+let us have the story in all its native simplicity and be sure you
+nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice."
+
+"I am told," he said, "that no well-bred New Yorker makes literary
+allusions, and that to quote Shakespeare is to relegate oneself to his
+century; however, this is the problem," and then he read them the
+letter.
+
+Hilda was openly pleased. "Why not?" she said. "It seems to me a very
+courteous and appreciative note, and I should think you would enjoy
+speaking before that kind of an audience, all of them picked men,
+trained and scientific and able to take in shades of meaning and
+distinctions that are wasted on the laity. Unless you are keeping
+something back, I should say, accept by all means. But are you?"
+
+He paused. "In just a moment, Hilda. How does it strike you, Miss
+Holland?"
+
+She held out her hand for the note, and read and then reread it, and her
+forehead contracted. "I wonder," she said to herself, "whether this is
+what Orrin meant when he said the profession would furnish Dr. Earl
+enough rope--I meant to ask him what he did mean, but I forgot it."
+Aloud she said, "Isn't Dr. Morris one of the directors of this society?
+He's a fellow alumnus of yours; it doesn't seem as if he would be likely
+to show you an affront, does it?"
+
+"That's just the point," answered Dr. Earl. "Is it a case of 'mine own
+familiar friend'?"
+
+His sister looked at him quizzically. "When it comes to literary
+allusion, Jack," she said, "New York might permit Shakespeare, but I
+assure you it wouldn't stand for the psalmist. Do you really think it is
+a plan to get you into some false position or to embarrass you with
+criticisms or queries not made in good faith?"
+
+"That is exactly what I want to know," he said.
+
+"And what if it is?" asked Silvia.
+
+He colored. "You mean I ought to be willing to bear testimony to my
+beliefs whether they meet with acceptance or not?"
+
+Hilda blew a ring of smoke ceilingwards. "That's the trouble with these
+suffragettes," she said reminiscently. "They never question the
+advisability of 'casting pearls before swine.'"
+
+Jack laughed and Silvia turned on her reproachfully. "Hilda! That isn't
+fair; haven't you just said yourself that this would be a picked
+audience? Suppose a little clique of them have arranged the meeting with
+the intention of heckling the speaker? The bulk of them will be there in
+good faith, anxious to learn, willing to listen to your brother's
+account of his experiences, and profit by them. If he can't gain a
+respectful hearing there, where will he gain it?"
+
+"Forgive me for being biblical to-night," Hilda answered. "I can't seem
+to get away from the suggestion; you know it was the high priests and
+the rulers of the synagogue that stirred up their followers to cry,
+'Crucify Him, crucify Him!' And times have changed more than people. The
+poor will hear gladly enough of healing that is to be had without money
+and without price, and operations that may be avoided by simply keeping
+well, but my experience is that the fetish of the professional man is a
+jealous god, given to heresy hunting, and bowing down and worshiping at
+the shrine of 'regularity.' They want to preserve the _status quo_ at
+any cost."
+
+"Yes," said Silvia bluntly, "even after it has long been lost. They are
+like people who might discover an ostrich egg-shell after the bird was
+half grown, and go chasing after it, trying to put it back inside the
+shell. I think it is Emerson who says that there are quantities of
+people who are always trying to become settled, whereas our only
+salvation consists in being constantly unsettled. I think the English
+women are infinitely braver and finer in their attitude on the suffrage
+question than we are. What I feel, Dr. Earl, is this: we have come to a
+time when nothing is really worth while unless it is worth fighting for.
+There are other worth while things, of course, for the laboratory man or
+woman, but for those of us who are in the thick of the fight, who want
+to do things _now_, it is necessary that we should be willing to do
+battle for our beliefs."
+
+"But is that the way to win?" asked the doctor. "We've all heard about
+catching flies with molasses, to use a homely simile."
+
+"Yes," responded Silvia; "the more molasses the more flies. No, the old
+methods are gone or are going. Do you suppose anything would do the
+suffrage cause as much good in this country as clubbing a few old women
+who want respectfully to present a petition to the other old women in
+Congress? A few years ago a petition was presented, signed by a million
+women, and a jocose member rolled it down the aisle with his foot,
+saying it might as well be signed by mice! But just let them try the
+English methods and every State in the Union would enfranchise its women
+just as soon as they could get a popular vote on it." She stopped short.
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, doctor, I didn't mean to give you a suffrage
+lecture."
+
+"You are not," he said. "At least, what I understand is that you are
+trying to make me see that, the spirit of the age is the militant
+spirit, that does not wait to have its own presented to it, but takes it
+wherever it finds it." She nodded and he went on: "I think that is true,
+but with this difference between the illustration you cite and the case
+in point. You women must be passionate enthusiasts to win, because the
+thing you want is concrete and imminent and personal. I have no
+intention of setting up as a _vade mecum_, founding a new cult,
+proselyting or even preaching my own doctrines; in the first place I
+shall change them as I discover better ones, or when they fail to bring
+results, and in the second I shall be too busy practicing my theories to
+find time to exploit them."
+
+"There you are wrong," said his sister. "When a man like Jenner comes
+along that is the time for practicing, but when smallpox has been rooted
+out and tuberculosis forgotten, men will still read what Socrates had to
+say of immortality and the sermon on the mount. When you hear people
+belittle the written and the spoken Word, it becomes us to remember that
+'In the beginning the Word was God,' and all that we know of past
+civilizations is the word they have left behind, painted on their stony
+walls or burned in a brick to say, 'After me cometh a builder. Tell him
+I too have known.'"
+
+"But, my dear sister," Jack answered, "don't you think assuming the rōle
+of the teacher may be just a trifle, only a trifle, presumptuous on my
+part?"
+
+"I don't quite know what your new views are," she answered.
+
+"They are not new," he said. "In fact they are most of them of such
+hoary antiquity that they are lost in the mists that brooded over the
+face of the deep. It is only the application that is new. Even that has
+always been understood by certain great souls. Pythagoras is said to
+have taught the Greeks to believe in metempsychosis for the purpose of
+making them kinder to lesser forms of life; like many beauty worshipers
+they were frankly inhuman, and it took heroic measures to create even a
+glimmering perception of the unity of life which is the basis of all the
+great world religions, whether it be Buddha's 'Who hurteth another
+hurteth himself,' or Christ's commandment, 'Love one another'; the Yogi
+looking first at the prince and then at the pauper and saying, 'I am
+that,' or Father Damien going into voluntary exile for the sake of the
+souls of the wretched lepers. The Prince of Peace preached the doctrine
+of spiritual inspiration, and the King of Conquerors said 'Imagination
+rules the world.' Jesus or Napoleon--both knew that back of the visible
+man himself is the thought of the man, which controls him, and other men
+through him, if it possesses power and vitality and truth."
+
+"Then it is a kind of new thought?" asked Hilda.
+
+"Rather a renaissance of old thought. The modern quest of the Grail is
+not for the crystal cup that held the holy elements, but for the divine
+life itself, the principle that inspires men to action. The philosopher
+of our day is not a hermit, theorizing about vague abstractions, but
+vitally alive to the problems that confront this day and generation, and
+modern psychology is changing all the methods of the great processes of
+existence. Education, medicine, law, are all in process of
+transformation. Grandsons of the men who denounced Mesmer as a charlatan
+thronged the clinics of Charcot."
+
+"Yes," said Silvia, "and within the next decade Münsterberg will have
+compelled a complete remodeling of our forms of legal procedure. No
+attorney worth his salt would undertake to ignore the apparatus devised
+by the psychologist, and the time is nearly gone by when, as he says,
+courts will prefer to listen to the 'science' of the handwriting
+experts, rather than permit the examination of a witness by methods in
+accord with the exact work of the psychologist."
+
+"That is true," assented Jack, "and not the least gratifying part of the
+whole matter is that it isn't the unimportant who are the ones to speak
+respectfully of the changing ideal; in fact, the smaller a man's
+calibre the more sure you can be that he will cling to the established
+order. It is only very great men who have the courage of their
+intuitions long enough to prove them. Münsterberg can afford to say what
+he thinks. Now if I go to this meeting and tell these men that 'there
+are cases where a fact cannot come at all unless a preliminary faith
+exists in its coming,' what do you think they will say?"
+
+Hilda smiled. "Most of them will suspect you of quoting 'Science and
+Health.' If they accuse you of it, read them the rest of the paragraph."
+
+"What is it?" asked Silvia eagerly.
+
+"I can find it in a moment," said Hilda, going to the bookshelves, and
+taking down a modest olive-colored volume. "Here it is. 'And where faith
+in a fact can help create the fact, that would be an insane logic which
+should say that faith running ahead of scientific evidence is the lowest
+kind of immorality into which a thinking being can fall. Yet such is the
+logic by which our scientific absolutists pretend to regulate our
+lives.' That is from the late Professor James, who is said to have been
+the profoundest thinker this country has ever produced, and he has said
+much more equally startling to those little minds that, like full
+bottles, have no room for more."
+
+Dr. Earl threw back his head and laughed; his quandary was over, his
+course settled. He turned to Silvia with a genial smile. "Score one more
+victory for the Feminists," he said. "I wonder if there ever has been a
+time, anywhere on earth, where women were actually and aggressively
+noncombatants. The Spartan woman handing over her husband's shield is
+typical. Whenever and wherever there has been a cause worth fighting
+for, worth dying for--always and forever we can see the figure of the
+woman, shield on arm and javelin in hand, standing at the door of the
+slothful warrior's tent, calling him to action. Sometimes the eternal
+feminine leads on, but very frequently, I regret to say, it has to get
+back and drive, and sometimes if it did not kneel and push I fear the
+wheels of progress would not revolve at all; that we do go on, slowly
+and uncertainly, it is true, but that we go on at all, is due to the
+woman soul that will not let us waste our years in the wilderness when
+the land of promise is so near at hand. Ladies, I go!"
+
+He rose as if to make good his words, but Hilda entered a peremptory
+negative, and it ended by his staying to dinner and spending a long and
+utterly delightful evening, which became in a sense the beginning of
+what he felt was a new epoch in his life. This was the understanding,
+the fellowship, the _bon camaraderie_ that gives existence its zest and
+permits one to dream of life eternal without a horror of impending
+weariness and boredom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN EVIL PROPHECY BEGINS TO BEAR FRUIT
+
+
+Leonora and Mrs. Kimball accompanied Dr. Earl to the meeting of the
+medical society, and if he had some doubts whether or not she would be
+able to follow his discourse perfectly, he had none whatever as to his
+own pride and pleasure in her dainty loveliness. She was gowned in
+white, and the season's styles were particularly becoming to her
+graceful and well-rounded figure. Her radiant face with its sensitive
+coloring resembled the delicate glow of one of those rare Sevres vases
+of the Empire Period.
+
+She appreciated the compliment of the invitation, as people always
+appreciate the compliment of being invited to distinguished gatherings
+where the subjects of discussion are likely to be much beyond their
+range of knowledge or understanding.
+
+There was a large attendance, for while many members of the profession
+had come from idle curiosity, most of those present were interested in
+the views of any man of standing who might throw new light upon the
+successful application of either medical or surgical remedies.
+
+Whatever criticisms may be passed upon individual practitioners, or
+however many Bourbons may exist in the fraternity, yet it must be
+apparent to the student of such matters that nowhere in the world does
+as large a percentage of the medical or surgical profession adopt new
+and improved methods of treatment of the maimed and the ill as in the
+United States. And nowhere in the world are such new and improved
+methods applied with anything like the aptness or skill as by American
+doctors of medicine or surgery.
+
+The old school, the newer school, the newest school of legally
+recognized practitioners were there in force, as well as numbers of
+those who were effecting remarkable cures without any special sanction
+of law for their methods.
+
+Modestly and earnestly, Dr. Earl discussed the subject that had been
+assigned him, amplifying as much as his time would permit, and
+occasionally citing authorities bound to command respectful attention
+from scientific minds.
+
+He was aware that he had the sympathy of most of his audience, and he
+was just as fully conscious of the hostility of Drs. Morris, Tower,
+Hershell, Bainbridge and two or three more of those who believed with
+something approaching fanaticism that all physicians and surgeons must
+adhere strictly to what they denominated "standard methods."
+
+While Leonora could not comprehend the larger significance of his
+discourse, it gratified her pride and pleased her vanity that her
+fiancée was a man who could obtain such a hearing from the medical
+profession. The discussion that followed the address was animated and
+intelligent, and if the malcontents had intended any discourtesy to Dr.
+Earl their plans went awry.
+
+Dr. Earl found himself plunged deeper and deeper every day in the
+seemingly innumerable duties that crowded upon him. Summer came with
+tropical heat, but feeling that he had already enjoyed a long vacation,
+he made no plans, save to take his week-ends out of town, and prepared
+to keep office hours all summer.
+
+Early in July, Leonora and her mother went to Bar Harbor and the
+Ramseys to Newport. Frank had gone West in May. He would have missed
+them had he possessed a free moment, but the first of August found him
+as busy as ever, in spite of the fact that the city was deserted by the
+fashionable world. Sickness has fashions of its own, and the fame he had
+achieved as "the surgeon who cures without operating," brought him not a
+few calls from those who had nothing to commend them save their
+suffering and their faith. Every doctor worthy the name has a set of
+books kept only by his recording angel, and Earl's invisible guardian
+made many entries that summer, and there were times when even the
+insistence of Leonora could not make him feel willing to leave those who
+seemed so wholly dependent upon his presence for their physical welfare.
+
+Now and then, in spite of his all-absorbing work, there came to his
+sensitive consciousness a feeling of foreboding and dread that he could
+not explain, save by some subtle law of suggestion, as he recalled half
+in mirth and half in seriousness the dark prophecies of the astrologist
+at the suffrage ball. He had suspected his brother Frank, and when he
+learned that the seeress was Miss Renner, that suspicion had been
+confirmed; Frank might have given her the date of Leonora's birthday,
+but he had nothing to do with the warning she had given him that
+something would happen within the next twenty-four hours which would
+have a bearing on his whole career. Within two hours he had treated
+little Alice Bell, and out of that event had grown his more intimate
+acquaintance with Silvia, and the marked hostility of Dr. Morris. The
+child was doing as well as could be expected, but he was greatly
+disturbed over her condition, and was building up her general health in
+the hope of overcoming the disease.
+
+He had asked Miss Renner one or two questions, but she had evaded him,
+and while he had thought of calling on her and asking for the promised
+horoscope, which she did not send, the idea seemed absurd, and he had no
+time to carry it out.
+
+On the fourth of August he received a summons to come to Magnolia,
+Massachusetts, to attend a former patient who was spending the summer
+there, and he left New York, intending to remain a week.
+
+His movements had become a matter of interest to the ubiquitous
+newspaper reporter, and as the dog-days in New York were not prolific
+in startling items, the fact of his being sent for to attend a prominent
+New York man at Magnolia was seized upon and made into a fairly readable
+first page news story.
+
+He arranged for the care of his patients, saw the Bells and told them of
+his intended absence, and spent some time talking with the frail little
+child who had become greatly attached to him. As he rose to go, he
+turned to the couch once more. "What shall I send you from Boston,
+little Miss Alice?" he said kindly, and the girl replied in true child
+fashion, "Candy." He shook his head. "You know I don't approve of much
+candy for small girls; but you shall have something better," he said,
+"you may be sure I won't forget," and with another good-by he was gone.
+He took the midnight train for Boston, and his patient's motor car was
+waiting for him when he arrived there.
+
+Perhaps it was the excitement of thinking what the "something better"
+could be that kept Alice Bell awake that night; whatever it was, when
+Silvia Holland saw her the next morning her heart sank. She had a
+feeling that she was in some way responsible for the child also, and
+that she was still Dr. Earl's assistant. She watched her while she
+talked to Mrs. Bell, and suggested, in a tentative way, that Mrs. Bell
+should go to some quiet country place for a month, but the woman shook
+her head.
+
+"I cannot leave the city, now," she said. "I have a great quantity of
+sewing that must be done for Miss Lanier's wedding in September."
+
+"Couldn't you take it along?" asked Silvia.
+
+"No," she said quietly, but decidedly. "Some of the things she wants
+fitted, and I have said I would be here any time she wanted to run into
+town. Besides, there are other reasons why I cannot go away now." She
+controlled herself with an effort. "I can never tell you, Miss Holland,
+how thankful I am for the work you have brought my way. You can't
+understand, no woman who has never been anxious to know how she was
+going to get the rent can understand what a blessing it is to be
+independent! You are doing great things for all women, Miss Holland, and
+not forgetting individual women as some people would, but _do_ try to
+make girls understand that they can never be free so long as they are
+dependent on somebody else for their bread and butter."
+
+Silvia flushed. "You're not fretting because of the paltry little sum I
+advanced for your rent, are you?" she said. "I thought we were friends,
+and such things should not be spoken of between friends."
+
+The woman turned to her with a face in which gratitude and some great
+sorrow were contending emotions, and caught her hands and held them
+tight.
+
+"No," she said, "I don't mind being under obligations to you; I'm almost
+glad to be, for the sake of knowing such a woman. You can do a kindness
+without making it a burden; there are people who pay a debt as if they
+were doing you a favor. The only thing I mind is that I am not more
+worthy of all you have done for me."
+
+Silvia put her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "Don't talk to me
+of unworthiness," she said. "You are a brave woman and a devoted mother;
+it is one of the crimes of civilization that you should lack for any
+creature comforts, and you shall not any more. You shall earn what you
+need yourself, and this fall I intend to start a class of girls in
+domestic economy, and you shall teach them how to make these pretty
+things you fashion so exquisitely."
+
+An indescribable look of pain and rebellion passed over Mrs. Bell's
+face, and she turned away from Silvia, with a quick gesture of
+renunciation.
+
+"In the meantime," Silvia went on, feeling that the time had not come to
+seek any further confidence, "I am going to borrow Alice. I want to take
+her up to Nutwood for a week or two, and as I'm going this noon, suppose
+you gather her things together, and I'll take her right along."
+
+The little girl gave a cry of joy, and then her face dropped. "But,
+mamma," she said, "will I miss my present from Dr. Earl?"
+
+Her mother smiled and explained that the doctor had promised to send
+Allie "something better than candy" from Boston, where he had gone the
+night before. "I will forward it," she said; "you can trust mother for
+that."
+
+"He has been very good to you, hasn't he?" said Silvia absently,
+thinking of him once more as she had seen him first, as he bent over the
+child, the sleeves rolled back from his powerful white arms while he
+bathed the matted locks and set the broken leg.
+
+"He has that," said the woman laconically. "I'm glad to have Allie go
+with you, for she would miss him; he said he wouldn't be back for a
+week. Now be a good girl, Allie, and do just as Miss Holland tells you,
+and you will write mother a little letter every day, and mother will
+write to you." She flung her arms about the child in a sudden passion of
+emotion, but the eyes that looked into Silvia's as she took her hand
+were dry and wretched.
+
+"I wish you could tell me all about it," Silvia said impulsively.
+
+"I shall, soon," she answered; "unless Fate turns kind for once, I shall
+tell you all, soon, very soon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF EMMA BELL
+
+
+The crowd going home from the resorts and roof gardens August 9th was
+startled by the wild cries of the newsboys: "Extra! Extra! All about the
+mysterious murder!"
+
+Murders are not so rare in New York as to cause any genuine sensation
+among its people when one is announced in the public press, but mystery
+has ever been attractive to the human race, and the details of the
+present case as contained in the columns of the papers were so involved
+in conjecture as to arouse the interest of every reader. The only facts
+that were clear were that Mrs. Emma Bell had been found dead in the
+sitting-room of her apartment on East 56th Street with a box of candied
+fruit on the table near her, which had just been opened, and which,
+according to the postmark stamped on the paper enclosing the box, had
+been mailed to her from Boston. Written on thin paper that was so
+pasted as to cover the entire top of the box was the inscription, "With
+best wishes to you and Alice. J. E."
+
+A weird description of the lifelike appearance of the woman when found,
+seated in her chair, with eyes staring and pupils dilated, was given in
+the best reportorial style. The coroner had taken possession of
+everything and had ordered the apartment sealed until an inquest could
+be held. Whether or not the candied fruit had anything to do with the
+death, and if so who could have sent it, were all matters of speculation
+which the various writers had covered in from one to four columns,
+according to their respective imaginative qualities and newspaper
+instinct, but none of them gave the slightest intimation as to the
+suspected person, if murder really had been committed.
+
+More or less accurate likenesses of Mrs. Bell were given with all the
+events of her life that seemed spectacular, the most prominent of which
+was that her neighbors had long speculated as to her source of
+livelihood, since her husband's death some four years previously, and
+with characteristic charity such speculation led to hints along
+salacious trails and the dark recesses of public suspicion. The events
+of the injury to her little girl, and her treatment by Dr. Earl, and
+the devotion of the volunteer nurse, lacked nothing in their interesting
+narration in connection with the supposed murder mystery, and assisted
+very materially in enhancing that mystery through the glamour of
+prominent personages who were so well in the foreground of the story.
+
+The coroner's jury sat upon the case as coroners' juries have been
+sitting upon similar cases ever since English jurisprudence advanced to
+the stage of not executing people on suspicion. There was the same dank,
+solemn atmosphere of the morgue, the same density of intellect and
+understanding, the same owl-like gaze of stupidity that passed muster
+for wisdom, the same perfervid desire to get a certificate on the public
+treasury without undue mental or physical effort, the same ambition to
+give a duly impressive but harmless verdict, that must have
+characterized the first empaneled jury of this nature. Never by any
+possibility could these original qualities have deteriorated, and it
+would require a wild stretch of the imagination to note any traces of
+improvement.
+
+The reading of the verdict of a coroner's jury has never been known to
+disqualify any person from serving on a trial jury in a murder case by
+unduly influencing the opinion, or arousing the passions of such
+involuntary candidate for the jury box. No jails have been stormed or
+revolutions started by the verdict of an American coroner's jury, and
+New York was not destined to have its sensibilities too harshly jarred
+by a sensational verdict in this case.
+
+After solemnly sitting for hours, the jury found that "Said Emma Bell
+came to her death from the effects of hydrocyanic acid administered by
+some person to the said jurors unknown, and whether said hydrocyanic
+acid was administered with felonious intent the said jurors cannot at
+this time ascertain."
+
+The facts established by the jury were, that the woman was dead; that
+hydrocyanic acid had killed her; that the cause of death was so evident
+that it was only necessary to examine the contents of the stomach; that
+apparently none of the candied fruit had been disturbed, as the box was
+even full and the top layer as smooth as when first packed; that a
+chemical analysis proved that no poison of any kind was in any of the
+candied fruit in the box; that no vial could be found on or near the
+woman after death, and that a thorough search of the apartment failed
+to disclose any of this or any other kind of poison; that the woman was
+quite alone in the apartment when death took place and was only
+discovered by the janitress at ten o'clock at night, at which time she
+entered the apartment, having been invited to sleep there during the
+absence of the child in the country, whither she had gone a few days
+previous to this for a week's stay; that Mrs. Bell had been doing her
+own work for several months and taking in fine sewing.
+
+But ambitious newspaper reporters bent themselves to this new task, as
+is their custom in all matters of public concern, _i. e._, to outrival
+the most noted expert in the line of that particular phase of public
+endeavor uppermost at the time. Theories were advanced in the daily
+papers that made Sherlock Holmes seem like a novice in detective work
+and Lucretia Borgia a mere infant in the skillful administration of
+poisons. The regular detectives, both public and private, were aroused
+by the mystery that shrouded the case. It remained, however, for the
+ubiquitous reporter, to whom society really owes a debt along every line
+of worthy public endeavor impossible either to estimate or discharge,
+to discover that the handwriting on the box was that of Dr. John Earl,
+and that he had been in the habit, for months, of paying almost daily
+visits to the Bell home; that he was at Magnolia Beach, but a short ride
+from Boston, at the time the package was mailed there; that ostensibly
+he had visited the Bell home to attend the little girl who was injured
+by the automobile, but that the mother was undoubtedly much interested
+in him; that there were many rumors among surgeons that his operation on
+the leg of the child had produced tuberculosis; that the district
+attorney had received anonymous letters to the effect that Earl had
+deliberately attempted to poison both mother and daughter, to be rid of
+an unpleasant _liaison_ on the one hand and the evidence of his lack of
+skill on the other; that the child had gone to the country after he left
+the city and he still supposed her with her mother, hence the saving of
+the child's life; that the box of candied fruit was only a blind, and
+that some other package must have arrived containing the poison in
+another form, possibly in the same wrapping paper with the fruit; that
+no possible motive could be discovered for the poisoning by any other
+person and no clue could be found leading to a suspicion of any one
+else.
+
+With five hundred thousand visitors constantly within the gates of their
+city; with a shifting population of nearly a million more; with
+permanent residents absorbed in the most strenuous existence known on
+the American Continent; with sensation in high life of such frequent
+occurrence as to benumb any effort to form a discriminating opinion--the
+people of New York (visitors, temporary denizens, those of fixed
+habitation) welcomed these ready-made conclusions of the daily press and
+blindly adopted them as their own.
+
+Individual character counts for less in the metropolis of the United
+States than it does anywhere else in the nation. There are several
+reasons for this, but the principal ones are a lack of time on the part
+of the permanent residents to inform themselves on such matters and a
+lack of interest in the subject on the part of the remainder of the
+population. The result is, that when charges are made, with any degree
+of sanction from the constituted authorities, against ordinary citizens
+of hitherto blameless lives, the great majority of the people accept
+such charges as well founded until they are effectively disproved.
+
+So it was in this case. Just as soon as the incriminating facts
+seriously involved Dr. John Earl it was taken for granted that he was
+guilty, and such presumption was certain to grip the public mind until
+his innocence could be duly established, if such result were at all
+possible.
+
+This was also the golden opportunity for the Bourbon members of his own
+profession to assail his theories and, secretly and openly, certain of
+them charged that the result in Dr. Earl's case was but the natural one
+where "standard methods" of practice were set aside for the, as yet,
+"unscientific paths of suggestive therapeutics," as these reactionary
+medical men denominated Earl's system, for he had cured through
+suggestive methods a score of patients who had been condemned to the
+operating table by other surgeons, and as a result he had aroused the
+resentment of such surgeons in particular and the condemnation in
+general of all those who believed in the supreme curative power of the
+knife.
+
+Those in other walks of life, who, from conviction or selfishness, were
+opposed to disturbing present conditions, and who appreciated and
+feared the interdependence of the whole progressive movement, were also
+easily convinced that, properly enough, he was in the toils of the law.
+
+It was not long until his friends and defenders began to realize that a
+secret sentiment was being created against him which had for its purpose
+the discrediting of his mental stability, as well as his medical
+methods, and that they would be compelled to combat not only menacing
+facts and conditions, but also the still more powerful influences of
+centuries of prejudice against men of his type, who had dared to get too
+far ahead of the general parade.
+
+Psychologically, some interesting impressions were made upon observant
+minds. Many of our national hypocrisies were emphasized, and these
+occurrences revealed certain inconsistencies of public pretension and
+action in other fields closely correlated to this one, and it became
+evident that improvement in theory and practice, in matters of this
+sort, was impossible so long as more fundamental abuses were not only
+permitted but sanctioned in a most aggressively affirmative manner.
+
+These observing people were reminded that in this Christian nation a
+cross of considerable dimensions is generally ready for instant use in
+immolating the person who is rash enough to interfere too strenuously or
+persistently with the operations of our morally depraved and generally
+rum-soaked political bosses, who have boldly usurped the functions of
+government and whose aims and purposes are widely at variance with all
+of the teachings of the lowly Nazarene; that, much as we pride ourselves
+upon our philosophical advancement, there is usually a cup of hemlock in
+reserve for a master spirit that attempts too far to outdistance the
+crowd; that, fond as we are of orating and writing about the dark days
+of barbarism, we continually applaud the barbarian methods of those who
+appropriate the property and liberties of their fellow men to increase
+their own wealth and power; that, while there is no longer much of a
+disposition to consider the earth flat, there is a marked tendency to
+regard most every other mysterious thing as of that character.
+
+Dr. John Earl had friends who understood the complex and extensive
+nature of these sentiments, and, whatever might be their opinion
+concerning his guilt or innocence of the specific charge under
+discussion, they greatly feared the graver charge which emanated from
+the chaotic darkness of superstition, ignorance, prejudice and jealousy
+and the location of which could be determined only by occasional and
+angry flashes of venom.
+
+While these things were occurring, Dr. Earl had come to New York and had
+gone directly to the district attorney and notified him that, if needed,
+he could be found at his house on East 53rd Street, but he assured that
+official that he knew nothing of the affair whatever.
+
+This was treated as bravado by those who believed in his guilt and as
+vindication by those who asserted his innocence.
+
+His brother Frank hastened from a summer resort in the fastnesses of the
+Rockies and his sister and brother-in-law returned to town from Newport.
+
+One day, Silvia Holland appeared at the coroner's office and asked to
+see the box in which the candied fruit had arrived. She examined it
+critically for several minutes, and then asked for the wrapper
+containing the address and postage stamps. There were three ten-cent and
+two fifteen-cent stamps on the paper, although it was apparent that half
+that amount in postage would have carried the package. She compared the
+handwriting with samples of Dr. Earl's, and it was only too evident that
+both address and message were written by him.
+
+When she returned to her office she found Miss Renner waiting for her in
+response to a telephone message. The two women had seen much of each
+other after their meeting at the League House and a deep regard had
+sprung up between them. For the time being, Miss Renner was doing
+special work on one of the New York papers, and lending her voice to the
+suffrage cause between assignments. They exchanged greetings, and then
+the little Westerner said quietly, "You wanted me?"
+
+Miss Holland looked at her long and searchingly. "Yes, I both want and
+need you, my dear. Your paper has been rather vindictive in its pursuit
+of evidence against Dr. Earl. I want you to go to the district attorney
+and ask him personally to examine the inside of the lid of the box which
+contained the fruit, also the scalloped paper that covered the fruit. If
+he does so, he will find that a green gage, an apricot or a plum, which
+was seedless, of course, rested on top of the paper, and was crushed
+against the lid of the box. The stain is quite distinct on both paper
+and cover, and shows that there was only one such piece of fruit placed
+there. Of course, it contained the poison, and was placed on top,
+because it would naturally be eaten first."
+
+Carroll Renner looked at her in amazement.
+
+"If I do that he will order the immediate arrest of Dr. Earl; it will
+put him in jail and possibly lead to his conviction. Is that what you
+desire?" She looked up at the taller woman searchingly.
+
+"Surely I do--if he is guilty," Miss Holland replied, without changing
+her expression. "There is no doubt that it will cause his immediate
+arrest," she added, "but even that is preferable to this suspense with
+everybody suspecting him and no opportunity to defend himself."
+
+She turned away, and Carroll slipped her arm about her waist. "Dear
+Silvia, I'll go--on one condition."
+
+"And that is?" came in a rather muffled voice.
+
+"That you will defend him yourself!" said Miss Renner. Miss Holland
+turned and caught her in her arms. "I can't do that," she said. "I
+couldn't, anyhow, without being asked, and besides, he will need the
+most skillful criminal lawyer in New York to defend him. I should make a
+sorry mess of it."
+
+Carroll drew her down on a settee and held her hands firmly. "You might
+just as well be a man, if you are going to talk like that--always ready
+to let women go ahead until something really worth while comes along,
+and then saying 'only a man can do big, difficult things.' After all
+you've said, are you going to hesitate when it comes to crossing
+professional swords with a man? Come now, promise me; if I go to the
+district attorney, you will defend him."
+
+"But I have not been employed, or even asked to defend him," she
+insisted. "You must see how unprofessional it would be, Carroll."
+
+"Professional! that's what the doctors say when they refuse to save your
+life because they don't want to be discourteous to a fellow
+practitioner," answered Carroll. "Well, if the life of the man I loved
+was at stake I wouldn't wait for somebody to come and hire me to defend
+him!"
+
+"Carroll!" cried Silvia.
+
+"Silvia!" she retorted. "Will your highness deign to accept employment
+if it is offered you by his family?"
+
+"Oh, Carroll, I can't let you drum up business----"
+
+"You should be shaken, Silvia," her friend answered. "Of course
+everybody in the country knows that you live in daily fear of the
+poorhouse, and keep an advertising bureau busy trying to find you
+employment! However, I suspected you would make these silly objections,
+so I told Frank Earl yesterday that he ought to move heaven and earth to
+get you to defend his brother. He nearly fell on my neck, and he is now
+giving me absent treatment or holding a thought that I may succeed in
+making you see that you could do more for the doctor than any other New
+York lawyer."
+
+"That isn't true, Carroll," she said. "I wish it were, but it isn't, and
+I haven't been able to think of any one that I want to see take up his
+defense."
+
+"Naturally, because you know you ought to do it yourself. Now listen to
+me." Miss Renner put her hands on Silvia's shoulders. "We haven't known
+each other long, but it doesn't follow that we don't know each other
+well. If John Earl were my brother I should give you no peace until you
+promised to defend him, not alone because you have the requisite skill
+as an attorney, but because you would give this case the devotion, the
+insight, that are not to be bought with money. Now you know my terms;
+shall I go to the district attorney?"
+
+Silvia kissed her impulsively. "Yes, dear; go--go at once!" Her eyes
+filled and her exquisite voice quivered with the strain of the emotion
+she could no longer conceal. "Oh, Carroll, I'm glad to have you now;
+come back to me afterward and tell me all about it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ARREST OF DR. JOHN EARL
+
+
+Early the next morning Dr. John Earl was arrested for the murder of Emma
+Bell and was remanded by the magistrate to The Tombs without bail to
+await the action of the grand jury, which was soon to convene. Both he
+and his family had foreseen the event, and he had made the necessary
+arrangements for the conduct of his business. Humiliating as his arrest
+was, they all bore it with Spartan courage, and prepared to ransack the
+earth, if need be, to establish his innocence.
+
+Leonora Kimball and her mother returned from Bar Harbor to find their
+city friends almost unanimously arrayed against Dr. Earl, and they were
+not themselves in the best humor with the tide of ill fortune that had
+swept them into these muddy currents. They went immediately to The
+Tombs, and in the interview that followed Dr. Earl insisted that Leonora
+should consider herself released from her engagement so long as the
+least taint was attached to his name in connection with this charge. She
+protested that this was the hour of his need, and she could not think of
+such a thing, but he caught the tone of doubt in her voice, and the lack
+of genuine sympathy in her manner. There passed rapidly through his mind
+the thought that the electric chair might be just ahead of him; a long
+imprisonment might be his fate; he might lose the affection of friends
+and the respect of strangers, but if in this hour of bitter ordeal,
+guilty or innocent, whichever she might believe, his affianced wife did
+not show supreme faith and devotion, he was indeed a beggar in the realm
+of love. Carroll's ominous words about the malign stars that governed
+her fate recurred to his mind, and he thought of his contest with
+himself, and his decision when, defying the possibility of separation,
+inharmony or divorce, he elected to keep his plighted troth whatever his
+post-nuptial fate might be.
+
+But in the recesses of his prison he had yearned for love, for the
+divine, illuminating rays that had lighted the path of many a martyr to
+the stake; of many a hero to the cannon's mouth; of not a few convicts
+to the gallows; of many a sublime philosopher to the dungeon or the
+ax--and all his misfortunes seemed but fleecy down compared to the
+weight which this sense of isolation and aloofness from the tenderness
+of the world brought to him. He looked at her fair young face, clouded
+and troubled now with doubts and annoyance, and with a sinking heart he
+realized that her personal vexation loomed as large upon the horizon of
+her mind as the shame and danger that had overtaken him.
+
+"For the present, dear, you are absolved from any obligation to me," he
+said very gravely. "When I am released I shall, of course, give you the
+opportunity to reconsider if you choose to do so, but in the meantime
+you are entirely free; it must be so, dearest."
+
+She made no reply, but lifted her face to his for their farewell kiss,
+and her mother was not able to stifle her sigh of relief until they had
+passed beyond the prison walls. As they left, Frank entered the room,
+and the glance he cast after the departing form of the elder lady was
+not exactly amiable, but he kept his peace.
+
+"It is time, Jack, that you were thinking of somebody to take charge of
+your case. You know I'm not familiar with criminal law, or the New York
+practice; I'll do my best, but you must have a skilled lawyer in
+command."
+
+"I have already given the matter deep thought, but I have not made up my
+mind. There's Littlefield, but hiring him or any other noted criminal
+lawyer is equivalent to pleading guilty," answered Jack. "What do you
+suggest?"
+
+"I'm not in a position to make suggestions myself that are really
+valuable," Frank replied, "and of the hundreds that have been made there
+has been but one that really appealed to me. That came from my Colorado
+friend--Miss Renner; but this is a matter where you must be the sole
+judge, and I want you to make your own selection, regardless of any
+other person's ideas."
+
+"Miss Renner is a very keen woman," Jack said, a gleam of curiosity in
+his manner. "I should like to hear her proposition; it is sure to be
+original, anyhow."
+
+Frank answered rather hesitatingly. "At first, I was enthusiastic about
+it, but I fear you will not approve of trusting your life to a woman,
+and I don't urge it in any way; Miss Renner wants us to employ Silvia
+Holland."
+
+"Miss Holland defend me? Will she--would she be willing to do it?" Jack
+asked, in startled tones.
+
+"Carroll Renner says she will," Frank answered, "and she is curiously
+correct in her judgments of people, and they have been pretty close this
+last summer."
+
+Earl gave a sigh of relief. "Then by all means employ her at once," he
+said. "I not trust my life to a woman? Dear Frank, when is there ever a
+time when man does not trust his fate to woman? The infant owes his
+existence to a woman; the boy would make sad progress in the world were
+it not for the woman. The young man would drop back to barbarism but for
+her, and where would you and I be but for that dear, sweet sister of
+ours? Simply because the Twentieth Century woman is breaking away from
+the old, destructive life of the parasite and endeavoring to fulfill her
+destiny on earth, is no reason for believing that she does not still
+possess all the noble qualities that have characterized her since the
+world began. Not only have I no prejudices against, but a decided
+partiality for a woman defender," and so the matter was settled.
+
+Silvia went to consult with Earl every day that she was in the city,
+and strongly advised against any attempt to secure bail, as sure to open
+anew the charges and innuendoes which were already but dimly remembered
+by the New York public. She took personal charge of every phase of the
+case, and although Frank was associated with her he asked few questions
+and she volunteered but little information. A week later she spent
+several days in Boston and stopped at Providence on her way back, but
+aside from telling his family where she had been she gave no intimation
+either of her purposes or the results of her trip, and cautioned every
+one to give nothing to the press.
+
+"What did you do with the box of candied fruit you bought at Thompson's
+candy store when you were in Boston?" she demanded of Dr. Earl at her
+first interview after her return.
+
+For a moment he looked dazed. "Box of candied fruit--I didn't buy
+any--oh, yes; wait a minute. While at Magnolia, I wished to pay a visit
+to some old friends who live in East Boston; they have a youngster in
+the family, and I bought the candied fruit for her at the same time I
+bought the pecans which I sent to Alice; but do you know, a curious
+thing happened to that package of candied fruit. I put it on the seat
+beside me while crossing the ferry, and then took up a magazine article
+I was much interested in, and when I rose to leave the boat the package
+was gone. I hadn't been conscious that any one was near enough to take
+it, but there was a crowd on the boat, and my package disappeared;
+naturally, I didn't mention it to my friends."
+
+The look she bent upon him was full of perplexity. "Of course it can't
+be traced," she said to herself. "Did the box have the name of the
+store, or any name of a manufacturer or dealer upon it? Try and
+remember," she said.
+
+"Really, I cannot say; I didn't notice, except that the clerk wrapped it
+in plain white paper," he replied.
+
+"Were you in Providence on this trip, or have you been there recently?"
+she continued.
+
+"Not in four years," he answered and she gave an involuntary sigh of
+relief.
+
+"Have you expressed any annoyance to your medical friends over the
+development of tuberculosis in the knee of little Alice Bell, or have
+you stated that the case baffled you?" she asked with considerable
+concern.
+
+"Yes, I have said to at least two surgeons that I was annoyed at what I
+believe to be the recurrence of an old condition, but never that I was
+baffled. It is perfectly simple."
+
+"How I wish I could find that letter," she said, more to herself than to
+him. "The post-office department has ransacked the country for it, but it
+seems to have disappeared as completely as did your package on the boat.
+I do wish I could clear up two or three things to my own satisfaction,
+but you can't help me, and there is no need of annoying you with them."
+She looked about the small room set aside for the consultation of
+prisoners with their counsel, but gained no inspiration from the bare
+walls, and rose to go, extending her hand as she did so.
+
+"You do believe in my innocence?" he asked.
+
+She gave no direct answer in words, but as her eyes met his he knew that
+he was no longer alone in his struggles, and whatever her belief in the
+merits of his case, her faith in him was supreme.
+
+"It is not a question of what I believe," she said at last, "but of what
+the State can prove on the one hand, and what we shall be able to show
+on the other."
+
+"You are worried," he said quickly.
+
+"Yes," she said, "I am; your life may be at stake, and if I fail to
+clear you every one in the country will say that I should never have
+taken this case, and they will be right. Even now, Dr. Earl, are you
+certain it would not be better to employ counsel eminent in this branch
+of the profession? I shall be very glad to serve in second place."
+
+"This is no time for flattery or false sentiment, and I shall attempt
+neither," he said, "as you know, I prefer thorough methods in all
+professions, and those methods require rather more of the psychological
+than the usual practitioner employs. I think we are quite agreed in
+that. For that and other ample reasons I prefer to leave my case just
+where it is."
+
+The look that the blue eyes flashed up to the brown ones was pleased and
+proud, and something that she saw there sent a quick flush to her cheek,
+and though her heart was heavy her step was light as she left the gloomy
+building.
+
+Her car was waiting at the door, and calmly seated therein was Carroll
+Renner. Silvia greeted her eagerly. "Of all persons on earth you are the
+one I was most wishing to see," she said. "How did you happen to come
+here?"
+
+"I got your telepathy, Silvia, dear," she answered, with a squeeze of
+the hand, "when on mischief bent about three blocks from here, and
+decided to come by this cheerful edifice on the chance that you might be
+here. I saw the car, introduced myself to your chauffeur and climbed in.
+I must say," she added, "that you were an unconscionable time. Now, what
+can I do for you?"
+
+"Let's go and have luncheon somewhere," answered Silvia, "and I'll tell
+you all about it."
+
+"No," said the newspaper woman, "I have to interview a Mrs. Somebody or
+other who has just come to town to teach us how to connect our trolleys
+with psychic wires, or our subliminal minds with ethereal vibrations.
+She's stopping at the Buckingham, and if you want to take me out there
+I'll be glad of the lift, for I'm short on time, and we can talk on the
+way."
+
+"Surely, I'll take you gladly," Silvia answered, giving the directions
+to the chauffeur, "and since I've wasted so much of your afternoon, I'll
+send back for you, and have you taken to the office if you're going
+there, or to your own hotel, unless you'll come and dine with me; I'm
+alone to-night."
+
+"Thank you," Miss Renner answered; "I would be glad to get back home,
+for I've a wretched headache; not that I'm particularly comfortable
+there, for it's been abominably warm the last few days."
+
+Silvia gave a sigh of relief. "Has it? Well, that makes it easier for me
+to ask a favor of you. But first tell me, Carroll, are you
+timid--nervous?"
+
+"Do you mean am I given to 'seein' things at night'?" Carroll asked. "I
+don't know how it will be after I have my seance with Mrs. Whoever-it-is
+I'm going to see, but when I'm reasonably abstemious I'm not given to
+ingrowing nerves. What do you want me to do?"
+
+"I want you to go and live in what was Mrs. Bell's home. I had paid the
+rent for her up to the end of October, and after her death I took charge
+of the place. Of course, I couldn't send Alice back there, but I went
+and got her clothes and toys and I've been there a number of times. I
+had a new lock put on, and have taken a maid there and kept it in order,
+so all you'll have to do will be to send up your trunk."
+
+"Certainly I'll go," Carroll answered soberly, "but what do you expect
+to gain by it? Of course you have a motive."
+
+"Yes," answered the other woman, "I have, but it isn't the sort of thing
+one can speak of, except in the closest confidence. I haven't mentioned
+it even to Frank Earl, whose interest in this case is at least as great
+as mine, and you mustn't. I haven't been practicing law so very long,
+but I've heard that all lawyers, who are really worth while, are
+superstitious about talking over a case before it goes to trial. They
+don't tell their clients more than a bare outline, and I believe it is
+true, for surely I've found myself more fanciful than I ever was before.
+The day before Mrs. Bell was found dead in her room she wrote to Alice;
+it was a very short letter, and she excused herself by saying that she
+was very tired, having written me a long letter. Naturally, Alice showed
+me the letter, and I remarked at the time that it was strange mine
+hadn't come by the same mail. Then after the tragedy it slipped my mind
+for a day or so, and when I made inquiries it had not been received, or
+if it had, the servants said it was forwarded to me here. I made more
+inquiries, but nothing could be found in my office, though there was a
+bunch of mail from Nutwood. The longer I thought of it the more anxious
+I became to find that letter, and when I was employed in this case it
+seemed to me absolutely imperative that I should do so. I have seen all
+the postal authorities here who could have any knowledge of the letter,
+or its possible disposition, and have written to Washington, but all in
+vain. I am sure it would clear up several matters that are troubling me
+greatly."
+
+"Couldn't the letter have been returned to Mrs. Bell's apartment,
+through some error in the address? She would not have mailed an
+important letter without the return address," said Carroll practically.
+
+"That was my idea exactly, so when it didn't come I looked for it there;
+several letters addressed to her had been delivered, but there was no
+sign of this one. Now, I can't tell why, but I feel as if I want
+somebody in that house. Was there ever anything more utterly
+unreasonable than that? I wouldn't dare tell any one but you; I can't
+explain it, but neither can I rid myself of the feeling, and I was going
+to seek you, to ask if you will undertake this for me. All I want is
+that you shall put in whatever time you spend in your own apartment
+there. Nothing may come of it, but you have no idea what a relief it
+will be to me if you will not be too much inconvenienced, and you have
+no dread of the rather morbid associations."
+
+"I'll do it," Carroll answered. "There are too many other people in the
+building for me to be afraid of anything alive, and as for the
+dead--well, I shouldn't be afraid of her either. I can't tell you why,
+but I believe this is a good move." She gave a little shiver. "I hope
+the new lock is a strong one, Silvia; I should hate to have the murderer
+come back to the scene of his crime."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+DR. EARL IS INDICTED FOR MURDER
+
+
+The grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. John Earl for the
+murder of Mrs. Emma Bell. There could be but one grade of homicide in
+this kind of a case, and he was accordingly charged with murder in the
+first degree and his trial was set for Tuesday of the following week.
+
+Frank came to see him early Saturday morning. "The neighbors of Mrs.
+Bell will be at the trial in full force to tell of your daily visits
+there at all sorts of ungodly hours. Their gossip indicates that they
+believe you had a very serious affair on with her, and this, together
+with the claim of the surgeons that you botched the operation on the
+child's leg, furnishes a fairly powerful motive for the crime, at least
+in the public mind. Jack," he asked, with a mixture of doubt and
+anxiety, "did you really have an affair with her?"
+
+"Nonsense, Frank, nonsense," answered his brother. "It is true that I
+went there at rather unusual hours; I was pretty busy, and when I found
+she was in the habit of sitting up until after midnight I used to drop
+in there when I was through for the day. I don't think I ever went there
+later than nine-thirty or ten, and I seldom stayed more than fifteen or
+twenty minutes. Later on I was, and I still am, greatly worried about
+the child. Of course my operation didn't produce tuberculosis; that is
+silly, but it serves the purposes of jealous rivals. When I found this
+tubercular condition developing I asked her mother a great many
+questions; it seemed to me so improbable that it should have occurred
+when the child was really having better care than usual, judging from
+their surroundings, that I sought to learn whether it was not a
+recurrence of some trouble she had apparently outgrown, and from her
+mother's answers I think there is absolutely no doubt that this is true.
+You will readily see, under the circumstances, that I did not time my
+visits watch in hand, but the charge of a _liaison_ there would be
+ridiculous were it not so vulgar and malicious. There was some sort of
+a tragedy in the woman's life, but I have no idea whatever as to its
+nature."
+
+"With your handwriting on both the outside and inside of the package,
+your intimate relations with the family, the complications of this
+surgical case, the fact that you were practically in Boston at the time
+the package was mailed, and the total lack of suspicion of any one
+else," said Frank, checking the indictments off on his fingers, "they
+have a fairly convincing case against you, old man, and if you know
+anything that can break these theories down now is the time to divulge
+it."
+
+"Naturally, if there were anything of the kind you imply, it would be
+easier for me to discuss it with you than with my leading counsel," his
+brother replied, "but equally, of course, in such a case, I should not
+have employed a woman to defend me; certainly not such a rabid feminist
+as Miss Holland. I have told her all I know, all I can conjecture, but
+candidly, Frank, I fear she is greatly worried over the outcome. I know
+the difficulty in overcoming gossip and prejudice and jealousy, and if
+that cannot be done I fear I must pay the penalty of being the target of
+their shafts. Crushing as that is, there is one haunting thought that
+is even more intolerable," he concluded.
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"That the last thought of that unhappy woman was that I sent the candied
+fruit. She may have realized in that brief second of time that it caused
+her death. I hope to prove my innocence to the world, but she has passed
+beyond the reach of proof."
+
+"She has also passed beyond the need of it," answered his brother
+quickly. "Why don't you comfort yourself with the thought that, no
+matter who else may be deceived, wherever she is, she knows the truth?"
+
+There had been something akin to despair in his voice, and Frank noticed
+how trouble had deepened the lines in his face. "Brace up, old fellow,"
+he said huskily. "We'll get a line on something before we go to trial."
+
+Dr. Earl did not see Leonora or hear from her directly again after their
+interview, but the Sunday following the announcement that Miss Holland
+had been employed to defend him, an item appeared in the society columns
+of the New York papers stating that their engagement had been
+terminated. He sighed when he read it, whether from sorrow or relief he
+could scarcely have told himself. But he fully realized at this time
+that the vital heart-beats of genuine love are not always inspired by
+plighted troth, neither is the latter always a product of the former,
+and he marveled at his own lack of understanding in so readily accepting
+a superficial substitute for the real article. The Ramseys gave every
+evidence of their devotion, seeing him daily, and there were not wanting
+a few staunch friends, and numerous former patients showed their
+loyalty, but as the day of his trial approached he found himself
+thinking more and more of the four devoted souls who had done and would
+do all for him that was humanly possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A GREAT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS
+
+
+Although the court officials had taken the precaution to admit
+spectators only by cards issued from the sheriff's office, the famous
+old room in the Criminal Courts Building was jammed to its very doors at
+the opening of the trial of Dr. John Earl for the murder of Mrs. Emma
+Bell, for it must be remembered sheriffs are elected by popular vote and
+have friends in all walks of life. So there were business men and street
+urchins, ladies of fashion and washerwomen, members of the learned
+professions and hoboes, scholars and draymen, students of psychology and
+the merely curious, advocates in frock-coats and counsellors in jackets,
+attracted by the ever-living fascination of seeing a human being
+fighting for his life, with the added interest in this case of the
+novelty of seeing that fight made by a woman attorney.
+
+Many tragic memories cling to this old room. Here other doctors had
+been convicted and sentenced to the electric chair for sending poison
+through the mails. Here more ordinary individuals had been acquitted by
+displaying more skill in the transaction than had been shown by the
+doctors. Here had been tried all sorts of murder cases, with all sorts
+of defenses, from self-preservation with an ax to the irresponsibility
+of a brain-storm. From that old-fashioned witness chair, on its high
+platform, enough tales of tragedy had been told, if bound in books, to
+fill a good-sized library; enough tears had been shed to atone for a
+thousand crimes; enough pathos shown to have broken a million hearts;
+enough perjury committed to substantiate David's somewhat sweeping
+assertion.
+
+From that high perch against the wall had emanated the technical
+rulings, or the broad principles of justice that had made society
+tremble for its safety, or caused it to repose in security.
+
+From that old counsel's table some of the greatest lawyers of the world
+had measured steel in weird combats over sending human souls into the
+mysterious Beyond.
+
+On this day, the district attorney sat at one side of the table, with
+his assistants, grave, severe, determined-looking officers of the law.
+On the other side sat a beautiful young woman, with luminous eyes, a
+spirituelle countenance, but a firm and earnest manner and perfect
+poise. Behind her sat the younger brother of the prisoner. At her side
+was the prisoner himself, grave in mien, courageous in bearing,
+collected in deportment. Back of them were Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. Among
+the witnesses for the defense was Dr. Morris, saturnine, mocking,
+indifferent.
+
+Thus organized society arrayed itself against a portion of its own
+elements. Thus organized society spoke through the cold impassiveness of
+its own laws, while its elements spoke through personal emotions and
+human passions. Thus organized society appealed to itself to protect
+itself, while its elements appealed for human kindness and universal
+charity.
+
+Such is the situation in every criminal trial.
+
+It took three days to obtain a jury of proper qualification and
+sufficient disinterestedness to satisfy both sides. All the other
+lawyers watched with interest the methods employed by the "woman lawyer"
+in asking her _voir dire_ questions and in exercising her right to
+challenge, and most of them agreed that she asked no useless questions
+and showed rare judgment in her peremptory challenges.
+
+The next day on the convening of court the district attorney outlined
+his case with circumstantial detail. He related in spectacular fashion
+the first meeting of Dr. Earl and the Bells at the suffrage ball, and
+dwelt insinuatingly upon the interest manifested by Dr. Earl in the
+child at the time of the accident. Either inadvertently, or by design,
+he referred in slighting tones to the part played at this meeting by the
+"volunteer nurse," but his sentence was never completed, for Silvia
+addressed the Court.
+
+"May it please the Court," she said--and her manner was unmistakable--"I
+have no right, and neither do I intend, to complain of any respectful
+reference made to me during the course of this trial, either as an
+individual, or as an attorney for this defendant, but I shall insist now
+and hereafter that I must be referred to with the respect and
+consideration due my, as yet, unsullied membership in the legal
+profession and my reputation as a private citizen."
+
+There was no opportunity for a ruling by the Court, for the district
+attorney promptly disclaimed any intention of disrespect, and begged
+her pardon for any words susceptible of such construction. It was
+evident that her interruption produced a most favorable impression upon
+Court, jury and spectators, and if any came to scoff at the weakness of
+the "woman attorney" they remained to admire the strength of the female
+advocate. The district attorney continued, warmed into greater
+determination to make a lasting impression upon the jury as to the guilt
+of the defendant.
+
+He followed Dr. Earl on his numerous visits to the Bell home; dwelt upon
+the unusual hour of many of them; agreed to prove more than ordinary
+intimacy between Mrs. Bell and the defendant; showed the defects in his
+surgery and the terrible results, which promised permanently to cripple
+the child; exhibited the handwriting upon the box and placed beside it
+the handwriting of Dr. Earl to undisputed legal documents; stated that
+the defense would scarcely claim that the handwriting was not his;
+asserted that they had positive proof that Dr. Earl had purchased a box
+of candied fruit of the exact size and character of this box just prior
+to the time it was mailed, and that Dr. Earl was in Boston at the time
+of the mailing of the package.
+
+From his recital it was clear that much thorough detective work had been
+done in the case for the State.
+
+"Now, gentlemen of the jury, as to the motive," he went on. "A powerful
+incentive existed for the commission of this crime. Dr. Earl had been
+engaged for some time to marry into one of the most prominent and
+wealthy families in this city and the wedding was to have taken place
+this month. The advertisement that followed his spectacular professional
+performance at the suffrage ball brought him an enormous practice. To
+have the public learn that this piece of surgery upon which his
+reputation was based was in reality a case of malpractice meant ruin. To
+have his married life disturbed by the appearance of a wronged woman
+meant destruction to his domestic happiness, so he planned that the
+poison should be sent to wipe out this family on the eve of his wedding
+and before any damage had been done him in either of these directions.
+You must confess it was a skillful job. Only one piece of poisoned fruit
+in the box, and that so arranged as not to disturb its contents. Whether
+mother or daughter got this piece of candied fruit first, the other was
+doomed, for a kiss from those dying lips would have conveyed a like
+fate, so powerful was this solution. The only thing that thwarted his
+nefarious purpose to kill them both was the absence of the child, who
+was in the country, a fact entirely unknown to Dr. Earl."
+
+This and much more of like import furnished the closing portion of his
+statement to the jury, and when he finished it was apparent that his
+recital had made a deep impression upon every person in the courtroom.
+The atmosphere was charged with serious import to Dr. Earl.
+
+His sister had moved closer to him and was holding his hand. Her husband
+came nearer, and Frank turned and gave him a reassuring glance. His
+expressive face showed deep concern rather than worry.
+
+As soon as the district attorney resumed his seat Silvia arose and
+deathlike stillness fell upon the courtroom. "With your permission, your
+honor, I will reserve my statement of defense until the State has closed
+its case."
+
+"Certainly, that is your privilege," replied the Judge.
+
+Then there was a buzz of excited whispering. "What does it mean?" "Is
+she afraid to state her defense after that terrific arraignment of the
+defendant?" "Oh, there comes in the timidity of woman!" said an old and
+skilled criminal lawyer. "Does she not realize that it is a fatal
+evidence of weakness not to state a defense at the opening of the
+trial?"
+
+But the district attorney had called his first witness and the bailiff
+rapped loudly for order. For three days the State put witness after
+witness on the stand and by expert medical testimony, by toxicologists,
+by direct and inferential testimony, the district attorney more than
+proved the case which he had outlined to the jury.
+
+That the child was probably permanently crippled from tuberculosis of
+the knee and that the tuberculosis resulted from faulty surgery was the
+opinion of the three surgical experts called upon that point, but upon
+cross-examination Silvia forced each of them to admit that it was
+possible that a former tubercular condition had recurred. She also
+forced the unwilling admission that so far as the fracture of the leg
+was concerned the bones had knit perfectly. The most damaging testimony
+was that of a neighbor woman, who had overheard Mrs. Bell exclaim to
+herself on the very day of the poisoning, "I will force him to marry me
+or I will kill him!"
+
+Pressed on cross-examination as to what she saw as well as heard, she
+related how she had passed Mrs. Bell's door, which was open, and had
+seen Mrs. Bell with a document of some kind in one hand and a pen in the
+other, and had heard her utter this exclamation. When asked why she
+assumed that the statement must refer to Dr. Earl, she replied with some
+feeling that no other man had been seen around the apartment since Mrs.
+Bell moved in, the first of April.
+
+A young woman, a clerk in Thompson's candy store in Boston, identified
+Dr. Earl as the purchaser of a box of candied fruit a few days before
+the poisoning. On cross-examination she said it was a box of identical
+proportions with the one marked "Exhibit A." Silvia asked her if the
+boxes from their store did not always bear the firm name on the lid and
+she admitted that they did, and swore that the one purchased by Dr. Earl
+had the firm name on the outside of the lid in gilt letters. Then Silvia
+showed her the box which had contained the poisoned fruit and asked her
+to state on oath whether or not that was the box in which she had sold
+Dr. Earl the fruit and she declared that it was not. Then she asked her
+if Dr. Earl had purchased any loose pieces of fruit, and she testified
+that he had not.
+
+Silvia produced a box and asked the witness if it were not from the
+Thompson store. She answered that it was.
+
+"Did not Dr. Earl also purchase a box of pecans at the time that he
+bought the fruit and is not this the box in which the pecans were
+packed?" Silvia continued.
+
+The girl seemed to study for a few moments. "Yes, I do remember," she
+said, "he did buy a box of pecans the same day he bought the candied
+fruit and this box may have contained them, for it is from our store. I
+want to add, though, that I had forgotten about the nuts when the
+district attorney asked his questions here and when I was examined in
+Boston."
+
+"How did you happen to forget about the nuts and remember about the
+candied fruit?" asked Silvia.
+
+"There was nothing to recall the pecans to my mind until you mentioned
+them just now, but I remember that Dr. Earl bought them first and
+returned afterward and bought the fruit."
+
+On redirect examination the district attorney got an admission from the
+clerk that at several places in Boston, which she mentioned, boxes could
+be obtained without any name on the lid, but that the Thompson store
+never carried them.
+
+The testimony of this clerk that the box presented by the district
+attorney had not come from their store, was the only rift in the
+otherwise dense cloud of incriminating evidence for the State, and the
+prosecution closed its case with perceptible gloom hanging over every
+person connected with the defense, and the jury was grave of face, as
+men well may be who have the life of a fellow being in their hands.
+
+The prosecution closed at four-thirty and Silvia asked for an
+adjournment until morning to open her case. The request was granted, and
+New York spent the night wondering what the "woman lawyer" would do the
+next day. In the cafés, clubs, hotels, between acts in the theatres,
+little else was discussed, and the consensus of opinion was that she was
+doomed to defeat in this her first big trial.
+
+Progressive women grieved over the outlook, for it spelled much of
+disaster to the woman movement if she should be humiliatingly
+vanquished. Her friends championed her cause as best they could,
+vigorously, but not with the genuine enthusiasm they would like to have
+felt.
+
+New York had never before been so interested in a criminal trial.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A WOMAN AND SPOOKS FIND A LETTER
+
+
+The trial had been in progress some six days when the State rested its
+case. None of the family or friends of the defendant underestimated the
+impression created by the array of facts marshalled by the district
+attorney. The evidence, though wholly circumstantial, was nevertheless
+sinister and deadly.
+
+Hilda Ramsey, white and worn, kissed her brother with quivering lips and
+went out of the court leaning on her husband's arm, and making no
+pretense of concealing her suffering. Neither her belief in her
+brother's innocence, nor her confidence in Silvia's ability to prove it,
+could counteract the pain and humiliation of the past weeks. Ramsey
+wrung his brother-in-law's hand, and gave him a look more eloquent than
+words, and Frank bade him brace up. "'Thrice is he armed that hath his
+quarrel just,' you know, old fellow," he said, with a slap on the
+shoulder.
+
+There was a grayish pallor on Silvia's face as she gave her client her
+hand, but he was as composed and almost as cheerful as if he were but "a
+looker-on in Vienna" as he once more assured her and Frank of his entire
+confidence in a verdict of acquittal.
+
+"If you will pardon me," he said, looking at Silvia kindly, "I will
+change places with you and be the counsellor for a moment, and advise
+you to eat a good dinner of very simple things, then disconnect your
+telephone and go to bed and read Omar till you fall asleep; there are
+times when it is an immense comfort to remember that--
+
+    "'He that tossed you down into the Field,
+    _He_ knows about it all--He knows! He knows!'"
+
+His quiet voice acted like a tonic, and her face was full of gratitude
+as she bade him goodnight, and turned to confer with Frank. Carroll
+stood by the reporters' tables, irresolutely, until presently Silvia
+beckoned her. The two women exchanged looks which were enigmatical to
+Frank, but evidently perfectly intelligible to them, for Carroll turned
+away with a sound like a strangled sob, and the pall of weariness and
+depression which had lifted for a moment again settled over Silvia, now
+that there were no longer any prying or unfriendly eyes upon them.
+Without another word she turned and went down to her car. Frank waited
+until Carroll gathered up her "copy," and then they went out into the
+street together.
+
+"Why didn't you go home with Miss Holland?" he asked. "She looked as if
+she wanted you; I supposed she was going to ask you when she called you
+over."
+
+"Not she," answered the girl. "She knows better than to prepare for the
+great day of her life by gabbling half the night. Besides, I'm too blue
+to be of any use to her."
+
+"Anything happened?" he asked, too absorbed in his own affairs to give
+other matters more than perfunctory attention.
+
+"Yes," she said, vexation in her voice. "I've fallen down on an
+assignment, the biggest I've had since I came to New York, and I'm all
+broken up over it."
+
+He turned and looked at her, conscious of a sense of disappointment all
+out of proportion to the occasion. It was the first time he had ever
+known her to fail in comprehension or sympathy; that she could even
+remember, let alone obtrude, a small personal grievance of her own in
+the face of the tragedy that surrounded them, was so utterly out of
+keeping with her character that he looked at her in amazement, and it
+took him several minutes to control his voice so as to make the proper
+politely concerned query as to the demands of the city editor which had
+proved too much for her well-known ability.
+
+"It wasn't the city editor," she said, too unhappy to notice the icy
+timbre of his voice. "It's a good thing to disappoint them once in a
+while; keeps 'em from expecting you to outdo the labors of Hercules in
+time to beat the morning papers. No, it was something I was to do for
+Silvia, and I can't make good; at least I haven't, and I'm at the end of
+my resources."
+
+In spite of the fact that it was still broad daylight, and a crowded
+thoroughfare, Frank Earl stopped and gave her hand a cordial grip that
+made her wince. "You're all right," he said. "You're all right. Now
+let's go and have dinner."
+
+"Are you not going to the Ramseys'?" she asked, evidently taking it for
+granted that the family would wish to be together at such a time.
+
+"Oh, no," he answered. "Hilda will go straight to bed, poor girl; and
+Ramsey will sit beside her and dab cologne on her forehead, and after a
+while he'll coax her to eat a cracker and drink some tea, and he'll have
+his dinner right there beside her. You don't know the turtle-doves. I
+don't hanker for my own society to-night, but I shall have to put up
+with it unless you take pity on me."
+
+"I can't, Frank," she answered. "I simply can't eat when my mind is so
+upset; I'm going straight home."
+
+"And make _your_ supper on crackers and tea, I suppose," he said
+disgustedly. "Well, in that case, I'll go for a tramp and try to get rid
+of the cobwebs in my brain, and the stuffy air of that courtroom. I
+always feel as if twenty centuries of alleged justice, injustice and
+malpractice looked down upon me when I get into court; that's one reason
+why I'm no good as a trial lawyer. Here, isn't this your street?"
+
+"Yes, no--I don't live where I did any more just now," she answered
+lucidly. He stopped and looked at her and smiled in spite of every
+everything. "I've sent in my copy, and you can walk up with me, if you
+want to."
+
+They walked on in silence; Frank was evidently thinking deeply, and
+Carroll was following some weary round of conjecture for the thousandth
+time when she stopped at her number. Frank looked at it and then at her,
+startled out of his usual debonair manner for once.
+
+"Why--it is----"
+
+"Yes," she answered. "I've been living here for some time, but that
+wasn't for publication, so I kept my other room, and had my mail go
+there as usual. Silvia desired it."
+
+"She hasn't left any stone unturned," he said musingly. "I wonder what
+was in that letter!"
+
+"Oh, she has told you, then?" Carroll asked.
+
+"About Mrs. Bell's letter to her? Oh, yes, she told me to-night, just
+before you joined us; I thought you knew about it. Anyhow, it seems to
+be gone beyond recall. Don't you intend to invite me in? Well, of all
+the inhospitable persons! I'll see you in the morning," and lifting his
+hat he went on up the Avenue.
+
+Carroll climbed the two flights slowly and unlocked her door. The suite
+across the hall had been vacated by a superstitious tenant the week
+after the murder, and the family immediately below had moved away that
+morning. As Carroll closed the door behind her she was conscious of a
+sense of oppression. It was not fear, which is a simple, concrete
+emotion, easily understood; it was not even so subtle as dread of any
+abstract thing, ghost or goblin damned. She gave her shoulders a little
+shake, as if the sensation were some tangible thing to be thrown off,
+and laying aside her hat and gloves she went through to the buffet
+kitchen and put the kettle on. She returned to the sitting-room and
+looked about her uneasily, and then put on a house gown and slippers,
+and arranged her tea-tray. There were but four rooms in the apartment,
+in addition to the kitchenette, and but one of them offered much in the
+way of light or ventilation, so Carroll lived in the front room, as Emma
+Bell had lived there; she worked there, as Emma Bell had worked; she
+looked upon the same nondescript blue wall paper, and the few pictures
+that relieved its monotony. With some misty idea, similar to that of the
+French "_confrontation_," she had brought none of her own books or
+belongings to disturb the suggestion of the room as it had been. There
+were three large windows, through which the city lights were beginning
+to shine; under one of these and across that end of the room was a
+divan, covered with a bright rug; opposite and against the other wall
+was a desk, with a chair before it, and bookshelves, and a corner
+cupboard which held a plentiful supply of tea-things. Between the two
+windows nearest it was a tea-table, which evidently served a double
+purpose, for underneath was a basketful of neatly folded sewing. By the
+table was the high-armed mission rocking-chair in which the dead woman
+had been found. Opposite was the little sewing-chair, usually occupied
+by Alice when she and her mother had supper together at the table, which
+had been a gift of Silvia's. Evidently it had been a fancy of Mrs.
+Bell's to set the chair for the child before she opened the fatal box,
+and Carroll had kept both chairs in their relative positions. The
+doorway into the alcove bedroom was concealed by a portičre.
+
+There was nothing in the desk now but some of Carroll's writing
+materials; everything in the room had been ransacked at the time of its
+mistress' death, and Silvia had herself searched carefully for anything
+that might afford a possible clue. Sometimes she even thought that some
+one, possessing a key, had entered the place and removed all evidence
+while that ghastly witness still sat in the chair, for there were no
+letters, no papers, nothing. Immediately after going there to stay,
+Carroll had gone over the tiny place with systematic care. There was no
+upholstered furniture in which anything could have been concealed; even
+the divan was a rattan affair; there were only rugs upon the floors. The
+mattress revealed nothing, and though she laboriously examined every
+picture, there was nothing concealed back of them or within the frames.
+
+"Don't you think the letter was mailed?" Silvia asked her, and she had
+replied that while it probably had been, the chances were that a rough
+draft of it had been written, and preserved somewhere, and it was for
+this that she searched until it became evident that the slight resources
+of the flat were exhausted.
+
+It was rather a poor little place, woefully lacking in the closets and
+cubby-holes so dear to women, and yet, as Carroll sat there in the
+child's place, with her second cup of strong tea getting cold beside
+her, she found herself looking at the other chair expectantly, and the
+empty desk seemed watching her; she was resentfully conscious that
+everything in that room knew the truth, everything save its human
+occupant with her keen mind, her active brain. The hours passed and
+still she sat there, waiting, waiting. There were the usual noises,
+commonplace and mysterious, to be found in vacant houses, but about nine
+o'clock she became conscious that there were sounds in the recently
+vacated flat below. Evidently the family had come back for some last
+articles which they had left behind. They were a quiet old couple with
+whom Carroll had exchanged greetings now and then on the stairs; the old
+lady had told her they were going to live with their daughter. Carroll
+roused herself and lit the gas, and a little while later there came a
+tap at the door. She was frightened for a second, the sound was so
+unexpected, and then with a laugh at her foolishness she went to the
+door and opened it, revealing an old man, her neighbor from the floor
+below. He held a rather heavy package in his arms, and explained, rather
+shamefacedly, that they had no high-chair, and when their little
+grandchild was brought to visit them Mrs. Bell had been accustomed to
+lend them her big dictionary. "Not bein' literary she didn't need it,
+and the very afternoon of the day she died I came up to borrow it, same
+as usual; she had stepped out, but the door was ajar, and the
+dictionary lying right on the end of the divan, so I took it, and when I
+brought it back after supper I couldn't get in, and after the trouble my
+wife wrapped it up and put it away for safe-keeping, Miss, and forgot it
+till we come to move," he finished breathlessly.
+
+He put the package on the divan, and Carroll talked with him a few
+moments longer, and then locked the door upon his retreating form and
+went to the window, and stood there, looking out, yet seeing nothing. It
+was beginning to rain, and the cool, damp air was pleasant, but she
+shivered and turned back to the room that still kept its silent
+mistress' secret, as she had kept it, even in death. The little clock on
+the mantel struck ten, and there was a quick, light step on the stair,
+and a brisk knock at her door. As she opened it, Frank stood there,
+shaking the drops of water from his hat.
+
+"I've had my walk," he said, "I've got over my gloom; I've lost my
+grouch, but I still have my appetite with me. Now come on, like a good
+fellow, and let's have supper."
+
+"Oh, go away, Frank," she said, almost crying with vexation. "I was
+almost on the verge of something when you came."
+
+"That's what I thought," he said cheerfully. "I said, 'She'll drink a
+pint of strong tea and sit there in the dark until the rugs begin to
+wiggle and the wall paper glowers at her.' You're on the verge of
+nervous prostration; that's what you're on the verge of, and nothing
+else. Now come along, or have I got to come over there and make you?" He
+noticed her negligee. "Put on your frock, and I'll wait, but hurry."
+
+"It's raining," she demurred, "and I haven't my raincoat here."
+
+"I brushed by one in the hall," he said, and stepping back he lifted
+down a somewhat shabby gray raincoat and flung it toward her. She picked
+it up, and slipped it on. It was large, but still she could wear it, and
+while she stood in the middle of the room hesitating, she slipped her
+hands into the capacious pockets.
+
+"Well?" demanded Frank impatiently.
+
+The girl did not answer, but stood staring ahead of her. Slowly she
+raised her left hand, pressing the thumb between her eyebrows, and
+taking the right hand from the raincoat pocket, she stretched it out,
+the fingers groping uncertainly. She turned so white that the young man
+in the doorway stared, frightened, yet under a spell that forbade his
+moving. Suddenly the trembling, questioning hand grew rigid, and
+without an instant's hesitation she turned and walked to the divan, and
+laid her hand upon the bundle.
+
+"It is here, Frank," she said quietly. "Turn up the light, and cut this
+cord."
+
+He did so, and as the paper fell away from the dictionary, she opened
+the heavy volume and their eyes fell upon a large manila envelope
+plainly addressed to "Miss Silvia Holland, City Investment Building, New
+York." The girl laid her hand upon it.
+
+"Wait a minute; let me tell you what happened," she said. "When the
+postman came she gave him the letter for Alice, and he gave her the box.
+She didn't give him this letter because she hadn't stamps enough--see,
+it has but one--or perhaps she meant to use it as a threat; there was
+somebody who had a motive for killing her. The woman across the hall
+called her and she slipped this envelope into the dictionary and went
+out, leaving her door open; old Mr. Dillon came up and got the book;
+he's just been telling me about it. They never opened it, and after her
+body was found--Mrs. Bell's, I mean--his wife was so upset that she went
+to her daughter, and they forgot it entirely until to-night. When Mrs.
+Bell came back, she opened the package the postman had given her, and
+she never had a chance to miss anything after that."
+
+She lifted her hand, and Frank picked up the envelope and looked at it
+and then at her.
+
+"I believe you have solved the mystery," he said, "and that all you have
+not learned will be revealed when Silvia opens this envelope. Oh, this
+is wonderful, Carroll! I'll get a taxi, and we'll go to her at once."
+
+"I wouldn't," said the girl. "It'll be nearly midnight by the time we
+can get there, and if it is bad news--which it isn't--there's nothing
+she can do to-night, and if it is good--and I am sure it is, for us at
+least--it can wait until morning. Whichever it is, she needs a night's
+sleep before she faces any new complication."
+
+She took the envelope and looked at it again, and then at Frank Earl.
+With a little laugh she clutched it to her bosom, and holding out the
+other hand to him, she said, "Now, I'm ready to go to the kitchen and
+cook anything there is to be found in this section of New York!"
+
+"Carroll," he said, humbly, "would you mind if I proposed to you once
+more? We seem to need you in our family."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+SILVIA HOLLAND'S GREAT PLEA TO THE JURY
+
+
+Hours before court time the next morning an immense crowd packed the
+streets around the building, and when the doors were opened it was
+useless to attempt the enforcement of the ticket rule. When the court
+convened the space outside the rail was jammed with a crowd that
+threatened to overflow the space inside which was reserved for members
+of the legal profession, witnesses, and the family of the defendant. It
+was an orderly crowd, however, and the tension of silence was so
+complete that it held them in a kind of paralysis of attention when the
+gavel fell and the stentorian voice of the bailiff called his "Hear ye."
+As soon as he sat down the Court recognized Silvia. She took her place
+at the end of the counsel table with a few papers within reach. The
+district attorney noticed with satisfaction that they were very few. She
+was gowned in pure white, and her hair rippled back from her broad
+forehead, and with head proudly erect and with easy, natural pose, she
+faced the jury, which gave her instant and absorbed attention. She spoke
+slowly, deliberately, and her soft, musical voice was heard distinctly
+in every corner of the courtroom.
+
+"Gentlemen of the Jury: Human life is the greatest mystery in a universe
+of mystery. It springs into existence with the knowledge of the ages
+coursing through its sensibilities and inherently possessing all of the
+passion and prejudice of countless centuries. Where it started none of
+us knows. Where the ęons ahead of us destine it to end none of us can
+tell. Deliberately to blot from this earth and its service that which
+comes into the world so divinely equipped with knowledge and inspiration
+requires both sublime courage and indescribable depravity; sublime
+courage to invite the hostility of the vast, complicated, mysterious
+forces that are embodied in a human life, however humble it may be;
+indescribable depravity to destroy the most useful and the most
+beautiful product of this earth.
+
+"Yet the statute in this and other American States for the punishment of
+those who take human life is made to apply but to a fraction of those
+guilty of such offense. The individual who shoots or otherwise takes the
+life of another is always prosecuted and generally punished. The
+association, whose culpable neglect of the ordinary dictates of humanity
+in making its employees safe, is not even prosecuted for factory girls
+destroyed in a fire, for miners entombed in the earth, for passengers
+and trainmen hurled to their death that dividends may be wrung from soft
+roadbeds and rotten rails, for excursion boats so built as to prevent
+the saving of passengers in case of accident; and what must be said of
+those economic and social conditions that drive thousands to
+self-destruction every year and that destroy all Christian and political
+ideals, the proper development of which would preclude the possibility
+of crime!
+
+"You, gentlemen, represent the collected society of which I am a part,
+and the fact is worth your consideration at least, that under the system
+of woman parasitism, dependence, and, in a way, slavery, the rugged
+qualities of strength of purpose, of womanly self-reliance, of
+constantly expanding mental and moral natures that so distinguished our
+foremothers, and which mean so much to the character of children, which
+in turn mean so much to the character of the citizen and the nation,
+have largely disappeared.
+
+"In every consideration of crime, its cause should be of interest to
+those who represent the State. I am not seeking to minimize or palliate
+or excuse whatever crime may have been committed in this case, but
+_that_ society which is seeking its own safety and perpetuity cannot too
+strongly be urged to beware of the universal menace to its existence, as
+well as to guard against those individuals that war only against
+individuals. So I appeal to you in this case, if crime there be, to deal
+with the perpetrator of such crime with all due justice, but with that
+mercy and consideration which these thoughts may suggest, and which we
+owe to the weaker members of society.
+
+"Whatever crime was committed in this case sprang from the old order of
+our existence, which is rapidly passing away; it was nurtured in that
+soil which most of us cultivate too much, and which produces envy,
+malice, hatred, uncharitableness and other destructive and despoiling
+human traits. I have no quarrel with the character of the testimony with
+which it is sought to convict the defendant, for circumstantial
+evidence is the most reliable, the most convincing, the least subject to
+perjury of any evidence recognized by the law, and, as I shall undertake
+to demonstrate to you, it is absolutely unassailable when each link of
+the chain fits perfectly in every other one. I am not unmindful of the
+very strong case which the district attorney has made against the
+defendant, and it may be that his contention is the correct one. That is
+a matter for you to determine."
+
+There was a little stir in the courtroom at this extraordinary
+statement, and Hilda looked at her husband and then at her brother and
+the hot flush of resentment dyed her white face to the hair.
+
+"The motive of malpractice on the child," Silvia went on evenly, "and a
+troublesome _liaison_ with the mother do, indeed, seem to be powerful,
+but what can be said for those motives when I prove to your entire
+satisfaction that the setting of this fracture and the subsequent
+treatment and final results are among some of the best ever attending
+such cases in this large city; that the tuberculosis of the knee is the
+recurrence of a disease which had attacked the child five years before
+in the glands of the neck and which broke forth afresh in the knee
+because of her low physical condition and the immediate injury to the
+knee; that what I shall present will so conclusively prove the
+impossibility of a _liaison_ between Dr. Earl and Mrs. Bell that there
+cannot even remain the suspicion of such a thing?
+
+"The mystery of her support since last April I alone can clear up with
+checks and other evidence so convincing in character as to leave no
+doubt. It is embarrassing but necessary to bring myself as a witness
+into this trial. I found this poor woman with a great and secret sorrow,
+not knowing how to earn a living and by industrial independence develop
+the best qualities of her nature, and I undertook to teach her
+self-reliance and to lead her into the new life of social and economic
+freedom. Had she been thus trained from girlhood this tragedy would have
+been impossible, and her life would have been full of beauty, for I have
+never known a sweeter character. In the meantime I loaned--not gave, but
+loaned her the money to live upon. She would have resented a gift. She
+was making splendid progress with her fine sewing, and would soon have
+been independent of any financial aid. But the sorrow which hung over
+her, and which all this time was and still is a mystery to me, seemed
+to dominate her life, as I will presently show you.
+
+"It was the ghost of the old environment, of the old parasitical age,
+when women were so easily enslaved with the promise of idle luxury and
+transient caresses, stalking into the midst of a nobler effort and
+beckoning her backward while yet the understanding and courage were not
+sufficiently seasoned. Later I shall go into these things more fully.
+
+"I will prove to you by the proper Federal officials that, owing to a
+change of design by the government, the ten-cent stamps on this package,
+bearing this particular vignette, could only be purchased in three or
+four post-offices in the United States for several months before and at
+the time the package was mailed, and the only place east of the
+post-office at St. Louis was in Providence, Rhode Island, and I shall
+also prove that the defendant has not been in Providence in four years.
+You will notice that stamps to the value of sixty cents were placed on
+the parcel, when half that amount would have been sufficient, showing
+that whoever mailed it did not care to have it officially weighed.
+
+"Another circumstance worthy your attention is that poisoning by
+hydrocyanic acid is so easily recognized that it has seldom been used
+for purposes of murder, except in cases where the person committing the
+crime felt safe as to his own identity, and desired to make it appear
+that some one else had done the deed."
+
+She paused in her recital and cast a glance at a large, muscular man,
+seated among a group of witnesses for the defense. He gave her an almost
+imperceptible nod in the affirmative, and she went on slowly and
+impressively:
+
+"What is more, gentlemen of the jury, this candied fruit was not
+purchased in Boston, but in Providence, and the person buying it
+insisted on a perfectly plain box, without any name upon it; he also
+bought several separate pieces of similar fruit."
+
+There was a buzz of excitement in the human hive, which the bailiff
+suppressed by a sharp rap of his gavel. Those who had caught the signal
+turned their eyes from Silvia to the large man, but there was nothing in
+his impassive demeanor to attract attention.
+
+The defendant and his family were evidently as much at sea as were the
+others in the courtroom as to the significance of these assertions, but
+the look of worry had entirely disappeared from the face of Dr. Earl.
+
+"It is true," she went on, "that I had taken the little girl to the
+country for a week when this awful crime was committed, but Dr. Earl
+knew nothing of this, and the evidence is already so clear as to need no
+further illumination that the person who sent the poisoned candy was
+aware of the fact that the child was not at home, and would not be for
+several days at least. So clear is it that Dr. Earl did not know the
+child was in the country that I will prove to you that he sent to her
+city address a box of pecans which were forwarded by her mother to the
+country, and I will offer in evidence the box in which they were sent.
+The person who mailed this box had designs on one victim only, and had
+the child been at home she would undoubtedly have been the one killed,
+for she would have been certain to receive the first piece. With all due
+deference to the learned district attorney, and while his theory is
+possible that a kiss given and received might have caused the death of
+the other, the probability is so remote that a person skilled in the
+knowledge of poisons and their effects, as Dr. Earl is, would scarcely
+have undertaken to poison two people in this clumsy and uncertain
+fashion, when the placing of two pieces of candied fruit instead of one
+on the top of the box was all that was necessary to insure the end
+desired."
+
+She paused again, and gave the large man another look, and then
+exhibited a card to the jury, which she had been holding in her hand
+from the beginning of her address.
+
+"No, gentlemen, the poison was intended for but one person, and that
+person partook of it," she said sadly and earnestly. She held a picture
+postal so the jury could see it. "This postcard, as you see, was sent to
+Mrs. Bell from Magnolia a few days before the crime occurred. It is
+dated August 5th; her death took place August 9th. Look at the address
+on this card, and at the message on the other side. Now let me show you
+a strange thing, which cannot be merely a coincidence."
+
+She took the outer layer of thin white paper that had wrapped the box,
+on which were the stamps and the address, and laid it over the same
+address on the card, and the length and formation of each letter were
+identical, the punctuation marks and the lines of shading were the same,
+on paper and card.
+
+"You see how this has been done," she said. "The address on the paper is
+written with an indelible pencil. Ink would have spread and blotted. We
+shall prove to you that the address on the box was copied by tracing
+from this identical card, as also were the closing words on the card
+with the initials which were traced on the paper that is pasted on the
+top of the box--'With best wishes to you and Alice. J. E.'"
+
+The district attorney protested to the Court against so much detail and
+proof going into an opening statement, and the Judge looked inquiringly
+at Silvia.
+
+"I know I am pursuing an unusual course," she replied, "but I promise
+your honor, and also the honorable district attorney, that I will not
+abuse my privilege, and if you gentlemen will bear with me I am certain
+that I shall be able to render a distinct service to the State."
+
+The Judge had followed her carefully, and being one of those wearers of
+the ermine who believe that substantial justice rather than technical
+results should be the aim of courts in criminal trials, said to the
+district attorney, "I am certain that Miss Holland fully understands the
+rules of procedure in this court and will adhere to them as strictly as
+the nature of her defense will permit. If I think she is overstepping
+them, I will stop her."
+
+Silvia gave another glance at the large man. His eyes were on the little
+group by his side at the time, but the silence caused him to turn to her
+again, and after another affirmative nod she resumed.
+
+"It is difficult for me to cause pain to anything that lives. I feel
+that the ant, with its wonderful little organism, is as much entitled to
+the uses and joys of this dear old world as I am. When I enlisted in
+this case it was to defend a man whom I felt certain was innocent, not
+to bring any other person to the bar of justice, and even now, if I
+could clear the fair name of my client from the remotest suspicion of
+ever having thought of this crime, without injury to another, I should
+much prefer to do so. Not that I am unmindful of my duty as a citizen,
+but I am more conscious of the tenderer feelings that are of necessity
+appealed to in such a case.
+
+"When in the discharge of my duty I found suspicious footprints leading
+elsewhere I spent hours determining what course I should pursue in this
+complicated situation. The sequel will give all of you, in the jury box
+and in this courtroom, an opportunity to decide whether my course has
+been the right one. God knows I have prayed to be shown another way, but
+I could discover none."
+
+She paused, and the tears were glistening in her eyes and her voice
+trembled, but she regained her self-control at once.
+
+"Before I did aught else, I had two skilled detectives watch the
+suspected person; their observations were all too convincing. It was
+Eugene Aram again telling his dream to the child, but this time the
+guilt was acted.
+
+    "Then down I cast me on my face,
+      And first began to weep,
+    For I knew my secret then was one
+      That earth refused to keep:
+    Or land or sea, though he should be
+      Ten thousand fathoms deep.
+
+    "So wills the fierce, avenging sprite,
+      Till blood for blood atones!
+    Ay, though he's buried in a cave,
+      And trodden down with stones,
+    And years have rotted off his flesh--
+      The world shall see his bones!"
+
+Once more the tears shone in her eyes, tears that were the only
+consolation one wretched soul in that courtroom was ever to know, but
+she dashed them away impatiently.
+
+"To prevent injustice, and possible injury, the suspected man has been
+kept under surveillance ever since."
+
+Again there was a murmur of voices over the courtroom, and Frank, who
+had entered hastily, just after she began her address, called her
+attention to a large envelope which he laid on the table before her. She
+looked at him, and then at the envelope, and gave an involuntary start
+of surprise and a hastily stifled exclamation. "The missing letter!" she
+said, under her breath, and hastily tore it open, and glanced at the
+first and last pages, while the bailiff restored order.
+
+"I must beg your honor's indulgence," she said, "for a few moments. This
+letter contains information of vital importance, and as your honor sees,
+it has just come into my hands."
+
+The Judge granted her request, and while she hastily read the document,
+the excited murmur swelled again in spite of the glaring bailiff. In a
+few minutes she turned to the Judge.
+
+"Your honor," she said, "this is a letter to me written by Mrs. Bell
+only a few hours before her death; I can easily prove her handwriting,
+and in any event, it is sworn to before a notary. The matter contained
+therein will end this trial. That I can use it as part of the _res
+gesta_, I have no doubt. I will submit it to the district attorney and
+ask him to examine it, and then give it to your honor. In the interest
+of justice and my client I would like to read it to the jury at this
+time."
+
+She handed the letter to the district attorney, and while he read it she
+seated herself and conferred with Frank. "Where in the world did you get
+it?" she asked.
+
+"Carroll and spooks," he began, and then went on more seriously, "but
+where on earth did you hide yourself? We have been madly tearing around
+New York, and telephoning all over the adjacent territory in a wild
+endeavor to find you and get this into your hands. I'm not going to tell
+you about the letter itself; that's Carroll's story. We've been to the
+Studios, and everywhere else we thought there was a possibility of
+finding you, and waited at your office until the last minute in the hope
+that you'd come there."
+
+"I spent the night at Nutwood, making a last search for the letter," she
+said. "It was only a chance, but I felt that I couldn't give it up.
+This morning I motored down, and we had some delay, so that I had to
+come directly here. But it's all right."
+
+The Judge finished reading the letter, and called Silvia to the bench,
+where they held a whispered conversation with the district attorney,
+glancing once or twice toward the little group of witnesses where the
+large man sat. Then Silvia returned to her seat, and the district
+attorney gave some hurried directions to a deputy, who immediately left
+the room, while the Judge gave whispered instructions to a bailiff, who
+stationed himself at the general entrance.
+
+"You may read the letter, Miss Holland," said the Judge, and the tension
+in the courtroom grew almost intolerable as she rose, holding the letter
+in shaking hands, and began reading:
+
+"'NEW YORK, August 9.
+
+"'MY DEAR MISS HOLLAND:
+
+"'The secret I have longed and yet hesitated to tell you must now be
+disclosed. Of course my trouble has been caused by a man, a man whom I
+have known a long time and loved too well. He was here day before
+yesterday and we had a stormy interview--which he says shall be the
+last. For a long time his manner has been changed toward me, and for the
+last few months he has neglected me. He didn't seem to like it when I
+got acquainted with you, or when you paid so much attention to Allie; he
+said he didn't see what you wanted of her, and asked me how you came to
+take her to the country and when she would be back, and wanted to know
+if I had told you or Dr. Earl of my relations with him. I said certainly
+not, and when I reproached him for not coming to see me he said he
+couldn't come here. Since Allie was hurt, I have only met him a few
+times. Sometimes I have been happy when I was with him, for I loved, and
+I love him, better than my life, but I have not wanted to deceive you,
+and every day the old life has grown harder to bear. I think I have
+always believed that he would marry me, as he promised in the beginning,
+until this summer. Now I see that, more than he has deceived me, I have
+deceived myself, as every woman deceives herself when she forgets the
+honor of the present for promises that are to be redeemed in the future.
+
+"'I had made up my mind to break away from this life and try to begin
+over again; you had shown me the way, and I saw the means by which I
+could support myself and Allie, and not be beholden to him. God knows I
+never wanted to take his money, and when it was grudgingly given it was
+worse than gall and wormwood to have to ask him for it. I did not mean
+to see him any more, for when I look into his face I forget everything
+except the days when he did love me. I meant to tear him out of my
+heart, and devote my life to Allie.
+
+"'And then, Miss Holland, I made the discovery that has made me
+desperate, the one discovery that tells a woman she is helpless, and
+that not only her whole future, but that of another, depend upon the
+whim of a man. I demanded that he should keep his promise; I will not
+permit a child of mine to go through the world bearing the brand of
+illegitimacy, and I told him so plainly. Perhaps I was wrong to lose my
+temper and threaten him, but I am half mad. I told him I might bear the
+blame, and the pain, but that if he allowed me to go through this
+dreadful time alone that he should share the shame, if I dragged him
+through the courts to fasten it on him.
+
+"'I don't wonder much that he was infuriated with me, or that he
+threatened to kill me if I didn't let him alone. He said he hadn't the
+money to give me all I needed, but if I would be sensible and not make a
+fuss and a scandal, when he married the rich woman he expected to win
+that he would give me a fortune ample for myself and my children for the
+balance of my life. I think it was the thought of his marrying another
+woman when my child was coming into the world fatherless that made me
+beside myself, but I could not bear it and I said some dreadful things.
+
+"'Now, I want to know what I can do, or if there is any law to defend a
+woman who makes a mistake; if there is, I know you will find it. I am
+going to swear to this, so you will know that I am in earnest, and will
+not back out like so many women do.
+
+"'One other thing I think I ought to tell you. While we were talking he
+picked up the postal Dr. Earl sent me, from Magnolia, and then he began
+all over again and talked awfully about him. I don't know why, but he
+hates him and will injure him if he can.
+
+"'You will find this at your office when you get back from the country;
+even now I can't bear to tell the whole truth, and yet I suppose you
+must know it if you are to help me. What fools women are, Miss Holland;
+I ought to hate him, and yet if it were to be the last word I should
+ever write--now, as I always have, I love Orrin Morris.
+
+                                            "'Your unhappy friend,
+                                                           'EMMA BELL.'"
+
+Silvia had scarcely finished the letter, pausing instinctively before
+she read the name of the guilty man, when the large man, who had been
+furtively keeping guard of the little group of witnesses where Dr.
+Morris was seated, sprang toward Morris in a vain attempt to knock from
+his hand a vial which he but that instant had touched to his lips. At
+the same moment a smaller man on the other side of the group made a
+similar effort, but they were both too late. Almost instantly the doomed
+man became rigid, a slight froth appeared on his lips, the pupils of his
+eyes dilated and the lids opened in a wide and horrible stare. There was
+a general rush in his direction on the part of the medical men gathered
+for the trial, but the first of the physicians to gain his side saw the
+hopelessness of any effort to save him and waved the crowd back. In less
+than five minutes he was dead, and in the sudden appalled silence the
+bailiffs cleared a way and removed the body, a considerable portion of
+the curious crowd following.
+
+Every day during the trial Dr. Morris had occupied practically the same
+seat in the courtroom. His naturally colorless face gave no indication
+of the emotions within, and when Silvia's address told him all too
+plainly that his deeds were to be publicly uncovered, he turned a trifle
+more livid, but otherwise gave no evidence of his feelings. He had known
+for several days that he was under surveillance and he understood, at
+last, that the reason for his subpoena as an expert for the defense was
+to keep him constantly in attendance on the court, but he faced his
+ordeal with resolute will, if not with supreme courage. As often before
+during his career he had carefully scanned the path he was to tread and
+was prepared for every emergency. When the fatal exposure came, which he
+had hoped until the last might be withheld, he was determined that none
+should know aught from his lips concerning its truth or falsity. They
+might speculate as to the significance of his death by his own hand,
+but he would neither say nor do anything that would throw additional
+light upon the subject.
+
+Poor Morris! Other learned professional men before him had sought to
+mystify the world as to their misdeeds by blotting out their own lives,
+not realizing that every accusing finger of the seen and the unseen
+world would be instinctively and unerringly pointed toward their mortal
+remains with the final and irrevocable verdict--"Suicide is confession."
+
+When quiet was restored the Court ordered the defendant to come forward,
+and Silvia, trembling with emotion, stepped to the front of the Judge's
+bench with him.
+
+"It is quite evident, sir," began the Judge, clearing his throat, "that
+a mistake has been made in your case. Not an intentional one, or one
+that could have been avoided, apparently. The manner in which you have
+been defended leaves not a vestige of suspicion attaching to you either
+in connection with this matter, your professional qualifications or your
+standing as a citizen. Let me assure you that such a result, under the
+circumstances, is most gratifying to all of the officers of the law, for
+our purpose is to guard society by punishing the guilty and protecting
+the innocent. Sir, you are discharged as a defendant in this case."
+
+Great applause greeted this speech from the Court, and the district
+attorney added his own tribute, while Silvia was given an impromptu
+reception by jurors, court officers and spectators. When this was over,
+and the throng that had surrounded her and her client went their way on
+the quest of new sensations, she found herself standing alone with him
+before the bench, in almost the identical spot where he had entered his
+plea of "Not guilty" a few weeks before. The Ramseys and Frank and
+Carroll were eagerly waiting their turn to shower congratulations upon
+them, but as John Earl took both her hands in his, Silvia was
+unconscious of all else. The eyes she lifted to his were swimming in
+happy tears that could not drown the love they revealed. He dared not
+trust his voice for more. Besides, what more was there to say? For all
+the world lay in the single word--"Silvia!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In a short time, Jack and Silvia were absorbed in their respective
+professions, but never failing in their duty to the great world
+movement that was making real the prophecy of England's poetic seer:
+
+    "We two will serve them both in aiding her--
+    Will clear away the parasitic forms
+    That seem to keep her up but drag her down--
+    Will leave her space to burgeon out of all
+    Within her--let her make herself her own
+    To give or keep, to live and learn and be
+    All that not harms distinctive womanhood."
+
+There was no "task" to their duties, for the all-powerful though subtle
+inspiration of genuine love made each day only a part of a splendid
+dream which they felt could never end.
+
+And the love that leads to high endeavor and unlocks the storehouses of
+human progress crowned their efforts with success, and humanity was
+better and nobler for their deeds and example.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
+
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: An American Suffragette
+
+Author: Isaac N. Stevens
+
+Release Date: August 9, 2007 [EBook #22285]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<table style="margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; padding:0.8em;" summary="">
+  <tr><td>
+    <table style="margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; width:22em;" summary="">
+        <tr><td>
+        <p style=" font-size:2.2em; margin-top:1em;">AN AMERICAN</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:2.2em; margin-bottom:1em;">SUFFRAGETTE</p>
+        </td></tr>
+    </table>
+    <table style="margin-top:1em; border: black 1px solid; width:22em" summary="">
+        <tr><td>
+        <p style=" font-size:1.4em;margin-top:0.7em;">A NOVEL</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:1.0em;">BY</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:1.2em;">ISAAC N. STEVENS</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:0.8em;">Author of "The Liberators," "Popular Government</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:2em;">Essays," etc.</p>
+        <div class='center'><img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt="" style='margin-bottom:1em;' /> </div>
+        </td></tr>
+    </table>
+    <table style="margin-top:1em; border: black 1px solid; width:22em" summary="">
+        <tr><td>
+        <p style=" margin-top:1em;">NEW YORK</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:1.2em;">WILLIAM RICKEY &amp; COMPANY</p>
+        <p style=" font-size:1em;margin-bottom:1em;">1911</p>
+        </td></tr>
+    </table>
+  </td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<p class='center' style='margin:2em 0 2em 0;'>
+Copyright, 1911, by<br />
+WILLIAM RICKEY &amp; COMPANY<br />
+<br />
+<i>Registered at Stationers' Hall, London</i><br />
+(<i>All Rights Reserved</i>)<br />
+<br />
+Printed in the United States of America<br />
+<br />
+<span style='font-size:x-small'>PRESS OF WILLIAM G. HEWITT, 61-67 NAVY ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y.</span>
+</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<h2>DEDICATION</h2>
+
+<p>To those noble and courageous women of England and America who are
+trying to demonstrate to the world that Civilization cannot reach the
+supreme heights of progress without giving freedom to the mental,
+spiritual and physical energies of women, and that government will
+always lack a vital element in its functions, so long as women are
+deprived of equal participation in its operations&mdash;<span class="smcap">This Book Is
+Respectfully Dedicated by the Author</span>.</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<table summary="">
+    <tr><td>
+<p>"But life shall on and upward go;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Th' eternal step of Progress beats</span><br />
+To that great anthem, calm and slow,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which God repeats."</span></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:right'>&mdash;<i>Whittier.</i></p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<h2 class="toc"><a name="Contents" id="Contents"></a>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents" style="font-variant:small-caps; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
+<col style="width:15%;" />
+<col style="width:5%;"  />
+<col style="width:70%;" />
+<col style="width:10%;" />
+<tr>
+    <td align='right'><span style='font-size:x-small'>CHAPTER</span></td>
+    <td></td>
+    <td></td>
+    <td align='right'><span style='font-size:x-small'>PAGE</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">I.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Doctor Returns from India</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_DOCTOR_RETURNS_FROM_INDIA_100">1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">II.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Mystical Parade</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_MYSTICAL_PARADE_359">15</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">III.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Mysterious Young Woman</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#THE_MYSTERIOUS_YOUNG_WOMAN_510">22</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">IV.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Suffrage Bazaar and Ball</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_SUFFRAGE_BAZAAR_AND_BALL_737">33</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">V.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Hypnotism Used For An An&aelig;sthetic</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#HYPNOTISM_USED_FOR_AN_ANAEligSTHETIC_998">46</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VI.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Some Strenuous Anti-Suffragists</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#SOME_STRENUOUS_ANTISUFFRAGISTS_1200">56</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Christian Science and Surgery</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#CHRISTIAN_SCIENCE_AND_SURGERY_1306">61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">VIII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Omnipresent Eyes ff Fifth Avenue</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#THE_OMNIPRESENT_EYES_OF_FIFTH_AVENUE_1564">74</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">IX.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Love, Jealousy And Music</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#LOVE_JEALOUSY_AND_MUSIC_1726">82</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">X.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Discussion Of Progressive Women</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_DISCUSSION_OF_PROGRESSIVE_WOMEN_1901">91</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XI.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Advancing Column of Democracy</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#THE_ADVANCING_COLUMN_OF_DEMOCRACY_2056">99</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Tubercular Knee and a Worried Surgeon</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_TUBERCULAR_KNEE_AND_A_WORRIED_SURGEON_2419">117</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">An Anti-Suffrage Meeting</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#AN_ANTISUFFRAGE_MEETING_2587">125</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIV.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Faith Is the Basis of all Progress</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#FAITH_IS_THE_BASIS_OF_ALL_PROGRESS_2887">140</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XV.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">An Evil Prophecy Begins to Bear Fruit</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#AN_EVIL_PROPHECY_BEGINS_TO_BEAR_FRUIT_3164">154</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVI.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Mysterious Murder of Emma Bell</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#THE_MYSTERIOUS_MURDER_OF_EMMA_BELL_3369">164</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">The Arrest of Dr. John Earl</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#THE_ARREST_OF_DR_JOHN_EARL_3688">180</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XVIII.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Dr. Earl is Indicted for Murder</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#DR_EARL_IS_INDICTED_FOR_MURDER_3982">194</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XIX.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Great Murder Trial Begins</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_GREAT_MURDER_TRIAL_BEGINS_4077">199</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XX.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">A Woman and Spooks Find a Letter</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#A_WOMAN_AND_SPOOKS_FIND_A_LETTER_4318">211</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td align="right">XXI.</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td align="left">Silvia Holland's Great Plea to the Jury</td>
+  <td align="right"><a href="#SILVIA_HOLLANDS_GREAT_PLEA_TO_THE_JURY_4623">225</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+
+<h1>AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE</h1>
+
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_1" id="page_1" title="1"></a>
+<a name="A_DOCTOR_RETURNS_FROM_INDIA_100" id="A_DOCTOR_RETURNS_FROM_INDIA_100"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>A DOCTOR RETURNS FROM INDIA</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Among the hundreds of people who were awaiting the arrival of the big
+Cunarder there were two groups, the second of which seemed determined
+that the first should not get far away. The young men of which this
+second group was composed represented the various newspapers of New York
+City, and while a "beat" was evidently impossible, each of them was
+determined to get a line for his own journal from the returning hero,
+Dr. John Earl, which he would not share with the others of the
+fraternity, and several of them held anxious<a class="pagenum" name="page_2" id="page_2" title="2"></a> consultations with their
+photographers who, by special permit, had been allowed upon the pier.</p>
+
+<p>The other group had moved a number of times to escape the cameras, and a
+red-haired youth was expatiating upon the glories of American scientific
+achievement, concluding with a peroration that called forth an
+exclamation from one of the older men:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, shut up, Bedford; you sound like a Fourth of July oration. Who are
+the people you are trying to snapshot for your lurid sheet?" he said
+wearily, as becomes a Chicago newspaper man when in New York.</p>
+
+<p>The red-headed one looked at him with cheerful surprise. "Don't you know
+anybody?" he asked. "The tall, handsome blonde is Mrs. Ramsey, wife of
+George Ramsey, at whose frown the great gods sit tight and the little
+ones scuttle to cover. Luckily, he is a kindly disposed arbiter and the
+Street basks under his smile."</p>
+
+<p>The Chicagoan turned and looked at the lady curiously, and the reporter
+went on: "The fair-haired lady with the wild-rose face is old Gordon
+Kimball's daughter; born with a diamond teething ring in her mouth, but
+has never<a class="pagenum" name="page_3" id="page_3" title="3"></a> succeeded in getting anything else of value inside her pretty
+head."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, she doesn't have to," said the Westerner.</p>
+
+<p>Young Bedford grinned. "That's what Dr. Earl thinks; he can furnish
+brains for the family. Their engagement was reported two months ago. The
+man with them is Earl's brother, Frank Earl, corporation lawyer, amateur
+actor, one of those guys that does everything well, and never gives away
+his own hand. Go after him for a story about some combination his road
+has gone into and you come away with a great spiel about bumper crops;
+always gives you the glad hand, but nothing in it. You'd never take him
+for Mrs. Ramsey's brother, would you? She's a looker, all right. So is
+Dr. Earl, one of these big, handsome, powerful-looking men that makes
+folks ask who he is."</p>
+
+<p>"What's all the hullabaloo about, anyhow?" asked the Chicago man.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been that you don't know about Earl?" answered Bedford.
+"Why, I thought everybody in the country had heard of him. He's the chap
+that raises the dead, you know; just takes 'em by the hand, makes<a class="pagenum" name="page_4" id="page_4" title="4"></a> a few
+passes, and says, 'Say, it's time to wake up, old fellow,' and the dead
+one sits up and asks for beefsteak. He's the man that saved Hall, the
+copper mines king, over in Paris. Hall was finished, all done but
+putting him in a box, when in comes Dr. Earl. 'Let him alone,' he says.
+'He's tired out. When he finishes this nap he'll be just as good as
+new.' But you know how impetuous the French are, and they were going to
+have poor old Hall done for, sure enough, when this Earl man stands them
+off, and promises to bring Hall 'round in six hours. And he does it
+after the whole bunch of them have parleyed over him and waved
+looking-glasses across his mouth, and found him as dead as Rameses."</p>
+
+<p>There was a general buzz among the newspaper men, and one of them, older
+and more dignified in manner than the others, said quietly, "Bedford,
+you ought not to hand out that kind of fiction, even in your unreliable
+journal."</p>
+
+<p>Bedford winked slyly at the Chicagoan. "It was my only hope," he said in
+a rapid aside. "That's Tourney. He was over there at the time, and he'll
+tell us all about it trying to put me right."<a class="pagenum" name="page_5" id="page_5" title="5"></a></p>
+
+<p>"If you don't like my story you can give us the straight steer yourself,
+Tourney," he said, and, nothing loath, the older man told how Hall had
+been suddenly stricken with appendicitis in such severe form that an
+operation was necessary at once. Upon this the French surgeons agreed,
+but his heart action was so bad that they dared not administer an
+an&aelig;sthetic, and one of them, who was a noted hypnotist, expressed a
+doubt whether he would be able to rouse the patient from a hypnosis
+sufficiently profound to enable them to perform the operation.</p>
+
+<p>"This Frenchman," Tourney went on, warming to his subject, "had seen
+Earl do some wonderful things and he knew he was in Paris and where he
+was stopping. He put the case to Hall, and seeing that it was all day
+with him unless something was done, he told them to send for Earl and
+they got him there on the double-quick. I was waiting in the hall when
+he went into the operating room and I stayed there until he came out,
+and as I had done him one or two good turns he told me about it before
+he realized that I was a newspaper man. When he saw me last I was
+coaching Harvard students with more money than<a class="pagenum" name="page_6" id="page_6" title="6"></a> brains. That has nothing
+to do with it, except to show that he isn't one of these 'for
+publication only' wonder workers."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up," said the Chicagoan, "he'll be here in a few minutes, and if
+he's one of these human clams you are the hope of the press. What did he
+tell you?"</p>
+
+<p>"He agreed with the others in the main points, but he said if Hall was
+willing to take the chance, he believed he could pull him through by a
+system he had seen used in India. Then he cleared them all out, and when
+they came back Hall was comatose. The appendix was removed in record
+time, and the wound cleansed. Just before Earl finished, one of the
+Frenchmen noticed that the patient was not breathing, apparently, and
+exclaimed that he was dead. Dr. Earl pointed out the fact that the blood
+showed no signs of other than a normal condition, such as would be found
+in a patient under hypnosis. His idea, as I got it, was that the patient
+must be kept unconscious long enough for the body to regain its
+functions and get over the strain of the operation. He told them if he
+were more familiar with Hall's constitution, he would be inclined to
+prolong his condition of suspended animation,<a class="pagenum" name="page_7" id="page_7" title="7"></a> but under the
+circumstances he would restore him to consciousness in three hours.</p>
+
+<p>"One or two of them got excited and swore the man was dead, and
+according to a lot of tests he was, but the rest, knowing he would have
+died anyhow, were willing to wait, and at the end of the time Earl
+brought him back to consciousness in such good condition that the other
+doctors were wild over it. In their enthusiastic French way they
+heralded the story everywhere. I thought he'd never be allowed to leave
+Paris. They wanted to keep him right there and string medals around his
+neck and pin ribbons all over his coat, but he wouldn't stand for it.
+He's an awfully modest fellow, and he went over to London with Hall, who
+swears by him; says he believes he put a new heart in him, and all that
+sort of thing. There comes the boat now. Better have your photographers
+ready, for all you'll get will be a picture of him keeping his mouth
+shut."</p>
+
+<p>As the big English boat swung slowly into its dock, with the help of
+half a dozen tugs that puffed and pounded at its side, the newspaper men
+and Dr. Earl's family caught sight of him simultaneously, as he waved
+his<a class="pagenum" name="page_8" id="page_8" title="8"></a> hand and called across the intervening space with all the abandon
+of a returning traveler.</p>
+
+<p>He could make them hear now. "Leonora, dear, how are you!" as a
+remarkably sweet-faced girl threw a shower of kisses in his direction,
+which passed on their way an equal number of his own. "And Hilda! And
+for the life of me, there's Frank! Love to all of you!" A few minutes
+more and he was with them. He caught the girl in his arms and gave her a
+long and tender embrace. Then he turned to the others and greeted them
+with all the fraternal warmth natural after eighteen months' separation.</p>
+
+<p>"How splendid it is to see you all again! What brought you to New York,
+Frank?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, just to see if I could cross Broadway without being bumped into by
+a trolley car or a taxi-cab or an airship. Incidentally, to keep you
+from losing your breath and hearing in the new tunnels through which you
+will be shot under these New York rivers."</p>
+
+<p>"Tubes, you mean, brother dear, tubes. I've been doing nothing else but
+shoot the London tubes for the last fortnight."</p>
+
+<p>"Where I live, in the wild and woolly Rockies, we call them tunnels,"
+answered his<a class="pagenum" name="page_9" id="page_9" title="9"></a> brother. "Wouldn't the railroad builder howl at the idea
+of 'tubing the mountains,' and the miner would have a war-dance of
+delight at the suggestion that he must 'tube his claim.' These English
+airs are all right, Dr. John Earl, but you may as well learn to talk
+real American if you expect to chop bones and exploit microbes in this
+country," and the young man glowed his admiration while plying him with
+badinage.</p>
+
+<p>The first greetings were scarcely over when the newspaper men made known
+their mission, Tourney acting as spokesman for them all. Earl shook his
+hand warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm awfully glad to see you," he said, "but you know I never give
+interviews. I don't know how, to begin with, and I couldn't say anything
+that would interest your readers. I have come back to practice my
+profession in New York City; that is all I can tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"But that Paris case," pleaded Bedford. "Do tell us about that."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you use the Hindoo method of respiration that the Swami
+Bramachunenda gave an exposition of here two or three years ago?" asked
+another of the fraternity, and the others<a class="pagenum" name="page_10" id="page_10" title="10"></a> followed with different
+interrogatives, but Earl laughed and waved them all away.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what the Swami did," he said, "but if he is like some of
+his brothers I'm ready to believe anything. All that I did, and a great
+deal that I never thought of doing myself, or heard of anybody else
+doing on this planet, was told in your papers at the time. Really, if I
+had anything worth your while as a news story I would be glad to give it
+to you&mdash;one of these days I may have, but you must excuse me now."</p>
+
+<p>His manner was courteous but unmistakable, and turning away from them he
+was soon absorbed in conversation with the pretty girl and his brother
+and sister. He hardly took his eyes off the former as he recounted his
+adventures abroad.</p>
+
+<p>Three months previously he and Leonora Kimball had been betrothed in
+Vienna, and it was agreed that they were to be married soon after his
+arrival home. In a social way, the match met the approval of New York's
+select set, for they belonged to equally wealthy and prominent families.
+The Earls had come to New York from New England, two generations<a class="pagenum" name="page_11" id="page_11" title="11"></a> ago,
+and the foundation of the family fortune had been laid in a small block
+of New York, New Haven and Hartford stock, which had grown into a huge
+block of both stocks and bonds from the various expansions of stock and
+consolidations of property that had meanwhile taken place. The Kimballs
+had come from the Pacific coast, where the same alchemist's result had
+been wrought with a block of Southern Pacific Railway stock. The family
+tree of the Earls had rooted itself into the subsoil of real culture,
+while that of the Kimballs was mostly displayed above ground with only
+here and there a stray fibre that had sunk to any depth.</p>
+
+<p>Leonora Kimball, who at this time was slightly over twenty-three years
+of age, possessed a most winning and gracious manner&mdash;a face that might
+have served as a better model for a madonna than many of those
+apparently used by the old masters; a lithe and graceful figure and an
+abundance of vivacity when doing the things that pleased her. She had so
+captivated John Earl from their first meeting that he had never tried
+nor cared to analyze her. Indeed, had he so wished, he would have<a class="pagenum" name="page_12" id="page_12" title="12"></a> found
+it a difficult undertaking, for he was too content with the pleasure he
+felt in her presence to care to question it.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl had taken infinite pains to search the world for the sources of
+disease and its prevention and cure. He had delved deeply into the
+mysteries of mental and spiritual therapeutics, and had closely studied
+the influences surrounding the origin of individual human beings. But
+while he had harnessed many more or less occult forces into scientific
+service in treating invalids, strangely enough, it never occurred to him
+that similar elements might have an important mission in determining the
+natural affinity of those attracted by the tenderest passion in the
+world, and might do much, if properly regarded, to render stable that
+one-time sacred bond of the sexes known as the marriage relation, which
+at this time, everywhere, was resting upon such shifting quicksands of
+mismating as to menace its existence.</p>
+
+<p>"Love is of man's life a thing apart," applied with full force to Dr.
+Earl, and he accepted his relations with Leonora Kimball with the same
+confidence and light heart that might<a class="pagenum" name="page_13" id="page_13" title="13"></a> characterize the least thoughtful
+man on Manhattan Island. While he had traveled many thousands of miles
+and burned many a midnight lamp to ascertain if improvement could not be
+made in the prevailing orthodox method of treating disease, he blindly
+accepted, as millions of strong men before him had done, the prevailing
+orthodox method of selecting a wife.</p>
+
+<p>In any event, after the brother and sister had been left at the Ramsey
+mansion on upper Fifth Avenue, he and Leonora proceeded to spend the
+time from eleven to three o'clock very much as other lovers similarly
+situated would have consumed those four hours. They motored until one
+o'clock, when they went to her house, not far from his sister's
+residence, where he had luncheon with her and her widowed mother, and at
+three o'clock he arrived at the Hotel Gotham, where he had engaged
+apartments.</p>
+
+<p>When he stepped into his new sitting-room a large photograph of Leonora
+confronted him on the dressing-case, his valet being a man of rare sense
+and tact.</p>
+
+<p>As he looked into the counterfeit impression<a class="pagenum" name="page_14" id="page_14" title="14"></a> of the large blue eyes and
+reflected back her smile he declared to himself for the twentieth time
+that day that she was the most fascinating creature in the world.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_15" id="page_15" title="15"></a>
+<a name="A_MYSTICAL_PARADE_359" id="A_MYSTICAL_PARADE_359"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>A MYSTICAL PARADE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When Dr. Earl arrived at his hotel he noticed crowds of people gathering
+on the sidewalk, and lining up along the curbstone further down the
+avenue, evidently expecting a parade of some sort. He had dismissed the
+matter from his mind and was startled about an hour later to hear the
+tap of a drum on the street, then a martial air by a band, followed by
+the clatter of horses' hoofs and the shouts of policemen clearing the
+way. Throwing open a window, he witnessed a sight that dazed him for a
+moment, and he wondered whether or not he really was in an American
+city.</p>
+
+<p>As if by magic, the street was now filled with women, arranging
+themselves in marching order, with the shout of command ringing clear
+upon the air, and down Fifth Avenue as far as he could see, other
+columns of women were forming to the strains of military music and to
+the stirring echoes of fife and drum.<a class="pagenum" name="page_16" id="page_16" title="16"></a></p>
+
+<p>He grabbed his hat and stick, and joined the throng that packed the
+sidewalk. His six feet of height and his athletic training rendered him
+good service in ascertaining where to go and making it possible to get
+there. He hurried along several blocks until he reached what he thought
+must be the leading column of the march. Then he elbowed his way to the
+curbstone and took up a position to witness this, as yet, mysterious
+demonstration.</p>
+
+<p>The air was sharp for a day late in April, but the sky was clear and the
+sun shed occasional rays of splendor over some of the lower buildings
+upon the waiting multitude.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd was remarkably quiet. There seemed to be a spell over the
+whole performance that savored of some of the wonders he had so recently
+witnessed in India. There was something electric in the air that brought
+with it an echo from some distant past or a promise for the future which
+he tried in vain to catch and recognize.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the order, "Forward, march!" was given, and to the air of
+"Marching Through Georgia" the first column swung down the Avenue with
+easy grace and in perfect step.</p>
+
+<p>Long before the first standard came near he<a class="pagenum" name="page_17" id="page_17" title="17"></a> knew it was a Woman
+Suffrage parade, and before he could get a view of the women carrying
+it, he read the inscription on the banner:</p>
+
+<p>
+Forward out of Error,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leave behind the night;</span><br />
+Forward through the darkness,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forward into Light.</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Then the standard bearers were opposite him. The one nearest to him was
+an exceedingly pretty young woman, as was also the second one, but as
+his eyes rested upon the one farthest away he gave a startled
+exclamation that attracted the attention of those around him.</p>
+
+<p>"My mystery! Again she has dropped from the clouds!" The object of his
+interest was a tall young woman, scarcely more than twenty-five years of
+age, gowned in white cloth with black trimmings, with a white hat turned
+straight up on the left side and lined in black. She showed grace and
+energy in every movement and intellect and force in every glance.</p>
+
+<p>Her large, sapphire-blue eyes gleamed with the intensity of her
+feelings, and the touches of bronze hair that could be seen beneath her
+hat gave evidence of the vivacious character of her life.<a class="pagenum" name="page_18" id="page_18" title="18"></a></p>
+
+<p>As she marched with queenly grace at the head of this mighty host of six
+thousand American women, Dr. Earl had visions of the reality of the myth
+or history, whichever it may be, of Semiramis invading Assyria and the
+Amazons conquering Asia.</p>
+
+<p>The entire line of march was no doubt interesting, but the head of the
+column was absorbing to our hero, so block after block he marched as
+nearly abreast of the banner on the sidewalk as a dense crowd would
+permit him, and when the column broke ranks at Union Square he was there
+to witness it.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner did the mysterious banner bearer quit the march than she
+rushed to the custodian of the posters, and, gathering an armful, she
+coaxed, or with mock heroics terrorized, every person she approached
+into buying one for "the good of the Cause!"</p>
+
+<p>Earl was certain his heart would never beat again when she asked him in
+deep, musical tones to "Please buy one for the Cause." He did so, and
+loitered around watching her a few moments longer, then started up
+Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>When he swung into Fifth Avenue he was impressed again, as he had been
+when he came from the boat, with the changed atmosphere<a class="pagenum" name="page_19" id="page_19" title="19"></a> of the street.
+He had always read the mood of New York in its silent reflection in this
+expressive part of the city's physiognomy. Long ago, he had discovered
+that Fifth Avenue smiles or weeps, applauds or hisses, effervesces with
+enthusiasm or gazes somberly like the image of despair, revels in
+fervent expressions of patriotism or looks with gloomy distrust upon
+public affairs&mdash;all according to the mood of the dominant portion of New
+York's population&mdash;those who control the destinies of the huge private
+enterprises that are the marvel of the age, and the management of which
+means so much in the way of industrial slavery or economic freedom to
+the American people.</p>
+
+<p>This evening there was a note of more seriousness in the air than he had
+ever before witnessed on this gay thoroughfare. The rush of automobiles
+and taxicabs and carriages with beautifully gowned women and
+fine-looking men as occupants was as great as ever; the perfectly
+groomed New York woman on the sidewalk, with figure and carriage such as
+outclasses the women of every other large city in the world, was there
+in numbers quite as great as formerly; the Western woman, who had come
+on to take New York by storm, or who<a class="pagenum" name="page_20" id="page_20" title="20"></a> imagined the acme of human
+existence was in New York caf&eacute; life, with all of its vulgar display and
+raucous manners, was abundantly in evidence.</p>
+
+<p>But over the entire concourse there appeared to drift an atmosphere of
+the spiritual, which lifted them from the plane of the Fifth Avenue
+crowd of a year and a half before, and impressed him in the same manner
+that he had been impressed in the far East by adepts when they gave
+public demonstrations of their powers, or conversed with their Chel&aelig;
+without the medium of written or spoken language.</p>
+
+<p>When he left America the woman suffrage movement in New York was a
+subject of more or less ridicule; a few wealthy women had begun to
+identify themselves with it, but they were called "faddists" and their
+efforts were not taken seriously. It was apparent now that the suffrage
+cause had been given the impetus of the world-wide movement that was
+reaching the women of all countries, and had changed from a gospel of
+tracts to a militant crusade for their share of the duties and
+responsibilities of life and the power properly to discharge them. Never
+had he seen so many of the real leaders of New York society engaged in
+any<a class="pagenum" name="page_21" id="page_21" title="21"></a> work, charitable or otherwise, as had taken part in this parade,
+marching on foot the full two miles, and often side by side with the
+working-women of the city.</p>
+
+<p>He had once seen a painting of the Maid of Orleans in a foreign gallery
+that carried so much of spiritual earnestness that he felt that he could
+appreciate how easy it was for the French army instinctively to follow
+her lead, and how much easier it was for the poor dupes of ignorance and
+superstition to believe that this overmastering spiritual nature was the
+product of witchcraft.</p>
+
+<p>Absorbing though these thoughts were, they did not exclude another train
+which had to do with the mysterious banner bearer, and as he entered his
+hotel he clenched his right hand suddenly and muttered to himself, "I
+must dismiss her from my thoughts."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_22" id="page_22" title="22"></a>
+<a name="THE_MYSTERIOUS_YOUNG_WOMAN_510" id="THE_MYSTERIOUS_YOUNG_WOMAN_510"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS YOUNG WOMAN</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl took a late dinner at his sister's house, after having spent an
+hour with his fianc&eacute;e on the way. There were just the four of them at
+table, his sister and her husband, his brother and himself.</p>
+
+<p>His sister was the oldest member of his family, which comprised but the
+three of them, his father and mother having died some years before.</p>
+
+<p>During the college days of both himself and his brother, who was two
+years his junior, his sister had assumed the r&ocirc;le of a mother to them,
+and right devotedly had she filled the part. She had been more of a
+"pal" to them than anything else, and some years' residence in England
+during her schooldays had broadened her vision of the true meaning and
+value of this relation between those of opposite sex and particularly
+between brother and sister.<a class="pagenum" name="page_23" id="page_23" title="23"></a></p>
+
+<p>She possessed now, as always, the unbounded respect and confidence of
+these two young men of thoroughly dissimilar character and temperament,
+and she was the repository of the sacred secrets of each of them, which
+she was warned she must never betray to the other. And she never did.</p>
+
+<p>Eight years previous to these occurrences, she had married George
+Ramsey, President of the Gotham Trust Company, which institution had
+recently absorbed half a dozen weaker concerns doing a similar business,
+and more recently had taken over from the New York bankers, who were
+stockholders in the trust company, the handling of most of the public
+utility securities that were floated in this country. But George Ramsey
+was not the pretentious pawnbroker in spirit and manner that so often
+presides over the destinies of American banks, but he was a
+philosophical financier who understood perfectly the strength and
+weakness of the system under which he worked, and who, while he wondered
+at the supine idiocy of the people that would permit of the prevailing
+Dick Turpin methods of high finance, never took his eye from the horizon
+of public action, where daily he expected to see<a class="pagenum" name="page_24" id="page_24" title="24"></a> "the cloud no bigger
+than a man's hand" that was to expand into the storm that would engulf
+these and other long permitted public ills.</p>
+
+<p>Many times recently he had sounded the alarm of the dangers attending
+recapitalization of properties that already bore a heavy weight of
+watered securities, but his colleagues had laughed at what they termed
+his fears, and had attempted to reassure him of their complete
+possession of the departments of government that controlled such
+matters. Bred to the banking business, he had no thought of transferring
+his abilities and energies to the realm of statesmanship, but in the
+sanctum of his own home he would often pour forth his disgust with, and
+his fear of, such methods, to the tall, clear-eyed, clear-brained and
+beautiful woman from whom John and Frank Earl were wont to seek advice
+in their perplexities. And from her he always received valuable
+suggestions, a keener insight into the motives of men, a broader, more
+humane view-point, and withal a firmness to set himself, in part, where
+the law of the land should have been set wholly, as a barrier against
+the worst of these public depredations.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. George Ramsey were the same<a class="pagenum" name="page_25" id="page_25" title="25"></a> lovers now that they were
+during their honeymoon. In the crowded ballroom, at the opera, in the
+automobile after the harassing cares of the day, on land or sea, he was
+always the admiring and devoted attendant, and gave expression to his
+feelings in a variety of new and interesting ways. It was evident that
+they had not run counter to the influence of the stars in waiting for a
+natural affinity. In their home they entered into the spirit of whatever
+was borne to them by their guests. With scholars and philosophers they
+held their own in abstruse and abstract discussions. With musicians and
+music lovers they were at ease, for both played and sang with more than
+amateur skill. With young people bent on a frolic, they could be the
+gayest of the party. Their outlook upon life was always across green
+meadows or perfectly kept beds of beautiful flowers.</p>
+
+<p>Every guest found ready sympathy for whatever was nearest and dearest to
+him, and went away convinced that he had never rightly understood his
+own hobby before.</p>
+
+<p>In this atmosphere, and at table with this couple, John and Frank Earl
+seated themselves at eight o'clock for dinner.<a class="pagenum" name="page_26" id="page_26" title="26"></a></p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to imagine two brothers more widely separated in
+physical and mental characteristics. John was tall, athletic, with dark
+hair, large, dreamy brown eyes, perfect poise, a silent and dignified
+bearing that easily commanded attention when he spoke, a low, musical
+voice and an exceedingly strong and graceful hand.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was of medium height, spare of figure, with light hair,
+penetrating blue eyes, resilient voice, quick and nervous of speech,
+with large hands and feet, and not a shadow of dignity in his bearing.</p>
+
+<p>The one personified reflection; the other action. In the eyes of one
+appeared the dreams of centuries; beaming from the eyes of the other was
+the fun of the ages.</p>
+
+<p>"Did any of you people, aside from Jack, see the suffragette parade
+to-day?" asked Frank, with laughing eyes fixed upon his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;how do you know I saw it?" asked John, and his confused manner
+brought "Eh, Jack?" from the other two.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right, Jack; I won't tell Leonora, but how jealous she would
+be if she could have seen you following the banner carried by those<a class="pagenum" name="page_27" id="page_27" title="27"></a>
+three pretty girls," answered Frank. "Why, I followed you a dozen blocks
+myself, almost touching you the whole time, just to see which one of the
+three girls was making you join the parade. The next time get right out
+into the street, old man, and don't block the view of us spectators, for
+you know you were a part of that parade to-day, in mind at least."</p>
+
+<p>The absurdity of the scene as depicted by Frank made even John throw
+back his head and join in the unrestrained laughter of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"I was in the Waldorf-Astoria at a tea-table near the window when the
+head of the column came in view. I, too, liked the looks of those pretty
+girls carrying the banner, but before I could decide which one I liked
+best, my dearly beloved brother hove in sight, with eyes glued on the
+third one, wandering down the Avenue like either a slow-hatching lunatic
+or a good subject for a hypnotist. I knew Jack would need me in New York
+to steer him right until all that Indian mysticism gets out of his
+system, and that is the reason I left the delights of the wilds for the
+barbarism of the city. Well, I excused myself and hurried out to take
+possession of Jack, but when I got close to him<a class="pagenum" name="page_28" id="page_28" title="28"></a> and was just about to
+slap him on the shoulder, I followed his eyes&mdash;and for the life of me, I
+couldn't touch him!"</p>
+
+<p>Here Frank's tone became half serious and his changed manner hushed the
+laughter of the others. "I have always ridiculed the idea of hypnotism
+and in every experiment where I have been present I have set myself to
+disprove its effects. But candidly, folks, I was hypnotized.
+Unconsciously I followed that parade a whole dozen blocks myself, and
+when I finally came out of the trance, or whatever it was, and started
+back to the hotel, the entire atmosphere seemed filled with some kind of
+uncanny dope. I never witnessed such contagious energy and earnestness,
+and every step emanated spiritual sparks that blinded my eyes and took
+possession of my faculties. Who is she, Jack?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is what I want to know. I call her my 'Mystery.' One day while I
+was in London and near Trafalgar Square I saw a demonstration of women
+down toward the parliament buildings. I went that way to see what was up
+and soon discovered that it was a body of English suffragettes making an
+attempt to exercise their claimed right to petition parliament. As
+usual, the demonstration was more<a class="pagenum" name="page_29" id="page_29" title="29"></a> or less strenuous and the police
+interfered. When I got close enough to identify them, I saw my 'Mystery'
+in the front ranks, exhorting the women, protesting and pleading with
+the policemen, and gradually getting nearer and nearer the parliament
+buildings until they had almost reached one of the entrances. It looked
+very much as if they might get entirely in and vindicate their claim,
+but just at that moment a fresh squad of police arrived under an officer
+superior to any present, and ordered the arrest of the leaders. My
+'Mystery' was the first arrested. It was then that I discovered that she
+was an American girl. The speech she delivered to those police officers
+on human rights and human liberties and women's rights and women's
+liberties is worthy a place among the world's great orations. They took
+her and the rest of them away, but I noticed that they treated her with
+marked respect. I don't think any of them were jailed on that occasion,
+but she defied them to jail her. The next time I saw her was at the
+Grand Opera House in Paris, two months later. She was with some friends
+in an adjoining stall. It was a gala performance for the benefit of the
+flood sufferers and the most noted singers in<a class="pagenum" name="page_30" id="page_30" title="30"></a> the world had volunteered
+their services, and single acts from a number of operas were given. It
+was difficult to believe that this beautiful, stylish, richly-gowned
+girl was the one I saw arrested in a suffrage disturbance on the streets
+of London. Throughout the performance I watched her closely, and her
+expressive face reflected the emotion of every leading role. She partook
+of the abandon of the gayer airs in 'Carmen,' and her cheeks were
+flooded with tears at the misfortunes of Marguerite in 'Faust.' I was
+dying to know who she was, but I was with foreign surgeons, and saw no
+Americans that I knew. To-day is the first time I have seen her since.
+Who is she, Hilda?" eagerly he asked of his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"You and Frank give me a lot of exclamation points, with a vivid
+description of how the atmosphere affected you, and then want me to name
+a vision for you. Please describe the physical girl, leaving out all
+adjectives, mystical pieces of air, <i>et cetera</i>, and perhaps I can tell
+who she is."</p>
+
+<p>Jack described the girl in the parade, somewhat repressing his
+enthusiasm under Frank's amused scrutiny.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't wonder at your captivation. That<a class="pagenum" name="page_31" id="page_31" title="31"></a> is Silvia Holland, one rich
+American girl who is determined to justify her existence, live a life
+that is worth while, and demonstrate the ability of women to be
+economically independent, for although her father has a half-dozen city,
+country and resort residences, she insists in maintaining at her own
+expense a modest apartment in the Whittier Studios, and keeps up her own
+country home on the Hudson at Nutwood. Just now her parents are on a
+trip around the world. You know she is a graduate of the law school at
+Columbia and was admitted to practice a few months ago. You should thank
+your stars, Jack, that it is not the medical profession she is seeking
+to enter, or the dry bones there would be worse shaken up than they will
+be by your new theories, and you would have a formidable rival."</p>
+
+<p>"She is not the daughter of John J. Holland, the steel magnate?" he
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, his daughter and only child."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew! There is hope of the American woman after all. There certainly is
+a big social revolution on in America," and Jack arose with the others
+to go into the library for coffee.</p>
+
+<p>"It might interest you young men to know that these suffragists are to
+finish their day's<a class="pagenum" name="page_32" id="page_32" title="32"></a> work with a ball and a bazaar to-night, and I have
+tickets for a box," suggested Hilda.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course Jack can't go, but I shall be delighted to bask in the smiles
+of this modern Semiramis a while," answered Frank. "Then, too," he
+added, "she may convert me to suffrage, which living in Colorado among
+suffragists for two years has failed to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that is because you are looking at the matter through a railroad
+attorney's eyes; long ago it was truly written that 'no man can serve
+two masters,' and your railroad employment is your master just now,"
+answered his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard reports that indicate that woman's suffrage in Colorado is
+apt quite soon to cause not only you railroad lawyers but our holders of
+railroad securities some concern about the quantity of water we inject
+into any one issue of stocks and bonds," laughingly suggested Mr.
+Ramsey.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, gentlemen, your charming Amazon will not stay up all night, and
+it is ten-thirty now," called Hilda, who had already garbed herself for
+the automobile.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_33" id="page_33" title="33"></a>
+<a name="A_SUFFRAGE_BAZAAR_AND_BALL_737" id="A_SUFFRAGE_BAZAAR_AND_BALL_737"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>A SUFFRAGE BAZAAR AND BALL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>A suffrage bazaar does not differ essentially from the same iniquity
+under other auspices. There are the same useless articles for sale and
+the same aggressive methods of disposing of them; the same varieties of
+fancy work, knit, embroidered, drawn, quartered and crocheted; the same
+display of canned goods and home-made jellies and feminine apparel; the
+same raffles and "drawings" and "chances" by which churches have long
+conducted their clerical lotteries; the same side-shows and the same
+appeal to the social world to come and mingle with the "high-brows" and
+be fashionably robbed.</p>
+
+<p>Only in this instance far more ingenuity had been displayed in the
+number and nature of the side attractions. There were guessing machines
+where the cocksure were reduced to humbleness of mind by their failures
+to state<a class="pagenum" name="page_34" id="page_34" title="34"></a> accurately the number of women voting in the world or some
+section thereof; the number of countries that have recently swung into
+line in the woman movement; the number of subjects reigned over by
+women, and similar questions, all of which proved "extra hazardous" to
+most of the guessers. Many of them did not even know what the five stars
+on the suffrage flag indicated.</p>
+
+<p>They had a row of Chinese examination booths, in which persons wishing a
+certificate of "Efficient Citizenship" were given blanks to fill out, in
+which they revealed their knowledge, or their crass ignorance, of
+conditions in various parts of their own country. Mrs. Jarley conducted
+a wax-works performance, and there was a moving-picture show in which
+Mrs. Cornelia Gracchus, the favorite example of the "Antis," was shown
+lecturing in the Forum on medicine to grave and reverend seigneurs, Joan
+of Arc leading her troops, and Florence Nightingale bending over the
+sick and wounded.</p>
+
+<p>An educated pig told the uneducated person in how many States women have
+full suffrage, and which they are; where suffrage campaigns are pending,
+and the names of the distinguished<a class="pagenum" name="page_35" id="page_35" title="35"></a> Americans who have gone on record in
+favor of this reform. A Street of All Nations showed the onward march,
+all the way from the women of Washington casting their "recall" ballots
+to the women of China unbinding their feet, and Turkish ladies tearing
+their veils into tatters.</p>
+
+<p>Dancing was going on in an adjoining room, but the crowd was so great
+that it was impossible to even locate Jack's "Mystery," so Frank turned
+his attention to a row of booths, draped in black, with silver
+astrological symbols, palmist signs and two flaming aces of hearts and
+diamonds, where past, present and future were revealed at very
+reasonable prices&mdash;considering. "Me for the astrologist," he said.
+"Jack, go in at the sign of the glowing heart and find out whether Venus
+is going to be good to you, and then we can swap experiences."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'll try the palmist," Jack replied. "If it's even moderately
+well done it is interesting," and the two brothers disappeared into the
+cavelike apertures before them. Frank's experience seemed to be highly
+satisfactory, for he reappeared grinning cheerfully. Perhaps he had
+cause, but he did not reveal it, and when his brother came forth from
+the clutches<a class="pagenum" name="page_36" id="page_36" title="36"></a> of the sorceress, he insisted that he should have his
+horoscope cast.</p>
+
+<p>As there seemed no hope of finding the lady they sought until the crowd
+should have thinned a little, Jack laughed and entered the
+silver-spangled tent. The seeress was gowned in white, with silver
+chains and bracelets and girdle, and a long white veil completely
+enveloped her except the face, and this was concealed by her yashmak up
+to her mocking gray eyes, with their dark, level brows. There was
+something in her eyes that attracted Jack, and made him believe in her
+uncanny powers quite against his will, and even while he told himself
+that this was but the foolishness of the hour. He gave her the necessary
+data, and she consulted her charts, and gave him a rapid and wonderfully
+correct delineation of his character, "a nature which combines the
+characteristics of Scorpio with some of those of Sagitarrius, as is the
+case," she explained gravely, "with persons born near the cusp," a term
+which produced no impression upon his mind, though he said, "Oh,
+indeed," politely. She made some cabalistic marks on a square of paper
+and turned to him with a somewhat startled expression, which faded at
+once, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_37" id="page_37" title="37"></a> the mocking eyes looked full into his as she went on.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not believe in anything I am telling you, and therefore I shall
+speak quite frankly, certain that you will be neither cast down nor
+elated by anything I can say. I think you are a physician; if not you
+ought to be; you seem to have come from afar, and to be about to begin a
+new phase in your life. It is well that you have two of the greatest of
+the planets, Mars and Jupiter, as controlling influences, for you will
+need them, and that very soon. You are at this moment in greater danger
+than ever before has been your lot."</p>
+
+<p>Jack could not repress a laugh. With youth, health, ability and love he
+felt that it would take more than a stray comet to turn the currents of
+his life awry. But the woman did not smile; he could see that much
+through the gauzy yashmak, and her eyes grew grave and her forehead
+contracted.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you don't believe it," she said, "because I should not like
+to tell you what I see if you did; before morning you will know whether
+it is all the foolishness you think it."</p>
+
+<p>He apologized. "I'm immensely interested," he said, "but I didn't know
+any one regarded<a class="pagenum" name="page_38" id="page_38" title="38"></a> this sort of thing seriously. So far as you've gone
+you've hit me off very well, and I don't mind telling you that I am a
+physician, and I'm just back from the far East."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," she said gravely. "Have you ever heard that if a man has
+made love to a girl under the constellation of Cassiopeia he should not
+marry until he has also made love under the Southern Cross? There is a
+conjunction of malign planets at this time; they threaten your happiness
+through love, through hate, through accident. If you have become
+interested in any person born under Saturn, that is between the
+twenty-first of December and the twentieth of January, particularly
+about the seventh of January, you should certainly take time to consider
+carefully, for there is nothing but wretchedness and misunderstanding in
+such an alliance; there may be much that is attractive on the surface,
+but you will find a complete lack of harmony, of similarity of tastes
+and ambition that would leave you forever alone, and there is much
+selfishness and stubborness of will. Saturn and Scorpio are not good
+marital allies." He gave her a searching glance, for the seventh of
+January<a class="pagenum" name="page_39" id="page_39" title="39"></a> was Leonora's birthday, but her face was quite inscrutable.</p>
+
+<p>"There is something here I do not understand; this accident does not
+happen to you, nor to any one near you, yet it has a lasting and a
+terrible effect upon your life&mdash;&mdash;" she shuddered and pushed the charts
+away from her. "I will not tell you any more," she said, "but I wonder
+whether you would do me the favor of giving me your name and address. I
+want to cast your horoscope carefully, and I will send you the chart."</p>
+
+<p>He thanked her and wrote down his name as requested, somewhat impressed
+in spite of himself. As he rose to go she stood also and lifted her hand
+as if she would have drawn him back, then let it drop heavily. If it was
+a piece of acting, he told himself it was perfectly done. "Do be careful
+for the next twenty-four hours," she said, "and beware of the evil that
+may come out of good."</p>
+
+<p>That last Delphic utterance stamped the whole affair as a clever piece
+of mind-reading, guesswork and acting, and, somewhat annoyed that he
+should have been hoaxed even for a moment, Jack withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>The hour was growing late and the crowd<a class="pagenum" name="page_40" id="page_40" title="40"></a> dispersing when they turned
+from the fortune-telling booths and entered the ballroom, and presently
+Jack said to his sister, "There she is; the one in the green gown."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is Silvia Holland. What a superb dancer, and how democratic!
+The man she is dancing with is at the head of one of the labor
+organizations that is championing woman's suffrage. Come, Jack, let us
+have a whirl, as of old, and I will then bring your 'Mystery' over to
+the box."</p>
+
+<p>In a moment they were in the midst of the waltz, and at its close Hilda
+had so managed that they were near Miss Holland. Stepping up to her on
+Jack's arm she presented her brother, and, accepting Hilda's invitation,
+Miss Holland joined their party.</p>
+
+<p>"Did I not see you a year ago on the streets in London, the time I was
+arrested?" she naively asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but you were very busy. How in the world could you remember me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be flattered by the apparent compliment. While I was delivering
+my little speech to the police I noted how closely you followed me and
+that you were the only American around, and I had determined to appeal
+to you<a class="pagenum" name="page_41" id="page_41" title="41"></a> for assistance if they undertook to jail the feeble old woman
+who was with us. They didn't disturb her, and so you were not called
+upon, but you see how near you came to being a militant English
+suffragette and perhaps a prisoner for thirty days," she said, half
+seriously and half smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>"The word of command would have made me both," he answered, with so much
+emphasis that Frank broke into the conversation with, "I wonder if the
+open door of an English jail would convert me?"</p>
+
+<p>"That would depend upon who was directing your footsteps toward the
+jail," suggested his brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all; I think I am hopeless after having heard so much of the
+theoretical benefits of suffrage and seen the utter lack of effect in
+Colorado, where I live."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia Holland turned her great, intense eyes upon him. They were
+glowing, and he felt the same fascination he had experienced in the
+afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>"You from Colorado and talk this way!" she said in amazement. "Surely
+you are jesting. Take the effect on the polling places alone. Compare
+those of New York with those of<a class="pagenum" name="page_42" id="page_42" title="42"></a> Denver, and I have seen them in full
+operation in both places. In the first is the atmosphere of barrooms; in
+the second the manners and air of drawing-rooms. If I were a Colorado
+man I should be proud of the result upon Colorado women of their
+responsibility in citizenship. I know women of all nationalities, but I
+know none where the average of intelligence or womanly grace and real
+accomplishments are greater than with your Colorado women."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a railroad attorney, sent out by the owners of some of the lines
+traversing Colorado to look after their interests," he answered. "It is
+possible that my conclusions have been influenced by my occupation. I am
+prepared to admit that. But I have rather old-fashioned notions in
+relation to the proper place for women being in the home and not in
+politics."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you American professional men, particularly you corporation
+lawyers"&mdash;she was smiling now. "You might as well be living in the
+middle ages, for you take no note of the tremendous revolution that is
+going on all around you. What we call politics is in reality government,
+and home is the basis of all good government, and government to serve
+its legitimate aim in a democracy must reflect the sentiments<a class="pagenum" name="page_43" id="page_43" title="43"></a> of all
+the members of the society that created it, women as well as men, and
+the higher the aspirations of society the higher the purposes of
+government."</p>
+
+<p>The others were enjoying this little scene. "Bravo, bravo, Silvia!"
+exclaimed Hilda. "Do make a convert of him!"</p>
+
+<p>"You know," said Miss Holland, and she put as much sarcasm in her tone
+as possible without leaving a sting, "that this thing called government
+only needs a good house-cleaning and the application of a few vermin
+extinguishers, such as every good housekeeper knows how to administer,
+to make this country a congenial habitation for the gods of the
+Twentieth Century&mdash;the enlightened, progressive, responsible citizens of
+a democracy. Come to the Industrial League meeting next Thursday night
+and you will learn more about this than I can possibly tell you. I will
+send you a card," and she gaily floated away with Dr. Orrin Morris, her
+escort of the evening, who had been impatiently waiting for her for
+several minutes.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Orrin Morris and Dr. John Earl were graduated from the same class in
+the Harvard medical school, but Dr. Morris had immediately<a class="pagenum" name="page_44" id="page_44" title="44"></a> after
+graduation settled down to the exclusive practice of surgery according
+to orthodox methods, and was already regarded as one of the rising young
+surgeons of New York City.</p>
+
+<p>His father had met with financial reverses in 1907 that had not only
+wrecked the family fortune but had carried him to an untimely grave. His
+mother had been dead for some years and he had no brother or sister. He
+maintained a house on East 57th Street and had much practice in two of
+the prominent hospitals.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Morris presented a rather angular appearance as he strode away with
+Miss Holland. He was excessively lean, of swarthy complexion, dark eyes,
+black hair and a domineering air. His mother had possessed a strain of
+that Spanish blood that was freely mixed with the Moors during their
+occupancy of Spain, and added to the natural tendencies of the Latin
+were visible some of the ear-marks of Moorish intensity. For some months
+he had been paying marked attention to Miss Holland, whom he had known
+in a general way for a long time, and, while she did not encourage him,
+she had not thought it necessary to dismiss him, for<a class="pagenum" name="page_45" id="page_45" title="45"></a> she found him most
+entertaining, as he was regarded as one of the best non-professional
+violinists in New York. They had spent many agreeable evenings together
+over their music, she playing the accompaniments on the piano.</p>
+
+<p>His views on public questions were as set and conservative as were his
+views on medicine, and she never attempted to discuss those matters with
+him; the fact that she could not do so was somewhat a relief to her when
+she desired to get away from her public activities.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, Dr. Morris and Miss Holland, and the two young men
+with other ladies of their acquaintance, joined in the last dance and
+then started for the cloakrooms together.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_46" id="page_46" title="46"></a>
+<a name="HYPNOTISM_USED_FOR_AN_ANAEligSTHETIC_998" id="HYPNOTISM_USED_FOR_AN_ANAEligSTHETIC_998"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>HYPNOTISM USED FOR AN AN&AElig;STHETIC</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ramsey and Miss Holland emerged from the dressing-rooms after a
+trifling delay, and found Hilda's party and Dr. Morris waiting in the
+foyer. Just as they were about making their way to their respective
+motors they heard a sudden commotion and wild cries from the street, and
+a crowd of people surged in, crying that a child had been killed by an
+automobile. Both Dr. Earl and Dr. Morris rushed toward the street as a
+man came in carrying a little girl of perhaps ten years of age, bleeding
+profusely from the mouth and the scalp, with one leg evidently broken.
+The mother of the child, a comely woman of thirty, followed, wringing
+her hands. Her excitement verged on hysteria, but at the sight of Dr.
+Morris she controlled herself by a mighty effort.</p>
+
+<p>"To the hospital, to the hospital, Dr. Earl," peremptorily exclaimed Dr.
+Morris, as Dr.<a class="pagenum" name="page_47" id="page_47" title="47"></a> Earl threw aside his coat and, rolling back his sleeves
+and directing the man to place the child on a table in one of the
+ante-rooms, began to examine the character of the injuries.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't take my poor child to the hospital. I know she will die if
+she goes there; bring her home; it is only a few blocks," the mother
+pleaded with Dr. Morris, whom she seemed to know.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't waste time here. Where is the telephone? I will call an ambulance
+immediately."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want her taken to the hospital," said the woman sullenly.</p>
+
+<p>"This is no place to operate on a hysterical child," Morris answered.
+"She need not be kept in the hospital, but she should certainly be taken
+there. I know Dr. Earl will agree with me."</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Earl had completed his examination. Silvia Holland was
+watching him anxiously. As Morris spoke he looked up and caught her eye.</p>
+
+<p>"It is only a simple fracture, and the scalp wounds are slight. I
+suppose we could get along, if we can get hot water and the necessary
+appliances," he said dubiously, and then added, turning to the woman,
+"Dr. Morris is quite<a class="pagenum" name="page_48" id="page_48" title="48"></a> right, madame, in advising the hospital, and I
+assure you there is no danger."</p>
+
+<p>The woman turned pleading eyes to Silvia. "She's all I have, and I can't
+let her be taken away from me. Couldn't we go home? It is only a few
+blocks away, and I know I can make her comfortable. Oh, please, please
+don't let them take her away!"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Holland looked at Dr. Earl and put her arm around the woman
+protectingly. "If it isn't any worse than that," she said hesitatingly,
+"don't you think you could do as she asks? Setting a simple fracture
+isn't a very complicated operation, is it?"</p>
+
+<p>Earl smiled. "Oh, no," he said, "it can be done in a comparatively few
+minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why not do it," she said, "and spare the mother all this
+protracted agony, and get the child home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because there are no appliances here to administer an an&aelig;sthetic or do
+anything else properly," answered Morris impatiently, "and no one can
+tell from a cursory examination whether or not there are other injuries,
+to say nothing of the danger from septic&aelig;mia if the work is done in a
+clumsy, slipshod manner."</p>
+
+<p>Earl colored, and Miss Holland replied with<a class="pagenum" name="page_49" id="page_49" title="49"></a> some spirit that even the
+absence of the usual accessories need not imply clumsiness of method,
+and again asked Earl if he could not manage where they were. He turned
+to the mother.</p>
+
+<p>"If you insist upon it, I have no doubt that I can do all that is
+necessary without bad results. As to the an&aelig;sthetic, we can dispense
+with that."</p>
+
+<p>"I will have nothing to do with the case under these circumstances,"
+Morris said angrily.</p>
+
+<p>The woman hesitated, and then said firmly, "I should prefer the other
+gentleman to take charge. I won't have her taken to the hospital."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Earl, and taking a notebook from his pocket he wrote
+out a list of necessary appliances, bandages, alcohol, antiseptic
+solutions, surgeon's scissors, needles, silk and thread, and giving it
+to Frank bade him hurry to the drug-store around the corner which
+carried surgical supplies and procure them, and also to bring a box that
+would do for splints.</p>
+
+<p>"I must have an assistant," he said, and without a word, Miss Holland
+improvised an apron from some of the bunting that<a class="pagenum" name="page_50" id="page_50" title="50"></a> was in evidence
+everywhere, and put herself at his disposal. He sent all the others out
+of the room, and bent over the child for a few minutes. What did he do?
+Miss Holland watched, but could not tell. The moaning ceased, the little
+limbs relaxed, and the child fell into a quiet sleep.</p>
+
+<p>The mother stood just outside the door, listening with strained
+attention, and after two or three impatient turns about the foyer,
+Morris joined her.</p>
+
+<p>"You can do as you please so far as I am concerned," he said in a low
+tone, "but I warn you that you are taking big risks. Allie is nervous
+and excitable at any time, and to-night she is close to hysterics, and
+she won't get over the shock of even a simple operation in a hurry,
+especially if he is fool enough to attempt it without an an&aelig;sthetic."</p>
+
+<p>The woman wavered for a moment, and then turned away without a word, and
+shrugging his shoulders Morris strode down toward the entrance. A moment
+later Silvia Holland came out of the ante-room.</p>
+
+<p>"You can go in now," she said, "only don't disturb your child; she is
+sleeping and you must<a class="pagenum" name="page_51" id="page_51" title="51"></a> be very quiet. Did you see Dr. Morris? Oh, there
+he is."</p>
+
+<p>Mindful of the amenities of life, she hurried to his side. His face was
+dark with something more than anger, and did not lighten as she laid the
+tips of her fingers on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you will excuse me, Orrin," she said gently. "You mustn't be
+angry with me, but I really feel as if I ought to see this through; the
+poor woman needs me. You will forgive me?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her with sudden passion. "Oh, yes, I forgive <i>you</i>," he
+said, with unmistakable emphasis on the pronoun, and was gone. Silvia
+Holland looked after him for a moment, conscious that, accustomed as she
+was to his moods, this was quite a new one, and then joined Dr. Earl,
+who had come into the foyer to say goodnight to the Ramseys and Frank
+Earl, who had returned with the surgical appliances and found nothing
+more that he could do. "By the way, old man," Dr. Earl called to his
+brother-in-law, "send the machine back if you don't mind," and with a
+word of thanks he re-entered the ante-room, followed by Miss Holland,
+and closed the door against further interruption.</p>
+
+<p>There was a sink in the room, with hot and<a class="pagenum" name="page_52" id="page_52" title="52"></a> cold water, and he directed
+Miss Holland to cleanse the basin and implements in the boiling water,
+and follow this up by dipping them in an antiseptic solution; in the
+meantime he ripped the box to pieces, and selected two strips, which he
+whittled into splints, shaping them to the child's leg, and working with
+great rapidity. The bandages, cotton and other things were laid out upon
+the table, and then he took the basin and a cloth and washed the wounds
+on the head, putting back the tousled locks as carefully and tenderly as
+a woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Ordinarily," he said to his assistant, "I should have done this first,
+but my examination showed that this injury is very slight. Of course she
+has bled profusely, but it has come from the nose, and it looks pretty
+bad, but there is nothing serious. Half a dozen stitches will be ample
+for the scalp. Thread that needle with the silk, please. Now let me have
+it." He took it from her, and in a moment the cuts on the head were
+sewed, and he was pulling the leg into place, applying the cotton, the
+splints and bandages, working deftly and silently. "The other needle
+with the thread, please," he said, not looking up, and Miss Holland<a class="pagenum" name="page_53" id="page_53" title="53"></a>
+handed it to him. Presently he raised his head and threw back his
+shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all done," he said simply, and called the mother. "I shall return
+in a quarter of an hour," he said, "and bring her out of this sleep. Do
+not try to rouse her, for you cannot. Do you not think, Miss Holland,
+that it would be well for me to get a nurse to assist in taking the
+little one home? I can 'phone when I return these instruments."</p>
+
+<p>"Your machine is coming back, isn't it?" Miss Holland answered. "It
+seems to me that with what help her mother and I can render that we
+shall manage."</p>
+
+<p>"Excellently," he said. "Then you will be on guard until my return; see
+that the child is not disturbed. I shall be gone but a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>He readjusted his attire, and taking up his hat strode out of the
+building, unconscious until he reached the door that half a dozen
+energetic reporters were eagerly asking particulars. Finding him
+unwilling to tell them anything more than the vaguest generalities, the
+more resourceful returned to the improvised operating-room, and before
+Silvia Holland knew it they<a class="pagenum" name="page_54" id="page_54" title="54"></a> had the story from her enthusiastic lips,
+supplemented by a few facts gathered from the woman. For thus are
+first-page sensations secured and created.</p>
+
+<p>Silvia noticed that the woman spoke with visible reluctance, and she
+herself passed over the controversy between Dr. Morris and Dr. Earl,
+anxious to spare her friend any unnecessary annoyance.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Mrs. Bell," she said contritely. "I didn't realize at first
+that we were being interviewed."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there is no harm done," the woman said quietly. "I hope the doctor
+will not mind; won't he be back pretty soon?"</p>
+
+<p>Almost as she spoke, his tall form was seen making its way through the
+besieging ranks of the Fourth Estate. He waved them aside good
+humoredly, but refusing to be interviewed, he took the child in his
+strong arms and, followed by her mother and Miss Holland, made his way
+to the auto. While she was in a profound sleep when he returned, she
+wakened instantly when he commanded her to do so, and the cool night air
+evidently refreshed her greatly as they drove to Mrs. Bell's home. Dr.
+Earl carried<a class="pagenum" name="page_55" id="page_55" title="55"></a> the little one upstairs, gave her mother explicit
+directions, and promising to call early the following day to adjust a
+cast, left the apartment with Miss Holland.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_56" id="page_56" title="56"></a>
+<a name="SOME_STRENUOUS_ANTISUFFRAGISTS_1200" id="SOME_STRENUOUS_ANTISUFFRAGISTS_1200"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>SOME STRENUOUS ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Several of the New York papers carried lurid headlines and more or less
+sensational accounts of the accident to the child and the treatment
+administered by Dr. Earl, as well as a tribute to the heroism of the
+volunteer nurse. All of them contained a report of some character of
+these occurrences.</p>
+
+<p>When Dr. Earl called at the home of his fianc&eacute;e, according to
+appointment, to take her and her mother to luncheon the next day, he
+found Leonora in a sullen mood, and it did not take him long to discover
+that he was not in high favor at this particular hour.</p>
+
+<p>He greeted her with a kiss, but hers in return was perfunctory. He was
+not compelled to wait long for an explanation, for she poured out her
+feelings without any questioning.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, dear, how could you mix up with that suffrage crowd! Don't
+you know that<a class="pagenum" name="page_57" id="page_57" title="57"></a> mamma is vice-president of the Anti-Woman Suffrage
+League? She is so annoyed! And that horrid Silvia Holland&mdash;why, Jack,
+she is a downright socialist. Don't you know she was arrested in England
+for trying to break into parliament with a lot of other suffragettes,
+and she was arrested here only last month for defying the police and
+taking sides with a lot of girls who refused to work in the factories
+where they were employed! Even when in school she was horrid. When they
+wouldn't let her make a suffrage speech on the school grounds one night
+she took the girls to a neighboring graveyard and spoke from a flat
+monument! And to think the papers have you mixed up with her, and our
+wedding soon to be announced! Oh, it's terrible!" and she buried her
+face in the sofa pillows.</p>
+
+<p>Had this scene occurred with any one else, Jack felt certain he could
+not have restrained his laughter, for he could see Miss Holland
+delivering an exhortation to the schoolgirls from a tombstone in a
+cemetery by night. But he understood the prejudices of a certain element
+of New York society, and while the past twenty-four hours had led him,
+somewhat, to believe that this progressive democratic wave<a class="pagenum" name="page_58" id="page_58" title="58"></a> sweeping
+over the world had engulfed all New Yorkers, he now realized how sadly
+mistaken he had been.</p>
+
+<p>With infinite tact he told her that his sister had taken their party to
+the ball&mdash;pointed out his own duty when the injured child had been
+brought in from the street, and how he had not even suggested that Miss
+Holland should assist him. He saw that the present was no time for a
+discussion of the merits of the case or a pronouncement of his own
+views, but he distinctly realized, with something of a jolt, it is true,
+that a wide gulf separated the Bourbon element of America's supposed
+democracy from the advancing column of her real and inspired democracy,
+and he wondered whether it were at all possible to tunnel under or
+bridge over this gulf. He lightly changed the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"I have just discovered that I can get my old offices on East 53rd
+Street, as the year's lease expires the first of next month, and the
+agents heeded my letter asking them to wait for me. So I shall feel
+quite at home in the old quarters," he said.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled at this, but was not quite ready to drop the former subject.
+"Jack, dear, did<a class="pagenum" name="page_59" id="page_59" title="59"></a> you take Miss Holland home at one o'clock in the
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>He laughed at her this time, as he bent to kiss her. "I really believe
+you are jealous, you little nymph. Of course I took her home. She could
+not stay there all night, and there was no one else to take her."</p>
+
+<p>She looked very serious. "No, I don't know what jealousy is," she slowly
+and emphatically said, "but I don't want to know people who do the
+things that Miss Holland does, and I don't want you to know them."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child," he said, taking her hands in his and catching her eyes
+with his own steady glance. "I must know whoever is thrown into my path
+either in a professional or a social way. All people are intensely
+interesting to me, for we are, after all, but one great family of human
+beings, trying to carve out lives that are worth while, and this we can
+do better by getting the best there is from each other." He hesitated a
+moment, still looking steadily at her. She quivered slightly, but he was
+dimly conscious of the colossal character of the will she was summoning
+to her aid. Then very slowly, but with all the earnestness of his
+nature, he added, "You must get away from these views, for they<a class="pagenum" name="page_60" id="page_60" title="60"></a> are
+dwarfing and not becoming to you, and if you do not we shall be very
+unhappy. Miss Holland is a remarkable young woman. She is destined to
+fill a great place in our American social and political life. She is
+well worthy of your friendship."</p>
+
+<p>She withdrew her hands, but still kept her eyes fixed on his. Her brow
+contracted and with emphasis she said: "Miss Holland has forfeited her
+place in our set by her conduct; why, Jack, you don't know how she is
+criticized by our friends or you would not suggest such a thing."</p>
+
+<p>He arose with a shrug of his shoulders. Fortunately, Mrs. Kimball
+appeared at this moment and they motored to the Plaza for luncheon,
+which was a somewhat formal and unsatisfactory affair, in spite of all
+his efforts to make it otherwise. The young man could not but feel that
+Mrs. Kimball shared her daughter's views&mdash;was, in fact, their
+author&mdash;and that in the eyes of his future mother-in-law he had been
+guilty of a breach of etiquette far more serious than an infraction of
+the moral law. He left them with the understanding that he would
+accompany them to the theatre in the evening.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_61" id="page_61" title="61"></a>
+<a name="CHRISTIAN_SCIENCE_AND_SURGERY_1306" id="CHRISTIAN_SCIENCE_AND_SURGERY_1306"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SURGERY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The days of a militant suffragette are full to overflowing, and Silvia
+Holland was not able to see Mrs. Bell and her little daughter early the
+following morning as she had planned. It must have been well toward the
+middle of the afternoon when she entered the modest apartment, and going
+to the bed, visible in the alcove, kissed the child and put a great,
+dewy bunch of violets in her hand. She took them, and hugged them tight
+in her thin little arms, while her eyes looked into Silvia's
+wonderingly, and her mother turned away to hide the sudden tears.</p>
+
+<p>The apartment was well though not expensively furnished, and both mother
+and child had the unmistakable air of good birth and refinement. As
+Silvia glanced at Mrs. Bell she was conscious of something in her face
+at once baffling and appealing. She had the indefinable<a class="pagenum" name="page_62" id="page_62" title="62"></a> look of one who
+dwells with a sorrow for which there is no cure.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you quite sure there is nothing I can do for either of you to-day?"
+Silvia asked, a trifle diffidently, for she did not want to offend by
+overzeal.</p>
+
+<p>"You and Dr. Earl have placed us under so many obligations that we can
+never hope to repay them," Mrs. Bell said quietly. "If I do not speak
+more freely of what I feel, it is because I have no words for its
+expression."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't speak or think of obligations," Silvia said lightly, "and here is
+my card, so that if at any time I might be of service to you I hope you
+will not hesitate to call on me. I live at the Whittier Studios." The
+card which she gave Mrs. Bell read:</p>
+
+<p class='center'>
+<span class="smcap">Silvia Holland</span>,<br />
+Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law,<br />
+City Investment Building,<br />
+New York City.
+</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bell looked at it curiously. "Oh, it isn't possible that you are
+<i>that</i> Miss Holland, <i>the</i> Miss Holland!" she said incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>Silvia laughed. "Don't I look as if I could say 'Gentlemen of the jury'
+with sufficient<a class="pagenum" name="page_63" id="page_63" title="63"></a> gravity?" she said. "Probably I shall do better when we
+say 'Ladies of the jury,' too."</p>
+
+<p>"You look like what you are, a beautiful and fashionable lady," Mrs.
+Bell answered. "Surely no one would ever take you for a professional
+woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Must a fashionable lady be a listless parasite? Even if she wishes
+merely to be a queen of society, would she not be more queenly if she
+knew the trials and afflictions of others, and, better still, knew how
+to help them? Would she be less a queen if she were not dependent upon
+some man for her daily bread&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>A sudden flash of something, she could not tell whether it was pain or
+rebellion or despair, crossed Mrs. Bell's face, and Silvia hesitated and
+then went on rather hurriedly, as if, knowing she had struck a false
+note, she sought to distract the other woman's thought from it. "I am
+trying to demonstrate the glorious mission that belongs to woman when
+she fills her predestined sphere of economic independence and political
+freedom."</p>
+
+<p>"Political freedom will come first and easiest," said the woman slowly.
+She raised her eyes, filled with trouble, and looked full into Silvia's.
+"The other is the greater boon, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_64" id="page_64" title="64"></a> will be harder to win. Some day I
+may need to consult a lawyer; there is no one I would so gladly trust;
+it is a personal matter and may adjust itself, if not&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If not, telephone to make sure that I am in, and I shall be glad to see
+you at any time," answered Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>There was the sound of a quick, firm step in the hall, and the bell
+rang. Mrs. Bell opened the door and admitted Dr. Earl. After a few
+questions and the exchange of greetings, he went over to the bedside of
+his small patient. He found the child doing admirably, and glanced
+hastily about the room, trying to make up his mind whether he might
+offer any other assistance than that of a professional character. He
+decided that he could not, and realized with a sense of pleasure and
+relief that Miss Holland would be able to attend to such details with
+more tact and skill than he could. Nor could he help the glow of
+gratification that they should be associated in so vital a matter, one
+that he felt swept away the petty conventionalities of society, and
+placed them on a footing of understanding and common sympathy not to
+have been acquired by months, or even years, of the ordinary social
+amenities. After a few<a class="pagenum" name="page_65" id="page_65" title="65"></a> directions for the care of the small patient,
+and a promise to look in the following day, he told Mrs. Bell how to
+find him in case of any sudden need and took up his hat and stick.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you going, Dr. Earl? Can I set you down anywhere? My car is at the
+door."</p>
+
+<p>He bowed, and followed her out. "We have an embarrassment of riches," he
+said, "for my car is also here." Then, rather boyishly, moved by an
+impulse he would have found it hard to explain, he said, "Suppose we
+dismiss them both, and walk up through the Park?"</p>
+
+<p>She acquiesced, and a few moments later they were strolling up the
+Avenue, rather silently, considering that each had many things to say.
+As usual, it was the woman who broke the silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me about all this. I never was more interested in anything in my
+life," she said, looking up at him with a glance that carried the
+subtlest flattery, and, while her query was vague, he understood and
+made no attempt to evade it.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a long story," he said; "have you time for it to-day? And it is
+really no more remarkable than the effect you produced in your parade
+yesterday, and I think the causes are<a class="pagenum" name="page_66" id="page_66" title="66"></a> the same. The world is full of
+mystery, but before honest, earnest purpose of any kind the storehouses
+of mystery will eventually open. The fact is, that the present
+tremendous progressive movement in the world is spiritual and every
+phase of it is interdependent upon every other element. The thoughtless
+call these things 'fads.' In reality, each one of them marks a
+crystallization of centuries of thought and hope and dream for the
+advancement and elevation of the human race. The world, as usually
+happens in spiritual matters, awakened to the importance of all of them
+at the same time." He paused, as if realizing for the first time how
+personal was the story for which she had asked. "You will think me an
+egregious egotist, Miss Holland, I fear."</p>
+
+<p>"No, whatever you may be, or I may think you, you need have no fears on
+that score." She answered simply, directly. "Please tell me&mdash;if you
+think I deserve so great a confidence."</p>
+
+<p>He bowed gravely; there was no hint of coquetry in her manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Directly after my graduation at Harvard, three years ago, I opened
+offices in New York, intending to specialize in surgery, for I had<a class="pagenum" name="page_67" id="page_67" title="67"></a>
+prepared for that, though I desired to obtain a general practice for a
+while to put into effect and improve my theoretical knowledge. In a
+misty way I soon realized that neither my own efforts nor those of my
+colleagues were crowned with the success that should attend a profession
+founded upon strictly scientific principles, as modern surgery is. The
+chief cause of disturbance with me was that so many operations were
+performed which subsequent developments showed might have been avoided,
+but which at the time seemed imperative. I redoubled my studies of
+<i>materia medica</i>, hoping to find a way by which this difficulty might be
+obviated or overcome, and while my constant researches helped, I still
+found much difficulty in arriving at accurate conclusions before
+attempting an operation. I found nothing that satisfied me. I was also
+greatly bothered and baffled by the large number of cases which the
+surgeon encounters, controlled or dependent upon nervous conditions and
+the futility of the drugs ordinarily given.</p>
+
+<p>"While in this mood a friend of mine called at my office one Wednesday
+evening by appointment. He was the general manager of a large utility
+company that has to do with the<a class="pagenum" name="page_68" id="page_68" title="68"></a> people of every section of the
+civilized world, and a man of rare judgment, knowledge of the world, and
+poise. We were on most intimate terms, and I had already told him
+something of these perplexities. This evening, I had supposed that he
+was coming to see me professionally, and I had made other engagements.
+As soon as he stepped into my private office, he said: 'Doctor, cancel
+every engagement you have for this evening. I need you very badly in
+affairs of my own. You are to ask no questions, but do as I request and
+send me your bill to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I could not refuse him, so I arranged to go with him, and
+then asked whether I should require surgical instruments or only a
+medicine case. He replied that I would need neither, and I could gain
+nothing from his manner, for he was very grave. At his suggestion we
+walked, going up Fifth Avenue to the Park, and then across the Park to
+the corner of 96th Street and Central Park West, where there stands a
+great church. The rolling notes of the organ filled the quiet with an
+impressiveness I had never felt before, and the congregation was singing
+an old hymn with an earnestness and depth of feeling quite different<a class="pagenum" name="page_69" id="page_69" title="69"></a>
+from most congregational singing. We entered and were shown to seats in
+the balcony, in the front row, where we had an excellent view of most of
+those below. 'You will find many of your acquaintances here,' he said,
+and on looking around I was surprised at the great number of prominent
+New York men and women in the audience.</p>
+
+<p>"After the preliminary proceedings those that desired to do so were
+invited to tell their experiences in combating disease, or other adverse
+conditions. What I heard was a revelation. This experience,
+corroborating, as it did, my own observations, emphasized how little of
+the field of suggestive and mental therapeutics the ordinary medical
+practitioner really filled, and I determined to explore that field
+before going any further with my practice. I thanked my friend for
+taking me to this place, and within a month I decided to go abroad. I
+visited the institutions of note in Europe, where suggestive
+therapeutics are practiced, and then went to India, where I spent many
+months. There I found the original source of suggestive, mental and
+spiritual treatment.</p>
+
+<p>"If the Yogi of India could supplement his method of training the
+subconscious mind with<a class="pagenum" name="page_70" id="page_70" title="70"></a> the knowledge which our regular physicians
+possess, and could apply both with discriminating skill, we would have
+the greatest human healing power ever known. The best I could hope for
+was to apply as much of the wisdom of the Yogi and other cults in India
+and Europe as I could master in the brief time at my disposal, and that
+I am attempting to do. With all the perfection of system in training the
+subconscious mind that characterizes a comparatively few of the
+inhabitants of India, the millions are left without any appreciable
+benefits therefrom, just as the millions here are left without the full
+benefits of the special training of the few.</p>
+
+<p>"We are but touching the borderland of this mysterious realm of the
+occult, the subconscious and the spiritual forces that have such an
+important bearing upon all phases of human life, and which, when
+intelligently applied to the child in school and the direction of the
+individual in his career, promise so much for the elevation, longevity
+and achievements of the human race.</p>
+
+<p>"The world is just waking up to the vast significance of the spiritual
+teachings of Jesus Christ, and their bearing upon all phases and<a class="pagenum" name="page_71" id="page_71" title="71"></a>
+activities of human life. When Christ told the Pharisees that 'the
+kingdom of God is within you,' he carried the lesson, though little
+understood then, and so fully comprehended now, that Christianity,
+citizenship, government, health, happiness and progress are all
+dependent upon the character of the ideals and purposes and daily life
+of the individual.</p>
+
+<p>"When Christ told the lawyer that to 'love thy neighbor as thyself' was
+one of the essentials of salvation, he laid the corner-stone for a pure
+and honest democracy, without which underlying principle there can be no
+lasting democratic government. We now know, in medicine, that much of
+longevity and good health and power of recuperation depend upon the
+ideals of the individual, and their inspiring influence.</p>
+
+<p>"It is too bad that with all our tremendous progress we allow bigotry
+and prejudice to hamper us in getting the most out of the wisdom around
+us as well as that of the ages, all of which is correlated. Yet very
+often the orthodox Christian, who believes that Christ not only healed
+the sick but also raised the dead, decries the Christian Scientist who
+only professes to restore the sick on the theory that disease<a class="pagenum" name="page_72" id="page_72" title="72"></a> cannot
+exist in an individual properly imbued with Christ's teachings. Too
+often the orthodox doctor of medicine denounces the healer who overcomes
+apparent disease through mental suggestion or arrests a nervous
+breakdown in a patient by teaching that patient how to relax, when the
+doctor himself does not hesitate to give bread pills in the first
+instance and to recommend a sanitarium where relaxation is the only
+thing attempted in the second. And I presume this quotation from the
+Dhamma-pada, which is many centuries older than the Christian religion,
+would be denounced as heresy by some of the Christian Scientists,
+although it embodies the spirit and almost the words of their own
+teachings: 'All that we are is the result of what we have thought. It is
+founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speak
+or act with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the
+foot of the ox that draws the carriage.'"</p>
+
+<p>Presently Dr. Earl hailed a passing taxi-cab, and gave the order to be
+taken to the Whittier Studios. The drive home was silent. Once or twice
+Silvia looked at her tall companion. She was frankly curious about the
+Paris case,<a class="pagenum" name="page_73" id="page_73" title="73"></a> but something in the quiet, self-contained face of the man
+beside her did not invite questions. On his part, John Earl was asking
+himself why he should have given his confidence to this comparative
+stranger, and the longer he thought about it the less able was he to
+answer his question.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_74" id="page_74" title="74"></a>
+<a name="THE_OMNIPRESENT_EYES_OF_FIFTH_AVENUE_1564" id="THE_OMNIPRESENT_EYES_OF_FIFTH_AVENUE_1564"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>THE OMNIPRESENT EYES OF FIFTH AVENUE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The source of gossip in a village is the corner grocery store; in a
+small city, what goes on about the public square; in the medium-sized
+city, what transpires in the leading caf&eacute;; in New York, Fifth Avenue and
+Central Park are the all-abounding sources of gossip. The Avenue has a
+thousand curious eyes; those on the sidewalk peering into automobiles
+and carriages for sensations; those being whirled along in vehicles,
+straining their power in the quest of salacious information among the
+throng beyond the curbstone. All New York passes along Fifth Avenue at
+some time or another. All of one's friends are always passing along that
+way when one does not particularly wish to be seen by them. If one is
+walking, the friends are invariably driving; if one is driving, of
+course the ubiquitous acquaintances<a class="pagenum" name="page_75" id="page_75" title="75"></a> are out for a stroll. Sometimes
+people have been known to escape two-thirds of the omnipresent eyes that
+line the sidewalks, pack the Avenue and infest the highways of Central
+Park, but no person has ever been heard of who escaped all of them.</p>
+
+<p>So the lot of our strollers was but the common lot of all, visitors as
+well as resident New Yorkers.</p>
+
+<p>While mutually absorbed, the one in reciting the tale, the other in
+listening to it; while diverted and interested by the thousand sparks
+that radiate from the batteries of youthful energy and enthusiasm and
+tingle the sensibilities of a congenial comrade; while speculating on
+the unknown vista from peep-holes that show only fragments, but
+realizing all the vastness and richness of the world force and universal
+sympathy possessed by each of them&mdash;it is not strange that in four
+blocks on the Avenue they were passed by two ladies in an automobile,
+who took more than an ordinary interest in their movements, and by a
+dark-eyed, dark-haired man in another car, whose eyes gleamed and whose
+cheeks blanched at the sight of their absorption in each other.</p>
+
+<p>But the things garnered on the Avenue are<a class="pagenum" name="page_76" id="page_76" title="76"></a> never placed in cold storage,
+and soon enough both of them were to hear about this stroll.</p>
+
+<p>When Dr. Earl called that evening to take Mrs. and Miss Kimball to the
+theatre he discovered that his reception in the morning had been
+tropical compared to this one. He was compelled to wait fully fifteen
+minutes before Miss Kimball appeared in house gown and slippers,
+indicating her purpose to remain at home, and the bearer of a message
+that her mother begged to be excused, as she had retired with a sick
+headache.</p>
+
+<p>In vain he sought for a reason for his frigid reception, and feeling
+that his presence was an affliction he arose to go.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you had a pleasant stroll this afternoon," came in icicle tones.</p>
+
+<p>This shed all the light necessary upon the character of his greeting.</p>
+
+<p>The eyes of Fifth Avenue had not grown dim.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, looking at her steadily, "it was a most delightful
+stroll."</p>
+
+<p>She could stand the strain no longer; she came close to him and he
+stooped and tenderly kissed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, why do you persist in having<a class="pagenum" name="page_77" id="page_77" title="77"></a> anything to do with her when
+you know how unhappy it makes me!" she said in her gentlest tone.</p>
+
+<p>They sat down and he related the entire story of the occurrences of the
+afternoon to her. It pacified her to a degree.</p>
+
+<p>"But Jack, dear, you will promise me never to see her again, will you
+not?" and her tone was pleading now.</p>
+
+<p>"I promised to go with my brother to a suffrage meeting she is holding
+Thursday night. Of course <i>you</i> would not wish to go, and I am certain
+you do not want me to break my promise."</p>
+
+<p>"I am certain," she said, emphasizing each word, "that I do not want you
+to see her again."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me understand you, Leonora, dear. There are many prominent New York
+women in this suffrage movement. Some of my very best old-time friends,
+I am informed, are participating in it. Is it your desire that I shall
+cut their acquaintance also, or is it just Miss Holland you want me
+never to see again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now, don't think I am jealous of her, for I am not. She is the most
+conspicuous one in this suffrage movement on account of the awful<a class="pagenum" name="page_78" id="page_78" title="78"></a>
+things she does, but I don't care to associate with any person who is
+identified with this crusade. Neither does my mother, nor any of our
+social set, and of course I would like you to feel the same way."</p>
+
+<p>"But suppose I do not feel that way. Suppose my sympathies are with them
+and my profession as well as my political predilections should carry me
+among them?" he asked earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Jack, what has come over you that you are so plebeian! Can't you
+see how these women are cheapening New York society, associating with
+workingmen and shop girls!"</p>
+
+<p>"But that is what they should do in a democracy, and I am sure I never
+saw better-looking women in my life than these same busy suffragists.
+They have something to do, and are not dying of <i>ennui</i> or
+listlessness," he answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Their stock argument," she answered, "but whoever heard of an
+aristocracy based on such things as these women engage in. Promise me,
+Jack, that you will have nothing to do with any of them."</p>
+
+<p>"You are unduly wrought up to-night," he answered, "but I will promise
+you that I shall do nothing to cause you unnecessary annoyance.<a class="pagenum" name="page_79" id="page_79" title="79"></a> You
+must not be too captious, dear, and remember that I go Thursday night."</p>
+
+<p>She started to protest, but he drowned the effort in a shower of
+caresses and bade her goodnight. Each of them, in the silence of their
+own apartments, thought long and earnestly of this interview. Leonora
+Kimball had been taught to believe that the chief badges of an
+aristocracy were complete idleness of the women, and the possession of
+enough wealth to support such idleness. It mattered not how mentally
+insipid or morally opaque or physically inane such women might be, the
+true test of being fitted for the purple was whether or not they had
+ever done any useful work, and whether or not they had money enough so
+that the other members of their set might feel assured that they never
+would do any useful work. An aristocracy of trained brains or unselfish
+culture were meaningless terms to her.</p>
+
+<p>But this night she was greatly disturbed over the attitude of the man
+she was to marry. She had been quite honest with him when she asserted
+that jealousy was foreign to her nature; affection did not run deep
+enough with her to strike its eternal renewing fountain&mdash;jealousy. The
+practical character with which<a class="pagenum" name="page_80" id="page_80" title="80"></a> she had been endowed easily enough
+conducted affairs of the heart along paths directed by the head, and
+while her professions of love were quite sincere and her loyalty beyond
+question, yet she had not the remotest idea of the grand passion. She
+knew that she was very fond of John Earl; that he was worthy of her;
+that he could sustain her manner of life and that his social standing
+was all that either she or her mother could desire. She also knew that
+she did not wish to lose him, and much as she abhorred the suffragists,
+she determined to be lenient with his present mood, certain she could
+change it ere long, else of what avail was the all-powerful "silent
+influence" upon which the Anti-Suffragists laid so much stress?</p>
+
+<p>Earl was more than disturbed by her attitude, for he discovered traits
+of character and a shallowness of sympathy that shocked him. His dream
+of married bliss was the absolute <i>camaraderie</i> he expected it to bring.
+He feared now that she would not enter into his life or ambitions, and,
+like too many of his married acquaintances, they would be seeking
+happiness along diverse paths.</p>
+
+<p>"However, it's all very new to her," he said to himself after an hour's
+reverie, "and she is<a class="pagenum" name="page_81" id="page_81" title="81"></a> quite young. A few weeks will properly adjust our
+relations."</p>
+
+<p>The dominant characteristic of this young man was a deep sense of
+justice, and while other feelings were all too manifest in his
+subconscious being, he permitted himself only to try to solve the
+problem of what was the right thing along the lines where he had cast
+his future.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_82" id="page_82" title="82"></a>
+<a name="LOVE_JEALOUSY_AND_MUSIC_1726" id="LOVE_JEALOUSY_AND_MUSIC_1726"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MUSIC</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The telephone bell in her apartment was ringing as Miss Holland entered
+from her stroll, radiantly happy and at peace with all the world. She
+took the receiver from the maid.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Morris? Yes, I shall be home this evening, and glad to see you, of
+course. Bring your violin and come by eight-thirty. Yes&mdash;yes. I meant to
+have called you and apologized for my somewhat cavalier desertion of you
+last night. I am sorry I was rude, I didn't mean to be, but come and let
+me ask you to forgive me." Her tone was adorable and melted the sullen
+mood of the man at the other end of the wire.</p>
+
+<p>Having sworn that he would not see her again, having 'phoned to make an
+appointment at which he meant to utter as bitter reproaches as he dared,
+he appeared promptly at the hour<a class="pagenum" name="page_83" id="page_83" title="83"></a> set, ready to implore her grace and
+accept with gratitude any smallest favor, any ray of hope she might see
+fit to bestow upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Like many another professional man in New York, in order to cater to the
+class in society in which he hoped to establish his reputation and
+clientele, Morris had found it necessary to live in a style which far
+exceeded his income, although that was a good one for a man still young
+in his profession. He was not popular with men, who regarded him as
+rather theatrical and a <i>poseur</i>, but his music, a certain deference of
+manner, a more romantic quality than is to be generally found among
+American business men, gave him a great vogue with women, and he
+cultivated them, especially the older ones, and they made life very
+pleasant for him, introduced him to the right people, and gave him much
+good advice now and then.</p>
+
+<p>One of the smartest of these social leaders said practically one day:
+"My dear boy, why do you let all these rich girls marry those silly
+foreigners, without an idea to bless themselves with&mdash;dukes, debts and
+diseases seem synonymous; you are not only clever, but you have the one
+gift, saving the title, that commends these creatures to our girls."<a class="pagenum" name="page_84" id="page_84" title="84"></a></p>
+
+<p>He smiled his inscrutable smile and bowed. "And that is?"</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to have found the lost art of making pretty speeches, and
+paying a woman the small attentions that we all like so well. If I were
+a man," went on this dreadful dame, "I should never forget to kiss my
+wife and send her flowers and remember all the family anniversaries. It
+is by attention to such small details as this that a man may purchase
+immunity in larger and more important matters. I know this is most
+immoral, but it makes the wife happy, the husband comfortable, and would
+go far to decimate the divorce rate, so what more could you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I owe this to the fact that my father was a Hungarian
+nobleman&mdash;oh, just a trumpery little title, with nothing to pay for the
+necessary gold lace, so when he came to America he decided, like so many
+of the revolutionists of that period, to be ultra-American, and dropped
+even the foreign spelling of the name, changing the 'itz' to plain
+'r-i-s,'" he answered. "I'm sure my music belongs to the other side of
+the Atlantic."</p>
+
+<p>"That accounts for it all," she said. "There is absolutely no reason why
+you shouldn't<a class="pagenum" name="page_85" id="page_85" title="85"></a> marry almost any woman you want to. Why not find one who
+can give you millions in money and the social position you need without
+taking a generation to create one? I hope you haven't any foolish
+entanglements," she added.</p>
+
+<p>He flushed, but did not answer, and when a few weeks later he and Silvia
+Holland had played together for some charitable entertainment, his
+venerable mentor had sought him out, ready to bestow her blessing at the
+earliest possible moment, approving his practical judgment and his good
+taste. That was a long time ago.</p>
+
+<p>He had resented the implication at the time; to do him justice, had
+Silvia been penniless she would still have attracted him as no other
+woman ever had. It was partly her personal charm, partly her music. It
+may be true that the world of art is still the world, but it is a very
+different world from that in which most of us live and move and have our
+being, and Morris was conscious when her fingers touched the keys, and
+he took up his bow and drew it across the strings of his violin, that
+they entered upon a new and boundless universe in which sound superseded
+all other mediums of communication, and seemed to take the place<a class="pagenum" name="page_86" id="page_86" title="86"></a> of
+mere mundane sensation. Whether his passion for Silvia grew out of their
+music, or the wonder of the music was a result of the perfect accord of
+their natures, he could not tell. They had become one in his mind.</p>
+
+<p>He fervently hated her various public activities. Here again the
+ancestral traits dominated. He thought of her as a great lady, and being
+that, she should have been content without anything more. Rushing madly
+about doing things for other people implied a certain loss of caste. But
+until the previous evening his discontent had been free from the bitter
+draught of jealousy. There had been safety in the number of Miss
+Holland's admirers, and when he was surest that she did not in any way
+return his feeling for her, there had been balm in the thought that she
+was too busy elevating the condition of her own sex to have much time to
+waste upon any member of his. Instinctively he knew, when he intercepted
+the first look between the lady of his dreams and his erstwhile college
+associate, that the hour had come that he had dreaded. Silvia Holland
+had at last met a man whom, consciously or unconsciously, she
+acknowledged king. His rival was there, upon the threshold of her life,
+and he was a<a class="pagenum" name="page_87" id="page_87" title="87"></a> rival to be feared. That he might also be a rival in his
+profession, that he was so rich that he was far above the straits in
+which Morris found himself more and more frequently involved, only added
+to the flame that consumed him; life without Silvia herself would be
+dull, colorless, objectless; life without her music would be but "wind
+along the waste."</p>
+
+<p>He had no patience with the theories of the newer medical practitioners
+who refuse to be frightened by the cry of "professional ethics" or by
+the demand that practice shall be "regular" whether the patient survives
+or not; and yet while he denounced all forms of mental therapeutics, he
+was conscious of a strain of superstition which he could in no wise
+overcome. Weird folk-lore and uncanny rites kept up by some of the
+primitive people of Hungary had had a strange fascination for him when
+he was abroad. In himself, he found a singular mixture of the primeval
+savage, and the ultra refined that approaches decadence. Of one thing
+alone he was certain. To lose Silvia was to lose his soul; without her
+there was neither here nor hereafter. Ruthlessly as he had brushed aside
+the one woman in his life who came between them, he was prepared to<a class="pagenum" name="page_88" id="page_88" title="88"></a>
+thrust out of his way any man who sought to become a part of her life.</p>
+
+<p>It was in this mood that he entered her presence, and in this mood he
+accepted her <i>amende honorable</i>, which she made with charming humility,
+but when she would have led him to the music-room, for once he
+hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"In a few minutes," he said, "but just now there is something I must say
+to you. It is true that I was deeply hurt last night, but your regret,
+so graciously expressed, emboldens me to think that you would not
+willingly hurt me." He stopped, and she looked at him with a rather
+puzzled air. "We have been friends for a great while," he said
+irrelevantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said cordially, and somewhat relieved. "Haven't we? And what
+a friendship it has been! A triangular affair, like a loving cup&mdash;you
+and I and some one of the great masters of melody. Shall it be Chopin
+to-night, or shall we begin with something lighter and finish with the
+Twelfth Nocturne, as usual?"</p>
+
+<p>She led the way, and stood by the piano, rippling her fingers over the
+keys, and he stood before her, his face white and intense with feeling.
+He laid his strong, brown fingers over the white ones, and raised them
+to his lips, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_89" id="page_89" title="89"></a> Silvia laughed a trifle nervously. It was one of his
+old-world ways that she liked, but disapproved with all proper
+democratic fervor.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it indeed been a loving cup from which we have drunk?" he said,
+with passionate sadness. "I dare not think so, I dare not even hope so
+much grace! And yet how is it possible that a man should feel what I
+feel for you unless there is a response, little as he may deserve
+it&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He paused, and she took away her hand, and laid it lightly on his
+shoulder as he sank down on the seat before the piano.</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't," she said gently. "Don't you see that you are quite
+right? If it were really, truly love that had come to you, I should feel
+it also, there could be no question of doubting or daring; no thought of
+hopelessness. Some time you will know that this is true, when some other
+heart speaks to yours in the unmistakable tone of the one only love of
+your heart. Each of us has his place in life, and in the lives of those
+with whom we come in contact. No one can ever have your place; I can't
+tell you how much rest and happiness you have brought me when I have
+been a-weary of this world. Come,<a class="pagenum" name="page_90" id="page_90" title="90"></a> Orrin, don't rob me of my friend that
+I may lose a lover."</p>
+
+<p>By a herculean effort he restrained his feelings, and answered lightly,
+"You shall keep your friend, my sorceress of song," but he added under
+his breath, "Look to it, when the lover comes, for you may still lose
+<i>him</i>." Then he took up his violin, and the night became a splendid
+harmony, despite the discord that raged in his soul.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_91" id="page_91" title="91"></a>
+<a name="A_DISCUSSION_OF_PROGRESSIVE_WOMEN_1901" id="A_DISCUSSION_OF_PROGRESSIVE_WOMEN_1901"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>A DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSIVE WOMEN</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The group that had foregathered about Mrs. Ramsey's tea-table that
+Thursday afternoon had scattered and gone its several ways. The last of
+them was bidding her adieu as her husband entered and joined her
+brothers, who were lingering for a farewell word with her, each occupied
+in characteristic fashion, John gazing into the fire that smouldered on
+the grate, for it was a raw and chilly afternoon, and Frank endeavoring
+to coax a last cup of tea from the silver tea-ball and the still
+steaming kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"If you really want another cup, Frank, let me have the tea-ball
+refilled," Mrs. Ramsey said, and then laying her hand on her elder
+brother's shoulder, "A new Lincoln penny for your thoughts, Jack. You
+look as if they might be romantic, but I suppose you are really<a class="pagenum" name="page_92" id="page_92" title="92"></a> off on
+the quest of the blooming bacillus or the meandering microbe, or hanging
+over&mdash;what is it you call your garden beds of disease&mdash;a culture?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked up and patted her hand. "It is too bad not to be able to be a
+hero to one's own sister, but the truth is, I wasn't thinking at all,
+just wool-gathering. By the way, Frank, are you going to motor down to
+that meeting of Miss Holland's to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Wool-gathering, he calls it!" said the younger man, letting his lump of
+sugar clatter on his saucer. "I'd say it was all cry and no wool; at
+least you are pulling none over my eyes. Am I going to motor down to
+hear the protests of the proletariat to-night? No, dear brother, I am
+not. When I go out to mingle with the down-trodden and oppressed I take
+the 'L'; a surface car would be even more appropriate, but they take
+forever, and I compromise on the 'L,' but you never did have any sense
+of dramatic fitness."</p>
+
+<p>"Might I ask why this sudden interest in the militant laboring ladies?"
+said Ramsey, drawing up his chair before the fire, and lighting a
+cigarette. "Are you going to obtrude your somewhat massive personality
+upon the scene?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_93" id="page_93" title="93"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's what I'd like to know," added Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor laughed rather diffidently. "Why not?" he said. "Why
+shouldn't I go, if I wish to?"</p>
+
+<p>Frank flung out his hands with a gesture of mock despair. "Now, wouldn't
+that come and get you!" he said. "I appeal to you, Hilda. You were
+present; you heard Miss Holland invite me to this Manifesto Makers'
+meeting. You know she never said a word to Jack; she didn't even look at
+him. He was foolish enough to let her see that he was already a convert
+to her little gospel, and therefore no longer in need of her
+ministrations. But as for me, 'I was a wandering sheep; I did not love
+the fold,' and hence, as a good missionary, she feels a deep interest in
+me. Off and on, I should say at least fifty Colorado women have tried to
+make a suffragist of me. Some of them were very pretty," he added
+reminiscently, "and I've noticed that the prettier they are the longer
+it takes 'em to make me see the error of my ways. Now with Miss Holland,
+I wouldn't mind letting her tinker with my political views so long as we
+both shall live."</p>
+
+<p>"Frank, you are incorrigible," said his sister.<a class="pagenum" name="page_94" id="page_94" title="94"></a> "If Miss Holland knew
+what a flighty, inconsequent infant you are, she wouldn't waste a
+thought on you, let alone a whole evening. What makes you want to go,
+anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use of her wasting thoughts on a solemn dub like our
+brother?" he demanded aggrievedly. "What business has he trailing the
+soap-boxing suffragers around when he is about to take upon himself vows
+to cleave only to the daughter of a militant 'Anti' leader, some time
+when he can jar himself loose from his professional cares long enough
+for a honeymoon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid, Jack, you will find your prospective mother-in-law quite as
+strenuous as the most ardent of the suffragists," said his sister. "I
+haven't gone into this thing at all, I haven't time, but it is certainly
+amusing to watch the 'Antis' outdo even the most ardent suffragettes by
+way of proving their contention that woman's sphere is home. If they
+were consistent, they would never appear in public&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Except by 'Now comes the counsel for the defendant,'" interrupted
+Frank, "but they never are. There is a little bunch of them in Colorado
+who have failed to command the same attention in politics that their
+money imposes<a class="pagenum" name="page_95" id="page_95" title="95"></a> upon the social world, so they rush into type and get
+themselves interviewed and asked to speak when they come East, all by
+way of proving their sensitive and shrinking nature. I don't agree with
+the suffragists, not a little bit, but I can fraternize with them; they
+are sincere, but none of the 'Antis' for me; never saw one yet who
+wasn't either a snob or so narrow-minded that a toothpick would look
+like the Brooklyn Bridge by comparison."</p>
+
+<p>"Hear, hear!" cried Jack. "Miss Holland has certainly made an impression
+upon you; not that I see what difference it makes, since women already
+vote where you hail from."</p>
+
+<p>"That just goes to show how foolish a smart man can be," replied his
+brother cheerfully. "You think because you may have a vote on the
+enfranchisement of women that it is very important what you think, but
+is it? Not at all. But with me it is different. I've paid office rent in
+Denver for two years, and spent a third of the time here or in
+Washington. I've looked in on two State conventions, and forgot to
+register at the last election, but because I come from Colorado I am
+considered an authority on woman suffrage, and when I say it's no good,
+and swell out my chest and look<a class="pagenum" name="page_96" id="page_96" title="96"></a> gloomy, it has great weight, great
+weight!" He leaned back in his chair and gave way to unseemly mirth as
+he recalled some occasion on which he had evidently hoaxed some trusting
+reporter.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Frank," his brother-in-law answered. "I don't believe you
+know the first thing about politics or suffrage, or what the women have
+done or haven't done."</p>
+
+<p>"There you wrong me," the young man answered gravely. "The first thing
+to know in politics is when to come into the game and when to keep out.
+Personally, I can't make my firm believe that it is cheaper to buy the
+other fellows' men after they are elected than it is to try to elect our
+own, and have them raise the ante on us, but they'll come to it after a
+while. As to the women, bless you, voting doesn't change their nature,
+and so long as women are willing to believe what men tell them, it's
+mighty unsafe to trust them with the ballot. Before you know it, they'll
+find us out, and then you'll see the first result of the suffragist
+dream of heaven on earth&mdash;there'll be no more marrying or giving in
+marriage. Oh, I'm dead against it!"</p>
+
+<p>They all joined in the laughter that followed<a class="pagenum" name="page_97" id="page_97" title="97"></a> this sally, and Hilda
+said thoughtfully, "If you boys are intent on this meeting, I'll hurry
+dinner, for they probably begin early." As she rose to go, Frank caught
+her hand with the piteous entreaty, "Oh, please make my big brother take
+his marbles and go home. He wasn't asked to this party. Miss Holland
+didn't say a thing to him. I don't see why he has to have first show
+with all the pretty girls in New York!"</p>
+
+<p>"When Miss Holland knows you, and all your native charm, she will never
+smile again upon your older brother," laughed his sister, "but in the
+meantime I suppose it's an open meeting, and we can't prevent his going.
+But don't worry; his fatal beauty will but serve as a foil to your more
+sparkling type. Besides, with your vivid imagination, unhampered by a
+slavish subserviency to facts, you should be able to furnish canards
+that will occupy all Miss Holland's time for a month."</p>
+
+<p>As she left the room her husband opened the door, and her brothers rose
+and remained standing until it was closed after her.</p>
+
+<p>"If all women were like her&mdash;&mdash;" Frank said impulsively, but Ramsey
+stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>"If half of them were like her," he said reverently,<a class="pagenum" name="page_98" id="page_98" title="98"></a> "I would be in
+favor of turning the government over to them, certain that the hand that
+rocks the cradle would never give this storm-tossed old world more
+shaking up than is good for it."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_99" id="page_99" title="99"></a>
+<a name="THE_ADVANCING_COLUMN_OF_DEMOCRACY_2056" id="THE_ADVANCING_COLUMN_OF_DEMOCRACY_2056"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>THE ADVANCING COLUMN OF DEMOCRACY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>As the two brothers turned into the cross street that led to the hall
+where the Industrial League had its headquarters and held its weekly
+meetings, Dr. Earl laid his hand on Frank's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear old fellow," he said affectionately, "would you mind telling me
+what on earth possesses you to come down here to-night? I'm not asking
+out of mere curiosity, nor do I believe that is the motive that brings
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Then if I say the pursuit of the good, the true and the beautiful, you
+will not believe me?" his brother answered lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall know you do not wish to tell me the real reason, and will drop
+it, but I shall not be deceived. I haven't studied my kind for this long
+without knowing at least the a-b-c of human nature. You use your cap and
+bells and an air of frivolity to conceal your true character<a class="pagenum" name="page_100" id="page_100" title="100"></a> from the
+world, as other men cloak themselves in an atmosphere of austerity and
+reserve."</p>
+
+<p>"Discovered!" cried Frank, with a laugh, "after all these years in which
+I flattered myself I had made such a good job of it, too. Truth to tell,
+no mask and domino ever afforded such perfect protection as the jingle
+of my jester's bells. I am apparently so given up to pomps and vanities
+that nobody gives me credit for a serious thought, and so takes no pains
+to conceal his own from me. It has long been one of the wonders of my
+world how I hold my job."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, since you put it that way, I have asked myself at times how you
+have achieved the standing you have in your profession, a standing of
+which we are all immensely proud, by the way. But if you are a profound
+student, it is something recent; I used to think you learned too easily
+ever to know how to study, and law is a vocation."</p>
+
+<p>"Law is one thing and success in the legal profession is another," said
+the young man oracularly. "Between our omnipresent legislatures which
+spend our time and money repealing what we lawyers already know, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_101" id="page_101" title="101"></a>
+enacting laws for the courts to set aside, these are what might be
+called parlous times for the profession, but my long suit is not in
+understanding statutes, but people."</p>
+
+<p>Insensibly he had dropped his flippant tone, and was speaking,
+seriously, with conviction. There was a moment's pause and then Jack
+said, "And you go to this meeting because&mdash;&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, little as I like it, I am not such a fool that I do not know
+that the enfranchisement of women is certain, and it may help me to
+understand the new and troublesome element which is to be injected into
+public life if I watch the workings from the beginning. Anyhow, it is
+part of my business to understand these things, and hence my acceptance
+of Miss Holland's invitation. This is the place, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>The house differed in no wise from the rest of the block, save in its
+air of thrift and cleanliness, and the brass plate on the door bore the
+name, "Industrial League House." It was evidently a settlement with
+resident workers, for a troop of boys was straggling down into the
+basement, where a gymnasium had been established, and several young
+women were<a class="pagenum" name="page_102" id="page_102" title="102"></a> standing in the hall discussing some matter connected with
+sterilized milk. At the right of the wide hall there was a large,
+old-fashioned double parlor, with plenty of chairs for a meeting of
+sixty or seventy people, and perhaps half that many were already in the
+room. They were singing as the two men entered, and Dr. Earl and Frank
+stood in the hallway listening to the words sung to the soul-stirring
+old tune of "John Brown's Body."</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:2em;'>
+"These are they who build thy houses, weave thy raiment, win thy wheat,<br />
+Smooth the rugged, fill the barren, turn the bitter into sweet;<br />
+All for thee this day&mdash;and ever. What reward for them is meet?<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Till the host comes marching on."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>As they struck into the chorus, the boys downstairs took up the swelling
+chords, and it was echoed from the street beyond.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:2em;'>
+"Hark, the rolling of the thunder;<br />
+Lo, the sun! and lo! thereunder<br />
+Riseth wrath, and hope, and wonder,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3em;">And the host comes marching on."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder whether they sing the sixth stanza," said Frank curiously.
+Jack looked at him<a class="pagenum" name="page_103" id="page_103" title="103"></a> in amazement. "What is the song?" he asked,
+conscious that he was getting new sidelights upon his younger brother's
+character this evening.</p>
+
+<p>"It's William Morris' 'March of the Workers,' and the verse I'm talking
+about begins, 'O, ye rich men, hear and tremble.' Come on in, Jack," and
+a moment later John Earl heard his brother's beautiful voice take up the
+words:</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:2em;'>
+"Many a hundred years, passed over, have they labored deaf and blind;<br />
+Never tidings reached their sorrow, never hope their toil might find.<br />
+Now at last they've heard and hear it, and the cry comes down the wind<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">And their feet are marching on.</span><br />
+<br />
+"On we march, then, we, the workers, and the rumor that ye hear<br />
+Is the blended sound of battle and deliv'rance drawing near;<br />
+For the hope of every creature is the banner that we bear,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">And the world is marching on."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Silvia Holland turned quickly when she heard the strong, unknown voice
+join in the ringing words, and fairly gasped when she saw that it was
+Frank Earl who was singing, while his brother looked at her with an air
+as bewildered<a class="pagenum" name="page_104" id="page_104" title="104"></a> as her own. The moment that the song was concluded she
+greeted them, and found them comfortable seats where they could see and
+hear without being too conspicuous.</p>
+
+<p>"We like to have men come to our meetings, and a few generally drop in.
+I expect several to-night, for we have a speaker from Colorado, but we
+don't often have the luxury of a baritone note for our music, so we owe
+you a special vote of thanks, Mr. Earl," she said to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>He bowed. "Oh, no; it's the other way about," he said lightly. "You
+don't know how grateful I am to you for not singing the 'Day of Wrath'
+verse, in which all of us who haven't succeeded in swearing off our
+taxes hear what is coming to us. How well that girl presides," he added,
+as a businesslike young woman dispatched the reading and adoption of
+minutes and the reports of committees without a hitch or a moment's
+useless delay.</p>
+
+<p>"That is Florence Dresser," explained Miss Holland. "She is one of the
+leaders in the Laundry Girls' Association. The secretary," indicating a
+young woman who might have been a twelve-year-old child, save for her
+sad, careworn face, "has nearly killed herself sewing for sweaters to
+take care of her family;<a class="pagenum" name="page_105" id="page_105" title="105"></a> we've found homes for the children and she
+lives here now; we are trying to make up to her for the lost years, but
+it is hard work," and she sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"We have one meeting a month when we have a program," Miss Holland
+explained. "At the other three we consider various phases of industrial
+life as it affects our own membership or women in general. I am rather
+sorry that this happens to be a program night, for you would have had a
+better idea of the scope we try to cover at the other kind, but perhaps
+this will be more entertaining." She turned more directly to Frank. "A
+business meeting here always makes me think of the 'Antis,' and their
+twaddle about woman's sphere, which they would like to reduce to a
+demi-hemisphere."</p>
+
+<p>Frank nodded. "Of course there's nothing to that with intelligent people
+now; woman's sphere is wherever she can make good, but I think it is a
+pity that she has to take so large a place in the industrial world, and
+I don't believe that voting will help her."</p>
+
+<p>"But it has helped men," Miss Holland replied quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not half so much as their unions," he answered.<a class="pagenum" name="page_106" id="page_106" title="106"></a> "The thing that helps
+is getting together and standing together."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you've lost your whole case," laughed Dr. Earl. "There has never
+been anything that brought all sorts and conditions of women together
+like the suffrage cause. You see that in England. In fact, you see it
+everywhere. Women are waking up, and getting to their feet and
+stretching out their hands&mdash;to us? Not at all, to each other."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I wish you'd say that to my comrades here," said Miss Holland. "We
+should all be so glad to hear you. Will you not let me present you for a
+few minutes during the informal discussion?"</p>
+
+<p>For an instant he wavered, then the face of Leonora flashed before him,
+and he shook his head decisively. "I'm too new at this sort of thing,"
+he answered. "Get my brother here to talk to you about Colorado, and let
+the audience heckle him."</p>
+
+<p>"We'd be delighted," laughed Miss Holland. "The lady who is to conduct
+the question box, which is the main thing to-night, comes from Denver.
+Her name is Carroll Renner; do you happen to know her? Will she be able
+to hold<a class="pagenum" name="page_107" id="page_107" title="107"></a> her own? Sometimes they ask pretty sharp questions."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't give yourself a moment's uneasiness," Frank answered. "There'll
+be no twelve baskets needed to remove the fragments of the contumacious
+when she gets through. A small blotter will answer."</p>
+
+<p>"You know her very well, then?" Miss Holland said, openly surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather," he answered laconically. "She is the most persistent lobbyist
+in the State, and she infallibly discovers the one deadly section in a
+bill that you thought so well hidden that no one would ever notice it.
+She's the most troublesome woman I know and the best fellow."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Holland and Dr. Earl both turned and looked at the little woman,
+who had come in a few minutes before with a party of people, with added
+interest. She was very simply gowned in black, and but for a certain
+twinkle of the dark gray eyes, and a rather mocking smile, there was
+nothing particularly distinctive about her.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me some more," said Miss Holland curiously. "Sometimes the voting
+woman helps and sometimes she hurts; if they're freaky,<a class="pagenum" name="page_108" id="page_108" title="108"></a> and of course
+some of them are, they hurt dreadfully."</p>
+
+<p>"I've seen her a good deal while I've been watching the Senate," he
+said. "I'd been out there for several sessions of the General Assembly
+before I located there. She came in one day with a letter from some
+national woman's organization&mdash;wanted the Beveridge Child Labor Law
+endorsed, I think. Anyhow, time was of the essence of the contract, so
+we drew up a concurrent resolution, and she got a Republican and a
+Democrat to introduce it together, and it slid along on its way to
+Washington within forty-eight hours; she and a Mrs. Platt worked it
+together. All they said was that the women wanted it."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Holland gasped. "Go on," she said.</p>
+
+<p>He lowered his voice, for the president was introducing a handsome girl
+who was to give a reading.</p>
+
+<p>"Another time there was a bill&mdash;I don't recollect it, but something
+about committing girl prisoners, or something of the sort; I saw her get
+pretty white, and shut her lips hard, and then she got up and started to
+walk out, and one of the Senators saw her, too. 'Say, you don't like
+that bill?' he said, and she answered,<a class="pagenum" name="page_109" id="page_109" title="109"></a> as if she could hardly control
+her anger, 'It's infamous!' 'Oh, it is, is it?' he said. 'Well, then,
+we'll make them adjourn over until we can get a conference and amend the
+thing.' No fuss, no talk; just straight goods. That's Carroll Renner."</p>
+
+<p>"And that's what it means to be an enfranchised woman!" said Miss
+Holland, with a long breath. "None of us could do that here!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's part of it," acquiesced Frank, and then they listened
+silently. The girl who was reading was not particularly well-trained,
+but there were passion and pathos in her voice as she told the story of
+the eaglet, chained to a log for fear it might fall if permitted to
+attempt to fly.</p>
+
+<p>"We also have our dream of a Garden," the strong young voice went on.
+"But it lies in a distant future. We dream that woman shall eat of the
+tree of knowledge together with man, and that side by side and hand
+close to hand, through ages of much toil and labor, they shall together
+raise about them an Eden nobler than any the Chaldean dreamed of; an
+Eden created by their own labor and made beautiful by their own
+fellowship.</p>
+
+<p>"In his Apocalypse there was one who saw<a class="pagenum" name="page_110" id="page_110" title="110"></a> a new heaven and a new earth;
+we see a new earth; but therein dwells love&mdash;the love of comrades and
+co-workers.</p>
+
+<p>"It is because so wide and gracious to us are the possibilities of the
+future, so impossible is a return to the past, so deadly is a passive
+acquiescence in the present, that to-day we are found everywhere raising
+our strange new cry, 'Labor, and the training that fits us for labor!'"</p>
+
+<p>"You recognize it, of course?" Silvia said to Dr. Earl, but he shook his
+head, and Frank answered, "It's Olive Schreiner, isn't it? She does good
+work, but I've never read anything that compared with that book on
+'Woman and Economics,' and when an American writer has the whole world
+sitting up and taking notice, I don't see why we don't boost her game."</p>
+
+<p>There was a little buzz and stir while slips of paper and pencils were
+distributed to the audience, and the questions collected for the next
+speaker.</p>
+
+<p>The presiding officer made the usual preliminary remarks, and introduced
+Miss Renner, who gathered up the goodly sheaf of white slips in her
+hands and ran over them as if looking for some query that would make a
+specially<a class="pagenum" name="page_111" id="page_111" title="111"></a> apt beginning. Her face lit up as she came across one with
+which she was evidently familiar.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a favorite question of mine," she said cheerfully. "I should
+miss it dreadfully if it failed to turn up, but it is such a troublesome
+and comprehensive question to answer that I have set the reply to music,
+and will have it sung for you, in order that you may all remember it.
+The question is, 'What have Colorado women done with the ballot?' I
+don't, myself, consider that a fair question, since none of us come down
+to Philadelphia or New York or Pittsburg or any of the other cities of
+sweetness and light and ask what you men have done with your
+all-powerful vote, but this seems to be the main one, especially to the
+masculine mind."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl laughed, for he had written the question, and seating herself
+at the piano, Miss Renner looked up at a merry-faced girl, who began
+singing to her rippling accompaniment a song of miraculous changes which
+should have ensued upon woman's enfranchisement, and concluded with a
+long chant, recounting some of the more notable achievements of the
+voting woman, ranging all the way from joint<a class="pagenum" name="page_112" id="page_112" title="112"></a> ownership of children and
+property, minimum salary laws, juvenile courts, medical inspection of
+school children, State institutions built and endowed, equality in
+inheritance and a host of other things, up to the adoption by her State
+of the initiative and referendum.</p>
+
+<p>After that, Miss Renner had her audience with her until she dropped the
+last twist of paper on the table beside her. "You ask me why it took us
+so many years to pass a good law regulating child labor, and why we have
+failed in limiting the hours of woman's labor. As to the first, it is
+true that our law was by no means equal to yours, but we had the means
+to enforce it, and as a consequence we have little or no child labor.
+You have a good statute, one of the best in the Union"&mdash;there was a
+ripple of applause&mdash;"but in addition to this excellent law prohibiting
+child labor," she went on evenly, "you have in this city alone over
+twenty thousand child wage-earners.</p>
+
+<p>"When we have gone to our legislatures asking for laws for the
+protection of the weak, we have generally obtained them easily, when
+they did not interfere with 'big business.' It took Illinois women nine
+years to get a State<a class="pagenum" name="page_113" id="page_113" title="113"></a> Home for children. We passed such a law without
+any effort whatever. In two-thirds of the States of the Union women are
+trying to make mothers co-equal guardians of their children, and trying
+in vain. That was the first law our enfranchised women wrote upon our
+statute books. One only learns to understand these things by experience.
+You may find it hard to see why railroads should go into a deal to
+defeat an eight-hour law for women, but that statute was flagged by a
+Pullman palace car towel and fell asleep at the switch, because that
+company complained that it couldn't get a change of sheets unless
+laundry girls could be compelled to work overtime. You don't dream when
+you talk of 'big business' to what little business it will descend."</p>
+
+<p>There was a sudden hush, and she flung out her hands with an impulsive
+gesture, and there was a passionate earnestness in her voice that
+gripped her hearers. "Let me tell you something you do not know when you
+hold the women in the suffrage States responsible for conditions they
+are the first to deplore. A handful of men in this city have more to do
+with Western industries and their regulation<a class="pagenum" name="page_114" id="page_114" title="114"></a> than have both the men and
+women. We have steel works; their policy is dictated from lower
+Broadway. We have smelters; they are closed at the order of a syndicate
+in this city. We have railroads, all of them controlled by your fellow
+citizens, and it was the deals entered into between the representatives
+of these interests and our local corporations that defeated the
+eight-hour law for women, and every bit of reform legislation pledged to
+the people. It was this condition, this failure of alleged democracy,
+that made us go on record for real democracy, for the initiative that
+makes it possible for us to enact the laws our representatives are
+cajoled into pigeon-holing, for the referendum that enables us to scotch
+the snake so that the people may have a chance to kill it. This was the
+first great fundamental reform which the women demanded, and it was
+owing to the work of education they began twenty years ago, and kept up
+untiringly, that Colorado has won this great victory. Woman suffrage is
+not alone for women, or to enable us to secure certain readjustments of
+law. It is for our country, which cannot exist half enfranchised and
+half irresponsible, half democracy<a class="pagenum" name="page_115" id="page_115" title="115"></a> and half a feudalism; half of it
+privileged to shirk or exercise its civic rights, and half denied aught
+but the burden of those rights. Women need the franchise if only to make
+their influence, of which we hear so much, effective, but more than they
+need the ballot, this nation needs the active devotion of its women to
+transmute to golden fulfillment its leaden life; it needs, it must have
+all that we can give it, your life and mine; if it is to go forward, its
+sons and daughters must go forward&mdash;together!"</p>
+
+<p>There was generous applause, and the two young men followed Miss
+Holland, and she presented Dr. Earl and was about to introduce his
+brother, when Miss Renner held out both hands to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hast thou found me, O mine enemy," she cried. "I'm awfully glad to see
+you, Frank. I was much minded to tell how you helped me get my dove bill
+through, but I feared they might hold you responsible for the defeat of
+the eight-hour law and turn and rend you."</p>
+
+<p>"You promised never to reveal any of my good deeds," he answered. "Keep
+it out of the papers, Miss Holland. I can't afford to lose<a class="pagenum" name="page_116" id="page_116" title="116"></a> prestige as
+the exponent of the Mammon of Unrighteousness."</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately, he is a great god with legislatures, East as well as
+West," answered Miss Holland, and then they all went out together.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_117" id="page_117" title="117"></a>
+<a name="A_TUBERCULAR_KNEE_AND_A_WORRIED_SURGEON_2419" id="A_TUBERCULAR_KNEE_AND_A_WORRIED_SURGEON_2419"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>A TUBERCULAR KNEE AND A WORRIED SURGEON</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl found his hands uncommonly full for the next few weeks. What
+with the endless detail attendant upon the arrangements for his new
+offices, and the perfection of his equipment, it seemed as if there were
+not enough hours in the day to meet all the calls upon him. Leonora
+looked aggrieved, and Hilda complained loudly that he had deserted them.</p>
+
+<p>The spectacular manner in which the yellower part of the New York press
+had handled his first case after his return, brought him telephone calls
+and personal visits from many old patients, and a goodly number from new
+ones, not to mention freaky interviews with persons representing all
+sorts of cults. He was asked to address half a dozen different branches
+of the New Thought movement. The Society for the Propagation of Esoteric
+Buddhism asked him to tell them of his experiences in Hindoostan;<a class="pagenum" name="page_118" id="page_118" title="118"></a>
+"Purple Mother" and "Besant" Theosophists sent committees to wait on
+him, and various believers in Spiritist exploitations, astrologists,
+psychometrists and all sorts and conditions of dabblers in occultism
+pestered him with letters, circulars and requests of every conceivable
+nature.</p>
+
+<p>It had been no part of his plan to return to his native land and set up
+a practice by which he should exploit to the world the results of his
+study. A real student, he knew very well that a lifetime would be all
+too short to devote to the as yet but little known field of mental
+therapeutics, and nothing could have been more foreign to his character,
+individually or professionally, than the fanfare of trumpets with which
+his return had been heralded. The principles which he wished to prove
+must be brought home to his profession if they were to be of great and
+lasting benefit, and the publicity and advertising which a man of a
+different calibre might have enjoyed, were annoying in the extreme to
+Earl. He was still a young man, and modest withal, and he felt that
+nothing could be more detrimental with the men whose regard he wished to
+secure and hold, so he declined all invitations to speak, all requests
+for articles or<a class="pagenum" name="page_119" id="page_119" title="119"></a> interviews, and gave himself up to getting back into
+the harness. His patients, both old and new, took up more time than he
+could have hoped for, and before the middle of summer he found himself
+not only well launched in his profession, but with all that he could
+possibly find time to do, and work piling up ahead of him, so that he
+could only promise indefinitely when the Ramseys urged him to come down
+to their Newport place, and Leonora had to put up with fractions of
+Sundays until she and her mother left for Bar Harbor.</p>
+
+<p>There were times when that young lady was by no means certain that she
+wished to marry a successful physician. "You wouldn't like me any better
+if I were unsuccessful?" he asked teasingly, but she came back to her
+point, and he had to explain gravely that the theories of the laboratory
+must be worked out in actual practice before they can be transmuted into
+accepted facts.</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't need the money," she argued, trying dimly to apply some
+of the principles which he was fond of expounding. It seemed rather
+hopeless, but with infinite patience he sought to make clear to her that
+any human being whose life is not to be useless and profitless<a class="pagenum" name="page_120" id="page_120" title="120"></a> must
+have some object to attain, some work to do which will develop his
+character. When she replied that he had character enough, and her only
+object in life was to be his wife, what more was there to say? Flattery
+at once so charming and so complete left him defenseless, and he kissed
+her and went away, trying not to ask himself whether a legal ceremony
+could ever make wedded souls of two mortals of such diverse views of
+life. And yet, she was so sweet, so sweet!</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the many other demands upon his time, Dr. Earl saw his first
+patient very frequently. Mrs. Bell did not appear cramped for means, and
+provided everything that could add to her little daughter's comfort,
+including not a few luxuries, which Dr. Earl felt convinced were the
+gift of Miss Holland. If he had vaguely hoped that he might meet her at
+his patient's he was destined to disappointment. Once her car arrived
+just as he was leaving, and another time they passed on the stairs. He
+told himself that it was better so, and yet when he took her hand, and
+felt the firm, strong fingers, well-knit and efficient, for no soft,
+yielding little five-and-a-half glove-wearer ever compassed Beethoven,
+he knew that hers was<a class="pagenum" name="page_121" id="page_121" title="121"></a> a nature that could answer to his own, and his
+hand tightened involuntarily. There was something in his look as he met
+the blue eyes on the step above that brought the warm blood to her face,
+and she swayed toward him almost imperceptibly, and then with a word of
+courteous greeting went on her way, for she knew that according to
+common report he was to marry Miss Kimball that fall. Her lip curled a
+little, for she remembered Leonora of old; she knew her pink-and-white
+prettiness and the few and simple enfoldments of her elementary little
+brain, just large enough to hold a few attractive near-ideas, a thorough
+comprehension of all the social conventionalities, and a fixed and
+stubborn conviction as to what was or was not "smart." "If she has a
+soul," Silvia said to herself with rather unusual heat, "no one could
+tell whether it is in a condition of arrested development, hopeless
+atrophy or complete ossification. As well seek diamonds in a common
+sandbank as inspiration or aspiration in its sawdusty recesses." Then
+she laughed, and said, "Cat!" softly, which was really most irrelevant.</p>
+
+<p>The day that the cast was to be removed, Silvia appeared laden with good
+things that<a class="pagenum" name="page_122" id="page_122" title="122"></a> they might celebrate the occasion with due ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>With infinite care and gentleness, Dr. Earl cut down through the cast,
+and took it off. The fracture was perfectly knit, but there was a slight
+swelling about the knee, and as Earl examined it Silvia saw him compress
+his lips in a hard, straight line. Without looking up, or changing his
+tone, he asked the child if she had had a fall since the cast had been
+changed. She answered readily that about a week before her crutch had
+slipped as she was coming indoors, and she had fallen, striking the
+injured leg against the stone step, and she winced as he touched the
+thin knee.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too bad," he said, "but there will have to be another cast about
+this knee, and you must be more careful, little girl."</p>
+
+<p>The tears came to her eyes, and her mother turned to him with an
+expression of anxiety. His cheerful face reassured her. "We'll hope it
+won't be for long," he said, "but there's no use taking chances. Has her
+health generally been good?" he asked Mrs. Bell.</p>
+
+<p>"The diseases common to childhood went rather hard with her and she had
+considerable<a class="pagenum" name="page_123" id="page_123" title="123"></a> trouble with her neck and throat a few years ago," Mrs.
+Bell replied.</p>
+
+<p>He made an examination of the glands of her neck, but said no more.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of many insistent calls elsewhere, Dr. Earl remained long
+enough to help lend an air of festivity to the small party, which Silvia
+presided over with infinite tact, and with a last admonition to Mrs.
+Bell to keep the little girl in bed until he came again, and as quiet as
+possible, he took his departure, and Silvia went with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what is the matter?" she said, with her usual directness, when
+they were out on the street.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you think anything is?" he parried.</p>
+
+<p>"I beg your pardon," she said, a trifle coldly. "I should not have
+asked."</p>
+
+<p>He turned to her and stopped, mute reproach in his eyes. "There isn't a
+shadow of doubt that tuberculosis has developed in that knee, and while
+I hope to arrest it, and perfect a cure in time, I am very anxious,
+nevertheless."</p>
+
+<p>"But the break has united?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, and that goes to show that this condition<a class="pagenum" name="page_124" id="page_124" title="124"></a> is very recent, and
+mild, but with her antecedent history no one can tell what may happen,"
+he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Antecedent history?" Silvia said, rather puzzled. "I thought you did
+not know the family?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't," he answered, "but you may remember that I looked very
+carefully at the bruises about the knee when I set the leg, and I asked
+Mrs. Bell some general questions but received no very definite replies
+until to-day, and what you heard indicates that the child has already
+had a slight attack of tuberculosis. I had counted on my treatment to
+overcome the weakening influences of confinement to bed and crutch for
+so long a time."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia was silent, as if thinking out some plan, and said suddenly,
+"Then it will all resolve itself into a contest between health and
+disease, with a considerable handicap against the patient?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he said. "With plenty of good food and good air and the right
+kind of care, there is no reason why she should not win. And I intend
+that she shall," he concluded energetically.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_125" id="page_125" title="125"></a>
+<a name="AN_ANTISUFFRAGE_MEETING_2587" id="AN_ANTISUFFRAGE_MEETING_2587"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>AN ANTI-SUFFRAGE MEETING</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl redoubled his attentions to Leonora, determined to give her no
+just cause for complaint. The doubts that had beset him disappeared, for
+no one could be more charming than Leonora, when she was permitted to
+follow her own bent. Her mother also showed her gratification at his
+devotion, and tried, with consummate tact, to wean him away from his
+evident partiality for the suffrage cause. She gave him the best of the
+tracts issued by the Anti-Suffrage Society; while he was waiting for his
+offices to be fitted up, she took him to lectures and teas and
+receptions where anti-suffrage sentiment abounded, and tried in various
+ways to convince him of the superior social status of the "Anti" women.</p>
+
+<p>The culmination was reached, however, when he escorted her and Leonora
+to a meeting in a large theatre one afternoon. They were<a class="pagenum" name="page_126" id="page_126" title="126"></a> prominent
+figures in one of the boxes nearest the stage, and Silvia Holland and
+Carroll Renner, who were sitting well toward the rear of the parquet,
+had ample opportunity to watch the effect of the meeting upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank Earl, who had come in directly afterward and taken a seat just
+back of them, leaned forward and talked while the crowd gathered. "Oh,
+don't mind him," he said, when Miss Renner asked if that were not his
+brother with the anti-suffrage leaders. "He can't help himself, but if
+he doesn't go away from here ready to enlist under Miss Holland's banner
+I miss my count. Even I should, were it not that I have seen the folly
+of it all on its native heath. Don't make faces at me, Carroll, or
+people will know you are a suffragette."</p>
+
+<p>The theatre had been profusely decorated with flags, flowers and
+bunting, and mottoes were festooned along the walls, one of which was
+"God Bless Our Homes," and another, "Imbecile Children Will Be the
+Product of Imbecile Voting Women."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl was much impressed with the audience, which, nevertheless,
+seemed rather chilly and unresponsive. A dignity prevailed which either
+could not or dared not give way to any<a class="pagenum" name="page_127" id="page_127" title="127"></a> decided demonstration, in marked
+contradistinction to the enthusiasm which characterized the suffrage
+meetings he had witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the bunting and the mottoes, there were a number of large
+pictures, done in the style of the cartoonist. One of these showed a
+colonial dame at her spinning-wheel, with the words "An American Lady of
+Four Generations Ago" beneath it; beside it was the picture of a
+masculine-looking woman, in a harem skirt, standing on a box at a street
+corner, addressing other women similarly attired; this was called "The
+American Suffragette." Another picture showed a nurse caring for the
+sick and dying soldiers on one side, and on the other a suffragette
+charging the police; this picture was labeled "Before and After Taking."</p>
+
+<p>The meeting opened with a spirited address by the president of the
+association, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who was welcomed with a brief rustle
+of well-bred applause, led by Frank Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"Got to do it," he said, in answer to Carroll's reproachful look.
+"You'll see; even Jack will catch on before the end of the meeting.
+Always<a class="pagenum" name="page_128" id="page_128" title="128"></a> applaud these folks when they begin; maybe you can't when they
+quit."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss told of the enormous gains recently made by the
+"Antis" among the select people of the city, and passed off the suffrage
+parade as merely a tatterdemalion host of the riff-raff of the city led
+by a few notoriety seekers.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, Miss Holland," Frank whispered, "what a good thing it is that
+I came here; I never should have known that that parade wasn't one of
+the finest assemblages of women in the world if I hadn't."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia laughed in spite of herself, and the stout lady on the platform
+went on piling up the indictment against her sex, and showing how
+demoralizing the vote had proved to women; how the suffrage sentiment
+was dying out in the West; how the "Antis" were organizing even in the
+suffrage States to lift the curse from their kind; how much purer and
+nobler politics would be without the influence of woman, and wound up
+with a glowing peroration on behalf of the women who were fighting to
+maintain the sanctity of the home and the elevation of the children.</p>
+
+<p>Silvia gave an impatient ejaculation. "How<a class="pagenum" name="page_129" id="page_129" title="129"></a> can you take it so quietly,
+Miss Renner?" she asked. "I confess it always stirs me up."</p>
+
+<p>"It wouldn't if you had the ballot," said the smaller woman. "It's just
+amusing, or tiresome, according to how well it is done. You women are
+the worried and worrying Marthas; we are the Marys, who have chosen the
+better part that shall not be taken away; we know it can't be, and this
+is something like hearing people laboriously argue that the world is
+flat with the sun revolving around it."</p>
+
+<p>After the opening speech there were brief addresses by Dr. David Dearson
+on the disastrous results to motherhood should women participate in the
+active life of the nation; by the Reverend Jayson Yerkes on the Pauline
+doctrine of the subserviency of the truly feminine woman; by Mrs.
+Workman Werther on the decadence of feminine charm among women aping
+men's interests in life, and Crawford Dorer, a labor leader, opposed the
+movement because the natural timidity of woman would, he predicted, set
+back all hope of militant progress for the workers of the world. The
+"Antis" listened with a somewhat strained and puzzled attention, and a
+group of working-women, out on strike, and sitting in the balcony, gave
+an<a class="pagenum" name="page_130" id="page_130" title="130"></a> angry hiss, which was instantly suppressed. The last speaker, Mr.
+Reuben Rice, was one of those wandering scribes who travel through the
+West and write up suffrage from a Pullman-car window, and as he exposed
+the weaknesses, the failures and the pitiful spectacle that voting women
+make of themselves, he galvanized the audience into a semblance of real
+life and interest.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl found the speeches entertaining if not enlightening, and after
+the second, gave himself up to the silent enjoyment of collating the
+arguments presented in juxtaposition. No sooner had one speaker
+convinced his hearers that women would precipitate anarchy by their
+radicalism than the next proved equally conclusively that an era of
+dilettantism and millinery shop legislation would be the inevitable
+result of woman suffrage; no sooner were they filled with the horror of
+the degradation of politics by the class of women certain to participate
+in it, than another speaker assured them that politics was already so
+vile that any woman would be hopelessly contaminated who had anything to
+do with the gangrenous growth, and yet another showed that women
+wouldn't vote anyhow. It was all he could do<a class="pagenum" name="page_131" id="page_131" title="131"></a> to control the muscles of
+his face when the Reverend Mr. Yerkes told them in one sentence of the
+dissension that would rend families and in the next that married women
+simply voted as their husbands dictated, and he could not repress a
+smile when the doctor and the professor made it clear that if woman is
+to reproduce the race she must not be expected to do anything else, only
+to have Mrs. Werther show how woman must be free to take part in the
+ennobling activities of the world, philanthropy, charity, etc., if she
+is to "bring to motherhood that crown which is the glory of the race,"
+and much more of the same sort. He heard the ancient argument about
+bullets and ballots, and in the same breath his attention was called to
+Semiramis conquering Assyria, the Amazons invading Asia, the triumph of
+Sappho in song, Aspasia in the salon, Deborah among the Judges of
+Israel, George Eliot in literature, and a host of others who had won
+distinction.</p>
+
+<p>The audience was told that it was entirely proper to agitate, cajole,
+coax, beseech, threaten, bully and browbeat men into voting for
+candidates and measures desired by the women; anything that stopped
+short of blackmail and personal intimidation bore the hallmark<a class="pagenum" name="page_132" id="page_132" title="132"></a> of
+refined femininity, but to take two minutes to accomplish results for
+themselves by depositing a ballot on election day meant everlasting
+damnation to all feminine traits! And Leonora patted her pretty little
+hands, and looked up to Earl for approval, feeling that at last he must
+see that Silvia and her cohorts were routed horse and foot.</p>
+
+<p>When the attack upon Western women was well under way, and Mr. Rice, a
+dapper little chap, looking like a freshman from high school, was
+rolling out his arraignment of Denver women in particular as typical of
+the nethermost depths to which the voting female may descend, Carroll
+Renner wrote a few lines on a bit of paper, and gave it to one of the
+ushers, and a few minutes later she had the satisfaction of watching the
+portly Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss read it. When Mr. Rice had concluded his
+diatribe, the lady stated in dulcet tones that Mr. Frank Earl was said
+to be in the audience, and as he lived in Denver, and was known to have
+strong views on this question, there was an urgent request that he
+should come to the platform, that they might know from one who had long
+witnessed with regret the deteriorating effects of woman suffrage that
+nothing<a class="pagenum" name="page_133" id="page_133" title="133"></a> that they had heard was in any way exaggerated. She vouched for
+Earl as one whom she had known since his boyhood, a member of one of the
+most highly respected families in New York, and who had never failed to
+reply when she had needed statistics from the field of woman's
+dethronement.</p>
+
+<p>There was a bustle and stir over the audience, and John Earl looked a
+good deal startled, while Leonora was openly delighted. An excellent
+speaker, and a trained debater, the occasion had no terrors for Frank
+Earl. In fact, he confessed to himself as he made his way to the
+platform, he had not had so much fun as he expected to enjoy in the next
+fifteen minutes for many a long day. He was introduced with many rather
+florid expressions, and began by stating his position calmly,
+unmistakably, as opposed to the extension of the franchise to women. He
+then made a few complimentary references to those ladies who nobly put
+aside their own devotion to the home, the sphere they adorned so
+admirably, in order to save their misguided suffrage sisters from the
+evil effects of their mistaken zeal.</p>
+
+<p>There were a good many suffragists and some suffragettes in that
+anti-suffrage meeting,<a class="pagenum" name="page_134" id="page_134" title="134"></a> and Frank saw that the chilly audience had at
+last thawed, melted, warmed up and was rapidly approaching the point
+where it might reasonably be expected to boil over.</p>
+
+<p>"I am unalterably against the extension of the franchise to women," he
+repeated, and went on, "but my reasons for this opposition are concrete
+and practical rather than abstract and theoretical, and are based upon
+the experience I have gained from my residence in Colorado. I am also
+opposed to it because it is all too evident that the suffrage should be
+restricted rather than extended. The ballot should be the reward of
+intelligence, education, and a comprehension of the great political
+problems of the nation."</p>
+
+<p>"Give us the truth," some one at the left of the parquet cried.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall," he said, "and that necessitates correcting a few impressions
+which seem to me at variance with the facts. If it were true that women
+would not vote, or would vote as directed by the male members of their
+families, I should not so much deprecate giving them the ballot; but
+neither contention is true. Women do vote, and what is worse, they vote
+in steadily increasing numbers. Out of seventy thousand<a class="pagenum" name="page_135" id="page_135" title="135"></a> votes cast at
+the last election in my city a little less than half of them were cast
+by women, and judging from the results, I must say that the men of their
+families had very little influence with them. The possession of the
+franchise has developed the secretive instinct among women; they no
+longer confide their intentions to their doting husbands; they listen to
+their words of wisdom and then&mdash;they vote the secret ballot as they
+please."</p>
+
+<p>There was a wave of laughter that swelled into a gleeful sort of shout
+of mirth, but with an air of the most grieved surprise the speaker
+turned wonderingly to Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who still beamed upon him,
+though she was looking worried.</p>
+
+<p>"But surely, Mr. Earl," she said, "when the disagreeable duty is thrust
+upon them, the conservative women do what they can to protect the
+interests of the State?"</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"This is one of the most frightful discoveries we have made since women
+began to vote. When Mr. Dorer speaks of the innate conservatism of women
+he shows that he is not conversant with the woman movement. It is true
+that there are a few intensely partisan<a class="pagenum" name="page_136" id="page_136" title="136"></a> women, who can be held by party
+ties, but the rank and file observe no such allegiance. They read and
+study, but in addition they go to the legislative halls, and there they
+see that both parties make and break promises with equal facility, and
+what is the result?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is it?" cried an impatient feminine voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know how to break it to you," he said, "but the result is
+revolt, revolt all along the line. Yes, ladies; women, lovely, refined,
+gentle, educated women utterly refuse to be dictated to by political
+leaders, and openly sneer at ward bosses. They can't be kept in line.
+They no longer sing the sweet strains of 'The land of the free and the
+home of the brave.' On the contrary, they raise the battle cry, 'Let
+independence be our boast,' and in spite of the passionate pleas of
+their natural leaders, they go on record for the most radical
+legislation. Why, I'm told that nearly every so-called progressive law
+enacted in my State has been passed by their continued efforts.</p>
+
+<p>"They have no conception of the ideal of government laid down by
+Hamilton; they will submit to neither checks nor balances, and would
+subvert the whole scheme of representative<a class="pagenum" name="page_137" id="page_137" title="137"></a> government and replace it
+with an out-and-out democracy. In accord with this mistaken view they
+have adopted the initiative and referendum, carried it overwhelmingly,
+three to one, in every county in the State, and I need not tell an
+audience of intelligence that this is the most insidious form of attack
+now being made upon the fundamental principles of our government."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Silvia and all the suffragists in the audience were
+applauding wildly, while Carroll Renner laughed till the tears ran down
+her cheeks, and once more Frank turned a patient and puzzled countenance
+to the presiding officer.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not understand the applause, ladies," he said mildly, with a gleam
+in his eyes that none but Carroll understood. "The thing I am telling
+you is frightful. The enfranchisement of women means the end of the
+Republic as it now is; it means the rejection of all theories that are
+found wanting, and the putting out on the vast uncharted sea of
+experiment; it means interference with those great business enterprises
+that have built up, I had nearly said that 'make and preserve us a
+nation'! It means a reckless disregard for property rights in the<a class="pagenum" name="page_138" id="page_138" title="138"></a>
+sentimental desire to protect the individual, as if a nation could
+become great and strong by individual effort alone, and without the
+guiding and sustaining hands of statecraft and financial genius gripping
+the rudder of the ship of state. They will not listen to the voice of
+experience; they cannot be intimidated; they cannot be deceived for an
+indefinite number of years; if the established order seems to them
+unfair, unjust or illiberal, they have little respect for tradition when
+it's results they're after."</p>
+
+<p>"But if the anti-suffrage movement is growing as we have been told,
+can't the anti-suffragists overcome those tendencies?" asked an old lady
+on the platform.</p>
+
+<p>Frank restated the question for the benefit of the audience, and then
+answered with indescribable pathos, "I cannot conceal the truth from
+you; improbable as it seems, when once this poison becomes virulent in
+the body politic it spares none, and the very women who have battled
+most nobly against this corroding innovation are apt to succumb to its
+insidious influence; even the anti-suffragist, home-loving, God-fearing,
+modest and retiring as is her nature, has developed a talent for
+political intrigue that has led to the downfall of more<a class="pagenum" name="page_139" id="page_139" title="139"></a> than one of the
+best laid plans of mice and men."</p>
+
+<p>He tried to go on, but the audience was convulsed, not so much by what
+he said as by his manner, and by the sudden turning of the tables after
+the long tension had reached the snapping point. Still uncertain whether
+to regard his as friend or foe, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, after rapping
+vainly for order, was obliged to dismiss the meeting, and by some irony
+of fate the orchestra played "Hail Columbia," and the suffragettes took
+up the words and sung them with much unction, especially the lines&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let independence be our boast,<br />
+Ever mindful what it cost."<br />
+</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_140" id="page_140" title="140"></a>
+<a name="FAITH_IS_THE_BASIS_OF_ALL_PROGRESS_2887" id="FAITH_IS_THE_BASIS_OF_ALL_PROGRESS_2887"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>FAITH IS THE BASIS OF ALL PROGRESS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Early in June, Dr. Earl received a letter which puzzled him not a
+little. It was complimentary in the extreme, and yet something back of
+it made him say, "'For it is not an open enemy that hath done this.'"
+The letter asked him to speak on "Mental Therapeutics" before a meeting
+of one of the great medical societies of the city of New York; stated
+that there would be no other speaker, but there would be an open
+discussion after his address, and hoped he would find time to comply
+with the request. Once he started to write his acceptance; twice he
+actually wrote, declining, and then tore up both letters. It was true
+that he was crowded for time, but he could make time, and in his heart
+he knew perfectly well that he would have done so without a thought, but
+for the unexpected complications which had occurred with Alice Bell.
+Already he had<a class="pagenum" name="page_141" id="page_141" title="141"></a> heard one or two thinly veiled sneers at the result of
+this much-lauded case. He had met Towers and Hershell, both of them
+eminent in the profession, but the day before, and their greetings had
+been singularly cool; once or twice at the club they both frequented
+Morris had been little short of insulting, but his well-known
+infatuation for Silvia Holland would account for that. A reporter from
+one of the less reputable dailies had asked for an interview, and had
+written an article which barely escaped being libelous. There were not
+wanting those in the profession who openly denounced him as a "fakir."</p>
+
+<p>The longer he thought about it, the more unwilling he was to act upon
+his own judgment alone, and so he turned to the one unfailing counsellor
+of his life, his sister Hilda. With him, to will was to do, so within an
+hour he was in his sister's drawing-room, and not five minutes later
+Silvia Holland entered and was warmly greeted by Mrs. Ramsey. The day
+was dismal and the rain was descending in a steady downpour that gave no
+promise of ever ceasing; it was late afternoon, and Mrs. Ramsey said
+cordially, "Let us have tea in my sitting-room; nobody else will come
+such a day<a class="pagenum" name="page_142" id="page_142" title="142"></a> as this, and it will be so much more cosy. I distrust from
+his air of supernatural gravity that my brother has something on his
+mind&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will be <i>de trop</i>" said Miss Holland. "I will amuse myself in
+the library until you are at liberty. I was awfully glad to get your
+'phone message to come over, for it's a wretched day, and I was
+wondering where I should go for tea as I came up town from my office.
+Have your conference and never mind about me."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed," said Jack eagerly, "if you would be so kind as to give me your
+opinion also on the matter I have called to consult my sister about, you
+would confer a great favor," and even as he spoke he knew it was for her
+quick comprehension he had been unconsciously wishing all the time.</p>
+
+<p>She laughed and assented graciously, and they followed Mrs. Ramsey to
+her own charming little room, as dainty and distinctive as its owner.
+Upon the tea-tray there were cigarettes, and Dr. Earl rather wondered
+whether Silvia would accept, but she shook her head. "No," she said
+lightly, "I emulate men's virtues, not their vices; maybe my nerves may<a class="pagenum" name="page_143" id="page_143" title="143"></a>
+need alternate sedatives and stimulants some day, but as yet I hardly
+know that I have any."</p>
+
+<p>Hilda lit one rather languidly. "My doctor says it isn't so much nerves
+as lack of nerve with me; I don't know what you call it, but I confess I
+find the smoke-wreaths pleasant; you won't join me either, Jack? Well,
+let us have the story in all its native simplicity and be sure you
+nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice."</p>
+
+<p>"I am told," he said, "that no well-bred New Yorker makes literary
+allusions, and that to quote Shakespeare is to relegate oneself to his
+century; however, this is the problem," and then he read them the
+letter.</p>
+
+<p>Hilda was openly pleased. "Why not?" she said. "It seems to me a very
+courteous and appreciative note, and I should think you would enjoy
+speaking before that kind of an audience, all of them picked men,
+trained and scientific and able to take in shades of meaning and
+distinctions that are wasted on the laity. Unless you are keeping
+something back, I should say, accept by all means. But are you?"</p>
+
+<p>He paused. "In just a moment, Hilda. How does it strike you, Miss
+Holland?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_144" id="page_144" title="144"></a></p>
+
+<p>She held out her hand for the note, and read and then reread it, and her
+forehead contracted. "I wonder," she said to herself, "whether this is
+what Orrin meant when he said the profession would furnish Dr. Earl
+enough rope&mdash;I meant to ask him what he did mean, but I forgot it."
+Aloud she said, "Isn't Dr. Morris one of the directors of this society?
+He's a fellow alumnus of yours; it doesn't seem as if he would be likely
+to show you an affront, does it?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just the point," answered Dr. Earl. "Is it a case of 'mine own
+familiar friend'?"</p>
+
+<p>His sister looked at him quizzically. "When it comes to literary
+allusion, Jack," she said, "New York might permit Shakespeare, but I
+assure you it wouldn't stand for the psalmist. Do you really think it is
+a plan to get you into some false position or to embarrass you with
+criticisms or queries not made in good faith?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is exactly what I want to know," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"And what if it is?" asked Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>He colored. "You mean I ought to be willing to bear testimony to my
+beliefs whether they meet with acceptance or not?"</p>
+
+<p>Hilda blew a ring of smoke ceilingwards. "That's the trouble with these
+suffragettes,"<a class="pagenum" name="page_145" id="page_145" title="145"></a> she said reminiscently. "They never question the
+advisability of 'casting pearls before swine.'"</p>
+
+<p>Jack laughed and Silvia turned on her reproachfully. "Hilda! That isn't
+fair; haven't you just said yourself that this would be a picked
+audience? Suppose a little clique of them have arranged the meeting with
+the intention of heckling the speaker? The bulk of them will be there in
+good faith, anxious to learn, willing to listen to your brother's
+account of his experiences, and profit by them. If he can't gain a
+respectful hearing there, where will he gain it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me for being biblical to-night," Hilda answered. "I can't seem
+to get away from the suggestion; you know it was the high priests and
+the rulers of the synagogue that stirred up their followers to cry,
+'Crucify Him, crucify Him!' And times have changed more than people. The
+poor will hear gladly enough of healing that is to be had without money
+and without price, and operations that may be avoided by simply keeping
+well, but my experience is that the fetish of the professional man is a
+jealous god, given to heresy hunting, and bowing down and worshiping at
+the shrine of<a class="pagenum" name="page_146" id="page_146" title="146"></a> 'regularity.' They want to preserve the <i>status quo</i> at
+any cost."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Silvia bluntly, "even after it has long been lost. They are
+like people who might discover an ostrich egg-shell after the bird was
+half grown, and go chasing after it, trying to put it back inside the
+shell. I think it is Emerson who says that there are quantities of
+people who are always trying to become settled, whereas our only
+salvation consists in being constantly unsettled. I think the English
+women are infinitely braver and finer in their attitude on the suffrage
+question than we are. What I feel, Dr. Earl, is this: we have come to a
+time when nothing is really worth while unless it is worth fighting for.
+There are other worth while things, of course, for the laboratory man or
+woman, but for those of us who are in the thick of the fight, who want
+to do things <i>now</i>, it is necessary that we should be willing to do
+battle for our beliefs."</p>
+
+<p>"But is that the way to win?" asked the doctor. "We've all heard about
+catching flies with molasses, to use a homely simile."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," responded Silvia; "the more molasses the more flies. No, the old
+methods are gone or are going. Do you suppose anything would<a class="pagenum" name="page_147" id="page_147" title="147"></a> do the
+suffrage cause as much good in this country as clubbing a few old women
+who want respectfully to present a petition to the other old women in
+Congress? A few years ago a petition was presented, signed by a million
+women, and a jocose member rolled it down the aisle with his foot,
+saying it might as well be signed by mice! But just let them try the
+English methods and every State in the Union would enfranchise its women
+just as soon as they could get a popular vote on it." She stopped short.
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, doctor, I didn't mean to give you a suffrage
+lecture."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not," he said. "At least, what I understand is that you are
+trying to make me see that, the spirit of the age is the militant
+spirit, that does not wait to have its own presented to it, but takes it
+wherever it finds it." She nodded and he went on: "I think that is true,
+but with this difference between the illustration you cite and the case
+in point. You women must be passionate enthusiasts to win, because the
+thing you want is concrete and imminent and personal. I have no
+intention of setting up as a <i>vade mecum</i>, founding a new cult,
+proselyting or even preaching my own doctrines; in the first place I
+shall change them<a class="pagenum" name="page_148" id="page_148" title="148"></a> as I discover better ones, or when they fail to bring
+results, and in the second I shall be too busy practicing my theories to
+find time to exploit them."</p>
+
+<p>"There you are wrong," said his sister. "When a man like Jenner comes
+along that is the time for practicing, but when smallpox has been rooted
+out and tuberculosis forgotten, men will still read what Socrates had to
+say of immortality and the sermon on the mount. When you hear people
+belittle the written and the spoken Word, it becomes us to remember that
+'In the beginning the Word was God,' and all that we know of past
+civilizations is the word they have left behind, painted on their stony
+walls or burned in a brick to say, 'After me cometh a builder. Tell him
+I too have known.'"</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear sister," Jack answered, "don't you think assuming the r&ocirc;le
+of the teacher may be just a trifle, only a trifle, presumptuous on my
+part?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't quite know what your new views are," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"They are not new," he said. "In fact they are most of them of such
+hoary antiquity that they are lost in the mists that brooded over the<a class="pagenum" name="page_149" id="page_149" title="149"></a>
+face of the deep. It is only the application that is new. Even that has
+always been understood by certain great souls. Pythagoras is said to
+have taught the Greeks to believe in metempsychosis for the purpose of
+making them kinder to lesser forms of life; like many beauty worshipers
+they were frankly inhuman, and it took heroic measures to create even a
+glimmering perception of the unity of life which is the basis of all the
+great world religions, whether it be Buddha's 'Who hurteth another
+hurteth himself,' or Christ's commandment, 'Love one another'; the Yogi
+looking first at the prince and then at the pauper and saying, 'I am
+that,' or Father Damien going into voluntary exile for the sake of the
+souls of the wretched lepers. The Prince of Peace preached the doctrine
+of spiritual inspiration, and the King of Conquerors said 'Imagination
+rules the world.' Jesus or Napoleon&mdash;both knew that back of the visible
+man himself is the thought of the man, which controls him, and other men
+through him, if it possesses power and vitality and truth."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is a kind of new thought?" asked Hilda.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather a renaissance of old thought. The<a class="pagenum" name="page_150" id="page_150" title="150"></a> modern quest of the Grail is
+not for the crystal cup that held the holy elements, but for the divine
+life itself, the principle that inspires men to action. The philosopher
+of our day is not a hermit, theorizing about vague abstractions, but
+vitally alive to the problems that confront this day and generation, and
+modern psychology is changing all the methods of the great processes of
+existence. Education, medicine, law, are all in process of
+transformation. Grandsons of the men who denounced Mesmer as a charlatan
+thronged the clinics of Charcot."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Silvia, "and within the next decade M&uuml;nsterberg will have
+compelled a complete remodeling of our forms of legal procedure. No
+attorney worth his salt would undertake to ignore the apparatus devised
+by the psychologist, and the time is nearly gone by when, as he says,
+courts will prefer to listen to the 'science' of the handwriting
+experts, rather than permit the examination of a witness by methods in
+accord with the exact work of the psychologist."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," assented Jack, "and not the least gratifying part of the
+whole matter is that it isn't the unimportant who are the ones to speak
+respectfully of the changing ideal; in<a class="pagenum" name="page_151" id="page_151" title="151"></a> fact, the smaller a man's
+calibre the more sure you can be that he will cling to the established
+order. It is only very great men who have the courage of their
+intuitions long enough to prove them. M&uuml;nsterberg can afford to say what
+he thinks. Now if I go to this meeting and tell these men that 'there
+are cases where a fact cannot come at all unless a preliminary faith
+exists in its coming,' what do you think they will say?"</p>
+
+<p>Hilda smiled. "Most of them will suspect you of quoting 'Science and
+Health.' If they accuse you of it, read them the rest of the paragraph."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Silvia eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I can find it in a moment," said Hilda, going to the bookshelves, and
+taking down a modest olive-colored volume. "Here it is. 'And where faith
+in a fact can help create the fact, that would be an insane logic which
+should say that faith running ahead of scientific evidence is the lowest
+kind of immorality into which a thinking being can fall. Yet such is the
+logic by which our scientific absolutists pretend to regulate our
+lives.' That is from the late Professor James, who is said to have been
+the profoundest thinker this country has ever<a class="pagenum" name="page_152" id="page_152" title="152"></a> produced, and he has said
+much more equally startling to those little minds that, like full
+bottles, have no room for more."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl threw back his head and laughed; his quandary was over, his
+course settled. He turned to Silvia with a genial smile. "Score one more
+victory for the Feminists," he said. "I wonder if there ever has been a
+time, anywhere on earth, where women were actually and aggressively
+noncombatants. The Spartan woman handing over her husband's shield is
+typical. Whenever and wherever there has been a cause worth fighting
+for, worth dying for&mdash;always and forever we can see the figure of the
+woman, shield on arm and javelin in hand, standing at the door of the
+slothful warrior's tent, calling him to action. Sometimes the eternal
+feminine leads on, but very frequently, I regret to say, it has to get
+back and drive, and sometimes if it did not kneel and push I fear the
+wheels of progress would not revolve at all; that we do go on, slowly
+and uncertainly, it is true, but that we go on at all, is due to the
+woman soul that will not let us waste our years in the wilderness when
+the land of promise is so near at hand. Ladies, I go!"<a class="pagenum" name="page_153" id="page_153" title="153"></a></p>
+
+<p>He rose as if to make good his words, but Hilda entered a peremptory
+negative, and it ended by his staying to dinner and spending a long and
+utterly delightful evening, which became in a sense the beginning of
+what he felt was a new epoch in his life. This was the understanding,
+the fellowship, the <i>bon camaraderie</i> that gives existence its zest and
+permits one to dream of life eternal without a horror of impending
+weariness and boredom.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_154" id="page_154" title="154"></a>
+<a name="AN_EVIL_PROPHECY_BEGINS_TO_BEAR_FRUIT_3164" id="AN_EVIL_PROPHECY_BEGINS_TO_BEAR_FRUIT_3164"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>AN EVIL PROPHECY BEGINS TO BEAR FRUIT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Leonora and Mrs. Kimball accompanied Dr. Earl to the meeting of the
+medical society, and if he had some doubts whether or not she would be
+able to follow his discourse perfectly, he had none whatever as to his
+own pride and pleasure in her dainty loveliness. She was gowned in
+white, and the season's styles were particularly becoming to her
+graceful and well-rounded figure. Her radiant face with its sensitive
+coloring resembled the delicate glow of one of those rare Sevres vases
+of the Empire Period.</p>
+
+<p>She appreciated the compliment of the invitation, as people always
+appreciate the compliment of being invited to distinguished gatherings
+where the subjects of discussion are likely to be much beyond their
+range of knowledge or understanding.</p>
+
+<p>There was a large attendance, for while<a class="pagenum" name="page_155" id="page_155" title="155"></a> many members of the profession
+had come from idle curiosity, most of those present were interested in
+the views of any man of standing who might throw new light upon the
+successful application of either medical or surgical remedies.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever criticisms may be passed upon individual practitioners, or
+however many Bourbons may exist in the fraternity, yet it must be
+apparent to the student of such matters that nowhere in the world does
+as large a percentage of the medical or surgical profession adopt new
+and improved methods of treatment of the maimed and the ill as in the
+United States. And nowhere in the world are such new and improved
+methods applied with anything like the aptness or skill as by American
+doctors of medicine or surgery.</p>
+
+<p>The old school, the newer school, the newest school of legally
+recognized practitioners were there in force, as well as numbers of
+those who were effecting remarkable cures without any special sanction
+of law for their methods.</p>
+
+<p>Modestly and earnestly, Dr. Earl discussed the subject that had been
+assigned him, amplifying as much as his time would permit, and
+occasionally citing authorities bound to command<a class="pagenum" name="page_156" id="page_156" title="156"></a> respectful attention
+from scientific minds.</p>
+
+<p>He was aware that he had the sympathy of most of his audience, and he
+was just as fully conscious of the hostility of Drs. Morris, Tower,
+Hershell, Bainbridge and two or three more of those who believed with
+something approaching fanaticism that all physicians and surgeons must
+adhere strictly to what they denominated "standard methods."</p>
+
+<p>While Leonora could not comprehend the larger significance of his
+discourse, it gratified her pride and pleased her vanity that her
+fianc&eacute;e was a man who could obtain such a hearing from the medical
+profession. The discussion that followed the address was animated and
+intelligent, and if the malcontents had intended any discourtesy to Dr.
+Earl their plans went awry.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl found himself plunged deeper and deeper every day in the
+seemingly innumerable duties that crowded upon him. Summer came with
+tropical heat, but feeling that he had already enjoyed a long vacation,
+he made no plans, save to take his week-ends out of town, and prepared
+to keep office hours all summer.</p>
+
+<p>Early in July, Leonora and her mother went<a class="pagenum" name="page_157" id="page_157" title="157"></a> to Bar Harbor and the
+Ramseys to Newport. Frank had gone West in May. He would have missed
+them had he possessed a free moment, but the first of August found him
+as busy as ever, in spite of the fact that the city was deserted by the
+fashionable world. Sickness has fashions of its own, and the fame he had
+achieved as "the surgeon who cures without operating," brought him not a
+few calls from those who had nothing to commend them save their
+suffering and their faith. Every doctor worthy the name has a set of
+books kept only by his recording angel, and Earl's invisible guardian
+made many entries that summer, and there were times when even the
+insistence of Leonora could not make him feel willing to leave those who
+seemed so wholly dependent upon his presence for their physical welfare.</p>
+
+<p>Now and then, in spite of his all-absorbing work, there came to his
+sensitive consciousness a feeling of foreboding and dread that he could
+not explain, save by some subtle law of suggestion, as he recalled half
+in mirth and half in seriousness the dark prophecies of the astrologist
+at the suffrage ball. He had suspected his brother Frank, and when he
+learned that the seeress was Miss Renner, that suspicion had<a class="pagenum" name="page_158" id="page_158" title="158"></a> been
+confirmed; Frank might have given her the date of Leonora's birthday,
+but he had nothing to do with the warning she had given him that
+something would happen within the next twenty-four hours which would
+have a bearing on his whole career. Within two hours he had treated
+little Alice Bell, and out of that event had grown his more intimate
+acquaintance with Silvia, and the marked hostility of Dr. Morris. The
+child was doing as well as could be expected, but he was greatly
+disturbed over her condition, and was building up her general health in
+the hope of overcoming the disease.</p>
+
+<p>He had asked Miss Renner one or two questions, but she had evaded him,
+and while he had thought of calling on her and asking for the promised
+horoscope, which she did not send, the idea seemed absurd, and he had no
+time to carry it out.</p>
+
+<p>On the fourth of August he received a summons to come to Magnolia,
+Massachusetts, to attend a former patient who was spending the summer
+there, and he left New York, intending to remain a week.</p>
+
+<p>His movements had become a matter of interest to the ubiquitous
+newspaper reporter, and as the dog-days in New York were not<a class="pagenum" name="page_159" id="page_159" title="159"></a> prolific
+in startling items, the fact of his being sent for to attend a prominent
+New York man at Magnolia was seized upon and made into a fairly readable
+first page news story.</p>
+
+<p>He arranged for the care of his patients, saw the Bells and told them of
+his intended absence, and spent some time talking with the frail little
+child who had become greatly attached to him. As he rose to go, he
+turned to the couch once more. "What shall I send you from Boston,
+little Miss Alice?" he said kindly, and the girl replied in true child
+fashion, "Candy." He shook his head. "You know I don't approve of much
+candy for small girls; but you shall have something better," he said,
+"you may be sure I won't forget," and with another good-by he was gone.
+He took the midnight train for Boston, and his patient's motor car was
+waiting for him when he arrived there.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps it was the excitement of thinking what the "something better"
+could be that kept Alice Bell awake that night; whatever it was, when
+Silvia Holland saw her the next morning her heart sank. She had a
+feeling that she was in some way responsible for the child also, and
+that she was still Dr. Earl's assistant. She<a class="pagenum" name="page_160" id="page_160" title="160"></a> watched her while she
+talked to Mrs. Bell, and suggested, in a tentative way, that Mrs. Bell
+should go to some quiet country place for a month, but the woman shook
+her head.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot leave the city, now," she said. "I have a great quantity of
+sewing that must be done for Miss Lanier's wedding in September."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't you take it along?" asked Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she said quietly, but decidedly. "Some of the things she wants
+fitted, and I have said I would be here any time she wanted to run into
+town. Besides, there are other reasons why I cannot go away now." She
+controlled herself with an effort. "I can never tell you, Miss Holland,
+how thankful I am for the work you have brought my way. You can't
+understand, no woman who has never been anxious to know how she was
+going to get the rent can understand what a blessing it is to be
+independent! You are doing great things for all women, Miss Holland, and
+not forgetting individual women as some people would, but <i>do</i> try to
+make girls understand that they can never be free so long as they are
+dependent on somebody else for their bread and butter."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia flushed. "You're not fretting because of the paltry little sum I
+advanced for your<a class="pagenum" name="page_161" id="page_161" title="161"></a> rent, are you?" she said. "I thought we were friends,
+and such things should not be spoken of between friends."</p>
+
+<p>The woman turned to her with a face in which gratitude and some great
+sorrow were contending emotions, and caught her hands and held them
+tight.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she said, "I don't mind being under obligations to you; I'm almost
+glad to be, for the sake of knowing such a woman. You can do a kindness
+without making it a burden; there are people who pay a debt as if they
+were doing you a favor. The only thing I mind is that I am not more
+worthy of all you have done for me."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia put her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "Don't talk to me
+of unworthiness," she said. "You are a brave woman and a devoted mother;
+it is one of the crimes of civilization that you should lack for any
+creature comforts, and you shall not any more. You shall earn what you
+need yourself, and this fall I intend to start a class of girls in
+domestic economy, and you shall teach them how to make these pretty
+things you fashion so exquisitely."</p>
+
+<p>An indescribable look of pain and rebellion passed over Mrs. Bell's
+face, and she turned<a class="pagenum" name="page_162" id="page_162" title="162"></a> away from Silvia, with a quick gesture of
+renunciation.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meantime," Silvia went on, feeling that the time had not come to
+seek any further confidence, "I am going to borrow Alice. I want to take
+her up to Nutwood for a week or two, and as I'm going this noon, suppose
+you gather her things together, and I'll take her right along."</p>
+
+<p>The little girl gave a cry of joy, and then her face dropped. "But,
+mamma," she said, "will I miss my present from Dr. Earl?"</p>
+
+<p>Her mother smiled and explained that the doctor had promised to send
+Allie "something better than candy" from Boston, where he had gone the
+night before. "I will forward it," she said; "you can trust mother for
+that."</p>
+
+<p>"He has been very good to you, hasn't he?" said Silvia absently,
+thinking of him once more as she had seen him first, as he bent over the
+child, the sleeves rolled back from his powerful white arms while he
+bathed the matted locks and set the broken leg.</p>
+
+<p>"He has that," said the woman laconically. "I'm glad to have Allie go
+with you, for she would miss him; he said he wouldn't be back for a
+week. Now be a good girl, Allie, and<a class="pagenum" name="page_163" id="page_163" title="163"></a> do just as Miss Holland tells you,
+and you will write mother a little letter every day, and mother will
+write to you." She flung her arms about the child in a sudden passion of
+emotion, but the eyes that looked into Silvia's as she took her hand
+were dry and wretched.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could tell me all about it," Silvia said impulsively.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall, soon," she answered; "unless Fate turns kind for once, I shall
+tell you all, soon, very soon."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_164" id="page_164" title="164"></a>
+<a name="THE_MYSTERIOUS_MURDER_OF_EMMA_BELL_3369" id="THE_MYSTERIOUS_MURDER_OF_EMMA_BELL_3369"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF EMMA BELL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The crowd going home from the resorts and roof gardens August 9th was
+startled by the wild cries of the newsboys: "Extra! Extra! All about the
+mysterious murder!"</p>
+
+<p>Murders are not so rare in New York as to cause any genuine sensation
+among its people when one is announced in the public press, but mystery
+has ever been attractive to the human race, and the details of the
+present case as contained in the columns of the papers were so involved
+in conjecture as to arouse the interest of every reader. The only facts
+that were clear were that Mrs. Emma Bell had been found dead in the
+sitting-room of her apartment on East 56th Street with a box of candied
+fruit on the table near her, which had just been opened, and which,
+according to the postmark stamped on the paper enclosing the box, had
+been mailed to her from Boston. Written on<a class="pagenum" name="page_165" id="page_165" title="165"></a> thin paper that was so
+pasted as to cover the entire top of the box was the inscription, "With
+best wishes to you and Alice. J. E."</p>
+
+<p>A weird description of the lifelike appearance of the woman when found,
+seated in her chair, with eyes staring and pupils dilated, was given in
+the best reportorial style. The coroner had taken possession of
+everything and had ordered the apartment sealed until an inquest could
+be held. Whether or not the candied fruit had anything to do with the
+death, and if so who could have sent it, were all matters of speculation
+which the various writers had covered in from one to four columns,
+according to their respective imaginative qualities and newspaper
+instinct, but none of them gave the slightest intimation as to the
+suspected person, if murder really had been committed.</p>
+
+<p>More or less accurate likenesses of Mrs. Bell were given with all the
+events of her life that seemed spectacular, the most prominent of which
+was that her neighbors had long speculated as to her source of
+livelihood, since her husband's death some four years previously, and
+with characteristic charity such speculation led to hints along
+salacious trails and the dark recesses of public suspicion. The events
+of the<a class="pagenum" name="page_166" id="page_166" title="166"></a> injury to her little girl, and her treatment by Dr. Earl, and
+the devotion of the volunteer nurse, lacked nothing in their interesting
+narration in connection with the supposed murder mystery, and assisted
+very materially in enhancing that mystery through the glamour of
+prominent personages who were so well in the foreground of the story.</p>
+
+<p>The coroner's jury sat upon the case as coroners' juries have been
+sitting upon similar cases ever since English jurisprudence advanced to
+the stage of not executing people on suspicion. There was the same dank,
+solemn atmosphere of the morgue, the same density of intellect and
+understanding, the same owl-like gaze of stupidity that passed muster
+for wisdom, the same perfervid desire to get a certificate on the public
+treasury without undue mental or physical effort, the same ambition to
+give a duly impressive but harmless verdict, that must have
+characterized the first empaneled jury of this nature. Never by any
+possibility could these original qualities have deteriorated, and it
+would require a wild stretch of the imagination to note any traces of
+improvement.</p>
+
+<p>The reading of the verdict of a coroner's jury has never been known to
+disqualify any<a class="pagenum" name="page_167" id="page_167" title="167"></a> person from serving on a trial jury in a murder case by
+unduly influencing the opinion, or arousing the passions of such
+involuntary candidate for the jury box. No jails have been stormed or
+revolutions started by the verdict of an American coroner's jury, and
+New York was not destined to have its sensibilities too harshly jarred
+by a sensational verdict in this case.</p>
+
+<p>After solemnly sitting for hours, the jury found that "Said Emma Bell
+came to her death from the effects of hydrocyanic acid administered by
+some person to the said jurors unknown, and whether said hydrocyanic
+acid was administered with felonious intent the said jurors cannot at
+this time ascertain."</p>
+
+<p>The facts established by the jury were, that the woman was dead; that
+hydrocyanic acid had killed her; that the cause of death was so evident
+that it was only necessary to examine the contents of the stomach; that
+apparently none of the candied fruit had been disturbed, as the box was
+even full and the top layer as smooth as when first packed; that a
+chemical analysis proved that no poison of any kind was in any of the
+candied fruit in the box; that no vial could be found on or near the
+woman<a class="pagenum" name="page_168" id="page_168" title="168"></a> after death, and that a thorough search of the apartment failed
+to disclose any of this or any other kind of poison; that the woman was
+quite alone in the apartment when death took place and was only
+discovered by the janitress at ten o'clock at night, at which time she
+entered the apartment, having been invited to sleep there during the
+absence of the child in the country, whither she had gone a few days
+previous to this for a week's stay; that Mrs. Bell had been doing her
+own work for several months and taking in fine sewing.</p>
+
+<p>But ambitious newspaper reporters bent themselves to this new task, as
+is their custom in all matters of public concern, <i>i. e.</i>, to outrival
+the most noted expert in the line of that particular phase of public
+endeavor uppermost at the time. Theories were advanced in the daily
+papers that made Sherlock Holmes seem like a novice in detective work
+and Lucretia Borgia a mere infant in the skillful administration of
+poisons. The regular detectives, both public and private, were aroused
+by the mystery that shrouded the case. It remained, however, for the
+ubiquitous reporter, to whom society really owes a debt along every line
+of worthy public endeavor impossible either to estimate or discharge,<a class="pagenum" name="page_169" id="page_169" title="169"></a>
+to discover that the handwriting on the box was that of Dr. John Earl,
+and that he had been in the habit, for months, of paying almost daily
+visits to the Bell home; that he was at Magnolia Beach, but a short ride
+from Boston, at the time the package was mailed there; that ostensibly
+he had visited the Bell home to attend the little girl who was injured
+by the automobile, but that the mother was undoubtedly much interested
+in him; that there were many rumors among surgeons that his operation on
+the leg of the child had produced tuberculosis; that the district
+attorney had received anonymous letters to the effect that Earl had
+deliberately attempted to poison both mother and daughter, to be rid of
+an unpleasant <i>liaison</i> on the one hand and the evidence of his lack of
+skill on the other; that the child had gone to the country after he left
+the city and he still supposed her with her mother, hence the saving of
+the child's life; that the box of candied fruit was only a blind, and
+that some other package must have arrived containing the poison in
+another form, possibly in the same wrapping paper with the fruit; that
+no possible motive could be discovered for the poisoning by any<a class="pagenum" name="page_170" id="page_170" title="170"></a> other
+person and no clue could be found leading to a suspicion of any one
+else.</p>
+
+<p>With five hundred thousand visitors constantly within the gates of their
+city; with a shifting population of nearly a million more; with
+permanent residents absorbed in the most strenuous existence known on
+the American Continent; with sensation in high life of such frequent
+occurrence as to benumb any effort to form a discriminating opinion&mdash;the
+people of New York (visitors, temporary denizens, those of fixed
+habitation) welcomed these ready-made conclusions of the daily press and
+blindly adopted them as their own.</p>
+
+<p>Individual character counts for less in the metropolis of the United
+States than it does anywhere else in the nation. There are several
+reasons for this, but the principal ones are a lack of time on the part
+of the permanent residents to inform themselves on such matters and a
+lack of interest in the subject on the part of the remainder of the
+population. The result is, that when charges are made, with any degree
+of sanction from the constituted authorities, against ordinary citizens
+of hitherto blameless lives, the great majority of the people accept<a class="pagenum" name="page_171" id="page_171" title="171"></a>
+such charges as well founded until they are effectively disproved.</p>
+
+<p>So it was in this case. Just as soon as the incriminating facts
+seriously involved Dr. John Earl it was taken for granted that he was
+guilty, and such presumption was certain to grip the public mind until
+his innocence could be duly established, if such result were at all
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>This was also the golden opportunity for the Bourbon members of his own
+profession to assail his theories and, secretly and openly, certain of
+them charged that the result in Dr. Earl's case was but the natural one
+where "standard methods" of practice were set aside for the, as yet,
+"unscientific paths of suggestive therapeutics," as these reactionary
+medical men denominated Earl's system, for he had cured through
+suggestive methods a score of patients who had been condemned to the
+operating table by other surgeons, and as a result he had aroused the
+resentment of such surgeons in particular and the condemnation in
+general of all those who believed in the supreme curative power of the
+knife.</p>
+
+<p>Those in other walks of life, who, from conviction or selfishness, were
+opposed to disturbing<a class="pagenum" name="page_172" id="page_172" title="172"></a> present conditions, and who appreciated and
+feared the interdependence of the whole progressive movement, were also
+easily convinced that, properly enough, he was in the toils of the law.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long until his friends and defenders began to realize that a
+secret sentiment was being created against him which had for its purpose
+the discrediting of his mental stability, as well as his medical
+methods, and that they would be compelled to combat not only menacing
+facts and conditions, but also the still more powerful influences of
+centuries of prejudice against men of his type, who had dared to get too
+far ahead of the general parade.</p>
+
+<p>Psychologically, some interesting impressions were made upon observant
+minds. Many of our national hypocrisies were emphasized, and these
+occurrences revealed certain inconsistencies of public pretension and
+action in other fields closely correlated to this one, and it became
+evident that improvement in theory and practice, in matters of this
+sort, was impossible so long as more fundamental abuses were not only
+permitted but sanctioned in a most aggressively affirmative manner.</p>
+
+<p>These observing people were reminded that<a class="pagenum" name="page_173" id="page_173" title="173"></a> in this Christian nation a
+cross of considerable dimensions is generally ready for instant use in
+immolating the person who is rash enough to interfere too strenuously or
+persistently with the operations of our morally depraved and generally
+rum-soaked political bosses, who have boldly usurped the functions of
+government and whose aims and purposes are widely at variance with all
+of the teachings of the lowly Nazarene; that, much as we pride ourselves
+upon our philosophical advancement, there is usually a cup of hemlock in
+reserve for a master spirit that attempts too far to outdistance the
+crowd; that, fond as we are of orating and writing about the dark days
+of barbarism, we continually applaud the barbarian methods of those who
+appropriate the property and liberties of their fellow men to increase
+their own wealth and power; that, while there is no longer much of a
+disposition to consider the earth flat, there is a marked tendency to
+regard most every other mysterious thing as of that character.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. John Earl had friends who understood the complex and extensive
+nature of these sentiments, and, whatever might be their opinion
+concerning his guilt or innocence of the specific<a class="pagenum" name="page_174" id="page_174" title="174"></a> charge under
+discussion, they greatly feared the graver charge which emanated from
+the chaotic darkness of superstition, ignorance, prejudice and jealousy
+and the location of which could be determined only by occasional and
+angry flashes of venom.</p>
+
+<p>While these things were occurring, Dr. Earl had come to New York and had
+gone directly to the district attorney and notified him that, if needed,
+he could be found at his house on East 53rd Street, but he assured that
+official that he knew nothing of the affair whatever.</p>
+
+<p>This was treated as bravado by those who believed in his guilt and as
+vindication by those who asserted his innocence.</p>
+
+<p>His brother Frank hastened from a summer resort in the fastnesses of the
+Rockies and his sister and brother-in-law returned to town from Newport.</p>
+
+<p>One day, Silvia Holland appeared at the coroner's office and asked to
+see the box in which the candied fruit had arrived. She examined it
+critically for several minutes, and then asked for the wrapper
+containing the address and postage stamps. There were three ten-cent and
+two fifteen-cent stamps on the paper, although it was apparent that half
+that<a class="pagenum" name="page_175" id="page_175" title="175"></a> amount in postage would have carried the package. She compared the
+handwriting with samples of Dr. Earl's, and it was only too evident that
+both address and message were written by him.</p>
+
+<p>When she returned to her office she found Miss Renner waiting for her in
+response to a telephone message. The two women had seen much of each
+other after their meeting at the League House and a deep regard had
+sprung up between them. For the time being, Miss Renner was doing
+special work on one of the New York papers, and lending her voice to the
+suffrage cause between assignments. They exchanged greetings, and then
+the little Westerner said quietly, "You wanted me?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Holland looked at her long and searchingly. "Yes, I both want and
+need you, my dear. Your paper has been rather vindictive in its pursuit
+of evidence against Dr. Earl. I want you to go to the district attorney
+and ask him personally to examine the inside of the lid of the box which
+contained the fruit, also the scalloped paper that covered the fruit. If
+he does so, he will find that a green gage, an apricot or a plum, which
+was seedless, of course, rested on top of the paper, and was crushed<a class="pagenum" name="page_176" id="page_176" title="176"></a>
+against the lid of the box. The stain is quite distinct on both paper
+and cover, and shows that there was only one such piece of fruit placed
+there. Of course, it contained the poison, and was placed on top,
+because it would naturally be eaten first."</p>
+
+<p>Carroll Renner looked at her in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"If I do that he will order the immediate arrest of Dr. Earl; it will
+put him in jail and possibly lead to his conviction. Is that what you
+desire?" She looked up at the taller woman searchingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely I do&mdash;if he is guilty," Miss Holland replied, without changing
+her expression. "There is no doubt that it will cause his immediate
+arrest," she added, "but even that is preferable to this suspense with
+everybody suspecting him and no opportunity to defend himself."</p>
+
+<p>She turned away, and Carroll slipped her arm about her waist. "Dear
+Silvia, I'll go&mdash;on one condition."</p>
+
+<p>"And that is?" came in a rather muffled voice.</p>
+
+<p>"That you will defend him yourself!" said Miss Renner. Miss Holland
+turned and caught her in her arms. "I can't do that," she said. "I
+couldn't, anyhow, without being asked,<a class="pagenum" name="page_177" id="page_177" title="177"></a> and besides, he will need the
+most skillful criminal lawyer in New York to defend him. I should make a
+sorry mess of it."</p>
+
+<p>Carroll drew her down on a settee and held her hands firmly. "You might
+just as well be a man, if you are going to talk like that&mdash;always ready
+to let women go ahead until something really worth while comes along,
+and then saying 'only a man can do big, difficult things.' After all
+you've said, are you going to hesitate when it comes to crossing
+professional swords with a man? Come now, promise me; if I go to the
+district attorney, you will defend him."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have not been employed, or even asked to defend him," she
+insisted. "You must see how unprofessional it would be, Carroll."</p>
+
+<p>"Professional! that's what the doctors say when they refuse to save your
+life because they don't want to be discourteous to a fellow
+practitioner," answered Carroll. "Well, if the life of the man I loved
+was at stake I wouldn't wait for somebody to come and hire me to defend
+him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Carroll!" cried Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>"Silvia!" she retorted. "Will your highness deign to accept employment
+if it is offered you by his family?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_178" id="page_178" title="178"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Carroll, I can't let you drum up business&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You should be shaken, Silvia," her friend answered. "Of course
+everybody in the country knows that you live in daily fear of the
+poorhouse, and keep an advertising bureau busy trying to find you
+employment! However, I suspected you would make these silly objections,
+so I told Frank Earl yesterday that he ought to move heaven and earth to
+get you to defend his brother. He nearly fell on my neck, and he is now
+giving me absent treatment or holding a thought that I may succeed in
+making you see that you could do more for the doctor than any other New
+York lawyer."</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't true, Carroll," she said. "I wish it were, but it isn't, and
+I haven't been able to think of any one that I want to see take up his
+defense."</p>
+
+<p>"Naturally, because you know you ought to do it yourself. Now listen to
+me." Miss Renner put her hands on Silvia's shoulders. "We haven't known
+each other long, but it doesn't follow that we don't know each other
+well. If John Earl were my brother I should give you no peace until you
+promised to defend him, not alone because you have the requisite skill
+as<a class="pagenum" name="page_179" id="page_179" title="179"></a> an attorney, but because you would give this case the devotion, the
+insight, that are not to be bought with money. Now you know my terms;
+shall I go to the district attorney?"</p>
+
+<p>Silvia kissed her impulsively. "Yes, dear; go&mdash;go at once!" Her eyes
+filled and her exquisite voice quivered with the strain of the emotion
+she could no longer conceal. "Oh, Carroll, I'm glad to have you now;
+come back to me afterward and tell me all about it!"</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_180" id="page_180" title="180"></a>
+<a name="THE_ARREST_OF_DR_JOHN_EARL_3688" id="THE_ARREST_OF_DR_JOHN_EARL_3688"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>THE ARREST OF DR. JOHN EARL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Early the next morning Dr. John Earl was arrested for the murder of Emma
+Bell and was remanded by the magistrate to The Tombs without bail to
+await the action of the grand jury, which was soon to convene. Both he
+and his family had foreseen the event, and he had made the necessary
+arrangements for the conduct of his business. Humiliating as his arrest
+was, they all bore it with Spartan courage, and prepared to ransack the
+earth, if need be, to establish his innocence.</p>
+
+<p>Leonora Kimball and her mother returned from Bar Harbor to find their
+city friends almost unanimously arrayed against Dr. Earl, and they were
+not themselves in the best humor with the tide of ill fortune that had
+swept them into these muddy currents. They went immediately to The
+Tombs, and in the interview that followed Dr. Earl insisted that Leonora
+should<a class="pagenum" name="page_181" id="page_181" title="181"></a> consider herself released from her engagement so long as the
+least taint was attached to his name in connection with this charge. She
+protested that this was the hour of his need, and she could not think of
+such a thing, but he caught the tone of doubt in her voice, and the lack
+of genuine sympathy in her manner. There passed rapidly through his mind
+the thought that the electric chair might be just ahead of him; a long
+imprisonment might be his fate; he might lose the affection of friends
+and the respect of strangers, but if in this hour of bitter ordeal,
+guilty or innocent, whichever she might believe, his affianced wife did
+not show supreme faith and devotion, he was indeed a beggar in the realm
+of love. Carroll's ominous words about the malign stars that governed
+her fate recurred to his mind, and he thought of his contest with
+himself, and his decision when, defying the possibility of separation,
+inharmony or divorce, he elected to keep his plighted troth whatever his
+post-nuptial fate might be.</p>
+
+<p>But in the recesses of his prison he had yearned for love, for the
+divine, illuminating rays that had lighted the path of many a martyr to
+the stake; of many a hero to the cannon's<a class="pagenum" name="page_182" id="page_182" title="182"></a> mouth; of not a few convicts
+to the gallows; of many a sublime philosopher to the dungeon or the
+ax&mdash;and all his misfortunes seemed but fleecy down compared to the
+weight which this sense of isolation and aloofness from the tenderness
+of the world brought to him. He looked at her fair young face, clouded
+and troubled now with doubts and annoyance, and with a sinking heart he
+realized that her personal vexation loomed as large upon the horizon of
+her mind as the shame and danger that had overtaken him.</p>
+
+<p>"For the present, dear, you are absolved from any obligation to me," he
+said very gravely. "When I am released I shall, of course, give you the
+opportunity to reconsider if you choose to do so, but in the meantime
+you are entirely free; it must be so, dearest."</p>
+
+<p>She made no reply, but lifted her face to his for their farewell kiss,
+and her mother was not able to stifle her sigh of relief until they had
+passed beyond the prison walls. As they left, Frank entered the room,
+and the glance he cast after the departing form of the elder lady was
+not exactly amiable, but he kept his peace.</p>
+
+<p>"It is time, Jack, that you were thinking of somebody to take charge of
+your case. You<a class="pagenum" name="page_183" id="page_183" title="183"></a> know I'm not familiar with criminal law, or the New York
+practice; I'll do my best, but you must have a skilled lawyer in
+command."</p>
+
+<p>"I have already given the matter deep thought, but I have not made up my
+mind. There's Littlefield, but hiring him or any other noted criminal
+lawyer is equivalent to pleading guilty," answered Jack. "What do you
+suggest?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not in a position to make suggestions myself that are really
+valuable," Frank replied, "and of the hundreds that have been made there
+has been but one that really appealed to me. That came from my Colorado
+friend&mdash;Miss Renner; but this is a matter where you must be the sole
+judge, and I want you to make your own selection, regardless of any
+other person's ideas."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Renner is a very keen woman," Jack said, a gleam of curiosity in
+his manner. "I should like to hear her proposition; it is sure to be
+original, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>Frank answered rather hesitatingly. "At first, I was enthusiastic about
+it, but I fear you will not approve of trusting your life to a woman,
+and I don't urge it in any way; Miss Renner wants us to employ Silvia
+Holland."<a class="pagenum" name="page_184" id="page_184" title="184"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Miss Holland defend me? Will she&mdash;would she be willing to do it?" Jack
+asked, in startled tones.</p>
+
+<p>"Carroll Renner says she will," Frank answered, "and she is curiously
+correct in her judgments of people, and they have been pretty close this
+last summer."</p>
+
+<p>Earl gave a sigh of relief. "Then by all means employ her at once," he
+said. "I not trust my life to a woman? Dear Frank, when is there ever a
+time when man does not trust his fate to woman? The infant owes his
+existence to a woman; the boy would make sad progress in the world were
+it not for the woman. The young man would drop back to barbarism but for
+her, and where would you and I be but for that dear, sweet sister of
+ours? Simply because the Twentieth Century woman is breaking away from
+the old, destructive life of the parasite and endeavoring to fulfill her
+destiny on earth, is no reason for believing that she does not still
+possess all the noble qualities that have characterized her since the
+world began. Not only have I no prejudices against, but a decided
+partiality for a woman defender," and so the matter was settled.</p>
+
+<p>Silvia went to consult with Earl every day<a class="pagenum" name="page_185" id="page_185" title="185"></a> that she was in the city,
+and strongly advised against any attempt to secure bail, as sure to open
+anew the charges and innuendoes which were already but dimly remembered
+by the New York public. She took personal charge of every phase of the
+case, and although Frank was associated with her he asked few questions
+and she volunteered but little information. A week later she spent
+several days in Boston and stopped at Providence on her way back, but
+aside from telling his family where she had been she gave no intimation
+either of her purposes or the results of her trip, and cautioned every
+one to give nothing to the press.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do with the box of candied fruit you bought at Thompson's
+candy store when you were in Boston?" she demanded of Dr. Earl at her
+first interview after her return.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment he looked dazed. "Box of candied fruit&mdash;I didn't buy
+any&mdash;oh, yes; wait a minute. While at Magnolia, I wished to pay a visit
+to some old friends who live in East Boston; they have a youngster in
+the family, and I bought the candied fruit for her at the same time I
+bought the pecans which I sent to Alice; but do you know, a curious
+thing happened to that package of candied fruit. I put<a class="pagenum" name="page_186" id="page_186" title="186"></a> it on the seat
+beside me while crossing the ferry, and then took up a magazine article
+I was much interested in, and when I rose to leave the boat the package
+was gone. I hadn't been conscious that any one was near enough to take
+it, but there was a crowd on the boat, and my package disappeared;
+naturally, I didn't mention it to my friends."</p>
+
+<p>The look she bent upon him was full of perplexity. "Of course it can't
+be traced," she said to herself. "Did the box have the name of the
+store, or any name of a manufacturer or dealer upon it? Try and
+remember," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, I cannot say; I didn't notice, except that the clerk wrapped it
+in plain white paper," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you in Providence on this trip, or have you been there recently?"
+she continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Not in four years," he answered and she gave an involuntary sigh of
+relief.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you expressed any annoyance to your medical friends over the
+development of tuberculosis in the knee of little Alice Bell, or have
+you stated that the case baffled you?" she asked with considerable
+concern.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have said to at least two surgeons<a class="pagenum" name="page_187" id="page_187" title="187"></a> that I was annoyed at what I
+believe to be the recurrence of an old condition, but never that I was
+baffled. It is perfectly simple."</p>
+
+<p>"How I wish I could find that letter," she said, more to herself than to
+him. "The post-office department has ransacked the country for it, but it
+seems to have disappeared as completely as did your package on the boat.
+I do wish I could clear up two or three things to my own satisfaction,
+but you can't help me, and there is no need of annoying you with them."
+She looked about the small room set aside for the consultation of
+prisoners with their counsel, but gained no inspiration from the bare
+walls, and rose to go, extending her hand as she did so.</p>
+
+<p>"You do believe in my innocence?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She gave no direct answer in words, but as her eyes met his he knew that
+he was no longer alone in his struggles, and whatever her belief in the
+merits of his case, her faith in him was supreme.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not a question of what I believe," she said at last, "but of what
+the State can prove on the one hand, and what we shall be able to show
+on the other."</p>
+
+<p>"You are worried," he said quickly.<a class="pagenum" name="page_188" id="page_188" title="188"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, "I am; your life may be at stake, and if I fail to
+clear you every one in the country will say that I should never have
+taken this case, and they will be right. Even now, Dr. Earl, are you
+certain it would not be better to employ counsel eminent in this branch
+of the profession? I shall be very glad to serve in second place."</p>
+
+<p>"This is no time for flattery or false sentiment, and I shall attempt
+neither," he said, "as you know, I prefer thorough methods in all
+professions, and those methods require rather more of the psychological
+than the usual practitioner employs. I think we are quite agreed in
+that. For that and other ample reasons I prefer to leave my case just
+where it is."</p>
+
+<p>The look that the blue eyes flashed up to the brown ones was pleased and
+proud, and something that she saw there sent a quick flush to her cheek,
+and though her heart was heavy her step was light as she left the gloomy
+building.</p>
+
+<p>Her car was waiting at the door, and calmly seated therein was Carroll
+Renner. Silvia greeted her eagerly. "Of all persons on earth you are the
+one I was most wishing to see," she said. "How did you happen to come
+here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I got your telepathy, Silvia, dear," she answered,<a class="pagenum" name="page_189" id="page_189" title="189"></a> with a squeeze of
+the hand, "when on mischief bent about three blocks from here, and
+decided to come by this cheerful edifice on the chance that you might be
+here. I saw the car, introduced myself to your chauffeur and climbed in.
+I must say," she added, "that you were an unconscionable time. Now, what
+can I do for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go and have luncheon somewhere," answered Silvia, "and I'll tell
+you all about it."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said the newspaper woman, "I have to interview a Mrs. Somebody or
+other who has just come to town to teach us how to connect our trolleys
+with psychic wires, or our subliminal minds with ethereal vibrations.
+She's stopping at the Buckingham, and if you want to take me out there
+I'll be glad of the lift, for I'm short on time, and we can talk on the
+way."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, I'll take you gladly," Silvia answered, giving the directions
+to the chauffeur, "and since I've wasted so much of your afternoon, I'll
+send back for you, and have you taken to the office if you're going
+there, or to your own hotel, unless you'll come and dine with me; I'm
+alone to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," Miss Renner answered; "I would be glad to get back home,
+for I've a<a class="pagenum" name="page_190" id="page_190" title="190"></a> wretched headache; not that I'm particularly comfortable
+there, for it's been abominably warm the last few days."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia gave a sigh of relief. "Has it? Well, that makes it easier for me
+to ask a favor of you. But first tell me, Carroll, are you
+timid&mdash;nervous?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean am I given to 'seein' things at night'?" Carroll asked. "I
+don't know how it will be after I have my seance with Mrs. Whoever-it-is
+I'm going to see, but when I'm reasonably abstemious I'm not given to
+ingrowing nerves. What do you want me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to go and live in what was Mrs. Bell's home. I had paid the
+rent for her up to the end of October, and after her death I took charge
+of the place. Of course, I couldn't send Alice back there, but I went
+and got her clothes and toys and I've been there a number of times. I
+had a new lock put on, and have taken a maid there and kept it in order,
+so all you'll have to do will be to send up your trunk."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly I'll go," Carroll answered soberly, "but what do you expect
+to gain by it? Of course you have a motive."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered the other woman, "I have, but it isn't the sort of thing
+one can speak of,<a class="pagenum" name="page_191" id="page_191" title="191"></a> except in the closest confidence. I haven't mentioned
+it even to Frank Earl, whose interest in this case is at least as great
+as mine, and you mustn't. I haven't been practicing law so very long,
+but I've heard that all lawyers, who are really worth while, are
+superstitious about talking over a case before it goes to trial. They
+don't tell their clients more than a bare outline, and I believe it is
+true, for surely I've found myself more fanciful than I ever was before.
+The day before Mrs. Bell was found dead in her room she wrote to Alice;
+it was a very short letter, and she excused herself by saying that she
+was very tired, having written me a long letter. Naturally, Alice showed
+me the letter, and I remarked at the time that it was strange mine
+hadn't come by the same mail. Then after the tragedy it slipped my mind
+for a day or so, and when I made inquiries it had not been received, or
+if it had, the servants said it was forwarded to me here. I made more
+inquiries, but nothing could be found in my office, though there was a
+bunch of mail from Nutwood. The longer I thought of it the more anxious
+I became to find that letter, and when I was employed in this case it
+seemed to me absolutely imperative that I should do so. I have seen<a class="pagenum" name="page_192" id="page_192" title="192"></a> all
+the postal authorities here who could have any knowledge of the letter,
+or its possible disposition, and have written to Washington, but all in
+vain. I am sure it would clear up several matters that are troubling me
+greatly."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldn't the letter have been returned to Mrs. Bell's apartment,
+through some error in the address? She would not have mailed an
+important letter without the return address," said Carroll practically.</p>
+
+<p>"That was my idea exactly, so when it didn't come I looked for it there;
+several letters addressed to her had been delivered, but there was no
+sign of this one. Now, I can't tell why, but I feel as if I want
+somebody in that house. Was there ever anything more utterly
+unreasonable than that? I wouldn't dare tell any one but you; I can't
+explain it, but neither can I rid myself of the feeling, and I was going
+to seek you, to ask if you will undertake this for me. All I want is
+that you shall put in whatever time you spend in your own apartment
+there. Nothing may come of it, but you have no idea what a relief it
+will be to me if you will not be too much inconvenienced, and you have
+no dread of the rather morbid associations."<a class="pagenum" name="page_193" id="page_193" title="193"></a></p>
+
+<p>"I'll do it," Carroll answered. "There are too many other people in the
+building for me to be afraid of anything alive, and as for the
+dead&mdash;well, I shouldn't be afraid of her either. I can't tell you why,
+but I believe this is a good move." She gave a little shiver. "I hope
+the new lock is a strong one, Silvia; I should hate to have the murderer
+come back to the scene of his crime."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_194" id="page_194" title="194"></a>
+<a name="DR_EARL_IS_INDICTED_FOR_MURDER_3982" id="DR_EARL_IS_INDICTED_FOR_MURDER_3982"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>DR. EARL IS INDICTED FOR MURDER</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. John Earl for the
+murder of Mrs. Emma Bell. There could be but one grade of homicide in
+this kind of a case, and he was accordingly charged with murder in the
+first degree and his trial was set for Tuesday of the following week.</p>
+
+<p>Frank came to see him early Saturday morning. "The neighbors of Mrs.
+Bell will be at the trial in full force to tell of your daily visits
+there at all sorts of ungodly hours. Their gossip indicates that they
+believe you had a very serious affair on with her, and this, together
+with the claim of the surgeons that you botched the operation on the
+child's leg, furnishes a fairly powerful motive for the crime, at least
+in the public mind. Jack," he asked, with a mixture of doubt and
+anxiety, "did you really have an affair with her?"<a class="pagenum" name="page_195" id="page_195" title="195"></a></p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Frank, nonsense," answered his brother. "It is true that I
+went there at rather unusual hours; I was pretty busy, and when I found
+she was in the habit of sitting up until after midnight I used to drop
+in there when I was through for the day. I don't think I ever went there
+later than nine-thirty or ten, and I seldom stayed more than fifteen or
+twenty minutes. Later on I was, and I still am, greatly worried about
+the child. Of course my operation didn't produce tuberculosis; that is
+silly, but it serves the purposes of jealous rivals. When I found this
+tubercular condition developing I asked her mother a great many
+questions; it seemed to me so improbable that it should have occurred
+when the child was really having better care than usual, judging from
+their surroundings, that I sought to learn whether it was not a
+recurrence of some trouble she had apparently outgrown, and from her
+mother's answers I think there is absolutely no doubt that this is true.
+You will readily see, under the circumstances, that I did not time my
+visits watch in hand, but the charge of a <i>liaison</i> there would be
+ridiculous were it not so vulgar and malicious. There was some sort of<a class="pagenum" name="page_196" id="page_196" title="196"></a>
+a tragedy in the woman's life, but I have no idea whatever as to its
+nature."</p>
+
+<p>"With your handwriting on both the outside and inside of the package,
+your intimate relations with the family, the complications of this
+surgical case, the fact that you were practically in Boston at the time
+the package was mailed, and the total lack of suspicion of any one
+else," said Frank, checking the indictments off on his fingers, "they
+have a fairly convincing case against you, old man, and if you know
+anything that can break these theories down now is the time to divulge
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"Naturally, if there were anything of the kind you imply, it would be
+easier for me to discuss it with you than with my leading counsel," his
+brother replied, "but equally, of course, in such a case, I should not
+have employed a woman to defend me; certainly not such a rabid feminist
+as Miss Holland. I have told her all I know, all I can conjecture, but
+candidly, Frank, I fear she is greatly worried over the outcome. I know
+the difficulty in overcoming gossip and prejudice and jealousy, and if
+that cannot be done I fear I must pay the penalty of being the target of
+their shafts. Crushing<a class="pagenum" name="page_197" id="page_197" title="197"></a> as that is, there is one haunting thought that
+is even more intolerable," he concluded.</p>
+
+<p>"And that is?"</p>
+
+<p>"That the last thought of that unhappy woman was that I sent the candied
+fruit. She may have realized in that brief second of time that it caused
+her death. I hope to prove my innocence to the world, but she has passed
+beyond the reach of proof."</p>
+
+<p>"She has also passed beyond the need of it," answered his brother
+quickly. "Why don't you comfort yourself with the thought that, no
+matter who else may be deceived, wherever she is, she knows the truth?"</p>
+
+<p>There had been something akin to despair in his voice, and Frank noticed
+how trouble had deepened the lines in his face. "Brace up, old fellow,"
+he said huskily. "We'll get a line on something before we go to trial."</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Earl did not see Leonora or hear from her directly again after their
+interview, but the Sunday following the announcement that Miss Holland
+had been employed to defend him, an item appeared in the society columns
+of the New York papers stating that their engagement had been
+terminated. He sighed when he read it, whether from sorrow or relief he
+could<a class="pagenum" name="page_198" id="page_198" title="198"></a> scarcely have told himself. But he fully realized at this time
+that the vital heart-beats of genuine love are not always inspired by
+plighted troth, neither is the latter always a product of the former,
+and he marveled at his own lack of understanding in so readily accepting
+a superficial substitute for the real article. The Ramseys gave every
+evidence of their devotion, seeing him daily, and there were not wanting
+a few staunch friends, and numerous former patients showed their
+loyalty, but as the day of his trial approached he found himself
+thinking more and more of the four devoted souls who had done and would
+do all for him that was humanly possible.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_199" id="page_199" title="199"></a>
+<a name="A_GREAT_MURDER_TRIAL_BEGINS_4077" id="A_GREAT_MURDER_TRIAL_BEGINS_4077"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>A GREAT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Although the court officials had taken the precaution to admit
+spectators only by cards issued from the sheriff's office, the famous
+old room in the Criminal Courts Building was jammed to its very doors at
+the opening of the trial of Dr. John Earl for the murder of Mrs. Emma
+Bell, for it must be remembered sheriffs are elected by popular vote and
+have friends in all walks of life. So there were business men and street
+urchins, ladies of fashion and washerwomen, members of the learned
+professions and hoboes, scholars and draymen, students of psychology and
+the merely curious, advocates in frock-coats and counsellors in jackets,
+attracted by the ever-living fascination of seeing a human being
+fighting for his life, with the added interest in this case of the
+novelty of seeing that fight made by a woman attorney.</p>
+
+<p>Many tragic memories cling to this old room.<a class="pagenum" name="page_200" id="page_200" title="200"></a> Here other doctors had
+been convicted and sentenced to the electric chair for sending poison
+through the mails. Here more ordinary individuals had been acquitted by
+displaying more skill in the transaction than had been shown by the
+doctors. Here had been tried all sorts of murder cases, with all sorts
+of defenses, from self-preservation with an ax to the irresponsibility
+of a brain-storm. From that old-fashioned witness chair, on its high
+platform, enough tales of tragedy had been told, if bound in books, to
+fill a good-sized library; enough tears had been shed to atone for a
+thousand crimes; enough pathos shown to have broken a million hearts;
+enough perjury committed to substantiate David's somewhat sweeping
+assertion.</p>
+
+<p>From that high perch against the wall had emanated the technical
+rulings, or the broad principles of justice that had made society
+tremble for its safety, or caused it to repose in security.</p>
+
+<p>From that old counsel's table some of the greatest lawyers of the world
+had measured steel in weird combats over sending human souls into the
+mysterious Beyond.</p>
+
+<p>On this day, the district attorney sat at one<a class="pagenum" name="page_201" id="page_201" title="201"></a> side of the table, with
+his assistants, grave, severe, determined-looking officers of the law.
+On the other side sat a beautiful young woman, with luminous eyes, a
+spirituelle countenance, but a firm and earnest manner and perfect
+poise. Behind her sat the younger brother of the prisoner. At her side
+was the prisoner himself, grave in mien, courageous in bearing,
+collected in deportment. Back of them were Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. Among
+the witnesses for the defense was Dr. Morris, saturnine, mocking,
+indifferent.</p>
+
+<p>Thus organized society arrayed itself against a portion of its own
+elements. Thus organized society spoke through the cold impassiveness of
+its own laws, while its elements spoke through personal emotions and
+human passions. Thus organized society appealed to itself to protect
+itself, while its elements appealed for human kindness and universal
+charity.</p>
+
+<p>Such is the situation in every criminal trial.</p>
+
+<p>It took three days to obtain a jury of proper qualification and
+sufficient disinterestedness to satisfy both sides. All the other
+lawyers watched with interest the methods employed by the "woman lawyer"
+in asking her <i>voir dire</i><a class="pagenum" name="page_202" id="page_202" title="202"></a> questions and in exercising her right to
+challenge, and most of them agreed that she asked no useless questions
+and showed rare judgment in her peremptory challenges.</p>
+
+<p>The next day on the convening of court the district attorney outlined
+his case with circumstantial detail. He related in spectacular fashion
+the first meeting of Dr. Earl and the Bells at the suffrage ball, and
+dwelt insinuatingly upon the interest manifested by Dr. Earl in the
+child at the time of the accident. Either inadvertently, or by design,
+he referred in slighting tones to the part played at this meeting by the
+"volunteer nurse," but his sentence was never completed, for Silvia
+addressed the Court.</p>
+
+<p>"May it please the Court," she said&mdash;and her manner was unmistakable&mdash;"I
+have no right, and neither do I intend, to complain of any respectful
+reference made to me during the course of this trial, either as an
+individual, or as an attorney for this defendant, but I shall insist now
+and hereafter that I must be referred to with the respect and
+consideration due my, as yet, unsullied membership in the legal
+profession and my reputation as a private citizen."</p>
+
+<p>There was no opportunity for a ruling by the Court, for the district
+attorney promptly<a class="pagenum" name="page_203" id="page_203" title="203"></a> disclaimed any intention of disrespect, and begged
+her pardon for any words susceptible of such construction. It was
+evident that her interruption produced a most favorable impression upon
+Court, jury and spectators, and if any came to scoff at the weakness of
+the "woman attorney" they remained to admire the strength of the female
+advocate. The district attorney continued, warmed into greater
+determination to make a lasting impression upon the jury as to the guilt
+of the defendant.</p>
+
+<p>He followed Dr. Earl on his numerous visits to the Bell home; dwelt upon
+the unusual hour of many of them; agreed to prove more than ordinary
+intimacy between Mrs. Bell and the defendant; showed the defects in his
+surgery and the terrible results, which promised permanently to cripple
+the child; exhibited the handwriting upon the box and placed beside it
+the handwriting of Dr. Earl to undisputed legal documents; stated that
+the defense would scarcely claim that the handwriting was not his;
+asserted that they had positive proof that Dr. Earl had purchased a box
+of candied fruit of the exact size and character of this box just prior
+to the time it was mailed, and that Dr.<a class="pagenum" name="page_204" id="page_204" title="204"></a> Earl was in Boston at the time
+of the mailing of the package.</p>
+
+<p>From his recital it was clear that much thorough detective work had been
+done in the case for the State.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, gentlemen of the jury, as to the motive," he went on. "A powerful
+incentive existed for the commission of this crime. Dr. Earl had been
+engaged for some time to marry into one of the most prominent and
+wealthy families in this city and the wedding was to have taken place
+this month. The advertisement that followed his spectacular professional
+performance at the suffrage ball brought him an enormous practice. To
+have the public learn that this piece of surgery upon which his
+reputation was based was in reality a case of malpractice meant ruin. To
+have his married life disturbed by the appearance of a wronged woman
+meant destruction to his domestic happiness, so he planned that the
+poison should be sent to wipe out this family on the eve of his wedding
+and before any damage had been done him in either of these directions.
+You must confess it was a skillful job. Only one piece of poisoned fruit
+in the box, and that so arranged as not to disturb its contents. Whether
+mother or daughter<a class="pagenum" name="page_205" id="page_205" title="205"></a> got this piece of candied fruit first, the other was
+doomed, for a kiss from those dying lips would have conveyed a like
+fate, so powerful was this solution. The only thing that thwarted his
+nefarious purpose to kill them both was the absence of the child, who
+was in the country, a fact entirely unknown to Dr. Earl."</p>
+
+<p>This and much more of like import furnished the closing portion of his
+statement to the jury, and when he finished it was apparent that his
+recital had made a deep impression upon every person in the courtroom.
+The atmosphere was charged with serious import to Dr. Earl.</p>
+
+<p>His sister had moved closer to him and was holding his hand. Her husband
+came nearer, and Frank turned and gave him a reassuring glance. His
+expressive face showed deep concern rather than worry.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the district attorney resumed his seat Silvia arose and
+deathlike stillness fell upon the courtroom. "With your permission, your
+honor, I will reserve my statement of defense until the State has closed
+its case."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, that is your privilege," replied the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a buzz of excited whispering. "What does it mean?" "Is
+she afraid to state<a class="pagenum" name="page_206" id="page_206" title="206"></a> her defense after that terrific arraignment of the
+defendant?" "Oh, there comes in the timidity of woman!" said an old and
+skilled criminal lawyer. "Does she not realize that it is a fatal
+evidence of weakness not to state a defense at the opening of the
+trial?"</p>
+
+<p>But the district attorney had called his first witness and the bailiff
+rapped loudly for order. For three days the State put witness after
+witness on the stand and by expert medical testimony, by toxicologists,
+by direct and inferential testimony, the district attorney more than
+proved the case which he had outlined to the jury.</p>
+
+<p>That the child was probably permanently crippled from tuberculosis of
+the knee and that the tuberculosis resulted from faulty surgery was the
+opinion of the three surgical experts called upon that point, but upon
+cross-examination Silvia forced each of them to admit that it was
+possible that a former tubercular condition had recurred. She also
+forced the unwilling admission that so far as the fracture of the leg
+was concerned the bones had knit perfectly. The most damaging testimony
+was that of a neighbor woman, who had overheard Mrs. Bell exclaim to
+herself on the very day of the poisoning,<a class="pagenum" name="page_207" id="page_207" title="207"></a> "I will force him to marry me
+or I will kill him!"</p>
+
+<p>Pressed on cross-examination as to what she saw as well as heard, she
+related how she had passed Mrs. Bell's door, which was open, and had
+seen Mrs. Bell with a document of some kind in one hand and a pen in the
+other, and had heard her utter this exclamation. When asked why she
+assumed that the statement must refer to Dr. Earl, she replied with some
+feeling that no other man had been seen around the apartment since Mrs.
+Bell moved in, the first of April.</p>
+
+<p>A young woman, a clerk in Thompson's candy store in Boston, identified
+Dr. Earl as the purchaser of a box of candied fruit a few days before
+the poisoning. On cross-examination she said it was a box of identical
+proportions with the one marked "Exhibit A." Silvia asked her if the
+boxes from their store did not always bear the firm name on the lid and
+she admitted that they did, and swore that the one purchased by Dr. Earl
+had the firm name on the outside of the lid in gilt letters. Then Silvia
+showed her the box which had contained the poisoned fruit and asked her
+to state on oath whether or not that was the box in<a class="pagenum" name="page_208" id="page_208" title="208"></a> which she had sold
+Dr. Earl the fruit and she declared that it was not. Then she asked her
+if Dr. Earl had purchased any loose pieces of fruit, and she testified
+that he had not.</p>
+
+<p>Silvia produced a box and asked the witness if it were not from the
+Thompson store. She answered that it was.</p>
+
+<p>"Did not Dr. Earl also purchase a box of pecans at the time that he
+bought the fruit and is not this the box in which the pecans were
+packed?" Silvia continued.</p>
+
+<p>The girl seemed to study for a few moments. "Yes, I do remember," she
+said, "he did buy a box of pecans the same day he bought the candied
+fruit and this box may have contained them, for it is from our store. I
+want to add, though, that I had forgotten about the nuts when the
+district attorney asked his questions here and when I was examined in
+Boston."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you happen to forget about the nuts and remember about the
+candied fruit?" asked Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>"There was nothing to recall the pecans to my mind until you mentioned
+them just now, but I remember that Dr. Earl bought them<a class="pagenum" name="page_209" id="page_209" title="209"></a> first and
+returned afterward and bought the fruit."</p>
+
+<p>On redirect examination the district attorney got an admission from the
+clerk that at several places in Boston, which she mentioned, boxes could
+be obtained without any name on the lid, but that the Thompson store
+never carried them.</p>
+
+<p>The testimony of this clerk that the box presented by the district
+attorney had not come from their store, was the only rift in the
+otherwise dense cloud of incriminating evidence for the State, and the
+prosecution closed its case with perceptible gloom hanging over every
+person connected with the defense, and the jury was grave of face, as
+men well may be who have the life of a fellow being in their hands.</p>
+
+<p>The prosecution closed at four-thirty and Silvia asked for an
+adjournment until morning to open her case. The request was granted, and
+New York spent the night wondering what the "woman lawyer" would do the
+next day. In the caf&eacute;s, clubs, hotels, between acts in the theatres,
+little else was discussed, and the consensus of opinion was that she was
+doomed to defeat in this her first big trial.</p>
+
+<p>Progressive women grieved over the outlook,<a class="pagenum" name="page_210" id="page_210" title="210"></a> for it spelled much of
+disaster to the woman movement if she should be humiliatingly
+vanquished. Her friends championed her cause as best they could,
+vigorously, but not with the genuine enthusiasm they would like to have
+felt.</p>
+
+<p>New York had never before been so interested in a criminal trial.</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_211" id="page_211" title="211"></a>
+<a name="A_WOMAN_AND_SPOOKS_FIND_A_LETTER_4318" id="A_WOMAN_AND_SPOOKS_FIND_A_LETTER_4318"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>A WOMAN AND SPOOKS FIND A LETTER</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The trial had been in progress some six days when the State rested its
+case. None of the family or friends of the defendant underestimated the
+impression created by the array of facts marshalled by the district
+attorney. The evidence, though wholly circumstantial, was nevertheless
+sinister and deadly.</p>
+
+<p>Hilda Ramsey, white and worn, kissed her brother with quivering lips and
+went out of the court leaning on her husband's arm, and making no
+pretense of concealing her suffering. Neither her belief in her
+brother's innocence, nor her confidence in Silvia's ability to prove it,
+could counteract the pain and humiliation of the past weeks. Ramsey
+wrung his brother-in-law's hand, and gave him a look more eloquent than
+words, and Frank bade him brace up. "'Thrice is he armed that hath his
+quarrel<a class="pagenum" name="page_212" id="page_212" title="212"></a> just,' you know, old fellow," he said, with a slap on the
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>There was a grayish pallor on Silvia's face as she gave her client her
+hand, but he was as composed and almost as cheerful as if he were but "a
+looker-on in Vienna" as he once more assured her and Frank of his entire
+confidence in a verdict of acquittal.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will pardon me," he said, looking at Silvia kindly, "I will
+change places with you and be the counsellor for a moment, and advise
+you to eat a good dinner of very simple things, then disconnect your
+telephone and go to bed and read Omar till you fall asleep; there are
+times when it is an immense comfort to remember that&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+"'He that tossed you down into the Field,<br />
+<i>He</i> knows about it all&mdash;He knows! He knows!'"<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>His quiet voice acted like a tonic, and her face was full of gratitude
+as she bade him goodnight, and turned to confer with Frank. Carroll
+stood by the reporters' tables, irresolutely, until presently Silvia
+beckoned her. The two women exchanged looks which were enigmatical to
+Frank, but evidently perfectly intelligible to them, for Carroll turned
+away with a<a class="pagenum" name="page_213" id="page_213" title="213"></a> sound like a strangled sob, and the pall of weariness and
+depression which had lifted for a moment again settled over Silvia, now
+that there were no longer any prying or unfriendly eyes upon them.
+Without another word she turned and went down to her car. Frank waited
+until Carroll gathered up her "copy," and then they went out into the
+street together.</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you go home with Miss Holland?" he asked. "She looked as if
+she wanted you; I supposed she was going to ask you when she called you
+over."</p>
+
+<p>"Not she," answered the girl. "She knows better than to prepare for the
+great day of her life by gabbling half the night. Besides, I'm too blue
+to be of any use to her."</p>
+
+<p>"Anything happened?" he asked, too absorbed in his own affairs to give
+other matters more than perfunctory attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said, vexation in her voice. "I've fallen down on an
+assignment, the biggest I've had since I came to New York, and I'm all
+broken up over it."</p>
+
+<p>He turned and looked at her, conscious of a sense of disappointment all
+out of proportion to the occasion. It was the first time he had ever
+known her to fail in comprehension or<a class="pagenum" name="page_214" id="page_214" title="214"></a> sympathy; that she could even
+remember, let alone obtrude, a small personal grievance of her own in
+the face of the tragedy that surrounded them, was so utterly out of
+keeping with her character that he looked at her in amazement, and it
+took him several minutes to control his voice so as to make the proper
+politely concerned query as to the demands of the city editor which had
+proved too much for her well-known ability.</p>
+
+<p>"It wasn't the city editor," she said, too unhappy to notice the icy
+timbre of his voice. "It's a good thing to disappoint them once in a
+while; keeps 'em from expecting you to outdo the labors of Hercules in
+time to beat the morning papers. No, it was something I was to do for
+Silvia, and I can't make good; at least I haven't, and I'm at the end of
+my resources."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the fact that it was still broad daylight, and a crowded
+thoroughfare, Frank Earl stopped and gave her hand a cordial grip that
+made her wince. "You're all right," he said. "You're all right. Now
+let's go and have dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not going to the Ramseys'?" she asked, evidently taking it for
+granted that the<a class="pagenum" name="page_215" id="page_215" title="215"></a> family would wish to be together at such a time.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," he answered. "Hilda will go straight to bed, poor girl; and
+Ramsey will sit beside her and dab cologne on her forehead, and after a
+while he'll coax her to eat a cracker and drink some tea, and he'll have
+his dinner right there beside her. You don't know the turtle-doves. I
+don't hanker for my own society to-night, but I shall have to put up
+with it unless you take pity on me."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, Frank," she answered. "I simply can't eat when my mind is so
+upset; I'm going straight home."</p>
+
+<p>"And make <i>your</i> supper on crackers and tea, I suppose," he said
+disgustedly. "Well, in that case, I'll go for a tramp and try to get rid
+of the cobwebs in my brain, and the stuffy air of that courtroom. I
+always feel as if twenty centuries of alleged justice, injustice and
+malpractice looked down upon me when I get into court; that's one reason
+why I'm no good as a trial lawyer. Here, isn't this your street?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, no&mdash;I don't live where I did any more just now," she answered
+lucidly. He stopped and looked at her and smiled in spite of every
+everything.<a class="pagenum" name="page_216" id="page_216" title="216"></a> "I've sent in my copy, and you can walk up with me, if you
+want to."</p>
+
+<p>They walked on in silence; Frank was evidently thinking deeply, and
+Carroll was following some weary round of conjecture for the thousandth
+time when she stopped at her number. Frank looked at it and then at her,
+startled out of his usual debonair manner for once.</p>
+
+<p>"Why&mdash;it is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she answered. "I've been living here for some time, but that
+wasn't for publication, so I kept my other room, and had my mail go
+there as usual. Silvia desired it."</p>
+
+<p>"She hasn't left any stone unturned," he said musingly. "I wonder what
+was in that letter!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she has told you, then?" Carroll asked.</p>
+
+<p>"About Mrs. Bell's letter to her? Oh, yes, she told me to-night, just
+before you joined us; I thought you knew about it. Anyhow, it seems to
+be gone beyond recall. Don't you intend to invite me in? Well, of all
+the inhospitable persons! I'll see you in the morning," and lifting his
+hat he went on up the Avenue.</p>
+
+<p>Carroll climbed the two flights slowly and unlocked her door. The suite
+across the hall had been vacated by a superstitious tenant the week
+after the murder, and the family immediately<a class="pagenum" name="page_217" id="page_217" title="217"></a> below had moved away that
+morning. As Carroll closed the door behind her she was conscious of a
+sense of oppression. It was not fear, which is a simple, concrete
+emotion, easily understood; it was not even so subtle as dread of any
+abstract thing, ghost or goblin damned. She gave her shoulders a little
+shake, as if the sensation were some tangible thing to be thrown off,
+and laying aside her hat and gloves she went through to the buffet
+kitchen and put the kettle on. She returned to the sitting-room and
+looked about her uneasily, and then put on a house gown and slippers,
+and arranged her tea-tray. There were but four rooms in the apartment,
+in addition to the kitchenette, and but one of them offered much in the
+way of light or ventilation, so Carroll lived in the front room, as Emma
+Bell had lived there; she worked there, as Emma Bell had worked; she
+looked upon the same nondescript blue wall paper, and the few pictures
+that relieved its monotony. With some misty idea, similar to that of the
+French "<i>confrontation</i>," she had brought none of her own books or
+belongings to disturb the suggestion of the room as it had been. There
+were three large windows, through which the city lights were beginning
+to shine;<a class="pagenum" name="page_218" id="page_218" title="218"></a> under one of these and across that end of the room was a
+divan, covered with a bright rug; opposite and against the other wall
+was a desk, with a chair before it, and bookshelves, and a corner
+cupboard which held a plentiful supply of tea-things. Between the two
+windows nearest it was a tea-table, which evidently served a double
+purpose, for underneath was a basketful of neatly folded sewing. By the
+table was the high-armed mission rocking-chair in which the dead woman
+had been found. Opposite was the little sewing-chair, usually occupied
+by Alice when she and her mother had supper together at the table, which
+had been a gift of Silvia's. Evidently it had been a fancy of Mrs.
+Bell's to set the chair for the child before she opened the fatal box,
+and Carroll had kept both chairs in their relative positions. The
+doorway into the alcove bedroom was concealed by a porti&egrave;re.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing in the desk now but some of Carroll's writing
+materials; everything in the room had been ransacked at the time of its
+mistress' death, and Silvia had herself searched carefully for anything
+that might afford a possible clue. Sometimes she even thought that some
+one, possessing a key, had entered the<a class="pagenum" name="page_219" id="page_219" title="219"></a> place and removed all evidence
+while that ghastly witness still sat in the chair, for there were no
+letters, no papers, nothing. Immediately after going there to stay,
+Carroll had gone over the tiny place with systematic care. There was no
+upholstered furniture in which anything could have been concealed; even
+the divan was a rattan affair; there were only rugs upon the floors. The
+mattress revealed nothing, and though she laboriously examined every
+picture, there was nothing concealed back of them or within the frames.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think the letter was mailed?" Silvia asked her, and she had
+replied that while it probably had been, the chances were that a rough
+draft of it had been written, and preserved somewhere, and it was for
+this that she searched until it became evident that the slight resources
+of the flat were exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>It was rather a poor little place, woefully lacking in the closets and
+cubby-holes so dear to women, and yet, as Carroll sat there in the
+child's place, with her second cup of strong tea getting cold beside
+her, she found herself looking at the other chair expectantly, and the
+empty desk seemed watching her; she was resentfully conscious that
+everything in that<a class="pagenum" name="page_220" id="page_220" title="220"></a> room knew the truth, everything save its human
+occupant with her keen mind, her active brain. The hours passed and
+still she sat there, waiting, waiting. There were the usual noises,
+commonplace and mysterious, to be found in vacant houses, but about nine
+o'clock she became conscious that there were sounds in the recently
+vacated flat below. Evidently the family had come back for some last
+articles which they had left behind. They were a quiet old couple with
+whom Carroll had exchanged greetings now and then on the stairs; the old
+lady had told her they were going to live with their daughter. Carroll
+roused herself and lit the gas, and a little while later there came a
+tap at the door. She was frightened for a second, the sound was so
+unexpected, and then with a laugh at her foolishness she went to the
+door and opened it, revealing an old man, her neighbor from the floor
+below. He held a rather heavy package in his arms, and explained, rather
+shamefacedly, that they had no high-chair, and when their little
+grandchild was brought to visit them Mrs. Bell had been accustomed to
+lend them her big dictionary. "Not bein' literary she didn't need it,
+and the very afternoon of the day she died I came up to borrow it, same
+as usual; she had<a class="pagenum" name="page_221" id="page_221" title="221"></a> stepped out, but the door was ajar, and the
+dictionary lying right on the end of the divan, so I took it, and when I
+brought it back after supper I couldn't get in, and after the trouble my
+wife wrapped it up and put it away for safe-keeping, Miss, and forgot it
+till we come to move," he finished breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>He put the package on the divan, and Carroll talked with him a few
+moments longer, and then locked the door upon his retreating form and
+went to the window, and stood there, looking out, yet seeing nothing. It
+was beginning to rain, and the cool, damp air was pleasant, but she
+shivered and turned back to the room that still kept its silent
+mistress' secret, as she had kept it, even in death. The little clock on
+the mantel struck ten, and there was a quick, light step on the stair,
+and a brisk knock at her door. As she opened it, Frank stood there,
+shaking the drops of water from his hat.</p>
+
+<p>"I've had my walk," he said, "I've got over my gloom; I've lost my
+grouch, but I still have my appetite with me. Now come on, like a good
+fellow, and let's have supper."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go away, Frank," she said, almost crying with vexation. "I was
+almost on the verge of something when you came."<a class="pagenum" name="page_222" id="page_222" title="222"></a></p>
+
+<p>"That's what I thought," he said cheerfully. "I said, 'She'll drink a
+pint of strong tea and sit there in the dark until the rugs begin to
+wiggle and the wall paper glowers at her.' You're on the verge of
+nervous prostration; that's what you're on the verge of, and nothing
+else. Now come along, or have I got to come over there and make you?" He
+noticed her negligee. "Put on your frock, and I'll wait, but hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"It's raining," she demurred, "and I haven't my raincoat here."</p>
+
+<p>"I brushed by one in the hall," he said, and stepping back he lifted
+down a somewhat shabby gray raincoat and flung it toward her. She picked
+it up, and slipped it on. It was large, but still she could wear it, and
+while she stood in the middle of the room hesitating, she slipped her
+hands into the capacious pockets.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" demanded Frank impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>The girl did not answer, but stood staring ahead of her. Slowly she
+raised her left hand, pressing the thumb between her eyebrows, and
+taking the right hand from the raincoat pocket, she stretched it out,
+the fingers groping uncertainly. She turned so white that the young man
+in the doorway stared, frightened, yet under a spell that forbade his
+moving. Suddenly<a class="pagenum" name="page_223" id="page_223" title="223"></a> the trembling, questioning hand grew rigid, and
+without an instant's hesitation she turned and walked to the divan, and
+laid her hand upon the bundle.</p>
+
+<p>"It is here, Frank," she said quietly. "Turn up the light, and cut this
+cord."</p>
+
+<p>He did so, and as the paper fell away from the dictionary, she opened
+the heavy volume and their eyes fell upon a large manila envelope
+plainly addressed to "Miss Silvia Holland, City Investment Building, New
+York." The girl laid her hand upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute; let me tell you what happened," she said. "When the
+postman came she gave him the letter for Alice, and he gave her the box.
+She didn't give him this letter because she hadn't stamps enough&mdash;see,
+it has but one&mdash;or perhaps she meant to use it as a threat; there was
+somebody who had a motive for killing her. The woman across the hall
+called her and she slipped this envelope into the dictionary and went
+out, leaving her door open; old Mr. Dillon came up and got the book;
+he's just been telling me about it. They never opened it, and after her
+body was found&mdash;Mrs. Bell's, I mean&mdash;his wife was so upset that she went
+to her daughter, and they forgot it entirely until to-night. When Mrs.<a class="pagenum" name="page_224" id="page_224" title="224"></a>
+Bell came back, she opened the package the postman had given her, and
+she never had a chance to miss anything after that."</p>
+
+<p>She lifted her hand, and Frank picked up the envelope and looked at it
+and then at her.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you have solved the mystery," he said, "and that all you have
+not learned will be revealed when Silvia opens this envelope. Oh, this
+is wonderful, Carroll! I'll get a taxi, and we'll go to her at once."</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't," said the girl. "It'll be nearly midnight by the time we
+can get there, and if it is bad news&mdash;which it isn't&mdash;there's nothing
+she can do to-night, and if it is good&mdash;and I am sure it is, for us at
+least&mdash;it can wait until morning. Whichever it is, she needs a night's
+sleep before she faces any new complication."</p>
+
+<p>She took the envelope and looked at it again, and then at Frank Earl.
+With a little laugh she clutched it to her bosom, and holding out the
+other hand to him, she said, "Now, I'm ready to go to the kitchen and
+cook anything there is to be found in this section of New York!"</p>
+
+<p>"Carroll," he said, humbly, "would you mind if I proposed to you once
+more? We seem to need you in our family."</p>
+
+<hr class="major" />
+<div style="margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em">
+<a class="pagenum" name="page_225" id="page_225" title="225"></a>
+<a name="SILVIA_HOLLANDS_GREAT_PLEA_TO_THE_JURY_4623" id="SILVIA_HOLLANDS_GREAT_PLEA_TO_THE_JURY_4623"></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+<h3>SILVIA HOLLAND'S GREAT PLEA TO THE JURY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Hours before court time the next morning an immense crowd packed the
+streets around the building, and when the doors were opened it was
+useless to attempt the enforcement of the ticket rule. When the court
+convened the space outside the rail was jammed with a crowd that
+threatened to overflow the space inside which was reserved for members
+of the legal profession, witnesses, and the family of the defendant. It
+was an orderly crowd, however, and the tension of silence was so
+complete that it held them in a kind of paralysis of attention when the
+gavel fell and the stentorian voice of the bailiff called his "Hear ye."
+As soon as he sat down the Court recognized Silvia. She took her place
+at the end of the counsel table with a few papers within reach. The
+district attorney noticed with satisfaction that they were very few. She
+was gowned in pure<a class="pagenum" name="page_226" id="page_226" title="226"></a> white, and her hair rippled back from her broad
+forehead, and with head proudly erect and with easy, natural pose, she
+faced the jury, which gave her instant and absorbed attention. She spoke
+slowly, deliberately, and her soft, musical voice was heard distinctly
+in every corner of the courtroom.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen of the Jury: Human life is the greatest mystery in a universe
+of mystery. It springs into existence with the knowledge of the ages
+coursing through its sensibilities and inherently possessing all of the
+passion and prejudice of countless centuries. Where it started none of
+us knows. Where the &aelig;ons ahead of us destine it to end none of us can
+tell. Deliberately to blot from this earth and its service that which
+comes into the world so divinely equipped with knowledge and inspiration
+requires both sublime courage and indescribable depravity; sublime
+courage to invite the hostility of the vast, complicated, mysterious
+forces that are embodied in a human life, however humble it may be;
+indescribable depravity to destroy the most useful and the most
+beautiful product of this earth.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet the statute in this and other American States for the punishment of
+those who take<a class="pagenum" name="page_227" id="page_227" title="227"></a> human life is made to apply but to a fraction of those
+guilty of such offense. The individual who shoots or otherwise takes the
+life of another is always prosecuted and generally punished. The
+association, whose culpable neglect of the ordinary dictates of humanity
+in making its employees safe, is not even prosecuted for factory girls
+destroyed in a fire, for miners entombed in the earth, for passengers
+and trainmen hurled to their death that dividends may be wrung from soft
+roadbeds and rotten rails, for excursion boats so built as to prevent
+the saving of passengers in case of accident; and what must be said of
+those economic and social conditions that drive thousands to
+self-destruction every year and that destroy all Christian and political
+ideals, the proper development of which would preclude the possibility
+of crime!</p>
+
+<p>"You, gentlemen, represent the collected society of which I am a part,
+and the fact is worth your consideration at least, that under the system
+of woman parasitism, dependence, and, in a way, slavery, the rugged
+qualities of strength of purpose, of womanly self-reliance, of
+constantly expanding mental and moral natures that so distinguished our
+foremothers, and which mean so much to the character of children,<a class="pagenum" name="page_228" id="page_228" title="228"></a> which
+in turn mean so much to the character of the citizen and the nation,
+have largely disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"In every consideration of crime, its cause should be of interest to
+those who represent the State. I am not seeking to minimize or palliate
+or excuse whatever crime may have been committed in this case, but
+<i>that</i> society which is seeking its own safety and perpetuity cannot too
+strongly be urged to beware of the universal menace to its existence, as
+well as to guard against those individuals that war only against
+individuals. So I appeal to you in this case, if crime there be, to deal
+with the perpetrator of such crime with all due justice, but with that
+mercy and consideration which these thoughts may suggest, and which we
+owe to the weaker members of society.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever crime was committed in this case sprang from the old order of
+our existence, which is rapidly passing away; it was nurtured in that
+soil which most of us cultivate too much, and which produces envy,
+malice, hatred, uncharitableness and other destructive and despoiling
+human traits. I have no quarrel with the character of the testimony with
+which it is sought to convict the defendant, for circumstantial<a class="pagenum" name="page_229" id="page_229" title="229"></a>
+evidence is the most reliable, the most convincing, the least subject to
+perjury of any evidence recognized by the law, and, as I shall undertake
+to demonstrate to you, it is absolutely unassailable when each link of
+the chain fits perfectly in every other one. I am not unmindful of the
+very strong case which the district attorney has made against the
+defendant, and it may be that his contention is the correct one. That is
+a matter for you to determine."</p>
+
+<p>There was a little stir in the courtroom at this extraordinary
+statement, and Hilda looked at her husband and then at her brother and
+the hot flush of resentment dyed her white face to the hair.</p>
+
+<p>"The motive of malpractice on the child," Silvia went on evenly, "and a
+troublesome <i>liaison</i> with the mother do, indeed, seem to be powerful,
+but what can be said for those motives when I prove to your entire
+satisfaction that the setting of this fracture and the subsequent
+treatment and final results are among some of the best ever attending
+such cases in this large city; that the tuberculosis of the knee is the
+recurrence of a disease which had attacked the child five years before
+in the glands of the neck and which broke forth afresh in<a class="pagenum" name="page_230" id="page_230" title="230"></a> the knee
+because of her low physical condition and the immediate injury to the
+knee; that what I shall present will so conclusively prove the
+impossibility of a <i>liaison</i> between Dr. Earl and Mrs. Bell that there
+cannot even remain the suspicion of such a thing?</p>
+
+<p>"The mystery of her support since last April I alone can clear up with
+checks and other evidence so convincing in character as to leave no
+doubt. It is embarrassing but necessary to bring myself as a witness
+into this trial. I found this poor woman with a great and secret sorrow,
+not knowing how to earn a living and by industrial independence develop
+the best qualities of her nature, and I undertook to teach her
+self-reliance and to lead her into the new life of social and economic
+freedom. Had she been thus trained from girlhood this tragedy would have
+been impossible, and her life would have been full of beauty, for I have
+never known a sweeter character. In the meantime I loaned&mdash;not gave, but
+loaned her the money to live upon. She would have resented a gift. She
+was making splendid progress with her fine sewing, and would soon have
+been independent of any financial aid. But the sorrow which hung over
+her, and which all this time<a class="pagenum" name="page_231" id="page_231" title="231"></a> was and still is a mystery to me, seemed
+to dominate her life, as I will presently show you.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the ghost of the old environment, of the old parasitical age,
+when women were so easily enslaved with the promise of idle luxury and
+transient caresses, stalking into the midst of a nobler effort and
+beckoning her backward while yet the understanding and courage were not
+sufficiently seasoned. Later I shall go into these things more fully.</p>
+
+<p>"I will prove to you by the proper Federal officials that, owing to a
+change of design by the government, the ten-cent stamps on this package,
+bearing this particular vignette, could only be purchased in three or
+four post-offices in the United States for several months before and at
+the time the package was mailed, and the only place east of the
+post-office at St. Louis was in Providence, Rhode Island, and I shall
+also prove that the defendant has not been in Providence in four years.
+You will notice that stamps to the value of sixty cents were placed on
+the parcel, when half that amount would have been sufficient, showing
+that whoever mailed it did not care to have it officially weighed.</p>
+
+<p>"Another circumstance worthy your attention<a class="pagenum" name="page_232" id="page_232" title="232"></a> is that poisoning by
+hydrocyanic acid is so easily recognized that it has seldom been used
+for purposes of murder, except in cases where the person committing the
+crime felt safe as to his own identity, and desired to make it appear
+that some one else had done the deed."</p>
+
+<p>She paused in her recital and cast a glance at a large, muscular man,
+seated among a group of witnesses for the defense. He gave her an almost
+imperceptible nod in the affirmative, and she went on slowly and
+impressively:</p>
+
+<p>"What is more, gentlemen of the jury, this candied fruit was not
+purchased in Boston, but in Providence, and the person buying it
+insisted on a perfectly plain box, without any name upon it; he also
+bought several separate pieces of similar fruit."</p>
+
+<p>There was a buzz of excitement in the human hive, which the bailiff
+suppressed by a sharp rap of his gavel. Those who had caught the signal
+turned their eyes from Silvia to the large man, but there was nothing in
+his impassive demeanor to attract attention.</p>
+
+<p>The defendant and his family were evidently as much at sea as were the
+others in the courtroom as to the significance of these assertions,<a class="pagenum" name="page_233" id="page_233" title="233"></a> but
+the look of worry had entirely disappeared from the face of Dr. Earl.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," she went on, "that I had taken the little girl to the
+country for a week when this awful crime was committed, but Dr. Earl
+knew nothing of this, and the evidence is already so clear as to need no
+further illumination that the person who sent the poisoned candy was
+aware of the fact that the child was not at home, and would not be for
+several days at least. So clear is it that Dr. Earl did not know the
+child was in the country that I will prove to you that he sent to her
+city address a box of pecans which were forwarded by her mother to the
+country, and I will offer in evidence the box in which they were sent.
+The person who mailed this box had designs on one victim only, and had
+the child been at home she would undoubtedly have been the one killed,
+for she would have been certain to receive the first piece. With all due
+deference to the learned district attorney, and while his theory is
+possible that a kiss given and received might have caused the death of
+the other, the probability is so remote that a person skilled in the
+knowledge of poisons and their effects, as Dr. Earl is, would scarcely
+have undertaken to poison<a class="pagenum" name="page_234" id="page_234" title="234"></a> two people in this clumsy and uncertain
+fashion, when the placing of two pieces of candied fruit instead of one
+on the top of the box was all that was necessary to insure the end
+desired."</p>
+
+<p>She paused again, and gave the large man another look, and then
+exhibited a card to the jury, which she had been holding in her hand
+from the beginning of her address.</p>
+
+<p>"No, gentlemen, the poison was intended for but one person, and that
+person partook of it," she said sadly and earnestly. She held a picture
+postal so the jury could see it. "This postcard, as you see, was sent to
+Mrs. Bell from Magnolia a few days before the crime occurred. It is
+dated August 5th; her death took place August 9th. Look at the address
+on this card, and at the message on the other side. Now let me show you
+a strange thing, which cannot be merely a coincidence."</p>
+
+<p>She took the outer layer of thin white paper that had wrapped the box,
+on which were the stamps and the address, and laid it over the same
+address on the card, and the length and formation of each letter were
+identical, the punctuation marks and the lines of shading were the same,
+on paper and card.<a class="pagenum" name="page_235" id="page_235" title="235"></a></p>
+
+<p>"You see how this has been done," she said. "The address on the paper is
+written with an indelible pencil. Ink would have spread and blotted. We
+shall prove to you that the address on the box was copied by tracing
+from this identical card, as also were the closing words on the card
+with the initials which were traced on the paper that is pasted on the
+top of the box&mdash;'With best wishes to you and Alice. J. E.'"</p>
+
+<p>The district attorney protested to the Court against so much detail and
+proof going into an opening statement, and the Judge looked inquiringly
+at Silvia.</p>
+
+<p>"I know I am pursuing an unusual course," she replied, "but I promise
+your honor, and also the honorable district attorney, that I will not
+abuse my privilege, and if you gentlemen will bear with me I am certain
+that I shall be able to render a distinct service to the State."</p>
+
+<p>The Judge had followed her carefully, and being one of those wearers of
+the ermine who believe that substantial justice rather than technical
+results should be the aim of courts in criminal trials, said to the
+district attorney, "I am certain that Miss Holland fully understands the
+rules of procedure in this court and<a class="pagenum" name="page_236" id="page_236" title="236"></a> will adhere to them as strictly as
+the nature of her defense will permit. If I think she is overstepping
+them, I will stop her."</p>
+
+<p>Silvia gave another glance at the large man. His eyes were on the little
+group by his side at the time, but the silence caused him to turn to her
+again, and after another affirmative nod she resumed.</p>
+
+<p>"It is difficult for me to cause pain to anything that lives. I feel
+that the ant, with its wonderful little organism, is as much entitled to
+the uses and joys of this dear old world as I am. When I enlisted in
+this case it was to defend a man whom I felt certain was innocent, not
+to bring any other person to the bar of justice, and even now, if I
+could clear the fair name of my client from the remotest suspicion of
+ever having thought of this crime, without injury to another, I should
+much prefer to do so. Not that I am unmindful of my duty as a citizen,
+but I am more conscious of the tenderer feelings that are of necessity
+appealed to in such a case.</p>
+
+<p>"When in the discharge of my duty I found suspicious footprints leading
+elsewhere I spent hours determining what course I should pursue in this
+complicated situation. The sequel<a class="pagenum" name="page_237" id="page_237" title="237"></a> will give all of you, in the jury box
+and in this courtroom, an opportunity to decide whether my course has
+been the right one. God knows I have prayed to be shown another way, but
+I could discover none."</p>
+
+<p>She paused, and the tears were glistening in her eyes and her voice
+trembled, but she regained her self-control at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Before I did aught else, I had two skilled detectives watch the
+suspected person; their observations were all too convincing. It was
+Eugene Aram again telling his dream to the child, but this time the
+guilt was acted.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:2em;'>
+"Then down I cast me on my face,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And first began to weep,</span><br />
+For I knew my secret then was one<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That earth refused to keep:</span><br />
+Or land or sea, though he should be<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ten thousand fathoms deep.</span><br />
+<br />
+"So wills the fierce, avenging sprite,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till blood for blood atones!</span><br />
+Ay, though he's buried in a cave,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And trodden down with stones,</span><br />
+And years have rotted off his flesh&mdash;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The world shall see his bones!"</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Once more the tears shone in her eyes, tears that were the only
+consolation one wretched<a class="pagenum" name="page_238" id="page_238" title="238"></a> soul in that courtroom was ever to know, but
+she dashed them away impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"To prevent injustice, and possible injury, the suspected man has been
+kept under surveillance ever since."</p>
+
+<p>Again there was a murmur of voices over the courtroom, and Frank, who
+had entered hastily, just after she began her address, called her
+attention to a large envelope which he laid on the table before her. She
+looked at him, and then at the envelope, and gave an involuntary start
+of surprise and a hastily stifled exclamation. "The missing letter!" she
+said, under her breath, and hastily tore it open, and glanced at the
+first and last pages, while the bailiff restored order.</p>
+
+<p>"I must beg your honor's indulgence," she said, "for a few moments. This
+letter contains information of vital importance, and as your honor sees,
+it has just come into my hands."</p>
+
+<p>The Judge granted her request, and while she hastily read the document,
+the excited murmur swelled again in spite of the glaring bailiff. In a
+few minutes she turned to the Judge.</p>
+
+<p>"Your honor," she said, "this is a letter to me written by Mrs. Bell
+only a few hours before her death; I can easily prove her<a class="pagenum" name="page_239" id="page_239" title="239"></a> handwriting,
+and in any event, it is sworn to before a notary. The matter contained
+therein will end this trial. That I can use it as part of the <i>res
+gesta</i>, I have no doubt. I will submit it to the district attorney and
+ask him to examine it, and then give it to your honor. In the interest
+of justice and my client I would like to read it to the jury at this
+time."</p>
+
+<p>She handed the letter to the district attorney, and while he read it she
+seated herself and conferred with Frank. "Where in the world did you get
+it?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Carroll and spooks," he began, and then went on more seriously, "but
+where on earth did you hide yourself? We have been madly tearing around
+New York, and telephoning all over the adjacent territory in a wild
+endeavor to find you and get this into your hands. I'm not going to tell
+you about the letter itself; that's Carroll's story. We've been to the
+Studios, and everywhere else we thought there was a possibility of
+finding you, and waited at your office until the last minute in the hope
+that you'd come there."</p>
+
+<p>"I spent the night at Nutwood, making a last search for the letter," she
+said. "It was only a chance, but I felt that I couldn't give it<a class="pagenum" name="page_240" id="page_240" title="240"></a> up.
+This morning I motored down, and we had some delay, so that I had to
+come directly here. But it's all right."</p>
+
+<p>The Judge finished reading the letter, and called Silvia to the bench,
+where they held a whispered conversation with the district attorney,
+glancing once or twice toward the little group of witnesses where the
+large man sat. Then Silvia returned to her seat, and the district
+attorney gave some hurried directions to a deputy, who immediately left
+the room, while the Judge gave whispered instructions to a bailiff, who
+stationed himself at the general entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"You may read the letter, Miss Holland," said the Judge, and the tension
+in the courtroom grew almost intolerable as she rose, holding the letter
+in shaking hands, and began reading:</p>
+
+<div class='blockquot'>
+<p style='text-align:right'>"'<span class="smcap">New York</span>, August 9.</p>
+
+<p>"'<span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Holland:</span></p>
+
+<p>"'The secret I have longed and yet hesitated to tell you must now be
+disclosed. Of course my trouble has been caused by a man, a man whom I
+have known a long time and loved too well. He was here day before
+yesterday and we had a stormy interview&mdash;which he says shall<a class="pagenum" name="page_241" id="page_241" title="241"></a> be the
+last. For a long time his manner has been changed toward me, and for the
+last few months he has neglected me. He didn't seem to like it when I
+got acquainted with you, or when you paid so much attention to Allie; he
+said he didn't see what you wanted of her, and asked me how you came to
+take her to the country and when she would be back, and wanted to know
+if I had told you or Dr. Earl of my relations with him. I said certainly
+not, and when I reproached him for not coming to see me he said he
+couldn't come here. Since Allie was hurt, I have only met him a few
+times. Sometimes I have been happy when I was with him, for I loved, and
+I love him, better than my life, but I have not wanted to deceive you,
+and every day the old life has grown harder to bear. I think I have
+always believed that he would marry me, as he promised in the beginning,
+until this summer. Now I see that, more than he has deceived me, I have
+deceived myself, as every woman deceives herself when she forgets the
+honor of the present for promises that are to be redeemed in the future.</p>
+
+<p>"'I had made up my mind to break away from this life and try to begin
+over again; you had shown me the way, and I saw the means<a class="pagenum" name="page_242" id="page_242" title="242"></a> by which I
+could support myself and Allie, and not be beholden to him. God knows I
+never wanted to take his money, and when it was grudgingly given it was
+worse than gall and wormwood to have to ask him for it. I did not mean
+to see him any more, for when I look into his face I forget everything
+except the days when he did love me. I meant to tear him out of my
+heart, and devote my life to Allie.</p>
+
+<p>"'And then, Miss Holland, I made the discovery that has made me
+desperate, the one discovery that tells a woman she is helpless, and
+that not only her whole future, but that of another, depend upon the
+whim of a man. I demanded that he should keep his promise; I will not
+permit a child of mine to go through the world bearing the brand of
+illegitimacy, and I told him so plainly. Perhaps I was wrong to lose my
+temper and threaten him, but I am half mad. I told him I might bear the
+blame, and the pain, but that if he allowed me to go through this
+dreadful time alone that he should share the shame, if I dragged him
+through the courts to fasten it on him.</p>
+
+<p>"'I don't wonder much that he was infuriated with me, or that he
+threatened to kill me if I didn't let him alone. He said he hadn't the<a class="pagenum" name="page_243" id="page_243" title="243"></a>
+money to give me all I needed, but if I would be sensible and not make a
+fuss and a scandal, when he married the rich woman he expected to win
+that he would give me a fortune ample for myself and my children for the
+balance of my life. I think it was the thought of his marrying another
+woman when my child was coming into the world fatherless that made me
+beside myself, but I could not bear it and I said some dreadful things.</p>
+
+<p>"'Now, I want to know what I can do, or if there is any law to defend a
+woman who makes a mistake; if there is, I know you will find it. I am
+going to swear to this, so you will know that I am in earnest, and will
+not back out like so many women do.</p>
+
+<p>"'One other thing I think I ought to tell you. While we were talking he
+picked up the postal Dr. Earl sent me, from Magnolia, and then he began
+all over again and talked awfully about him. I don't know why, but he
+hates him and will injure him if he can.</p>
+
+<p>"'You will find this at your office when you get back from the country;
+even now I can't bear to tell the whole truth, and yet I suppose you
+must know it if you are to help me. What<a class="pagenum" name="page_244" id="page_244" title="244"></a> fools women are, Miss Holland;
+I ought to hate him, and yet if it were to be the last word I should
+ever write&mdash;now, as I always have, I love Orrin Morris.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:right; margin-right:6em; margin-bottom:0'>"'Your unhappy friend,</p>
+<p style='text-align:right; margin-right:4em; margin-top:0'><span class="smcap">"'Emma Bell</span>.'"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Silvia had scarcely finished the letter, pausing instinctively before
+she read the name of the guilty man, when the large man, who had been
+furtively keeping guard of the little group of witnesses where Dr.
+Morris was seated, sprang toward Morris in a vain attempt to knock from
+his hand a vial which he but that instant had touched to his lips. At
+the same moment a smaller man on the other side of the group made a
+similar effort, but they were both too late. Almost instantly the doomed
+man became rigid, a slight froth appeared on his lips, the pupils of his
+eyes dilated and the lids opened in a wide and horrible stare. There was
+a general rush in his direction on the part of the medical men gathered
+for the trial, but the first of the physicians to gain his side saw the
+hopelessness of any effort to save him and waved the crowd back. In less
+than five minutes he was<a class="pagenum" name="page_245" id="page_245" title="245"></a> dead, and in the sudden appalled silence the
+bailiffs cleared a way and removed the body, a considerable portion of
+the curious crowd following.</p>
+
+<p>Every day during the trial Dr. Morris had occupied practically the same
+seat in the courtroom. His naturally colorless face gave no indication
+of the emotions within, and when Silvia's address told him all too
+plainly that his deeds were to be publicly uncovered, he turned a trifle
+more livid, but otherwise gave no evidence of his feelings. He had known
+for several days that he was under surveillance and he understood, at
+last, that the reason for his subpoena as an expert for the defense was
+to keep him constantly in attendance on the court, but he faced his
+ordeal with resolute will, if not with supreme courage. As often before
+during his career he had carefully scanned the path he was to tread and
+was prepared for every emergency. When the fatal exposure came, which he
+had hoped until the last might be withheld, he was determined that none
+should know aught from his lips concerning its truth or falsity. They
+might speculate as to the significance of his death by his own hand,<a class="pagenum" name="page_246" id="page_246" title="246"></a>
+but he would neither say nor do anything that would throw additional
+light upon the subject.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Morris! Other learned professional men before him had sought to
+mystify the world as to their misdeeds by blotting out their own lives,
+not realizing that every accusing finger of the seen and the unseen
+world would be instinctively and unerringly pointed toward their mortal
+remains with the final and irrevocable verdict&mdash;"Suicide is confession."</p>
+
+<p>When quiet was restored the Court ordered the defendant to come forward,
+and Silvia, trembling with emotion, stepped to the front of the Judge's
+bench with him.</p>
+
+<p>"It is quite evident, sir," began the Judge, clearing his throat, "that
+a mistake has been made in your case. Not an intentional one, or one
+that could have been avoided, apparently. The manner in which you have
+been defended leaves not a vestige of suspicion attaching to you either
+in connection with this matter, your professional qualifications or your
+standing as a citizen. Let me assure you that such a result, under the
+circumstances, is most gratifying to all of the officers of the law, for
+our purpose is to guard society by punishing the guilty and<a class="pagenum" name="page_247" id="page_247" title="247"></a> protecting
+the innocent. Sir, you are discharged as a defendant in this case."</p>
+
+<p>Great applause greeted this speech from the Court, and the district
+attorney added his own tribute, while Silvia was given an impromptu
+reception by jurors, court officers and spectators. When this was over,
+and the throng that had surrounded her and her client went their way on
+the quest of new sensations, she found herself standing alone with him
+before the bench, in almost the identical spot where he had entered his
+plea of "Not guilty" a few weeks before. The Ramseys and Frank and
+Carroll were eagerly waiting their turn to shower congratulations upon
+them, but as John Earl took both her hands in his, Silvia was
+unconscious of all else. The eyes she lifted to his were swimming in
+happy tears that could not drown the love they revealed. He dared not
+trust his voice for more. Besides, what more was there to say? For all
+the world lay in the single word&mdash;"Silvia!"</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>In a short time, Jack and Silvia were absorbed in their respective
+professions, but never failing in their duty to the great world<a class="pagenum" name="page_248" id="page_248" title="248"></a>
+movement that was making real the prophecy of England's poetic seer:</p>
+
+<p style='margin-left:2em'>
+"We two will serve them both in aiding her&mdash;<br />
+Will clear away the parasitic forms<br />
+That seem to keep her up but drag her down&mdash;<br />
+Will leave her space to burgeon out of all<br />
+Within her&mdash;let her make herself her own<br />
+To give or keep, to live and learn and be<br />
+All that not harms distinctive womanhood."<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>There was no "task" to their duties, for the all-powerful though subtle
+inspiration of genuine love made each day only a part of a splendid
+dream which they felt could never end.</p>
+
+<p>And the love that leads to high endeavor and unlocks the storehouses of
+human progress crowned their efforts with success, and humanity was
+better and nobler for their deeds and example.</p>
+
+<p style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:3em; text-align:center;'>THE END</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: An American Suffragette
+
+Author: Isaac N. Stevens
+
+Release Date: August 9, 2007 [EBook #22285]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE
+
+A NOVEL
+By
+ISAAC N. STEVENS
+
+Author of "The Liberators," "Popular Government
+Essays," etc.
+
+New York
+William Rickey & Company
+1911
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1911, by
+William Rickey & Company
+
+Registered at Stationers' Hall, London
+(All Rights Reserved)
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+PRESS OF WILLIAM G. HEWITT, 61-67 NAVY ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+DEDICATION
+
+To those noble and courageous women of England and America who are
+trying to demonstrate to the world that Civilization cannot reach the
+supreme heights of progress without giving freedom to the mental,
+spiritual and physical energies of women, and that government will
+always lack a vital element in its functions, so long as women are
+deprived of equal participation in its operations--THIS BOOK IS
+RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    "But life shall on and upward go;
+      Th' eternal step of Progress beats
+    To that great anthem, calm and slow,
+      Which God repeats."
+
+                                --Whittier.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                                          PAGE
+
+    I. A DOCTOR RETURNS FROM INDIA                                  1
+   II. A MYSTICAL PARADE                                           15
+  III. THE MYSTERIOUS YOUNG WOMAN                                  22
+   IV. A SUFFRAGE BAZAAR AND BALL                                  33
+    V. HYPNOTISM USED FOR AN ANAESTHETIC                            46
+   VI. SOME STRENUOUS ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS                             56
+  VII. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SURGERY                               61
+ VIII. THE OMNIPRESENT EYES OF FIFTH AVENUE                        74
+   IX. LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MUSIC                                    82
+    X. A DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSIVE WOMEN                           91
+   XI. THE ADVANCING COLUMN OF DEMOCRACY                           99
+  XII. A TUBERCULAR KNEE AND A WORRIED SURGEON                    117
+ XIII. AN ANTI-SUFFRAGE MEETING                                   125
+  XIV. FAITH IS THE BASIS OF ALL PROGRESS                         140
+   XV. AN EVIL PROPHECY BEGINS TO BEAR FRUIT                      154
+  XVI. THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF EMMA BELL                         164
+ XVII. THE ARREST OF DR. JOHN EARL                                180
+XVIII. DR. EARL IS INDICTED FOR MURDER                            194
+  XIX. A GREAT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS                                199
+   XX. A WOMAN AND SPOOKS FIND A LETTER                           211
+  XXI. SILVIA HOLLAND'S GREAT PLEA TO THE JURY                    225
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+AN AMERICAN SUFFRAGETTE
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A DOCTOR RETURNS FROM INDIA
+
+
+Among the hundreds of people who were awaiting the arrival of the big
+Cunarder there were two groups, the second of which seemed determined
+that the first should not get far away. The young men of which this
+second group was composed represented the various newspapers of New York
+City, and while a "beat" was evidently impossible, each of them was
+determined to get a line for his own journal from the returning hero,
+Dr. John Earl, which he would not share with the others of the
+fraternity, and several of them held anxious consultations with their
+photographers who, by special permit, had been allowed upon the pier.
+
+The other group had moved a number of times to escape the cameras, and a
+red-haired youth was expatiating upon the glories of American scientific
+achievement, concluding with a peroration that called forth an
+exclamation from one of the older men:
+
+"Oh, shut up, Bedford; you sound like a Fourth of July oration. Who are
+the people you are trying to snapshot for your lurid sheet?" he said
+wearily, as becomes a Chicago newspaper man when in New York.
+
+The red-headed one looked at him with cheerful surprise. "Don't you know
+anybody?" he asked. "The tall, handsome blonde is Mrs. Ramsey, wife of
+George Ramsey, at whose frown the great gods sit tight and the little
+ones scuttle to cover. Luckily, he is a kindly disposed arbiter and the
+Street basks under his smile."
+
+The Chicagoan turned and looked at the lady curiously, and the reporter
+went on: "The fair-haired lady with the wild-rose face is old Gordon
+Kimball's daughter; born with a diamond teething ring in her mouth, but
+has never succeeded in getting anything else of value inside her pretty
+head."
+
+"Well, she doesn't have to," said the Westerner.
+
+Young Bedford grinned. "That's what Dr. Earl thinks; he can furnish
+brains for the family. Their engagement was reported two months ago. The
+man with them is Earl's brother, Frank Earl, corporation lawyer, amateur
+actor, one of those guys that does everything well, and never gives away
+his own hand. Go after him for a story about some combination his road
+has gone into and you come away with a great spiel about bumper crops;
+always gives you the glad hand, but nothing in it. You'd never take him
+for Mrs. Ramsey's brother, would you? She's a looker, all right. So is
+Dr. Earl, one of these big, handsome, powerful-looking men that makes
+folks ask who he is."
+
+"What's all the hullabaloo about, anyhow?" asked the Chicago man.
+
+"Where have you been that you don't know about Earl?" answered Bedford.
+"Why, I thought everybody in the country had heard of him. He's the chap
+that raises the dead, you know; just takes 'em by the hand, makes a few
+passes, and says, 'Say, it's time to wake up, old fellow,' and the dead
+one sits up and asks for beefsteak. He's the man that saved Hall, the
+copper mines king, over in Paris. Hall was finished, all done but
+putting him in a box, when in comes Dr. Earl. 'Let him alone,' he says.
+'He's tired out. When he finishes this nap he'll be just as good as
+new.' But you know how impetuous the French are, and they were going to
+have poor old Hall done for, sure enough, when this Earl man stands them
+off, and promises to bring Hall 'round in six hours. And he does it
+after the whole bunch of them have parleyed over him and waved
+looking-glasses across his mouth, and found him as dead as Rameses."
+
+There was a general buzz among the newspaper men, and one of them, older
+and more dignified in manner than the others, said quietly, "Bedford,
+you ought not to hand out that kind of fiction, even in your unreliable
+journal."
+
+Bedford winked slyly at the Chicagoan. "It was my only hope," he said in
+a rapid aside. "That's Tourney. He was over there at the time, and he'll
+tell us all about it trying to put me right."
+
+"If you don't like my story you can give us the straight steer yourself,
+Tourney," he said, and, nothing loath, the older man told how Hall had
+been suddenly stricken with appendicitis in such severe form that an
+operation was necessary at once. Upon this the French surgeons agreed,
+but his heart action was so bad that they dared not administer an
+anaesthetic, and one of them, who was a noted hypnotist, expressed a
+doubt whether he would be able to rouse the patient from a hypnosis
+sufficiently profound to enable them to perform the operation.
+
+"This Frenchman," Tourney went on, warming to his subject, "had seen
+Earl do some wonderful things and he knew he was in Paris and where he
+was stopping. He put the case to Hall, and seeing that it was all day
+with him unless something was done, he told them to send for Earl and
+they got him there on the double-quick. I was waiting in the hall when
+he went into the operating room and I stayed there until he came out,
+and as I had done him one or two good turns he told me about it before
+he realized that I was a newspaper man. When he saw me last I was
+coaching Harvard students with more money than brains. That has nothing
+to do with it, except to show that he isn't one of these 'for
+publication only' wonder workers."
+
+"Hurry up," said the Chicagoan, "he'll be here in a few minutes, and if
+he's one of these human clams you are the hope of the press. What did he
+tell you?"
+
+"He agreed with the others in the main points, but he said if Hall was
+willing to take the chance, he believed he could pull him through by a
+system he had seen used in India. Then he cleared them all out, and when
+they came back Hall was comatose. The appendix was removed in record
+time, and the wound cleansed. Just before Earl finished, one of the
+Frenchmen noticed that the patient was not breathing, apparently, and
+exclaimed that he was dead. Dr. Earl pointed out the fact that the blood
+showed no signs of other than a normal condition, such as would be found
+in a patient under hypnosis. His idea, as I got it, was that the patient
+must be kept unconscious long enough for the body to regain its
+functions and get over the strain of the operation. He told them if he
+were more familiar with Hall's constitution, he would be inclined to
+prolong his condition of suspended animation, but under the
+circumstances he would restore him to consciousness in three hours.
+
+"One or two of them got excited and swore the man was dead, and
+according to a lot of tests he was, but the rest, knowing he would have
+died anyhow, were willing to wait, and at the end of the time Earl
+brought him back to consciousness in such good condition that the other
+doctors were wild over it. In their enthusiastic French way they
+heralded the story everywhere. I thought he'd never be allowed to leave
+Paris. They wanted to keep him right there and string medals around his
+neck and pin ribbons all over his coat, but he wouldn't stand for it.
+He's an awfully modest fellow, and he went over to London with Hall, who
+swears by him; says he believes he put a new heart in him, and all that
+sort of thing. There comes the boat now. Better have your photographers
+ready, for all you'll get will be a picture of him keeping his mouth
+shut."
+
+As the big English boat swung slowly into its dock, with the help of
+half a dozen tugs that puffed and pounded at its side, the newspaper men
+and Dr. Earl's family caught sight of him simultaneously, as he waved
+his hand and called across the intervening space with all the abandon
+of a returning traveler.
+
+He could make them hear now. "Leonora, dear, how are you!" as a
+remarkably sweet-faced girl threw a shower of kisses in his direction,
+which passed on their way an equal number of his own. "And Hilda! And
+for the life of me, there's Frank! Love to all of you!" A few minutes
+more and he was with them. He caught the girl in his arms and gave her a
+long and tender embrace. Then he turned to the others and greeted them
+with all the fraternal warmth natural after eighteen months' separation.
+
+"How splendid it is to see you all again! What brought you to New York,
+Frank?"
+
+"Oh, just to see if I could cross Broadway without being bumped into by
+a trolley car or a taxi-cab or an airship. Incidentally, to keep you
+from losing your breath and hearing in the new tunnels through which you
+will be shot under these New York rivers."
+
+"Tubes, you mean, brother dear, tubes. I've been doing nothing else but
+shoot the London tubes for the last fortnight."
+
+"Where I live, in the wild and woolly Rockies, we call them tunnels,"
+answered his brother. "Wouldn't the railroad builder howl at the idea
+of 'tubing the mountains,' and the miner would have a war-dance of
+delight at the suggestion that he must 'tube his claim.' These English
+airs are all right, Dr. John Earl, but you may as well learn to talk
+real American if you expect to chop bones and exploit microbes in this
+country," and the young man glowed his admiration while plying him with
+badinage.
+
+The first greetings were scarcely over when the newspaper men made known
+their mission, Tourney acting as spokesman for them all. Earl shook his
+hand warmly.
+
+"I'm awfully glad to see you," he said, "but you know I never give
+interviews. I don't know how, to begin with, and I couldn't say anything
+that would interest your readers. I have come back to practice my
+profession in New York City; that is all I can tell you."
+
+"But that Paris case," pleaded Bedford. "Do tell us about that."
+
+"Did you use the Hindoo method of respiration that the Swami
+Bramachunenda gave an exposition of here two or three years ago?" asked
+another of the fraternity, and the others followed with different
+interrogatives, but Earl laughed and waved them all away.
+
+"I don't know what the Swami did," he said, "but if he is like some of
+his brothers I'm ready to believe anything. All that I did, and a great
+deal that I never thought of doing myself, or heard of anybody else
+doing on this planet, was told in your papers at the time. Really, if I
+had anything worth your while as a news story I would be glad to give it
+to you--one of these days I may have, but you must excuse me now."
+
+His manner was courteous but unmistakable, and turning away from them he
+was soon absorbed in conversation with the pretty girl and his brother
+and sister. He hardly took his eyes off the former as he recounted his
+adventures abroad.
+
+Three months previously he and Leonora Kimball had been betrothed in
+Vienna, and it was agreed that they were to be married soon after his
+arrival home. In a social way, the match met the approval of New York's
+select set, for they belonged to equally wealthy and prominent families.
+The Earls had come to New York from New England, two generations ago,
+and the foundation of the family fortune had been laid in a small block
+of New York, New Haven and Hartford stock, which had grown into a huge
+block of both stocks and bonds from the various expansions of stock and
+consolidations of property that had meanwhile taken place. The Kimballs
+had come from the Pacific coast, where the same alchemist's result had
+been wrought with a block of Southern Pacific Railway stock. The family
+tree of the Earls had rooted itself into the subsoil of real culture,
+while that of the Kimballs was mostly displayed above ground with only
+here and there a stray fibre that had sunk to any depth.
+
+Leonora Kimball, who at this time was slightly over twenty-three years
+of age, possessed a most winning and gracious manner--a face that might
+have served as a better model for a madonna than many of those
+apparently used by the old masters; a lithe and graceful figure and an
+abundance of vivacity when doing the things that pleased her. She had so
+captivated John Earl from their first meeting that he had never tried
+nor cared to analyze her. Indeed, had he so wished, he would have found
+it a difficult undertaking, for he was too content with the pleasure he
+felt in her presence to care to question it.
+
+Dr. Earl had taken infinite pains to search the world for the sources of
+disease and its prevention and cure. He had delved deeply into the
+mysteries of mental and spiritual therapeutics, and had closely studied
+the influences surrounding the origin of individual human beings. But
+while he had harnessed many more or less occult forces into scientific
+service in treating invalids, strangely enough, it never occurred to him
+that similar elements might have an important mission in determining the
+natural affinity of those attracted by the tenderest passion in the
+world, and might do much, if properly regarded, to render stable that
+one-time sacred bond of the sexes known as the marriage relation, which
+at this time, everywhere, was resting upon such shifting quicksands of
+mismating as to menace its existence.
+
+"Love is of man's life a thing apart," applied with full force to Dr.
+Earl, and he accepted his relations with Leonora Kimball with the same
+confidence and light heart that might characterize the least thoughtful
+man on Manhattan Island. While he had traveled many thousands of miles
+and burned many a midnight lamp to ascertain if improvement could not be
+made in the prevailing orthodox method of treating disease, he blindly
+accepted, as millions of strong men before him had done, the prevailing
+orthodox method of selecting a wife.
+
+In any event, after the brother and sister had been left at the Ramsey
+mansion on upper Fifth Avenue, he and Leonora proceeded to spend the
+time from eleven to three o'clock very much as other lovers similarly
+situated would have consumed those four hours. They motored until one
+o'clock, when they went to her house, not far from his sister's
+residence, where he had luncheon with her and her widowed mother, and at
+three o'clock he arrived at the Hotel Gotham, where he had engaged
+apartments.
+
+When he stepped into his new sitting-room a large photograph of Leonora
+confronted him on the dressing-case, his valet being a man of rare sense
+and tact.
+
+As he looked into the counterfeit impression of the large blue eyes and
+reflected back her smile he declared to himself for the twentieth time
+that day that she was the most fascinating creature in the world.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A MYSTICAL PARADE
+
+
+When Dr. Earl arrived at his hotel he noticed crowds of people gathering
+on the sidewalk, and lining up along the curbstone further down the
+avenue, evidently expecting a parade of some sort. He had dismissed the
+matter from his mind and was startled about an hour later to hear the
+tap of a drum on the street, then a martial air by a band, followed by
+the clatter of horses' hoofs and the shouts of policemen clearing the
+way. Throwing open a window, he witnessed a sight that dazed him for a
+moment, and he wondered whether or not he really was in an American
+city.
+
+As if by magic, the street was now filled with women, arranging
+themselves in marching order, with the shout of command ringing clear
+upon the air, and down Fifth Avenue as far as he could see, other
+columns of women were forming to the strains of military music and to
+the stirring echoes of fife and drum.
+
+He grabbed his hat and stick, and joined the throng that packed the
+sidewalk. His six feet of height and his athletic training rendered him
+good service in ascertaining where to go and making it possible to get
+there. He hurried along several blocks until he reached what he thought
+must be the leading column of the march. Then he elbowed his way to the
+curbstone and took up a position to witness this, as yet, mysterious
+demonstration.
+
+The air was sharp for a day late in April, but the sky was clear and the
+sun shed occasional rays of splendor over some of the lower buildings
+upon the waiting multitude.
+
+The crowd was remarkably quiet. There seemed to be a spell over the
+whole performance that savored of some of the wonders he had so recently
+witnessed in India. There was something electric in the air that brought
+with it an echo from some distant past or a promise for the future which
+he tried in vain to catch and recognize.
+
+Finally the order, "Forward, march!" was given, and to the air of
+"Marching Through Georgia" the first column swung down the Avenue with
+easy grace and in perfect step.
+
+Long before the first standard came near he knew it was a Woman
+Suffrage parade, and before he could get a view of the women carrying
+it, he read the inscription on the banner:
+
+    Forward out of Error,
+      Leave behind the night;
+    Forward through the darkness,
+      Forward into Light.
+
+Then the standard bearers were opposite him. The one nearest to him was
+an exceedingly pretty young woman, as was also the second one, but as
+his eyes rested upon the one farthest away he gave a startled
+exclamation that attracted the attention of those around him.
+
+"My mystery! Again she has dropped from the clouds!" The object of his
+interest was a tall young woman, scarcely more than twenty-five years of
+age, gowned in white cloth with black trimmings, with a white hat turned
+straight up on the left side and lined in black. She showed grace and
+energy in every movement and intellect and force in every glance.
+
+Her large, sapphire-blue eyes gleamed with the intensity of her
+feelings, and the touches of bronze hair that could be seen beneath her
+hat gave evidence of the vivacious character of her life.
+
+As she marched with queenly grace at the head of this mighty host of six
+thousand American women, Dr. Earl had visions of the reality of the myth
+or history, whichever it may be, of Semiramis invading Assyria and the
+Amazons conquering Asia.
+
+The entire line of march was no doubt interesting, but the head of the
+column was absorbing to our hero, so block after block he marched as
+nearly abreast of the banner on the sidewalk as a dense crowd would
+permit him, and when the column broke ranks at Union Square he was there
+to witness it.
+
+No sooner did the mysterious banner bearer quit the march than she
+rushed to the custodian of the posters, and, gathering an armful, she
+coaxed, or with mock heroics terrorized, every person she approached
+into buying one for "the good of the Cause!"
+
+Earl was certain his heart would never beat again when she asked him in
+deep, musical tones to "Please buy one for the Cause." He did so, and
+loitered around watching her a few moments longer, then started up
+Broadway.
+
+When he swung into Fifth Avenue he was impressed again, as he had been
+when he came from the boat, with the changed atmosphere of the street.
+He had always read the mood of New York in its silent reflection in this
+expressive part of the city's physiognomy. Long ago, he had discovered
+that Fifth Avenue smiles or weeps, applauds or hisses, effervesces with
+enthusiasm or gazes somberly like the image of despair, revels in
+fervent expressions of patriotism or looks with gloomy distrust upon
+public affairs--all according to the mood of the dominant portion of New
+York's population--those who control the destinies of the huge private
+enterprises that are the marvel of the age, and the management of which
+means so much in the way of industrial slavery or economic freedom to
+the American people.
+
+This evening there was a note of more seriousness in the air than he had
+ever before witnessed on this gay thoroughfare. The rush of automobiles
+and taxicabs and carriages with beautifully gowned women and
+fine-looking men as occupants was as great as ever; the perfectly
+groomed New York woman on the sidewalk, with figure and carriage such as
+outclasses the women of every other large city in the world, was there
+in numbers quite as great as formerly; the Western woman, who had come
+on to take New York by storm, or who imagined the acme of human
+existence was in New York cafe life, with all of its vulgar display and
+raucous manners, was abundantly in evidence.
+
+But over the entire concourse there appeared to drift an atmosphere of
+the spiritual, which lifted them from the plane of the Fifth Avenue
+crowd of a year and a half before, and impressed him in the same manner
+that he had been impressed in the far East by adepts when they gave
+public demonstrations of their powers, or conversed with their Chelae
+without the medium of written or spoken language.
+
+When he left America the woman suffrage movement in New York was a
+subject of more or less ridicule; a few wealthy women had begun to
+identify themselves with it, but they were called "faddists" and their
+efforts were not taken seriously. It was apparent now that the suffrage
+cause had been given the impetus of the world-wide movement that was
+reaching the women of all countries, and had changed from a gospel of
+tracts to a militant crusade for their share of the duties and
+responsibilities of life and the power properly to discharge them. Never
+had he seen so many of the real leaders of New York society engaged in
+any work, charitable or otherwise, as had taken part in this parade,
+marching on foot the full two miles, and often side by side with the
+working-women of the city.
+
+He had once seen a painting of the Maid of Orleans in a foreign gallery
+that carried so much of spiritual earnestness that he felt that he could
+appreciate how easy it was for the French army instinctively to follow
+her lead, and how much easier it was for the poor dupes of ignorance and
+superstition to believe that this overmastering spiritual nature was the
+product of witchcraft.
+
+Absorbing though these thoughts were, they did not exclude another train
+which had to do with the mysterious banner bearer, and as he entered his
+hotel he clenched his right hand suddenly and muttered to himself, "I
+must dismiss her from my thoughts."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS YOUNG WOMAN
+
+
+Dr. Earl took a late dinner at his sister's house, after having spent an
+hour with his fiancee on the way. There were just the four of them at
+table, his sister and her husband, his brother and himself.
+
+His sister was the oldest member of his family, which comprised but the
+three of them, his father and mother having died some years before.
+
+During the college days of both himself and his brother, who was two
+years his junior, his sister had assumed the role of a mother to them,
+and right devotedly had she filled the part. She had been more of a
+"pal" to them than anything else, and some years' residence in England
+during her schooldays had broadened her vision of the true meaning and
+value of this relation between those of opposite sex and particularly
+between brother and sister.
+
+She possessed now, as always, the unbounded respect and confidence of
+these two young men of thoroughly dissimilar character and temperament,
+and she was the repository of the sacred secrets of each of them, which
+she was warned she must never betray to the other. And she never did.
+
+Eight years previous to these occurrences, she had married George
+Ramsey, President of the Gotham Trust Company, which institution had
+recently absorbed half a dozen weaker concerns doing a similar business,
+and more recently had taken over from the New York bankers, who were
+stockholders in the trust company, the handling of most of the public
+utility securities that were floated in this country. But George Ramsey
+was not the pretentious pawnbroker in spirit and manner that so often
+presides over the destinies of American banks, but he was a
+philosophical financier who understood perfectly the strength and
+weakness of the system under which he worked, and who, while he wondered
+at the supine idiocy of the people that would permit of the prevailing
+Dick Turpin methods of high finance, never took his eye from the horizon
+of public action, where daily he expected to see "the cloud no bigger
+than a man's hand" that was to expand into the storm that would engulf
+these and other long permitted public ills.
+
+Many times recently he had sounded the alarm of the dangers attending
+recapitalization of properties that already bore a heavy weight of
+watered securities, but his colleagues had laughed at what they termed
+his fears, and had attempted to reassure him of their complete
+possession of the departments of government that controlled such
+matters. Bred to the banking business, he had no thought of transferring
+his abilities and energies to the realm of statesmanship, but in the
+sanctum of his own home he would often pour forth his disgust with, and
+his fear of, such methods, to the tall, clear-eyed, clear-brained and
+beautiful woman from whom John and Frank Earl were wont to seek advice
+in their perplexities. And from her he always received valuable
+suggestions, a keener insight into the motives of men, a broader, more
+humane view-point, and withal a firmness to set himself, in part, where
+the law of the land should have been set wholly, as a barrier against
+the worst of these public depredations.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. George Ramsey were the same lovers now that they were
+during their honeymoon. In the crowded ballroom, at the opera, in the
+automobile after the harassing cares of the day, on land or sea, he was
+always the admiring and devoted attendant, and gave expression to his
+feelings in a variety of new and interesting ways. It was evident that
+they had not run counter to the influence of the stars in waiting for a
+natural affinity. In their home they entered into the spirit of whatever
+was borne to them by their guests. With scholars and philosophers they
+held their own in abstruse and abstract discussions. With musicians and
+music lovers they were at ease, for both played and sang with more than
+amateur skill. With young people bent on a frolic, they could be the
+gayest of the party. Their outlook upon life was always across green
+meadows or perfectly kept beds of beautiful flowers.
+
+Every guest found ready sympathy for whatever was nearest and dearest to
+him, and went away convinced that he had never rightly understood his
+own hobby before.
+
+In this atmosphere, and at table with this couple, John and Frank Earl
+seated themselves at eight o'clock for dinner.
+
+It would be difficult to imagine two brothers more widely separated in
+physical and mental characteristics. John was tall, athletic, with dark
+hair, large, dreamy brown eyes, perfect poise, a silent and dignified
+bearing that easily commanded attention when he spoke, a low, musical
+voice and an exceedingly strong and graceful hand.
+
+Frank was of medium height, spare of figure, with light hair,
+penetrating blue eyes, resilient voice, quick and nervous of speech,
+with large hands and feet, and not a shadow of dignity in his bearing.
+
+The one personified reflection; the other action. In the eyes of one
+appeared the dreams of centuries; beaming from the eyes of the other was
+the fun of the ages.
+
+"Did any of you people, aside from Jack, see the suffragette parade
+to-day?" asked Frank, with laughing eyes fixed upon his brother.
+
+"I--how do you know I saw it?" asked John, and his confused manner
+brought "Eh, Jack?" from the other two.
+
+"It's all right, Jack; I won't tell Leonora, but how jealous she would
+be if she could have seen you following the banner carried by those
+three pretty girls," answered Frank. "Why, I followed you a dozen blocks
+myself, almost touching you the whole time, just to see which one of the
+three girls was making you join the parade. The next time get right out
+into the street, old man, and don't block the view of us spectators, for
+you know you were a part of that parade to-day, in mind at least."
+
+The absurdity of the scene as depicted by Frank made even John throw
+back his head and join in the unrestrained laughter of the others.
+
+"I was in the Waldorf-Astoria at a tea-table near the window when the
+head of the column came in view. I, too, liked the looks of those pretty
+girls carrying the banner, but before I could decide which one I liked
+best, my dearly beloved brother hove in sight, with eyes glued on the
+third one, wandering down the Avenue like either a slow-hatching lunatic
+or a good subject for a hypnotist. I knew Jack would need me in New York
+to steer him right until all that Indian mysticism gets out of his
+system, and that is the reason I left the delights of the wilds for the
+barbarism of the city. Well, I excused myself and hurried out to take
+possession of Jack, but when I got close to him and was just about to
+slap him on the shoulder, I followed his eyes--and for the life of me, I
+couldn't touch him!"
+
+Here Frank's tone became half serious and his changed manner hushed the
+laughter of the others. "I have always ridiculed the idea of hypnotism
+and in every experiment where I have been present I have set myself to
+disprove its effects. But candidly, folks, I was hypnotized.
+Unconsciously I followed that parade a whole dozen blocks myself, and
+when I finally came out of the trance, or whatever it was, and started
+back to the hotel, the entire atmosphere seemed filled with some kind of
+uncanny dope. I never witnessed such contagious energy and earnestness,
+and every step emanated spiritual sparks that blinded my eyes and took
+possession of my faculties. Who is she, Jack?"
+
+"That is what I want to know. I call her my 'Mystery.' One day while I
+was in London and near Trafalgar Square I saw a demonstration of women
+down toward the parliament buildings. I went that way to see what was up
+and soon discovered that it was a body of English suffragettes making an
+attempt to exercise their claimed right to petition parliament. As
+usual, the demonstration was more or less strenuous and the police
+interfered. When I got close enough to identify them, I saw my 'Mystery'
+in the front ranks, exhorting the women, protesting and pleading with
+the policemen, and gradually getting nearer and nearer the parliament
+buildings until they had almost reached one of the entrances. It looked
+very much as if they might get entirely in and vindicate their claim,
+but just at that moment a fresh squad of police arrived under an officer
+superior to any present, and ordered the arrest of the leaders. My
+'Mystery' was the first arrested. It was then that I discovered that she
+was an American girl. The speech she delivered to those police officers
+on human rights and human liberties and women's rights and women's
+liberties is worthy a place among the world's great orations. They took
+her and the rest of them away, but I noticed that they treated her with
+marked respect. I don't think any of them were jailed on that occasion,
+but she defied them to jail her. The next time I saw her was at the
+Grand Opera House in Paris, two months later. She was with some friends
+in an adjoining stall. It was a gala performance for the benefit of the
+flood sufferers and the most noted singers in the world had volunteered
+their services, and single acts from a number of operas were given. It
+was difficult to believe that this beautiful, stylish, richly-gowned
+girl was the one I saw arrested in a suffrage disturbance on the streets
+of London. Throughout the performance I watched her closely, and her
+expressive face reflected the emotion of every leading role. She partook
+of the abandon of the gayer airs in 'Carmen,' and her cheeks were
+flooded with tears at the misfortunes of Marguerite in 'Faust.' I was
+dying to know who she was, but I was with foreign surgeons, and saw no
+Americans that I knew. To-day is the first time I have seen her since.
+Who is she, Hilda?" eagerly he asked of his sister.
+
+"You and Frank give me a lot of exclamation points, with a vivid
+description of how the atmosphere affected you, and then want me to name
+a vision for you. Please describe the physical girl, leaving out all
+adjectives, mystical pieces of air, _et cetera_, and perhaps I can tell
+who she is."
+
+Jack described the girl in the parade, somewhat repressing his
+enthusiasm under Frank's amused scrutiny.
+
+"I don't wonder at your captivation. That is Silvia Holland, one rich
+American girl who is determined to justify her existence, live a life
+that is worth while, and demonstrate the ability of women to be
+economically independent, for although her father has a half-dozen city,
+country and resort residences, she insists in maintaining at her own
+expense a modest apartment in the Whittier Studios, and keeps up her own
+country home on the Hudson at Nutwood. Just now her parents are on a
+trip around the world. You know she is a graduate of the law school at
+Columbia and was admitted to practice a few months ago. You should thank
+your stars, Jack, that it is not the medical profession she is seeking
+to enter, or the dry bones there would be worse shaken up than they will
+be by your new theories, and you would have a formidable rival."
+
+"She is not the daughter of John J. Holland, the steel magnate?" he
+inquired.
+
+"Yes, his daughter and only child."
+
+"Whew! There is hope of the American woman after all. There certainly is
+a big social revolution on in America," and Jack arose with the others
+to go into the library for coffee.
+
+"It might interest you young men to know that these suffragists are to
+finish their day's work with a ball and a bazaar to-night, and I have
+tickets for a box," suggested Hilda.
+
+"Of course Jack can't go, but I shall be delighted to bask in the smiles
+of this modern Semiramis a while," answered Frank. "Then, too," he
+added, "she may convert me to suffrage, which living in Colorado among
+suffragists for two years has failed to do."
+
+"Oh, that is because you are looking at the matter through a railroad
+attorney's eyes; long ago it was truly written that 'no man can serve
+two masters,' and your railroad employment is your master just now,"
+answered his sister.
+
+"I have heard reports that indicate that woman's suffrage in Colorado is
+apt quite soon to cause not only you railroad lawyers but our holders of
+railroad securities some concern about the quantity of water we inject
+into any one issue of stocks and bonds," laughingly suggested Mr.
+Ramsey.
+
+"Come, gentlemen, your charming Amazon will not stay up all night, and
+it is ten-thirty now," called Hilda, who had already garbed herself for
+the automobile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A SUFFRAGE BAZAAR AND BALL
+
+
+A suffrage bazaar does not differ essentially from the same iniquity
+under other auspices. There are the same useless articles for sale and
+the same aggressive methods of disposing of them; the same varieties of
+fancy work, knit, embroidered, drawn, quartered and crocheted; the same
+display of canned goods and home-made jellies and feminine apparel; the
+same raffles and "drawings" and "chances" by which churches have long
+conducted their clerical lotteries; the same side-shows and the same
+appeal to the social world to come and mingle with the "high-brows" and
+be fashionably robbed.
+
+Only in this instance far more ingenuity had been displayed in the
+number and nature of the side attractions. There were guessing machines
+where the cocksure were reduced to humbleness of mind by their failures
+to state accurately the number of women voting in the world or some
+section thereof; the number of countries that have recently swung into
+line in the woman movement; the number of subjects reigned over by
+women, and similar questions, all of which proved "extra hazardous" to
+most of the guessers. Many of them did not even know what the five stars
+on the suffrage flag indicated.
+
+They had a row of Chinese examination booths, in which persons wishing a
+certificate of "Efficient Citizenship" were given blanks to fill out, in
+which they revealed their knowledge, or their crass ignorance, of
+conditions in various parts of their own country. Mrs. Jarley conducted
+a wax-works performance, and there was a moving-picture show in which
+Mrs. Cornelia Gracchus, the favorite example of the "Antis," was shown
+lecturing in the Forum on medicine to grave and reverend seigneurs, Joan
+of Arc leading her troops, and Florence Nightingale bending over the
+sick and wounded.
+
+An educated pig told the uneducated person in how many States women have
+full suffrage, and which they are; where suffrage campaigns are pending,
+and the names of the distinguished Americans who have gone on record in
+favor of this reform. A Street of All Nations showed the onward march,
+all the way from the women of Washington casting their "recall" ballots
+to the women of China unbinding their feet, and Turkish ladies tearing
+their veils into tatters.
+
+Dancing was going on in an adjoining room, but the crowd was so great
+that it was impossible to even locate Jack's "Mystery," so Frank turned
+his attention to a row of booths, draped in black, with silver
+astrological symbols, palmist signs and two flaming aces of hearts and
+diamonds, where past, present and future were revealed at very
+reasonable prices--considering. "Me for the astrologist," he said.
+"Jack, go in at the sign of the glowing heart and find out whether Venus
+is going to be good to you, and then we can swap experiences."
+
+"I think I'll try the palmist," Jack replied. "If it's even moderately
+well done it is interesting," and the two brothers disappeared into the
+cavelike apertures before them. Frank's experience seemed to be highly
+satisfactory, for he reappeared grinning cheerfully. Perhaps he had
+cause, but he did not reveal it, and when his brother came forth from
+the clutches of the sorceress, he insisted that he should have his
+horoscope cast.
+
+As there seemed no hope of finding the lady they sought until the crowd
+should have thinned a little, Jack laughed and entered the
+silver-spangled tent. The seeress was gowned in white, with silver
+chains and bracelets and girdle, and a long white veil completely
+enveloped her except the face, and this was concealed by her yashmak up
+to her mocking gray eyes, with their dark, level brows. There was
+something in her eyes that attracted Jack, and made him believe in her
+uncanny powers quite against his will, and even while he told himself
+that this was but the foolishness of the hour. He gave her the necessary
+data, and she consulted her charts, and gave him a rapid and wonderfully
+correct delineation of his character, "a nature which combines the
+characteristics of Scorpio with some of those of Sagitarrius, as is the
+case," she explained gravely, "with persons born near the cusp," a term
+which produced no impression upon his mind, though he said, "Oh,
+indeed," politely. She made some cabalistic marks on a square of paper
+and turned to him with a somewhat startled expression, which faded at
+once, and the mocking eyes looked full into his as she went on.
+
+"You do not believe in anything I am telling you, and therefore I shall
+speak quite frankly, certain that you will be neither cast down nor
+elated by anything I can say. I think you are a physician; if not you
+ought to be; you seem to have come from afar, and to be about to begin a
+new phase in your life. It is well that you have two of the greatest of
+the planets, Mars and Jupiter, as controlling influences, for you will
+need them, and that very soon. You are at this moment in greater danger
+than ever before has been your lot."
+
+Jack could not repress a laugh. With youth, health, ability and love he
+felt that it would take more than a stray comet to turn the currents of
+his life awry. But the woman did not smile; he could see that much
+through the gauzy yashmak, and her eyes grew grave and her forehead
+contracted.
+
+"I am glad you don't believe it," she said, "because I should not like
+to tell you what I see if you did; before morning you will know whether
+it is all the foolishness you think it."
+
+He apologized. "I'm immensely interested," he said, "but I didn't know
+any one regarded this sort of thing seriously. So far as you've gone
+you've hit me off very well, and I don't mind telling you that I am a
+physician, and I'm just back from the far East."
+
+"Thank you," she said gravely. "Have you ever heard that if a man has
+made love to a girl under the constellation of Cassiopeia he should not
+marry until he has also made love under the Southern Cross? There is a
+conjunction of malign planets at this time; they threaten your happiness
+through love, through hate, through accident. If you have become
+interested in any person born under Saturn, that is between the
+twenty-first of December and the twentieth of January, particularly
+about the seventh of January, you should certainly take time to consider
+carefully, for there is nothing but wretchedness and misunderstanding in
+such an alliance; there may be much that is attractive on the surface,
+but you will find a complete lack of harmony, of similarity of tastes
+and ambition that would leave you forever alone, and there is much
+selfishness and stubborness of will. Saturn and Scorpio are not good
+marital allies." He gave her a searching glance, for the seventh of
+January was Leonora's birthday, but her face was quite inscrutable.
+
+"There is something here I do not understand; this accident does not
+happen to you, nor to any one near you, yet it has a lasting and a
+terrible effect upon your life----" she shuddered and pushed the charts
+away from her. "I will not tell you any more," she said, "but I wonder
+whether you would do me the favor of giving me your name and address. I
+want to cast your horoscope carefully, and I will send you the chart."
+
+He thanked her and wrote down his name as requested, somewhat impressed
+in spite of himself. As he rose to go she stood also and lifted her hand
+as if she would have drawn him back, then let it drop heavily. If it was
+a piece of acting, he told himself it was perfectly done. "Do be careful
+for the next twenty-four hours," she said, "and beware of the evil that
+may come out of good."
+
+That last Delphic utterance stamped the whole affair as a clever piece
+of mind-reading, guesswork and acting, and, somewhat annoyed that he
+should have been hoaxed even for a moment, Jack withdrew.
+
+The hour was growing late and the crowd dispersing when they turned
+from the fortune-telling booths and entered the ballroom, and presently
+Jack said to his sister, "There she is; the one in the green gown."
+
+"Yes, that is Silvia Holland. What a superb dancer, and how democratic!
+The man she is dancing with is at the head of one of the labor
+organizations that is championing woman's suffrage. Come, Jack, let us
+have a whirl, as of old, and I will then bring your 'Mystery' over to
+the box."
+
+In a moment they were in the midst of the waltz, and at its close Hilda
+had so managed that they were near Miss Holland. Stepping up to her on
+Jack's arm she presented her brother, and, accepting Hilda's invitation,
+Miss Holland joined their party.
+
+"Did I not see you a year ago on the streets in London, the time I was
+arrested?" she naively asked Jack.
+
+"Yes, but you were very busy. How in the world could you remember me?"
+
+"Don't be flattered by the apparent compliment. While I was delivering
+my little speech to the police I noted how closely you followed me and
+that you were the only American around, and I had determined to appeal
+to you for assistance if they undertook to jail the feeble old woman
+who was with us. They didn't disturb her, and so you were not called
+upon, but you see how near you came to being a militant English
+suffragette and perhaps a prisoner for thirty days," she said, half
+seriously and half smilingly.
+
+"The word of command would have made me both," he answered, with so much
+emphasis that Frank broke into the conversation with, "I wonder if the
+open door of an English jail would convert me?"
+
+"That would depend upon who was directing your footsteps toward the
+jail," suggested his brother-in-law.
+
+"Not at all; I think I am hopeless after having heard so much of the
+theoretical benefits of suffrage and seen the utter lack of effect in
+Colorado, where I live."
+
+Silvia Holland turned her great, intense eyes upon him. They were
+glowing, and he felt the same fascination he had experienced in the
+afternoon.
+
+"You from Colorado and talk this way!" she said in amazement. "Surely
+you are jesting. Take the effect on the polling places alone. Compare
+those of New York with those of Denver, and I have seen them in full
+operation in both places. In the first is the atmosphere of barrooms; in
+the second the manners and air of drawing-rooms. If I were a Colorado
+man I should be proud of the result upon Colorado women of their
+responsibility in citizenship. I know women of all nationalities, but I
+know none where the average of intelligence or womanly grace and real
+accomplishments are greater than with your Colorado women."
+
+"I am a railroad attorney, sent out by the owners of some of the lines
+traversing Colorado to look after their interests," he answered. "It is
+possible that my conclusions have been influenced by my occupation. I am
+prepared to admit that. But I have rather old-fashioned notions in
+relation to the proper place for women being in the home and not in
+politics."
+
+"Oh, you American professional men, particularly you corporation
+lawyers"--she was smiling now. "You might as well be living in the
+middle ages, for you take no note of the tremendous revolution that is
+going on all around you. What we call politics is in reality government,
+and home is the basis of all good government, and government to serve
+its legitimate aim in a democracy must reflect the sentiments of all
+the members of the society that created it, women as well as men, and
+the higher the aspirations of society the higher the purposes of
+government."
+
+The others were enjoying this little scene. "Bravo, bravo, Silvia!"
+exclaimed Hilda. "Do make a convert of him!"
+
+"You know," said Miss Holland, and she put as much sarcasm in her tone
+as possible without leaving a sting, "that this thing called government
+only needs a good house-cleaning and the application of a few vermin
+extinguishers, such as every good housekeeper knows how to administer,
+to make this country a congenial habitation for the gods of the
+Twentieth Century--the enlightened, progressive, responsible citizens of
+a democracy. Come to the Industrial League meeting next Thursday night
+and you will learn more about this than I can possibly tell you. I will
+send you a card," and she gaily floated away with Dr. Orrin Morris, her
+escort of the evening, who had been impatiently waiting for her for
+several minutes.
+
+Dr. Orrin Morris and Dr. John Earl were graduated from the same class in
+the Harvard medical school, but Dr. Morris had immediately after
+graduation settled down to the exclusive practice of surgery according
+to orthodox methods, and was already regarded as one of the rising young
+surgeons of New York City.
+
+His father had met with financial reverses in 1907 that had not only
+wrecked the family fortune but had carried him to an untimely grave. His
+mother had been dead for some years and he had no brother or sister. He
+maintained a house on East 57th Street and had much practice in two of
+the prominent hospitals.
+
+Dr. Morris presented a rather angular appearance as he strode away with
+Miss Holland. He was excessively lean, of swarthy complexion, dark eyes,
+black hair and a domineering air. His mother had possessed a strain of
+that Spanish blood that was freely mixed with the Moors during their
+occupancy of Spain, and added to the natural tendencies of the Latin
+were visible some of the ear-marks of Moorish intensity. For some months
+he had been paying marked attention to Miss Holland, whom he had known
+in a general way for a long time, and, while she did not encourage him,
+she had not thought it necessary to dismiss him, for she found him most
+entertaining, as he was regarded as one of the best non-professional
+violinists in New York. They had spent many agreeable evenings together
+over their music, she playing the accompaniments on the piano.
+
+His views on public questions were as set and conservative as were his
+views on medicine, and she never attempted to discuss those matters with
+him; the fact that she could not do so was somewhat a relief to her when
+she desired to get away from her public activities.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey, Dr. Morris and Miss Holland, and the two young men
+with other ladies of their acquaintance, joined in the last dance and
+then started for the cloakrooms together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HYPNOTISM USED FOR AN ANAESTHETIC
+
+
+Mrs. Ramsey and Miss Holland emerged from the dressing-rooms after a
+trifling delay, and found Hilda's party and Dr. Morris waiting in the
+foyer. Just as they were about making their way to their respective
+motors they heard a sudden commotion and wild cries from the street, and
+a crowd of people surged in, crying that a child had been killed by an
+automobile. Both Dr. Earl and Dr. Morris rushed toward the street as a
+man came in carrying a little girl of perhaps ten years of age, bleeding
+profusely from the mouth and the scalp, with one leg evidently broken.
+The mother of the child, a comely woman of thirty, followed, wringing
+her hands. Her excitement verged on hysteria, but at the sight of Dr.
+Morris she controlled herself by a mighty effort.
+
+"To the hospital, to the hospital, Dr. Earl," peremptorily exclaimed Dr.
+Morris, as Dr. Earl threw aside his coat and, rolling back his sleeves
+and directing the man to place the child on a table in one of the
+ante-rooms, began to examine the character of the injuries.
+
+"Oh, don't take my poor child to the hospital. I know she will die if
+she goes there; bring her home; it is only a few blocks," the mother
+pleaded with Dr. Morris, whom she seemed to know.
+
+"Don't waste time here. Where is the telephone? I will call an ambulance
+immediately."
+
+"I don't want her taken to the hospital," said the woman sullenly.
+
+"This is no place to operate on a hysterical child," Morris answered.
+"She need not be kept in the hospital, but she should certainly be taken
+there. I know Dr. Earl will agree with me."
+
+In the meantime, Earl had completed his examination. Silvia Holland was
+watching him anxiously. As Morris spoke he looked up and caught her eye.
+
+"It is only a simple fracture, and the scalp wounds are slight. I
+suppose we could get along, if we can get hot water and the necessary
+appliances," he said dubiously, and then added, turning to the woman,
+"Dr. Morris is quite right, madame, in advising the hospital, and I
+assure you there is no danger."
+
+The woman turned pleading eyes to Silvia. "She's all I have, and I can't
+let her be taken away from me. Couldn't we go home? It is only a few
+blocks away, and I know I can make her comfortable. Oh, please, please
+don't let them take her away!"
+
+Miss Holland looked at Dr. Earl and put her arm around the woman
+protectingly. "If it isn't any worse than that," she said hesitatingly,
+"don't you think you could do as she asks? Setting a simple fracture
+isn't a very complicated operation, is it?"
+
+Earl smiled. "Oh, no," he said, "it can be done in a comparatively few
+minutes."
+
+"Then why not do it," she said, "and spare the mother all this
+protracted agony, and get the child home?"
+
+"Because there are no appliances here to administer an anaesthetic or do
+anything else properly," answered Morris impatiently, "and no one can
+tell from a cursory examination whether or not there are other injuries,
+to say nothing of the danger from septicaemia if the work is done in a
+clumsy, slipshod manner."
+
+Earl colored, and Miss Holland replied with some spirit that even the
+absence of the usual accessories need not imply clumsiness of method,
+and again asked Earl if he could not manage where they were. He turned
+to the mother.
+
+"If you insist upon it, I have no doubt that I can do all that is
+necessary without bad results. As to the anaesthetic, we can dispense
+with that."
+
+"I will have nothing to do with the case under these circumstances,"
+Morris said angrily.
+
+The woman hesitated, and then said firmly, "I should prefer the other
+gentleman to take charge. I won't have her taken to the hospital."
+
+"Very well," said Earl, and taking a notebook from his pocket he wrote
+out a list of necessary appliances, bandages, alcohol, antiseptic
+solutions, surgeon's scissors, needles, silk and thread, and giving it
+to Frank bade him hurry to the drug-store around the corner which
+carried surgical supplies and procure them, and also to bring a box that
+would do for splints.
+
+"I must have an assistant," he said, and without a word, Miss Holland
+improvised an apron from some of the bunting that was in evidence
+everywhere, and put herself at his disposal. He sent all the others out
+of the room, and bent over the child for a few minutes. What did he do?
+Miss Holland watched, but could not tell. The moaning ceased, the little
+limbs relaxed, and the child fell into a quiet sleep.
+
+The mother stood just outside the door, listening with strained
+attention, and after two or three impatient turns about the foyer,
+Morris joined her.
+
+"You can do as you please so far as I am concerned," he said in a low
+tone, "but I warn you that you are taking big risks. Allie is nervous
+and excitable at any time, and to-night she is close to hysterics, and
+she won't get over the shock of even a simple operation in a hurry,
+especially if he is fool enough to attempt it without an anaesthetic."
+
+The woman wavered for a moment, and then turned away without a word, and
+shrugging his shoulders Morris strode down toward the entrance. A moment
+later Silvia Holland came out of the ante-room.
+
+"You can go in now," she said, "only don't disturb your child; she is
+sleeping and you must be very quiet. Did you see Dr. Morris? Oh, there
+he is."
+
+Mindful of the amenities of life, she hurried to his side. His face was
+dark with something more than anger, and did not lighten as she laid the
+tips of her fingers on his arm.
+
+"I know you will excuse me, Orrin," she said gently. "You mustn't be
+angry with me, but I really feel as if I ought to see this through; the
+poor woman needs me. You will forgive me?"
+
+He looked at her with sudden passion. "Oh, yes, I forgive _you_," he
+said, with unmistakable emphasis on the pronoun, and was gone. Silvia
+Holland looked after him for a moment, conscious that, accustomed as she
+was to his moods, this was quite a new one, and then joined Dr. Earl,
+who had come into the foyer to say goodnight to the Ramseys and Frank
+Earl, who had returned with the surgical appliances and found nothing
+more that he could do. "By the way, old man," Dr. Earl called to his
+brother-in-law, "send the machine back if you don't mind," and with a
+word of thanks he re-entered the ante-room, followed by Miss Holland,
+and closed the door against further interruption.
+
+There was a sink in the room, with hot and cold water, and he directed
+Miss Holland to cleanse the basin and implements in the boiling water,
+and follow this up by dipping them in an antiseptic solution; in the
+meantime he ripped the box to pieces, and selected two strips, which he
+whittled into splints, shaping them to the child's leg, and working with
+great rapidity. The bandages, cotton and other things were laid out upon
+the table, and then he took the basin and a cloth and washed the wounds
+on the head, putting back the tousled locks as carefully and tenderly as
+a woman.
+
+"Ordinarily," he said to his assistant, "I should have done this first,
+but my examination showed that this injury is very slight. Of course she
+has bled profusely, but it has come from the nose, and it looks pretty
+bad, but there is nothing serious. Half a dozen stitches will be ample
+for the scalp. Thread that needle with the silk, please. Now let me have
+it." He took it from her, and in a moment the cuts on the head were
+sewed, and he was pulling the leg into place, applying the cotton, the
+splints and bandages, working deftly and silently. "The other needle
+with the thread, please," he said, not looking up, and Miss Holland
+handed it to him. Presently he raised his head and threw back his
+shoulders.
+
+"It is all done," he said simply, and called the mother. "I shall return
+in a quarter of an hour," he said, "and bring her out of this sleep. Do
+not try to rouse her, for you cannot. Do you not think, Miss Holland,
+that it would be well for me to get a nurse to assist in taking the
+little one home? I can 'phone when I return these instruments."
+
+"Your machine is coming back, isn't it?" Miss Holland answered. "It
+seems to me that with what help her mother and I can render that we
+shall manage."
+
+"Excellently," he said. "Then you will be on guard until my return; see
+that the child is not disturbed. I shall be gone but a few minutes."
+
+He readjusted his attire, and taking up his hat strode out of the
+building, unconscious until he reached the door that half a dozen
+energetic reporters were eagerly asking particulars. Finding him
+unwilling to tell them anything more than the vaguest generalities, the
+more resourceful returned to the improvised operating-room, and before
+Silvia Holland knew it they had the story from her enthusiastic lips,
+supplemented by a few facts gathered from the woman. For thus are
+first-page sensations secured and created.
+
+Silvia noticed that the woman spoke with visible reluctance, and she
+herself passed over the controversy between Dr. Morris and Dr. Earl,
+anxious to spare her friend any unnecessary annoyance.
+
+"I am sorry, Mrs. Bell," she said contritely. "I didn't realize at first
+that we were being interviewed."
+
+"Oh, there is no harm done," the woman said quietly. "I hope the doctor
+will not mind; won't he be back pretty soon?"
+
+Almost as she spoke, his tall form was seen making its way through the
+besieging ranks of the Fourth Estate. He waved them aside good
+humoredly, but refusing to be interviewed, he took the child in his
+strong arms and, followed by her mother and Miss Holland, made his way
+to the auto. While she was in a profound sleep when he returned, she
+wakened instantly when he commanded her to do so, and the cool night air
+evidently refreshed her greatly as they drove to Mrs. Bell's home. Dr.
+Earl carried the little one upstairs, gave her mother explicit
+directions, and promising to call early the following day to adjust a
+cast, left the apartment with Miss Holland.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+SOME STRENUOUS ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS
+
+
+Several of the New York papers carried lurid headlines and more or less
+sensational accounts of the accident to the child and the treatment
+administered by Dr. Earl, as well as a tribute to the heroism of the
+volunteer nurse. All of them contained a report of some character of
+these occurrences.
+
+When Dr. Earl called at the home of his fiancee, according to
+appointment, to take her and her mother to luncheon the next day, he
+found Leonora in a sullen mood, and it did not take him long to discover
+that he was not in high favor at this particular hour.
+
+He greeted her with a kiss, but hers in return was perfunctory. He was
+not compelled to wait long for an explanation, for she poured out her
+feelings without any questioning.
+
+"Oh, Jack, dear, how could you mix up with that suffrage crowd! Don't
+you know that mamma is vice-president of the Anti-Woman Suffrage
+League? She is so annoyed! And that horrid Silvia Holland--why, Jack,
+she is a downright socialist. Don't you know she was arrested in England
+for trying to break into parliament with a lot of other suffragettes,
+and she was arrested here only last month for defying the police and
+taking sides with a lot of girls who refused to work in the factories
+where they were employed! Even when in school she was horrid. When they
+wouldn't let her make a suffrage speech on the school grounds one night
+she took the girls to a neighboring graveyard and spoke from a flat
+monument! And to think the papers have you mixed up with her, and our
+wedding soon to be announced! Oh, it's terrible!" and she buried her
+face in the sofa pillows.
+
+Had this scene occurred with any one else, Jack felt certain he could
+not have restrained his laughter, for he could see Miss Holland
+delivering an exhortation to the schoolgirls from a tombstone in a
+cemetery by night. But he understood the prejudices of a certain element
+of New York society, and while the past twenty-four hours had led him,
+somewhat, to believe that this progressive democratic wave sweeping
+over the world had engulfed all New Yorkers, he now realized how sadly
+mistaken he had been.
+
+With infinite tact he told her that his sister had taken their party to
+the ball--pointed out his own duty when the injured child had been
+brought in from the street, and how he had not even suggested that Miss
+Holland should assist him. He saw that the present was no time for a
+discussion of the merits of the case or a pronouncement of his own
+views, but he distinctly realized, with something of a jolt, it is true,
+that a wide gulf separated the Bourbon element of America's supposed
+democracy from the advancing column of her real and inspired democracy,
+and he wondered whether it were at all possible to tunnel under or
+bridge over this gulf. He lightly changed the subject.
+
+"I have just discovered that I can get my old offices on East 53rd
+Street, as the year's lease expires the first of next month, and the
+agents heeded my letter asking them to wait for me. So I shall feel
+quite at home in the old quarters," he said.
+
+She smiled at this, but was not quite ready to drop the former subject.
+"Jack, dear, did you take Miss Holland home at one o'clock in the
+morning?"
+
+He laughed at her this time, as he bent to kiss her. "I really believe
+you are jealous, you little nymph. Of course I took her home. She could
+not stay there all night, and there was no one else to take her."
+
+She looked very serious. "No, I don't know what jealousy is," she slowly
+and emphatically said, "but I don't want to know people who do the
+things that Miss Holland does, and I don't want you to know them."
+
+"My dear child," he said, taking her hands in his and catching her eyes
+with his own steady glance. "I must know whoever is thrown into my path
+either in a professional or a social way. All people are intensely
+interesting to me, for we are, after all, but one great family of human
+beings, trying to carve out lives that are worth while, and this we can
+do better by getting the best there is from each other." He hesitated a
+moment, still looking steadily at her. She quivered slightly, but he was
+dimly conscious of the colossal character of the will she was summoning
+to her aid. Then very slowly, but with all the earnestness of his
+nature, he added, "You must get away from these views, for they are
+dwarfing and not becoming to you, and if you do not we shall be very
+unhappy. Miss Holland is a remarkable young woman. She is destined to
+fill a great place in our American social and political life. She is
+well worthy of your friendship."
+
+She withdrew her hands, but still kept her eyes fixed on his. Her brow
+contracted and with emphasis she said: "Miss Holland has forfeited her
+place in our set by her conduct; why, Jack, you don't know how she is
+criticized by our friends or you would not suggest such a thing."
+
+He arose with a shrug of his shoulders. Fortunately, Mrs. Kimball
+appeared at this moment and they motored to the Plaza for luncheon,
+which was a somewhat formal and unsatisfactory affair, in spite of all
+his efforts to make it otherwise. The young man could not but feel that
+Mrs. Kimball shared her daughter's views--was, in fact, their
+author--and that in the eyes of his future mother-in-law he had been
+guilty of a breach of etiquette far more serious than an infraction of
+the moral law. He left them with the understanding that he would
+accompany them to the theatre in the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND SURGERY
+
+
+The days of a militant suffragette are full to overflowing, and Silvia
+Holland was not able to see Mrs. Bell and her little daughter early the
+following morning as she had planned. It must have been well toward the
+middle of the afternoon when she entered the modest apartment, and going
+to the bed, visible in the alcove, kissed the child and put a great,
+dewy bunch of violets in her hand. She took them, and hugged them tight
+in her thin little arms, while her eyes looked into Silvia's
+wonderingly, and her mother turned away to hide the sudden tears.
+
+The apartment was well though not expensively furnished, and both mother
+and child had the unmistakable air of good birth and refinement. As
+Silvia glanced at Mrs. Bell she was conscious of something in her face
+at once baffling and appealing. She had the indefinable look of one who
+dwells with a sorrow for which there is no cure.
+
+"Are you quite sure there is nothing I can do for either of you to-day?"
+Silvia asked, a trifle diffidently, for she did not want to offend by
+overzeal.
+
+"You and Dr. Earl have placed us under so many obligations that we can
+never hope to repay them," Mrs. Bell said quietly. "If I do not speak
+more freely of what I feel, it is because I have no words for its
+expression."
+
+"Don't speak or think of obligations," Silvia said lightly, "and here is
+my card, so that if at any time I might be of service to you I hope you
+will not hesitate to call on me. I live at the Whittier Studios." The
+card which she gave Mrs. Bell read:
+
+                            SILVIA HOLLAND,
+                    Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law,
+                        City Investment Building,
+                            New York City.
+
+Mrs. Bell looked at it curiously. "Oh, it isn't possible that you are
+_that_ Miss Holland, _the_ Miss Holland!" she said incredulously.
+
+Silvia laughed. "Don't I look as if I could say 'Gentlemen of the jury'
+with sufficient gravity?" she said. "Probably I shall do better when we
+say 'Ladies of the jury,' too."
+
+"You look like what you are, a beautiful and fashionable lady," Mrs.
+Bell answered. "Surely no one would ever take you for a professional
+woman."
+
+"Must a fashionable lady be a listless parasite? Even if she wishes
+merely to be a queen of society, would she not be more queenly if she
+knew the trials and afflictions of others, and, better still, knew how
+to help them? Would she be less a queen if she were not dependent upon
+some man for her daily bread----"
+
+A sudden flash of something, she could not tell whether it was pain or
+rebellion or despair, crossed Mrs. Bell's face, and Silvia hesitated and
+then went on rather hurriedly, as if, knowing she had struck a false
+note, she sought to distract the other woman's thought from it. "I am
+trying to demonstrate the glorious mission that belongs to woman when
+she fills her predestined sphere of economic independence and political
+freedom."
+
+"Political freedom will come first and easiest," said the woman slowly.
+She raised her eyes, filled with trouble, and looked full into Silvia's.
+"The other is the greater boon, and will be harder to win. Some day I
+may need to consult a lawyer; there is no one I would so gladly trust;
+it is a personal matter and may adjust itself, if not----"
+
+"If not, telephone to make sure that I am in, and I shall be glad to see
+you at any time," answered Silvia.
+
+There was the sound of a quick, firm step in the hall, and the bell
+rang. Mrs. Bell opened the door and admitted Dr. Earl. After a few
+questions and the exchange of greetings, he went over to the bedside of
+his small patient. He found the child doing admirably, and glanced
+hastily about the room, trying to make up his mind whether he might
+offer any other assistance than that of a professional character. He
+decided that he could not, and realized with a sense of pleasure and
+relief that Miss Holland would be able to attend to such details with
+more tact and skill than he could. Nor could he help the glow of
+gratification that they should be associated in so vital a matter, one
+that he felt swept away the petty conventionalities of society, and
+placed them on a footing of understanding and common sympathy not to
+have been acquired by months, or even years, of the ordinary social
+amenities. After a few directions for the care of the small patient,
+and a promise to look in the following day, he told Mrs. Bell how to
+find him in case of any sudden need and took up his hat and stick.
+
+"Were you going, Dr. Earl? Can I set you down anywhere? My car is at the
+door."
+
+He bowed, and followed her out. "We have an embarrassment of riches," he
+said, "for my car is also here." Then, rather boyishly, moved by an
+impulse he would have found it hard to explain, he said, "Suppose we
+dismiss them both, and walk up through the Park?"
+
+She acquiesced, and a few moments later they were strolling up the
+Avenue, rather silently, considering that each had many things to say.
+As usual, it was the woman who broke the silence.
+
+"Tell me about all this. I never was more interested in anything in my
+life," she said, looking up at him with a glance that carried the
+subtlest flattery, and, while her query was vague, he understood and
+made no attempt to evade it.
+
+"It is a long story," he said; "have you time for it to-day? And it is
+really no more remarkable than the effect you produced in your parade
+yesterday, and I think the causes are the same. The world is full of
+mystery, but before honest, earnest purpose of any kind the storehouses
+of mystery will eventually open. The fact is, that the present
+tremendous progressive movement in the world is spiritual and every
+phase of it is interdependent upon every other element. The thoughtless
+call these things 'fads.' In reality, each one of them marks a
+crystallization of centuries of thought and hope and dream for the
+advancement and elevation of the human race. The world, as usually
+happens in spiritual matters, awakened to the importance of all of them
+at the same time." He paused, as if realizing for the first time how
+personal was the story for which she had asked. "You will think me an
+egregious egotist, Miss Holland, I fear."
+
+"No, whatever you may be, or I may think you, you need have no fears on
+that score." She answered simply, directly. "Please tell me--if you
+think I deserve so great a confidence."
+
+He bowed gravely; there was no hint of coquetry in her manner.
+
+"Directly after my graduation at Harvard, three years ago, I opened
+offices in New York, intending to specialize in surgery, for I had
+prepared for that, though I desired to obtain a general practice for a
+while to put into effect and improve my theoretical knowledge. In a
+misty way I soon realized that neither my own efforts nor those of my
+colleagues were crowned with the success that should attend a profession
+founded upon strictly scientific principles, as modern surgery is. The
+chief cause of disturbance with me was that so many operations were
+performed which subsequent developments showed might have been avoided,
+but which at the time seemed imperative. I redoubled my studies of
+_materia medica_, hoping to find a way by which this difficulty might be
+obviated or overcome, and while my constant researches helped, I still
+found much difficulty in arriving at accurate conclusions before
+attempting an operation. I found nothing that satisfied me. I was also
+greatly bothered and baffled by the large number of cases which the
+surgeon encounters, controlled or dependent upon nervous conditions and
+the futility of the drugs ordinarily given.
+
+"While in this mood a friend of mine called at my office one Wednesday
+evening by appointment. He was the general manager of a large utility
+company that has to do with the people of every section of the
+civilized world, and a man of rare judgment, knowledge of the world, and
+poise. We were on most intimate terms, and I had already told him
+something of these perplexities. This evening, I had supposed that he
+was coming to see me professionally, and I had made other engagements.
+As soon as he stepped into my private office, he said: 'Doctor, cancel
+every engagement you have for this evening. I need you very badly in
+affairs of my own. You are to ask no questions, but do as I request and
+send me your bill to-morrow.'
+
+"Of course I could not refuse him, so I arranged to go with him, and
+then asked whether I should require surgical instruments or only a
+medicine case. He replied that I would need neither, and I could gain
+nothing from his manner, for he was very grave. At his suggestion we
+walked, going up Fifth Avenue to the Park, and then across the Park to
+the corner of 96th Street and Central Park West, where there stands a
+great church. The rolling notes of the organ filled the quiet with an
+impressiveness I had never felt before, and the congregation was singing
+an old hymn with an earnestness and depth of feeling quite different
+from most congregational singing. We entered and were shown to seats in
+the balcony, in the front row, where we had an excellent view of most of
+those below. 'You will find many of your acquaintances here,' he said,
+and on looking around I was surprised at the great number of prominent
+New York men and women in the audience.
+
+"After the preliminary proceedings those that desired to do so were
+invited to tell their experiences in combating disease, or other adverse
+conditions. What I heard was a revelation. This experience,
+corroborating, as it did, my own observations, emphasized how little of
+the field of suggestive and mental therapeutics the ordinary medical
+practitioner really filled, and I determined to explore that field
+before going any further with my practice. I thanked my friend for
+taking me to this place, and within a month I decided to go abroad. I
+visited the institutions of note in Europe, where suggestive
+therapeutics are practiced, and then went to India, where I spent many
+months. There I found the original source of suggestive, mental and
+spiritual treatment.
+
+"If the Yogi of India could supplement his method of training the
+subconscious mind with the knowledge which our regular physicians
+possess, and could apply both with discriminating skill, we would have
+the greatest human healing power ever known. The best I could hope for
+was to apply as much of the wisdom of the Yogi and other cults in India
+and Europe as I could master in the brief time at my disposal, and that
+I am attempting to do. With all the perfection of system in training the
+subconscious mind that characterizes a comparatively few of the
+inhabitants of India, the millions are left without any appreciable
+benefits therefrom, just as the millions here are left without the full
+benefits of the special training of the few.
+
+"We are but touching the borderland of this mysterious realm of the
+occult, the subconscious and the spiritual forces that have such an
+important bearing upon all phases of human life, and which, when
+intelligently applied to the child in school and the direction of the
+individual in his career, promise so much for the elevation, longevity
+and achievements of the human race.
+
+"The world is just waking up to the vast significance of the spiritual
+teachings of Jesus Christ, and their bearing upon all phases and
+activities of human life. When Christ told the Pharisees that 'the
+kingdom of God is within you,' he carried the lesson, though little
+understood then, and so fully comprehended now, that Christianity,
+citizenship, government, health, happiness and progress are all
+dependent upon the character of the ideals and purposes and daily life
+of the individual.
+
+"When Christ told the lawyer that to 'love thy neighbor as thyself' was
+one of the essentials of salvation, he laid the corner-stone for a pure
+and honest democracy, without which underlying principle there can be no
+lasting democratic government. We now know, in medicine, that much of
+longevity and good health and power of recuperation depend upon the
+ideals of the individual, and their inspiring influence.
+
+"It is too bad that with all our tremendous progress we allow bigotry
+and prejudice to hamper us in getting the most out of the wisdom around
+us as well as that of the ages, all of which is correlated. Yet very
+often the orthodox Christian, who believes that Christ not only healed
+the sick but also raised the dead, decries the Christian Scientist who
+only professes to restore the sick on the theory that disease cannot
+exist in an individual properly imbued with Christ's teachings. Too
+often the orthodox doctor of medicine denounces the healer who overcomes
+apparent disease through mental suggestion or arrests a nervous
+breakdown in a patient by teaching that patient how to relax, when the
+doctor himself does not hesitate to give bread pills in the first
+instance and to recommend a sanitarium where relaxation is the only
+thing attempted in the second. And I presume this quotation from the
+Dhamma-pada, which is many centuries older than the Christian religion,
+would be denounced as heresy by some of the Christian Scientists,
+although it embodies the spirit and almost the words of their own
+teachings: 'All that we are is the result of what we have thought. It is
+founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speak
+or act with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the
+foot of the ox that draws the carriage.'"
+
+Presently Dr. Earl hailed a passing taxi-cab, and gave the order to be
+taken to the Whittier Studios. The drive home was silent. Once or twice
+Silvia looked at her tall companion. She was frankly curious about the
+Paris case, but something in the quiet, self-contained face of the man
+beside her did not invite questions. On his part, John Earl was asking
+himself why he should have given his confidence to this comparative
+stranger, and the longer he thought about it the less able was he to
+answer his question.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE OMNIPRESENT EYES OF FIFTH AVENUE
+
+
+The source of gossip in a village is the corner grocery store; in a
+small city, what goes on about the public square; in the medium-sized
+city, what transpires in the leading cafe; in New York, Fifth Avenue and
+Central Park are the all-abounding sources of gossip. The Avenue has a
+thousand curious eyes; those on the sidewalk peering into automobiles
+and carriages for sensations; those being whirled along in vehicles,
+straining their power in the quest of salacious information among the
+throng beyond the curbstone. All New York passes along Fifth Avenue at
+some time or another. All of one's friends are always passing along that
+way when one does not particularly wish to be seen by them. If one is
+walking, the friends are invariably driving; if one is driving, of
+course the ubiquitous acquaintances are out for a stroll. Sometimes
+people have been known to escape two-thirds of the omnipresent eyes that
+line the sidewalks, pack the Avenue and infest the highways of Central
+Park, but no person has ever been heard of who escaped all of them.
+
+So the lot of our strollers was but the common lot of all, visitors as
+well as resident New Yorkers.
+
+While mutually absorbed, the one in reciting the tale, the other in
+listening to it; while diverted and interested by the thousand sparks
+that radiate from the batteries of youthful energy and enthusiasm and
+tingle the sensibilities of a congenial comrade; while speculating on
+the unknown vista from peep-holes that show only fragments, but
+realizing all the vastness and richness of the world force and universal
+sympathy possessed by each of them--it is not strange that in four
+blocks on the Avenue they were passed by two ladies in an automobile,
+who took more than an ordinary interest in their movements, and by a
+dark-eyed, dark-haired man in another car, whose eyes gleamed and whose
+cheeks blanched at the sight of their absorption in each other.
+
+But the things garnered on the Avenue are never placed in cold storage,
+and soon enough both of them were to hear about this stroll.
+
+When Dr. Earl called that evening to take Mrs. and Miss Kimball to the
+theatre he discovered that his reception in the morning had been
+tropical compared to this one. He was compelled to wait fully fifteen
+minutes before Miss Kimball appeared in house gown and slippers,
+indicating her purpose to remain at home, and the bearer of a message
+that her mother begged to be excused, as she had retired with a sick
+headache.
+
+In vain he sought for a reason for his frigid reception, and feeling
+that his presence was an affliction he arose to go.
+
+"I hope you had a pleasant stroll this afternoon," came in icicle tones.
+
+This shed all the light necessary upon the character of his greeting.
+
+The eyes of Fifth Avenue had not grown dim.
+
+"Yes," he replied, looking at her steadily, "it was a most delightful
+stroll."
+
+She could stand the strain no longer; she came close to him and he
+stooped and tenderly kissed her.
+
+"Oh, Jack, why do you persist in having anything to do with her when
+you know how unhappy it makes me!" she said in her gentlest tone.
+
+They sat down and he related the entire story of the occurrences of the
+afternoon to her. It pacified her to a degree.
+
+"But Jack, dear, you will promise me never to see her again, will you
+not?" and her tone was pleading now.
+
+"I promised to go with my brother to a suffrage meeting she is holding
+Thursday night. Of course _you_ would not wish to go, and I am certain
+you do not want me to break my promise."
+
+"I am certain," she said, emphasizing each word, "that I do not want you
+to see her again."
+
+"Let me understand you, Leonora, dear. There are many prominent New York
+women in this suffrage movement. Some of my very best old-time friends,
+I am informed, are participating in it. Is it your desire that I shall
+cut their acquaintance also, or is it just Miss Holland you want me
+never to see again?"
+
+"Now, don't think I am jealous of her, for I am not. She is the most
+conspicuous one in this suffrage movement on account of the awful
+things she does, but I don't care to associate with any person who is
+identified with this crusade. Neither does my mother, nor any of our
+social set, and of course I would like you to feel the same way."
+
+"But suppose I do not feel that way. Suppose my sympathies are with them
+and my profession as well as my political predilections should carry me
+among them?" he asked earnestly.
+
+"Oh, Jack, what has come over you that you are so plebeian! Can't you
+see how these women are cheapening New York society, associating with
+workingmen and shop girls!"
+
+"But that is what they should do in a democracy, and I am sure I never
+saw better-looking women in my life than these same busy suffragists.
+They have something to do, and are not dying of _ennui_ or
+listlessness," he answered.
+
+"Their stock argument," she answered, "but whoever heard of an
+aristocracy based on such things as these women engage in. Promise me,
+Jack, that you will have nothing to do with any of them."
+
+"You are unduly wrought up to-night," he answered, "but I will promise
+you that I shall do nothing to cause you unnecessary annoyance. You
+must not be too captious, dear, and remember that I go Thursday night."
+
+She started to protest, but he drowned the effort in a shower of
+caresses and bade her goodnight. Each of them, in the silence of their
+own apartments, thought long and earnestly of this interview. Leonora
+Kimball had been taught to believe that the chief badges of an
+aristocracy were complete idleness of the women, and the possession of
+enough wealth to support such idleness. It mattered not how mentally
+insipid or morally opaque or physically inane such women might be, the
+true test of being fitted for the purple was whether or not they had
+ever done any useful work, and whether or not they had money enough so
+that the other members of their set might feel assured that they never
+would do any useful work. An aristocracy of trained brains or unselfish
+culture were meaningless terms to her.
+
+But this night she was greatly disturbed over the attitude of the man
+she was to marry. She had been quite honest with him when she asserted
+that jealousy was foreign to her nature; affection did not run deep
+enough with her to strike its eternal renewing fountain--jealousy. The
+practical character with which she had been endowed easily enough
+conducted affairs of the heart along paths directed by the head, and
+while her professions of love were quite sincere and her loyalty beyond
+question, yet she had not the remotest idea of the grand passion. She
+knew that she was very fond of John Earl; that he was worthy of her;
+that he could sustain her manner of life and that his social standing
+was all that either she or her mother could desire. She also knew that
+she did not wish to lose him, and much as she abhorred the suffragists,
+she determined to be lenient with his present mood, certain she could
+change it ere long, else of what avail was the all-powerful "silent
+influence" upon which the Anti-Suffragists laid so much stress?
+
+Earl was more than disturbed by her attitude, for he discovered traits
+of character and a shallowness of sympathy that shocked him. His dream
+of married bliss was the absolute _camaraderie_ he expected it to bring.
+He feared now that she would not enter into his life or ambitions, and,
+like too many of his married acquaintances, they would be seeking
+happiness along diverse paths.
+
+"However, it's all very new to her," he said to himself after an hour's
+reverie, "and she is quite young. A few weeks will properly adjust our
+relations."
+
+The dominant characteristic of this young man was a deep sense of
+justice, and while other feelings were all too manifest in his
+subconscious being, he permitted himself only to try to solve the
+problem of what was the right thing along the lines where he had cast
+his future.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+LOVE, JEALOUSY AND MUSIC
+
+
+The telephone bell in her apartment was ringing as Miss Holland entered
+from her stroll, radiantly happy and at peace with all the world. She
+took the receiver from the maid.
+
+"Dr. Morris? Yes, I shall be home this evening, and glad to see you, of
+course. Bring your violin and come by eight-thirty. Yes--yes. I meant to
+have called you and apologized for my somewhat cavalier desertion of you
+last night. I am sorry I was rude, I didn't mean to be, but come and let
+me ask you to forgive me." Her tone was adorable and melted the sullen
+mood of the man at the other end of the wire.
+
+Having sworn that he would not see her again, having 'phoned to make an
+appointment at which he meant to utter as bitter reproaches as he dared,
+he appeared promptly at the hour set, ready to implore her grace and
+accept with gratitude any smallest favor, any ray of hope she might see
+fit to bestow upon him.
+
+Like many another professional man in New York, in order to cater to the
+class in society in which he hoped to establish his reputation and
+clientele, Morris had found it necessary to live in a style which far
+exceeded his income, although that was a good one for a man still young
+in his profession. He was not popular with men, who regarded him as
+rather theatrical and a _poseur_, but his music, a certain deference of
+manner, a more romantic quality than is to be generally found among
+American business men, gave him a great vogue with women, and he
+cultivated them, especially the older ones, and they made life very
+pleasant for him, introduced him to the right people, and gave him much
+good advice now and then.
+
+One of the smartest of these social leaders said practically one day:
+"My dear boy, why do you let all these rich girls marry those silly
+foreigners, without an idea to bless themselves with--dukes, debts and
+diseases seem synonymous; you are not only clever, but you have the one
+gift, saving the title, that commends these creatures to our girls."
+
+He smiled his inscrutable smile and bowed. "And that is?"
+
+"You seem to have found the lost art of making pretty speeches, and
+paying a woman the small attentions that we all like so well. If I were
+a man," went on this dreadful dame, "I should never forget to kiss my
+wife and send her flowers and remember all the family anniversaries. It
+is by attention to such small details as this that a man may purchase
+immunity in larger and more important matters. I know this is most
+immoral, but it makes the wife happy, the husband comfortable, and would
+go far to decimate the divorce rate, so what more could you ask?"
+
+"Perhaps I owe this to the fact that my father was a Hungarian
+nobleman--oh, just a trumpery little title, with nothing to pay for the
+necessary gold lace, so when he came to America he decided, like so many
+of the revolutionists of that period, to be ultra-American, and dropped
+even the foreign spelling of the name, changing the 'itz' to plain
+'r-i-s,'" he answered. "I'm sure my music belongs to the other side of
+the Atlantic."
+
+"That accounts for it all," she said. "There is absolutely no reason why
+you shouldn't marry almost any woman you want to. Why not find one who
+can give you millions in money and the social position you need without
+taking a generation to create one? I hope you haven't any foolish
+entanglements," she added.
+
+He flushed, but did not answer, and when a few weeks later he and Silvia
+Holland had played together for some charitable entertainment, his
+venerable mentor had sought him out, ready to bestow her blessing at the
+earliest possible moment, approving his practical judgment and his good
+taste. That was a long time ago.
+
+He had resented the implication at the time; to do him justice, had
+Silvia been penniless she would still have attracted him as no other
+woman ever had. It was partly her personal charm, partly her music. It
+may be true that the world of art is still the world, but it is a very
+different world from that in which most of us live and move and have our
+being, and Morris was conscious when her fingers touched the keys, and
+he took up his bow and drew it across the strings of his violin, that
+they entered upon a new and boundless universe in which sound superseded
+all other mediums of communication, and seemed to take the place of
+mere mundane sensation. Whether his passion for Silvia grew out of their
+music, or the wonder of the music was a result of the perfect accord of
+their natures, he could not tell. They had become one in his mind.
+
+He fervently hated her various public activities. Here again the
+ancestral traits dominated. He thought of her as a great lady, and being
+that, she should have been content without anything more. Rushing madly
+about doing things for other people implied a certain loss of caste. But
+until the previous evening his discontent had been free from the bitter
+draught of jealousy. There had been safety in the number of Miss
+Holland's admirers, and when he was surest that she did not in any way
+return his feeling for her, there had been balm in the thought that she
+was too busy elevating the condition of her own sex to have much time to
+waste upon any member of his. Instinctively he knew, when he intercepted
+the first look between the lady of his dreams and his erstwhile college
+associate, that the hour had come that he had dreaded. Silvia Holland
+had at last met a man whom, consciously or unconsciously, she
+acknowledged king. His rival was there, upon the threshold of her life,
+and he was a rival to be feared. That he might also be a rival in his
+profession, that he was so rich that he was far above the straits in
+which Morris found himself more and more frequently involved, only added
+to the flame that consumed him; life without Silvia herself would be
+dull, colorless, objectless; life without her music would be but "wind
+along the waste."
+
+He had no patience with the theories of the newer medical practitioners
+who refuse to be frightened by the cry of "professional ethics" or by
+the demand that practice shall be "regular" whether the patient survives
+or not; and yet while he denounced all forms of mental therapeutics, he
+was conscious of a strain of superstition which he could in no wise
+overcome. Weird folk-lore and uncanny rites kept up by some of the
+primitive people of Hungary had had a strange fascination for him when
+he was abroad. In himself, he found a singular mixture of the primeval
+savage, and the ultra refined that approaches decadence. Of one thing
+alone he was certain. To lose Silvia was to lose his soul; without her
+there was neither here nor hereafter. Ruthlessly as he had brushed aside
+the one woman in his life who came between them, he was prepared to
+thrust out of his way any man who sought to become a part of her life.
+
+It was in this mood that he entered her presence, and in this mood he
+accepted her _amende honorable_, which she made with charming humility,
+but when she would have led him to the music-room, for once he
+hesitated.
+
+"In a few minutes," he said, "but just now there is something I must say
+to you. It is true that I was deeply hurt last night, but your regret,
+so graciously expressed, emboldens me to think that you would not
+willingly hurt me." He stopped, and she looked at him with a rather
+puzzled air. "We have been friends for a great while," he said
+irrelevantly.
+
+"Yes," she said cordially, and somewhat relieved. "Haven't we? And what
+a friendship it has been! A triangular affair, like a loving cup--you
+and I and some one of the great masters of melody. Shall it be Chopin
+to-night, or shall we begin with something lighter and finish with the
+Twelfth Nocturne, as usual?"
+
+She led the way, and stood by the piano, rippling her fingers over the
+keys, and he stood before her, his face white and intense with feeling.
+He laid his strong, brown fingers over the white ones, and raised them
+to his lips, and Silvia laughed a trifle nervously. It was one of his
+old-world ways that she liked, but disapproved with all proper
+democratic fervor.
+
+"Has it indeed been a loving cup from which we have drunk?" he said,
+with passionate sadness. "I dare not think so, I dare not even hope so
+much grace! And yet how is it possible that a man should feel what I
+feel for you unless there is a response, little as he may deserve
+it----"
+
+He paused, and she took away her hand, and laid it lightly on his
+shoulder as he sank down on the seat before the piano.
+
+"Please don't," she said gently. "Don't you see that you are quite
+right? If it were really, truly love that had come to you, I should feel
+it also, there could be no question of doubting or daring; no thought of
+hopelessness. Some time you will know that this is true, when some other
+heart speaks to yours in the unmistakable tone of the one only love of
+your heart. Each of us has his place in life, and in the lives of those
+with whom we come in contact. No one can ever have your place; I can't
+tell you how much rest and happiness you have brought me when I have
+been a-weary of this world. Come, Orrin, don't rob me of my friend that
+I may lose a lover."
+
+By a herculean effort he restrained his feelings, and answered lightly,
+"You shall keep your friend, my sorceress of song," but he added under
+his breath, "Look to it, when the lover comes, for you may still lose
+_him_." Then he took up his violin, and the night became a splendid
+harmony, despite the discord that raged in his soul.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSIVE WOMEN
+
+
+The group that had foregathered about Mrs. Ramsey's tea-table that
+Thursday afternoon had scattered and gone its several ways. The last of
+them was bidding her adieu as her husband entered and joined her
+brothers, who were lingering for a farewell word with her, each occupied
+in characteristic fashion, John gazing into the fire that smouldered on
+the grate, for it was a raw and chilly afternoon, and Frank endeavoring
+to coax a last cup of tea from the silver tea-ball and the still
+steaming kettle.
+
+"If you really want another cup, Frank, let me have the tea-ball
+refilled," Mrs. Ramsey said, and then laying her hand on her elder
+brother's shoulder, "A new Lincoln penny for your thoughts, Jack. You
+look as if they might be romantic, but I suppose you are really off on
+the quest of the blooming bacillus or the meandering microbe, or hanging
+over--what is it you call your garden beds of disease--a culture?"
+
+He looked up and patted her hand. "It is too bad not to be able to be a
+hero to one's own sister, but the truth is, I wasn't thinking at all,
+just wool-gathering. By the way, Frank, are you going to motor down to
+that meeting of Miss Holland's to-night?"
+
+"Wool-gathering, he calls it!" said the younger man, letting his lump of
+sugar clatter on his saucer. "I'd say it was all cry and no wool; at
+least you are pulling none over my eyes. Am I going to motor down to
+hear the protests of the proletariat to-night? No, dear brother, I am
+not. When I go out to mingle with the down-trodden and oppressed I take
+the 'L'; a surface car would be even more appropriate, but they take
+forever, and I compromise on the 'L,' but you never did have any sense
+of dramatic fitness."
+
+"Might I ask why this sudden interest in the militant laboring ladies?"
+said Ramsey, drawing up his chair before the fire, and lighting a
+cigarette. "Are you going to obtrude your somewhat massive personality
+upon the scene?"
+
+"Yes, that's what I'd like to know," added Frank.
+
+The doctor laughed rather diffidently. "Why not?" he said. "Why
+shouldn't I go, if I wish to?"
+
+Frank flung out his hands with a gesture of mock despair. "Now, wouldn't
+that come and get you!" he said. "I appeal to you, Hilda. You were
+present; you heard Miss Holland invite me to this Manifesto Makers'
+meeting. You know she never said a word to Jack; she didn't even look at
+him. He was foolish enough to let her see that he was already a convert
+to her little gospel, and therefore no longer in need of her
+ministrations. But as for me, 'I was a wandering sheep; I did not love
+the fold,' and hence, as a good missionary, she feels a deep interest in
+me. Off and on, I should say at least fifty Colorado women have tried to
+make a suffragist of me. Some of them were very pretty," he added
+reminiscently, "and I've noticed that the prettier they are the longer
+it takes 'em to make me see the error of my ways. Now with Miss Holland,
+I wouldn't mind letting her tinker with my political views so long as we
+both shall live."
+
+"Frank, you are incorrigible," said his sister. "If Miss Holland knew
+what a flighty, inconsequent infant you are, she wouldn't waste a
+thought on you, let alone a whole evening. What makes you want to go,
+anyhow?"
+
+"What's the use of her wasting thoughts on a solemn dub like our
+brother?" he demanded aggrievedly. "What business has he trailing the
+soap-boxing suffragers around when he is about to take upon himself vows
+to cleave only to the daughter of a militant 'Anti' leader, some time
+when he can jar himself loose from his professional cares long enough
+for a honeymoon?"
+
+"I'm afraid, Jack, you will find your prospective mother-in-law quite as
+strenuous as the most ardent of the suffragists," said his sister. "I
+haven't gone into this thing at all, I haven't time, but it is certainly
+amusing to watch the 'Antis' outdo even the most ardent suffragettes by
+way of proving their contention that woman's sphere is home. If they
+were consistent, they would never appear in public----"
+
+"Except by 'Now comes the counsel for the defendant,'" interrupted
+Frank, "but they never are. There is a little bunch of them in Colorado
+who have failed to command the same attention in politics that their
+money imposes upon the social world, so they rush into type and get
+themselves interviewed and asked to speak when they come East, all by
+way of proving their sensitive and shrinking nature. I don't agree with
+the suffragists, not a little bit, but I can fraternize with them; they
+are sincere, but none of the 'Antis' for me; never saw one yet who
+wasn't either a snob or so narrow-minded that a toothpick would look
+like the Brooklyn Bridge by comparison."
+
+"Hear, hear!" cried Jack. "Miss Holland has certainly made an impression
+upon you; not that I see what difference it makes, since women already
+vote where you hail from."
+
+"That just goes to show how foolish a smart man can be," replied his
+brother cheerfully. "You think because you may have a vote on the
+enfranchisement of women that it is very important what you think, but
+is it? Not at all. But with me it is different. I've paid office rent in
+Denver for two years, and spent a third of the time here or in
+Washington. I've looked in on two State conventions, and forgot to
+register at the last election, but because I come from Colorado I am
+considered an authority on woman suffrage, and when I say it's no good,
+and swell out my chest and look gloomy, it has great weight, great
+weight!" He leaned back in his chair and gave way to unseemly mirth as
+he recalled some occasion on which he had evidently hoaxed some trusting
+reporter.
+
+"Nonsense, Frank," his brother-in-law answered. "I don't believe you
+know the first thing about politics or suffrage, or what the women have
+done or haven't done."
+
+"There you wrong me," the young man answered gravely. "The first thing
+to know in politics is when to come into the game and when to keep out.
+Personally, I can't make my firm believe that it is cheaper to buy the
+other fellows' men after they are elected than it is to try to elect our
+own, and have them raise the ante on us, but they'll come to it after a
+while. As to the women, bless you, voting doesn't change their nature,
+and so long as women are willing to believe what men tell them, it's
+mighty unsafe to trust them with the ballot. Before you know it, they'll
+find us out, and then you'll see the first result of the suffragist
+dream of heaven on earth--there'll be no more marrying or giving in
+marriage. Oh, I'm dead against it!"
+
+They all joined in the laughter that followed this sally, and Hilda
+said thoughtfully, "If you boys are intent on this meeting, I'll hurry
+dinner, for they probably begin early." As she rose to go, Frank caught
+her hand with the piteous entreaty, "Oh, please make my big brother take
+his marbles and go home. He wasn't asked to this party. Miss Holland
+didn't say a thing to him. I don't see why he has to have first show
+with all the pretty girls in New York!"
+
+"When Miss Holland knows you, and all your native charm, she will never
+smile again upon your older brother," laughed his sister, "but in the
+meantime I suppose it's an open meeting, and we can't prevent his going.
+But don't worry; his fatal beauty will but serve as a foil to your more
+sparkling type. Besides, with your vivid imagination, unhampered by a
+slavish subserviency to facts, you should be able to furnish canards
+that will occupy all Miss Holland's time for a month."
+
+As she left the room her husband opened the door, and her brothers rose
+and remained standing until it was closed after her.
+
+"If all women were like her----" Frank said impulsively, but Ramsey
+stopped him.
+
+"If half of them were like her," he said reverently, "I would be in
+favor of turning the government over to them, certain that the hand that
+rocks the cradle would never give this storm-tossed old world more
+shaking up than is good for it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE ADVANCING COLUMN OF DEMOCRACY
+
+
+As the two brothers turned into the cross street that led to the hall
+where the Industrial League had its headquarters and held its weekly
+meetings, Dr. Earl laid his hand on Frank's shoulder.
+
+"Dear old fellow," he said affectionately, "would you mind telling me
+what on earth possesses you to come down here to-night? I'm not asking
+out of mere curiosity, nor do I believe that is the motive that brings
+you."
+
+"Then if I say the pursuit of the good, the true and the beautiful, you
+will not believe me?" his brother answered lightly.
+
+"I shall know you do not wish to tell me the real reason, and will drop
+it, but I shall not be deceived. I haven't studied my kind for this long
+without knowing at least the a-b-c of human nature. You use your cap and
+bells and an air of frivolity to conceal your true character from the
+world, as other men cloak themselves in an atmosphere of austerity and
+reserve."
+
+"Discovered!" cried Frank, with a laugh, "after all these years in which
+I flattered myself I had made such a good job of it, too. Truth to tell,
+no mask and domino ever afforded such perfect protection as the jingle
+of my jester's bells. I am apparently so given up to pomps and vanities
+that nobody gives me credit for a serious thought, and so takes no pains
+to conceal his own from me. It has long been one of the wonders of my
+world how I hold my job."
+
+"Well, since you put it that way, I have asked myself at times how you
+have achieved the standing you have in your profession, a standing of
+which we are all immensely proud, by the way. But if you are a profound
+student, it is something recent; I used to think you learned too easily
+ever to know how to study, and law is a vocation."
+
+"Law is one thing and success in the legal profession is another," said
+the young man oracularly. "Between our omnipresent legislatures which
+spend our time and money repealing what we lawyers already know, and
+enacting laws for the courts to set aside, these are what might be
+called parlous times for the profession, but my long suit is not in
+understanding statutes, but people."
+
+Insensibly he had dropped his flippant tone, and was speaking,
+seriously, with conviction. There was a moment's pause and then Jack
+said, "And you go to this meeting because----?"
+
+"Because, little as I like it, I am not such a fool that I do not know
+that the enfranchisement of women is certain, and it may help me to
+understand the new and troublesome element which is to be injected into
+public life if I watch the workings from the beginning. Anyhow, it is
+part of my business to understand these things, and hence my acceptance
+of Miss Holland's invitation. This is the place, isn't it?"
+
+The house differed in no wise from the rest of the block, save in its
+air of thrift and cleanliness, and the brass plate on the door bore the
+name, "Industrial League House." It was evidently a settlement with
+resident workers, for a troop of boys was straggling down into the
+basement, where a gymnasium had been established, and several young
+women were standing in the hall discussing some matter connected with
+sterilized milk. At the right of the wide hall there was a large,
+old-fashioned double parlor, with plenty of chairs for a meeting of
+sixty or seventy people, and perhaps half that many were already in the
+room. They were singing as the two men entered, and Dr. Earl and Frank
+stood in the hallway listening to the words sung to the soul-stirring
+old tune of "John Brown's Body."
+
+    "These are they who build thy houses, weave thy raiment, win thy wheat,
+    Smooth the rugged, fill the barren, turn the bitter into sweet;
+    All for thee this day--and ever. What reward for them is meet?
+              Till the host comes marching on."
+
+As they struck into the chorus, the boys downstairs took up the swelling
+chords, and it was echoed from the street beyond.
+
+    "Hark, the rolling of the thunder;
+    Lo, the sun! and lo! thereunder
+    Riseth wrath, and hope, and wonder,
+          And the host comes marching on."
+
+"I wonder whether they sing the sixth stanza," said Frank curiously.
+Jack looked at him in amazement. "What is the song?" he asked,
+conscious that he was getting new sidelights upon his younger brother's
+character this evening.
+
+"It's William Morris' 'March of the Workers,' and the verse I'm talking
+about begins, 'O, ye rich men, hear and tremble.' Come on in, Jack," and
+a moment later John Earl heard his brother's beautiful voice take up the
+words:
+
+    "Many a hundred years, passed over, have they labored deaf and blind;
+    Never tidings reached their sorrow, never hope their toil might find.
+    Now at last they've heard and hear it, and the cry comes down the wind
+              And their feet are marching on.
+
+    "On we march, then, we, the workers, and the rumor that ye hear
+    Is the blended sound of battle and deliv'rance drawing near;
+    For the hope of every creature is the banner that we bear,
+              And the world is marching on."
+
+Silvia Holland turned quickly when she heard the strong, unknown voice
+join in the ringing words, and fairly gasped when she saw that it was
+Frank Earl who was singing, while his brother looked at her with an air
+as bewildered as her own. The moment that the song was concluded she
+greeted them, and found them comfortable seats where they could see and
+hear without being too conspicuous.
+
+"We like to have men come to our meetings, and a few generally drop in.
+I expect several to-night, for we have a speaker from Colorado, but we
+don't often have the luxury of a baritone note for our music, so we owe
+you a special vote of thanks, Mr. Earl," she said to Frank.
+
+He bowed. "Oh, no; it's the other way about," he said lightly. "You
+don't know how grateful I am to you for not singing the 'Day of Wrath'
+verse, in which all of us who haven't succeeded in swearing off our
+taxes hear what is coming to us. How well that girl presides," he added,
+as a businesslike young woman dispatched the reading and adoption of
+minutes and the reports of committees without a hitch or a moment's
+useless delay.
+
+"That is Florence Dresser," explained Miss Holland. "She is one of the
+leaders in the Laundry Girls' Association. The secretary," indicating a
+young woman who might have been a twelve-year-old child, save for her
+sad, careworn face, "has nearly killed herself sewing for sweaters to
+take care of her family; we've found homes for the children and she
+lives here now; we are trying to make up to her for the lost years, but
+it is hard work," and she sighed.
+
+"We have one meeting a month when we have a program," Miss Holland
+explained. "At the other three we consider various phases of industrial
+life as it affects our own membership or women in general. I am rather
+sorry that this happens to be a program night, for you would have had a
+better idea of the scope we try to cover at the other kind, but perhaps
+this will be more entertaining." She turned more directly to Frank. "A
+business meeting here always makes me think of the 'Antis,' and their
+twaddle about woman's sphere, which they would like to reduce to a
+demi-hemisphere."
+
+Frank nodded. "Of course there's nothing to that with intelligent people
+now; woman's sphere is wherever she can make good, but I think it is a
+pity that she has to take so large a place in the industrial world, and
+I don't believe that voting will help her."
+
+"But it has helped men," Miss Holland replied quickly.
+
+"Not half so much as their unions," he answered. "The thing that helps
+is getting together and standing together."
+
+"Now you've lost your whole case," laughed Dr. Earl. "There has never
+been anything that brought all sorts and conditions of women together
+like the suffrage cause. You see that in England. In fact, you see it
+everywhere. Women are waking up, and getting to their feet and
+stretching out their hands--to us? Not at all, to each other."
+
+"Oh, I wish you'd say that to my comrades here," said Miss Holland. "We
+should all be so glad to hear you. Will you not let me present you for a
+few minutes during the informal discussion?"
+
+For an instant he wavered, then the face of Leonora flashed before him,
+and he shook his head decisively. "I'm too new at this sort of thing,"
+he answered. "Get my brother here to talk to you about Colorado, and let
+the audience heckle him."
+
+"We'd be delighted," laughed Miss Holland. "The lady who is to conduct
+the question box, which is the main thing to-night, comes from Denver.
+Her name is Carroll Renner; do you happen to know her? Will she be able
+to hold her own? Sometimes they ask pretty sharp questions."
+
+"Don't give yourself a moment's uneasiness," Frank answered. "There'll
+be no twelve baskets needed to remove the fragments of the contumacious
+when she gets through. A small blotter will answer."
+
+"You know her very well, then?" Miss Holland said, openly surprised.
+
+"Rather," he answered laconically. "She is the most persistent lobbyist
+in the State, and she infallibly discovers the one deadly section in a
+bill that you thought so well hidden that no one would ever notice it.
+She's the most troublesome woman I know and the best fellow."
+
+Miss Holland and Dr. Earl both turned and looked at the little woman,
+who had come in a few minutes before with a party of people, with added
+interest. She was very simply gowned in black, and but for a certain
+twinkle of the dark gray eyes, and a rather mocking smile, there was
+nothing particularly distinctive about her.
+
+"Tell me some more," said Miss Holland curiously. "Sometimes the voting
+woman helps and sometimes she hurts; if they're freaky, and of course
+some of them are, they hurt dreadfully."
+
+"I've seen her a good deal while I've been watching the Senate," he
+said. "I'd been out there for several sessions of the General Assembly
+before I located there. She came in one day with a letter from some
+national woman's organization--wanted the Beveridge Child Labor Law
+endorsed, I think. Anyhow, time was of the essence of the contract, so
+we drew up a concurrent resolution, and she got a Republican and a
+Democrat to introduce it together, and it slid along on its way to
+Washington within forty-eight hours; she and a Mrs. Platt worked it
+together. All they said was that the women wanted it."
+
+Miss Holland gasped. "Go on," she said.
+
+He lowered his voice, for the president was introducing a handsome girl
+who was to give a reading.
+
+"Another time there was a bill--I don't recollect it, but something
+about committing girl prisoners, or something of the sort; I saw her get
+pretty white, and shut her lips hard, and then she got up and started to
+walk out, and one of the Senators saw her, too. 'Say, you don't like
+that bill?' he said, and she answered, as if she could hardly control
+her anger, 'It's infamous!' 'Oh, it is, is it?' he said. 'Well, then,
+we'll make them adjourn over until we can get a conference and amend the
+thing.' No fuss, no talk; just straight goods. That's Carroll Renner."
+
+"And that's what it means to be an enfranchised woman!" said Miss
+Holland, with a long breath. "None of us could do that here!"
+
+"Well, that's part of it," acquiesced Frank, and then they listened
+silently. The girl who was reading was not particularly well-trained,
+but there were passion and pathos in her voice as she told the story of
+the eaglet, chained to a log for fear it might fall if permitted to
+attempt to fly.
+
+"We also have our dream of a Garden," the strong young voice went on.
+"But it lies in a distant future. We dream that woman shall eat of the
+tree of knowledge together with man, and that side by side and hand
+close to hand, through ages of much toil and labor, they shall together
+raise about them an Eden nobler than any the Chaldean dreamed of; an
+Eden created by their own labor and made beautiful by their own
+fellowship.
+
+"In his Apocalypse there was one who saw a new heaven and a new earth;
+we see a new earth; but therein dwells love--the love of comrades and
+co-workers.
+
+"It is because so wide and gracious to us are the possibilities of the
+future, so impossible is a return to the past, so deadly is a passive
+acquiescence in the present, that to-day we are found everywhere raising
+our strange new cry, 'Labor, and the training that fits us for labor!'"
+
+"You recognize it, of course?" Silvia said to Dr. Earl, but he shook his
+head, and Frank answered, "It's Olive Schreiner, isn't it? She does good
+work, but I've never read anything that compared with that book on
+'Woman and Economics,' and when an American writer has the whole world
+sitting up and taking notice, I don't see why we don't boost her game."
+
+There was a little buzz and stir while slips of paper and pencils were
+distributed to the audience, and the questions collected for the next
+speaker.
+
+The presiding officer made the usual preliminary remarks, and introduced
+Miss Renner, who gathered up the goodly sheaf of white slips in her
+hands and ran over them as if looking for some query that would make a
+specially apt beginning. Her face lit up as she came across one with
+which she was evidently familiar.
+
+"This is a favorite question of mine," she said cheerfully. "I should
+miss it dreadfully if it failed to turn up, but it is such a troublesome
+and comprehensive question to answer that I have set the reply to music,
+and will have it sung for you, in order that you may all remember it.
+The question is, 'What have Colorado women done with the ballot?' I
+don't, myself, consider that a fair question, since none of us come down
+to Philadelphia or New York or Pittsburg or any of the other cities of
+sweetness and light and ask what you men have done with your
+all-powerful vote, but this seems to be the main one, especially to the
+masculine mind."
+
+Dr. Earl laughed, for he had written the question, and seating herself
+at the piano, Miss Renner looked up at a merry-faced girl, who began
+singing to her rippling accompaniment a song of miraculous changes which
+should have ensued upon woman's enfranchisement, and concluded with a
+long chant, recounting some of the more notable achievements of the
+voting woman, ranging all the way from joint ownership of children and
+property, minimum salary laws, juvenile courts, medical inspection of
+school children, State institutions built and endowed, equality in
+inheritance and a host of other things, up to the adoption by her State
+of the initiative and referendum.
+
+After that, Miss Renner had her audience with her until she dropped the
+last twist of paper on the table beside her. "You ask me why it took us
+so many years to pass a good law regulating child labor, and why we have
+failed in limiting the hours of woman's labor. As to the first, it is
+true that our law was by no means equal to yours, but we had the means
+to enforce it, and as a consequence we have little or no child labor.
+You have a good statute, one of the best in the Union"--there was a
+ripple of applause--"but in addition to this excellent law prohibiting
+child labor," she went on evenly, "you have in this city alone over
+twenty thousand child wage-earners.
+
+"When we have gone to our legislatures asking for laws for the
+protection of the weak, we have generally obtained them easily, when
+they did not interfere with 'big business.' It took Illinois women nine
+years to get a State Home for children. We passed such a law without
+any effort whatever. In two-thirds of the States of the Union women are
+trying to make mothers co-equal guardians of their children, and trying
+in vain. That was the first law our enfranchised women wrote upon our
+statute books. One only learns to understand these things by experience.
+You may find it hard to see why railroads should go into a deal to
+defeat an eight-hour law for women, but that statute was flagged by a
+Pullman palace car towel and fell asleep at the switch, because that
+company complained that it couldn't get a change of sheets unless
+laundry girls could be compelled to work overtime. You don't dream when
+you talk of 'big business' to what little business it will descend."
+
+There was a sudden hush, and she flung out her hands with an impulsive
+gesture, and there was a passionate earnestness in her voice that
+gripped her hearers. "Let me tell you something you do not know when you
+hold the women in the suffrage States responsible for conditions they
+are the first to deplore. A handful of men in this city have more to do
+with Western industries and their regulation than have both the men and
+women. We have steel works; their policy is dictated from lower
+Broadway. We have smelters; they are closed at the order of a syndicate
+in this city. We have railroads, all of them controlled by your fellow
+citizens, and it was the deals entered into between the representatives
+of these interests and our local corporations that defeated the
+eight-hour law for women, and every bit of reform legislation pledged to
+the people. It was this condition, this failure of alleged democracy,
+that made us go on record for real democracy, for the initiative that
+makes it possible for us to enact the laws our representatives are
+cajoled into pigeon-holing, for the referendum that enables us to scotch
+the snake so that the people may have a chance to kill it. This was the
+first great fundamental reform which the women demanded, and it was
+owing to the work of education they began twenty years ago, and kept up
+untiringly, that Colorado has won this great victory. Woman suffrage is
+not alone for women, or to enable us to secure certain readjustments of
+law. It is for our country, which cannot exist half enfranchised and
+half irresponsible, half democracy and half a feudalism; half of it
+privileged to shirk or exercise its civic rights, and half denied aught
+but the burden of those rights. Women need the franchise if only to make
+their influence, of which we hear so much, effective, but more than they
+need the ballot, this nation needs the active devotion of its women to
+transmute to golden fulfillment its leaden life; it needs, it must have
+all that we can give it, your life and mine; if it is to go forward, its
+sons and daughters must go forward--together!"
+
+There was generous applause, and the two young men followed Miss
+Holland, and she presented Dr. Earl and was about to introduce his
+brother, when Miss Renner held out both hands to him.
+
+"Hast thou found me, O mine enemy," she cried. "I'm awfully glad to see
+you, Frank. I was much minded to tell how you helped me get my dove bill
+through, but I feared they might hold you responsible for the defeat of
+the eight-hour law and turn and rend you."
+
+"You promised never to reveal any of my good deeds," he answered. "Keep
+it out of the papers, Miss Holland. I can't afford to lose prestige as
+the exponent of the Mammon of Unrighteousness."
+
+"Unfortunately, he is a great god with legislatures, East as well as
+West," answered Miss Holland, and then they all went out together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A TUBERCULAR KNEE AND A WORRIED SURGEON
+
+
+Dr. Earl found his hands uncommonly full for the next few weeks. What
+with the endless detail attendant upon the arrangements for his new
+offices, and the perfection of his equipment, it seemed as if there were
+not enough hours in the day to meet all the calls upon him. Leonora
+looked aggrieved, and Hilda complained loudly that he had deserted them.
+
+The spectacular manner in which the yellower part of the New York press
+had handled his first case after his return, brought him telephone calls
+and personal visits from many old patients, and a goodly number from new
+ones, not to mention freaky interviews with persons representing all
+sorts of cults. He was asked to address half a dozen different branches
+of the New Thought movement. The Society for the Propagation of Esoteric
+Buddhism asked him to tell them of his experiences in Hindoostan;
+"Purple Mother" and "Besant" Theosophists sent committees to wait on
+him, and various believers in Spiritist exploitations, astrologists,
+psychometrists and all sorts and conditions of dabblers in occultism
+pestered him with letters, circulars and requests of every conceivable
+nature.
+
+It had been no part of his plan to return to his native land and set up
+a practice by which he should exploit to the world the results of his
+study. A real student, he knew very well that a lifetime would be all
+too short to devote to the as yet but little known field of mental
+therapeutics, and nothing could have been more foreign to his character,
+individually or professionally, than the fanfare of trumpets with which
+his return had been heralded. The principles which he wished to prove
+must be brought home to his profession if they were to be of great and
+lasting benefit, and the publicity and advertising which a man of a
+different calibre might have enjoyed, were annoying in the extreme to
+Earl. He was still a young man, and modest withal, and he felt that
+nothing could be more detrimental with the men whose regard he wished to
+secure and hold, so he declined all invitations to speak, all requests
+for articles or interviews, and gave himself up to getting back into
+the harness. His patients, both old and new, took up more time than he
+could have hoped for, and before the middle of summer he found himself
+not only well launched in his profession, but with all that he could
+possibly find time to do, and work piling up ahead of him, so that he
+could only promise indefinitely when the Ramseys urged him to come down
+to their Newport place, and Leonora had to put up with fractions of
+Sundays until she and her mother left for Bar Harbor.
+
+There were times when that young lady was by no means certain that she
+wished to marry a successful physician. "You wouldn't like me any better
+if I were unsuccessful?" he asked teasingly, but she came back to her
+point, and he had to explain gravely that the theories of the laboratory
+must be worked out in actual practice before they can be transmuted into
+accepted facts.
+
+"But you don't need the money," she argued, trying dimly to apply some
+of the principles which he was fond of expounding. It seemed rather
+hopeless, but with infinite patience he sought to make clear to her that
+any human being whose life is not to be useless and profitless must
+have some object to attain, some work to do which will develop his
+character. When she replied that he had character enough, and her only
+object in life was to be his wife, what more was there to say? Flattery
+at once so charming and so complete left him defenseless, and he kissed
+her and went away, trying not to ask himself whether a legal ceremony
+could ever make wedded souls of two mortals of such diverse views of
+life. And yet, she was so sweet, so sweet!
+
+In spite of the many other demands upon his time, Dr. Earl saw his first
+patient very frequently. Mrs. Bell did not appear cramped for means, and
+provided everything that could add to her little daughter's comfort,
+including not a few luxuries, which Dr. Earl felt convinced were the
+gift of Miss Holland. If he had vaguely hoped that he might meet her at
+his patient's he was destined to disappointment. Once her car arrived
+just as he was leaving, and another time they passed on the stairs. He
+told himself that it was better so, and yet when he took her hand, and
+felt the firm, strong fingers, well-knit and efficient, for no soft,
+yielding little five-and-a-half glove-wearer ever compassed Beethoven,
+he knew that hers was a nature that could answer to his own, and his
+hand tightened involuntarily. There was something in his look as he met
+the blue eyes on the step above that brought the warm blood to her face,
+and she swayed toward him almost imperceptibly, and then with a word of
+courteous greeting went on her way, for she knew that according to
+common report he was to marry Miss Kimball that fall. Her lip curled a
+little, for she remembered Leonora of old; she knew her pink-and-white
+prettiness and the few and simple enfoldments of her elementary little
+brain, just large enough to hold a few attractive near-ideas, a thorough
+comprehension of all the social conventionalities, and a fixed and
+stubborn conviction as to what was or was not "smart." "If she has a
+soul," Silvia said to herself with rather unusual heat, "no one could
+tell whether it is in a condition of arrested development, hopeless
+atrophy or complete ossification. As well seek diamonds in a common
+sandbank as inspiration or aspiration in its sawdusty recesses." Then
+she laughed, and said, "Cat!" softly, which was really most irrelevant.
+
+The day that the cast was to be removed, Silvia appeared laden with good
+things that they might celebrate the occasion with due ceremony.
+
+With infinite care and gentleness, Dr. Earl cut down through the cast,
+and took it off. The fracture was perfectly knit, but there was a slight
+swelling about the knee, and as Earl examined it Silvia saw him compress
+his lips in a hard, straight line. Without looking up, or changing his
+tone, he asked the child if she had had a fall since the cast had been
+changed. She answered readily that about a week before her crutch had
+slipped as she was coming indoors, and she had fallen, striking the
+injured leg against the stone step, and she winced as he touched the
+thin knee.
+
+"It's too bad," he said, "but there will have to be another cast about
+this knee, and you must be more careful, little girl."
+
+The tears came to her eyes, and her mother turned to him with an
+expression of anxiety. His cheerful face reassured her. "We'll hope it
+won't be for long," he said, "but there's no use taking chances. Has her
+health generally been good?" he asked Mrs. Bell.
+
+"The diseases common to childhood went rather hard with her and she had
+considerable trouble with her neck and throat a few years ago," Mrs.
+Bell replied.
+
+He made an examination of the glands of her neck, but said no more.
+
+In spite of many insistent calls elsewhere, Dr. Earl remained long
+enough to help lend an air of festivity to the small party, which Silvia
+presided over with infinite tact, and with a last admonition to Mrs.
+Bell to keep the little girl in bed until he came again, and as quiet as
+possible, he took his departure, and Silvia went with him.
+
+"Tell me what is the matter?" she said, with her usual directness, when
+they were out on the street.
+
+"What makes you think anything is?" he parried.
+
+"I beg your pardon," she said, a trifle coldly. "I should not have
+asked."
+
+He turned to her and stopped, mute reproach in his eyes. "There isn't a
+shadow of doubt that tuberculosis has developed in that knee, and while
+I hope to arrest it, and perfect a cure in time, I am very anxious,
+nevertheless."
+
+"But the break has united?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, yes, and that goes to show that this condition is very recent, and
+mild, but with her antecedent history no one can tell what may happen,"
+he said.
+
+"Antecedent history?" Silvia said, rather puzzled. "I thought you did
+not know the family?"
+
+"I didn't," he answered, "but you may remember that I looked very
+carefully at the bruises about the knee when I set the leg, and I asked
+Mrs. Bell some general questions but received no very definite replies
+until to-day, and what you heard indicates that the child has already
+had a slight attack of tuberculosis. I had counted on my treatment to
+overcome the weakening influences of confinement to bed and crutch for
+so long a time."
+
+Silvia was silent, as if thinking out some plan, and said suddenly,
+"Then it will all resolve itself into a contest between health and
+disease, with a considerable handicap against the patient?"
+
+"Yes," he said. "With plenty of good food and good air and the right
+kind of care, there is no reason why she should not win. And I intend
+that she shall," he concluded energetically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AN ANTI-SUFFRAGE MEETING
+
+
+Dr. Earl redoubled his attentions to Leonora, determined to give her no
+just cause for complaint. The doubts that had beset him disappeared, for
+no one could be more charming than Leonora, when she was permitted to
+follow her own bent. Her mother also showed her gratification at his
+devotion, and tried, with consummate tact, to wean him away from his
+evident partiality for the suffrage cause. She gave him the best of the
+tracts issued by the Anti-Suffrage Society; while he was waiting for his
+offices to be fitted up, she took him to lectures and teas and
+receptions where anti-suffrage sentiment abounded, and tried in various
+ways to convince him of the superior social status of the "Anti" women.
+
+The culmination was reached, however, when he escorted her and Leonora
+to a meeting in a large theatre one afternoon. They were prominent
+figures in one of the boxes nearest the stage, and Silvia Holland and
+Carroll Renner, who were sitting well toward the rear of the parquet,
+had ample opportunity to watch the effect of the meeting upon him.
+
+Frank Earl, who had come in directly afterward and taken a seat just
+back of them, leaned forward and talked while the crowd gathered. "Oh,
+don't mind him," he said, when Miss Renner asked if that were not his
+brother with the anti-suffrage leaders. "He can't help himself, but if
+he doesn't go away from here ready to enlist under Miss Holland's banner
+I miss my count. Even I should, were it not that I have seen the folly
+of it all on its native heath. Don't make faces at me, Carroll, or
+people will know you are a suffragette."
+
+The theatre had been profusely decorated with flags, flowers and
+bunting, and mottoes were festooned along the walls, one of which was
+"God Bless Our Homes," and another, "Imbecile Children Will Be the
+Product of Imbecile Voting Women."
+
+Dr. Earl was much impressed with the audience, which, nevertheless,
+seemed rather chilly and unresponsive. A dignity prevailed which either
+could not or dared not give way to any decided demonstration, in marked
+contradistinction to the enthusiasm which characterized the suffrage
+meetings he had witnessed.
+
+In addition to the bunting and the mottoes, there were a number of large
+pictures, done in the style of the cartoonist. One of these showed a
+colonial dame at her spinning-wheel, with the words "An American Lady of
+Four Generations Ago" beneath it; beside it was the picture of a
+masculine-looking woman, in a harem skirt, standing on a box at a street
+corner, addressing other women similarly attired; this was called "The
+American Suffragette." Another picture showed a nurse caring for the
+sick and dying soldiers on one side, and on the other a suffragette
+charging the police; this picture was labeled "Before and After Taking."
+
+The meeting opened with a spirited address by the president of the
+association, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who was welcomed with a brief rustle
+of well-bred applause, led by Frank Earl.
+
+"Got to do it," he said, in answer to Carroll's reproachful look.
+"You'll see; even Jack will catch on before the end of the meeting.
+Always applaud these folks when they begin; maybe you can't when they
+quit."
+
+Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss told of the enormous gains recently made by the
+"Antis" among the select people of the city, and passed off the suffrage
+parade as merely a tatterdemalion host of the riff-raff of the city led
+by a few notoriety seekers.
+
+"You see, Miss Holland," Frank whispered, "what a good thing it is that
+I came here; I never should have known that that parade wasn't one of
+the finest assemblages of women in the world if I hadn't."
+
+Silvia laughed in spite of herself, and the stout lady on the platform
+went on piling up the indictment against her sex, and showing how
+demoralizing the vote had proved to women; how the suffrage sentiment
+was dying out in the West; how the "Antis" were organizing even in the
+suffrage States to lift the curse from their kind; how much purer and
+nobler politics would be without the influence of woman, and wound up
+with a glowing peroration on behalf of the women who were fighting to
+maintain the sanctity of the home and the elevation of the children.
+
+Silvia gave an impatient ejaculation. "How can you take it so quietly,
+Miss Renner?" she asked. "I confess it always stirs me up."
+
+"It wouldn't if you had the ballot," said the smaller woman. "It's just
+amusing, or tiresome, according to how well it is done. You women are
+the worried and worrying Marthas; we are the Marys, who have chosen the
+better part that shall not be taken away; we know it can't be, and this
+is something like hearing people laboriously argue that the world is
+flat with the sun revolving around it."
+
+After the opening speech there were brief addresses by Dr. David Dearson
+on the disastrous results to motherhood should women participate in the
+active life of the nation; by the Reverend Jayson Yerkes on the Pauline
+doctrine of the subserviency of the truly feminine woman; by Mrs.
+Workman Werther on the decadence of feminine charm among women aping
+men's interests in life, and Crawford Dorer, a labor leader, opposed the
+movement because the natural timidity of woman would, he predicted, set
+back all hope of militant progress for the workers of the world. The
+"Antis" listened with a somewhat strained and puzzled attention, and a
+group of working-women, out on strike, and sitting in the balcony, gave
+an angry hiss, which was instantly suppressed. The last speaker, Mr.
+Reuben Rice, was one of those wandering scribes who travel through the
+West and write up suffrage from a Pullman-car window, and as he exposed
+the weaknesses, the failures and the pitiful spectacle that voting women
+make of themselves, he galvanized the audience into a semblance of real
+life and interest.
+
+Dr. Earl found the speeches entertaining if not enlightening, and after
+the second, gave himself up to the silent enjoyment of collating the
+arguments presented in juxtaposition. No sooner had one speaker
+convinced his hearers that women would precipitate anarchy by their
+radicalism than the next proved equally conclusively that an era of
+dilettantism and millinery shop legislation would be the inevitable
+result of woman suffrage; no sooner were they filled with the horror of
+the degradation of politics by the class of women certain to participate
+in it, than another speaker assured them that politics was already so
+vile that any woman would be hopelessly contaminated who had anything to
+do with the gangrenous growth, and yet another showed that women
+wouldn't vote anyhow. It was all he could do to control the muscles of
+his face when the Reverend Mr. Yerkes told them in one sentence of the
+dissension that would rend families and in the next that married women
+simply voted as their husbands dictated, and he could not repress a
+smile when the doctor and the professor made it clear that if woman is
+to reproduce the race she must not be expected to do anything else, only
+to have Mrs. Werther show how woman must be free to take part in the
+ennobling activities of the world, philanthropy, charity, etc., if she
+is to "bring to motherhood that crown which is the glory of the race,"
+and much more of the same sort. He heard the ancient argument about
+bullets and ballots, and in the same breath his attention was called to
+Semiramis conquering Assyria, the Amazons invading Asia, the triumph of
+Sappho in song, Aspasia in the salon, Deborah among the Judges of
+Israel, George Eliot in literature, and a host of others who had won
+distinction.
+
+The audience was told that it was entirely proper to agitate, cajole,
+coax, beseech, threaten, bully and browbeat men into voting for
+candidates and measures desired by the women; anything that stopped
+short of blackmail and personal intimidation bore the hallmark of
+refined femininity, but to take two minutes to accomplish results for
+themselves by depositing a ballot on election day meant everlasting
+damnation to all feminine traits! And Leonora patted her pretty little
+hands, and looked up to Earl for approval, feeling that at last he must
+see that Silvia and her cohorts were routed horse and foot.
+
+When the attack upon Western women was well under way, and Mr. Rice, a
+dapper little chap, looking like a freshman from high school, was
+rolling out his arraignment of Denver women in particular as typical of
+the nethermost depths to which the voting female may descend, Carroll
+Renner wrote a few lines on a bit of paper, and gave it to one of the
+ushers, and a few minutes later she had the satisfaction of watching the
+portly Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss read it. When Mr. Rice had concluded his
+diatribe, the lady stated in dulcet tones that Mr. Frank Earl was said
+to be in the audience, and as he lived in Denver, and was known to have
+strong views on this question, there was an urgent request that he
+should come to the platform, that they might know from one who had long
+witnessed with regret the deteriorating effects of woman suffrage that
+nothing that they had heard was in any way exaggerated. She vouched for
+Earl as one whom she had known since his boyhood, a member of one of the
+most highly respected families in New York, and who had never failed to
+reply when she had needed statistics from the field of woman's
+dethronement.
+
+There was a bustle and stir over the audience, and John Earl looked a
+good deal startled, while Leonora was openly delighted. An excellent
+speaker, and a trained debater, the occasion had no terrors for Frank
+Earl. In fact, he confessed to himself as he made his way to the
+platform, he had not had so much fun as he expected to enjoy in the next
+fifteen minutes for many a long day. He was introduced with many rather
+florid expressions, and began by stating his position calmly,
+unmistakably, as opposed to the extension of the franchise to women. He
+then made a few complimentary references to those ladies who nobly put
+aside their own devotion to the home, the sphere they adorned so
+admirably, in order to save their misguided suffrage sisters from the
+evil effects of their mistaken zeal.
+
+There were a good many suffragists and some suffragettes in that
+anti-suffrage meeting, and Frank saw that the chilly audience had at
+last thawed, melted, warmed up and was rapidly approaching the point
+where it might reasonably be expected to boil over.
+
+"I am unalterably against the extension of the franchise to women," he
+repeated, and went on, "but my reasons for this opposition are concrete
+and practical rather than abstract and theoretical, and are based upon
+the experience I have gained from my residence in Colorado. I am also
+opposed to it because it is all too evident that the suffrage should be
+restricted rather than extended. The ballot should be the reward of
+intelligence, education, and a comprehension of the great political
+problems of the nation."
+
+"Give us the truth," some one at the left of the parquet cried.
+
+"I shall," he said, "and that necessitates correcting a few impressions
+which seem to me at variance with the facts. If it were true that women
+would not vote, or would vote as directed by the male members of their
+families, I should not so much deprecate giving them the ballot; but
+neither contention is true. Women do vote, and what is worse, they vote
+in steadily increasing numbers. Out of seventy thousand votes cast at
+the last election in my city a little less than half of them were cast
+by women, and judging from the results, I must say that the men of their
+families had very little influence with them. The possession of the
+franchise has developed the secretive instinct among women; they no
+longer confide their intentions to their doting husbands; they listen to
+their words of wisdom and then--they vote the secret ballot as they
+please."
+
+There was a wave of laughter that swelled into a gleeful sort of shout
+of mirth, but with an air of the most grieved surprise the speaker
+turned wonderingly to Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, who still beamed upon him,
+though she was looking worried.
+
+"But surely, Mr. Earl," she said, "when the disagreeable duty is thrust
+upon them, the conservative women do what they can to protect the
+interests of the State?"
+
+He shook his head sadly.
+
+"This is one of the most frightful discoveries we have made since women
+began to vote. When Mr. Dorer speaks of the innate conservatism of women
+he shows that he is not conversant with the woman movement. It is true
+that there are a few intensely partisan women, who can be held by party
+ties, but the rank and file observe no such allegiance. They read and
+study, but in addition they go to the legislative halls, and there they
+see that both parties make and break promises with equal facility, and
+what is the result?"
+
+"Well, what is it?" cried an impatient feminine voice.
+
+"I hardly know how to break it to you," he said, "but the result is
+revolt, revolt all along the line. Yes, ladies; women, lovely, refined,
+gentle, educated women utterly refuse to be dictated to by political
+leaders, and openly sneer at ward bosses. They can't be kept in line.
+They no longer sing the sweet strains of 'The land of the free and the
+home of the brave.' On the contrary, they raise the battle cry, 'Let
+independence be our boast,' and in spite of the passionate pleas of
+their natural leaders, they go on record for the most radical
+legislation. Why, I'm told that nearly every so-called progressive law
+enacted in my State has been passed by their continued efforts.
+
+"They have no conception of the ideal of government laid down by
+Hamilton; they will submit to neither checks nor balances, and would
+subvert the whole scheme of representative government and replace it
+with an out-and-out democracy. In accord with this mistaken view they
+have adopted the initiative and referendum, carried it overwhelmingly,
+three to one, in every county in the State, and I need not tell an
+audience of intelligence that this is the most insidious form of attack
+now being made upon the fundamental principles of our government."
+
+By this time Silvia and all the suffragists in the audience were
+applauding wildly, while Carroll Renner laughed till the tears ran down
+her cheeks, and once more Frank turned a patient and puzzled countenance
+to the presiding officer.
+
+"I do not understand the applause, ladies," he said mildly, with a gleam
+in his eyes that none but Carroll understood. "The thing I am telling
+you is frightful. The enfranchisement of women means the end of the
+Republic as it now is; it means the rejection of all theories that are
+found wanting, and the putting out on the vast uncharted sea of
+experiment; it means interference with those great business enterprises
+that have built up, I had nearly said that 'make and preserve us a
+nation'! It means a reckless disregard for property rights in the
+sentimental desire to protect the individual, as if a nation could
+become great and strong by individual effort alone, and without the
+guiding and sustaining hands of statecraft and financial genius gripping
+the rudder of the ship of state. They will not listen to the voice of
+experience; they cannot be intimidated; they cannot be deceived for an
+indefinite number of years; if the established order seems to them
+unfair, unjust or illiberal, they have little respect for tradition when
+it's results they're after."
+
+"But if the anti-suffrage movement is growing as we have been told,
+can't the anti-suffragists overcome those tendencies?" asked an old lady
+on the platform.
+
+Frank restated the question for the benefit of the audience, and then
+answered with indescribable pathos, "I cannot conceal the truth from
+you; improbable as it seems, when once this poison becomes virulent in
+the body politic it spares none, and the very women who have battled
+most nobly against this corroding innovation are apt to succumb to its
+insidious influence; even the anti-suffragist, home-loving, God-fearing,
+modest and retiring as is her nature, has developed a talent for
+political intrigue that has led to the downfall of more than one of the
+best laid plans of mice and men."
+
+He tried to go on, but the audience was convulsed, not so much by what
+he said as by his manner, and by the sudden turning of the tables after
+the long tension had reached the snapping point. Still uncertain whether
+to regard his as friend or foe, Mrs. Briglow-Jorliss, after rapping
+vainly for order, was obliged to dismiss the meeting, and by some irony
+of fate the orchestra played "Hail Columbia," and the suffragettes took
+up the words and sung them with much unction, especially the lines--
+
+    "Let independence be our boast,
+    Ever mindful what it cost."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+FAITH IS THE BASIS OF ALL PROGRESS
+
+
+Early in June, Dr. Earl received a letter which puzzled him not a
+little. It was complimentary in the extreme, and yet something back of
+it made him say, "'For it is not an open enemy that hath done this.'"
+The letter asked him to speak on "Mental Therapeutics" before a meeting
+of one of the great medical societies of the city of New York; stated
+that there would be no other speaker, but there would be an open
+discussion after his address, and hoped he would find time to comply
+with the request. Once he started to write his acceptance; twice he
+actually wrote, declining, and then tore up both letters. It was true
+that he was crowded for time, but he could make time, and in his heart
+he knew perfectly well that he would have done so without a thought, but
+for the unexpected complications which had occurred with Alice Bell.
+Already he had heard one or two thinly veiled sneers at the result of
+this much-lauded case. He had met Towers and Hershell, both of them
+eminent in the profession, but the day before, and their greetings had
+been singularly cool; once or twice at the club they both frequented
+Morris had been little short of insulting, but his well-known
+infatuation for Silvia Holland would account for that. A reporter from
+one of the less reputable dailies had asked for an interview, and had
+written an article which barely escaped being libelous. There were not
+wanting those in the profession who openly denounced him as a "fakir."
+
+The longer he thought about it, the more unwilling he was to act upon
+his own judgment alone, and so he turned to the one unfailing counsellor
+of his life, his sister Hilda. With him, to will was to do, so within an
+hour he was in his sister's drawing-room, and not five minutes later
+Silvia Holland entered and was warmly greeted by Mrs. Ramsey. The day
+was dismal and the rain was descending in a steady downpour that gave no
+promise of ever ceasing; it was late afternoon, and Mrs. Ramsey said
+cordially, "Let us have tea in my sitting-room; nobody else will come
+such a day as this, and it will be so much more cosy. I distrust from
+his air of supernatural gravity that my brother has something on his
+mind----"
+
+"Then I will be _de trop_" said Miss Holland. "I will amuse myself in
+the library until you are at liberty. I was awfully glad to get your
+'phone message to come over, for it's a wretched day, and I was
+wondering where I should go for tea as I came up town from my office.
+Have your conference and never mind about me."
+
+"Indeed," said Jack eagerly, "if you would be so kind as to give me your
+opinion also on the matter I have called to consult my sister about, you
+would confer a great favor," and even as he spoke he knew it was for her
+quick comprehension he had been unconsciously wishing all the time.
+
+She laughed and assented graciously, and they followed Mrs. Ramsey to
+her own charming little room, as dainty and distinctive as its owner.
+Upon the tea-tray there were cigarettes, and Dr. Earl rather wondered
+whether Silvia would accept, but she shook her head. "No," she said
+lightly, "I emulate men's virtues, not their vices; maybe my nerves may
+need alternate sedatives and stimulants some day, but as yet I hardly
+know that I have any."
+
+Hilda lit one rather languidly. "My doctor says it isn't so much nerves
+as lack of nerve with me; I don't know what you call it, but I confess I
+find the smoke-wreaths pleasant; you won't join me either, Jack? Well,
+let us have the story in all its native simplicity and be sure you
+nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice."
+
+"I am told," he said, "that no well-bred New Yorker makes literary
+allusions, and that to quote Shakespeare is to relegate oneself to his
+century; however, this is the problem," and then he read them the
+letter.
+
+Hilda was openly pleased. "Why not?" she said. "It seems to me a very
+courteous and appreciative note, and I should think you would enjoy
+speaking before that kind of an audience, all of them picked men,
+trained and scientific and able to take in shades of meaning and
+distinctions that are wasted on the laity. Unless you are keeping
+something back, I should say, accept by all means. But are you?"
+
+He paused. "In just a moment, Hilda. How does it strike you, Miss
+Holland?"
+
+She held out her hand for the note, and read and then reread it, and her
+forehead contracted. "I wonder," she said to herself, "whether this is
+what Orrin meant when he said the profession would furnish Dr. Earl
+enough rope--I meant to ask him what he did mean, but I forgot it."
+Aloud she said, "Isn't Dr. Morris one of the directors of this society?
+He's a fellow alumnus of yours; it doesn't seem as if he would be likely
+to show you an affront, does it?"
+
+"That's just the point," answered Dr. Earl. "Is it a case of 'mine own
+familiar friend'?"
+
+His sister looked at him quizzically. "When it comes to literary
+allusion, Jack," she said, "New York might permit Shakespeare, but I
+assure you it wouldn't stand for the psalmist. Do you really think it is
+a plan to get you into some false position or to embarrass you with
+criticisms or queries not made in good faith?"
+
+"That is exactly what I want to know," he said.
+
+"And what if it is?" asked Silvia.
+
+He colored. "You mean I ought to be willing to bear testimony to my
+beliefs whether they meet with acceptance or not?"
+
+Hilda blew a ring of smoke ceilingwards. "That's the trouble with these
+suffragettes," she said reminiscently. "They never question the
+advisability of 'casting pearls before swine.'"
+
+Jack laughed and Silvia turned on her reproachfully. "Hilda! That isn't
+fair; haven't you just said yourself that this would be a picked
+audience? Suppose a little clique of them have arranged the meeting with
+the intention of heckling the speaker? The bulk of them will be there in
+good faith, anxious to learn, willing to listen to your brother's
+account of his experiences, and profit by them. If he can't gain a
+respectful hearing there, where will he gain it?"
+
+"Forgive me for being biblical to-night," Hilda answered. "I can't seem
+to get away from the suggestion; you know it was the high priests and
+the rulers of the synagogue that stirred up their followers to cry,
+'Crucify Him, crucify Him!' And times have changed more than people. The
+poor will hear gladly enough of healing that is to be had without money
+and without price, and operations that may be avoided by simply keeping
+well, but my experience is that the fetish of the professional man is a
+jealous god, given to heresy hunting, and bowing down and worshiping at
+the shrine of 'regularity.' They want to preserve the _status quo_ at
+any cost."
+
+"Yes," said Silvia bluntly, "even after it has long been lost. They are
+like people who might discover an ostrich egg-shell after the bird was
+half grown, and go chasing after it, trying to put it back inside the
+shell. I think it is Emerson who says that there are quantities of
+people who are always trying to become settled, whereas our only
+salvation consists in being constantly unsettled. I think the English
+women are infinitely braver and finer in their attitude on the suffrage
+question than we are. What I feel, Dr. Earl, is this: we have come to a
+time when nothing is really worth while unless it is worth fighting for.
+There are other worth while things, of course, for the laboratory man or
+woman, but for those of us who are in the thick of the fight, who want
+to do things _now_, it is necessary that we should be willing to do
+battle for our beliefs."
+
+"But is that the way to win?" asked the doctor. "We've all heard about
+catching flies with molasses, to use a homely simile."
+
+"Yes," responded Silvia; "the more molasses the more flies. No, the old
+methods are gone or are going. Do you suppose anything would do the
+suffrage cause as much good in this country as clubbing a few old women
+who want respectfully to present a petition to the other old women in
+Congress? A few years ago a petition was presented, signed by a million
+women, and a jocose member rolled it down the aisle with his foot,
+saying it might as well be signed by mice! But just let them try the
+English methods and every State in the Union would enfranchise its women
+just as soon as they could get a popular vote on it." She stopped short.
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, doctor, I didn't mean to give you a suffrage
+lecture."
+
+"You are not," he said. "At least, what I understand is that you are
+trying to make me see that, the spirit of the age is the militant
+spirit, that does not wait to have its own presented to it, but takes it
+wherever it finds it." She nodded and he went on: "I think that is true,
+but with this difference between the illustration you cite and the case
+in point. You women must be passionate enthusiasts to win, because the
+thing you want is concrete and imminent and personal. I have no
+intention of setting up as a _vade mecum_, founding a new cult,
+proselyting or even preaching my own doctrines; in the first place I
+shall change them as I discover better ones, or when they fail to bring
+results, and in the second I shall be too busy practicing my theories to
+find time to exploit them."
+
+"There you are wrong," said his sister. "When a man like Jenner comes
+along that is the time for practicing, but when smallpox has been rooted
+out and tuberculosis forgotten, men will still read what Socrates had to
+say of immortality and the sermon on the mount. When you hear people
+belittle the written and the spoken Word, it becomes us to remember that
+'In the beginning the Word was God,' and all that we know of past
+civilizations is the word they have left behind, painted on their stony
+walls or burned in a brick to say, 'After me cometh a builder. Tell him
+I too have known.'"
+
+"But, my dear sister," Jack answered, "don't you think assuming the role
+of the teacher may be just a trifle, only a trifle, presumptuous on my
+part?"
+
+"I don't quite know what your new views are," she answered.
+
+"They are not new," he said. "In fact they are most of them of such
+hoary antiquity that they are lost in the mists that brooded over the
+face of the deep. It is only the application that is new. Even that has
+always been understood by certain great souls. Pythagoras is said to
+have taught the Greeks to believe in metempsychosis for the purpose of
+making them kinder to lesser forms of life; like many beauty worshipers
+they were frankly inhuman, and it took heroic measures to create even a
+glimmering perception of the unity of life which is the basis of all the
+great world religions, whether it be Buddha's 'Who hurteth another
+hurteth himself,' or Christ's commandment, 'Love one another'; the Yogi
+looking first at the prince and then at the pauper and saying, 'I am
+that,' or Father Damien going into voluntary exile for the sake of the
+souls of the wretched lepers. The Prince of Peace preached the doctrine
+of spiritual inspiration, and the King of Conquerors said 'Imagination
+rules the world.' Jesus or Napoleon--both knew that back of the visible
+man himself is the thought of the man, which controls him, and other men
+through him, if it possesses power and vitality and truth."
+
+"Then it is a kind of new thought?" asked Hilda.
+
+"Rather a renaissance of old thought. The modern quest of the Grail is
+not for the crystal cup that held the holy elements, but for the divine
+life itself, the principle that inspires men to action. The philosopher
+of our day is not a hermit, theorizing about vague abstractions, but
+vitally alive to the problems that confront this day and generation, and
+modern psychology is changing all the methods of the great processes of
+existence. Education, medicine, law, are all in process of
+transformation. Grandsons of the men who denounced Mesmer as a charlatan
+thronged the clinics of Charcot."
+
+"Yes," said Silvia, "and within the next decade Muensterberg will have
+compelled a complete remodeling of our forms of legal procedure. No
+attorney worth his salt would undertake to ignore the apparatus devised
+by the psychologist, and the time is nearly gone by when, as he says,
+courts will prefer to listen to the 'science' of the handwriting
+experts, rather than permit the examination of a witness by methods in
+accord with the exact work of the psychologist."
+
+"That is true," assented Jack, "and not the least gratifying part of the
+whole matter is that it isn't the unimportant who are the ones to speak
+respectfully of the changing ideal; in fact, the smaller a man's
+calibre the more sure you can be that he will cling to the established
+order. It is only very great men who have the courage of their
+intuitions long enough to prove them. Muensterberg can afford to say what
+he thinks. Now if I go to this meeting and tell these men that 'there
+are cases where a fact cannot come at all unless a preliminary faith
+exists in its coming,' what do you think they will say?"
+
+Hilda smiled. "Most of them will suspect you of quoting 'Science and
+Health.' If they accuse you of it, read them the rest of the paragraph."
+
+"What is it?" asked Silvia eagerly.
+
+"I can find it in a moment," said Hilda, going to the bookshelves, and
+taking down a modest olive-colored volume. "Here it is. 'And where faith
+in a fact can help create the fact, that would be an insane logic which
+should say that faith running ahead of scientific evidence is the lowest
+kind of immorality into which a thinking being can fall. Yet such is the
+logic by which our scientific absolutists pretend to regulate our
+lives.' That is from the late Professor James, who is said to have been
+the profoundest thinker this country has ever produced, and he has said
+much more equally startling to those little minds that, like full
+bottles, have no room for more."
+
+Dr. Earl threw back his head and laughed; his quandary was over, his
+course settled. He turned to Silvia with a genial smile. "Score one more
+victory for the Feminists," he said. "I wonder if there ever has been a
+time, anywhere on earth, where women were actually and aggressively
+noncombatants. The Spartan woman handing over her husband's shield is
+typical. Whenever and wherever there has been a cause worth fighting
+for, worth dying for--always and forever we can see the figure of the
+woman, shield on arm and javelin in hand, standing at the door of the
+slothful warrior's tent, calling him to action. Sometimes the eternal
+feminine leads on, but very frequently, I regret to say, it has to get
+back and drive, and sometimes if it did not kneel and push I fear the
+wheels of progress would not revolve at all; that we do go on, slowly
+and uncertainly, it is true, but that we go on at all, is due to the
+woman soul that will not let us waste our years in the wilderness when
+the land of promise is so near at hand. Ladies, I go!"
+
+He rose as if to make good his words, but Hilda entered a peremptory
+negative, and it ended by his staying to dinner and spending a long and
+utterly delightful evening, which became in a sense the beginning of
+what he felt was a new epoch in his life. This was the understanding,
+the fellowship, the _bon camaraderie_ that gives existence its zest and
+permits one to dream of life eternal without a horror of impending
+weariness and boredom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN EVIL PROPHECY BEGINS TO BEAR FRUIT
+
+
+Leonora and Mrs. Kimball accompanied Dr. Earl to the meeting of the
+medical society, and if he had some doubts whether or not she would be
+able to follow his discourse perfectly, he had none whatever as to his
+own pride and pleasure in her dainty loveliness. She was gowned in
+white, and the season's styles were particularly becoming to her
+graceful and well-rounded figure. Her radiant face with its sensitive
+coloring resembled the delicate glow of one of those rare Sevres vases
+of the Empire Period.
+
+She appreciated the compliment of the invitation, as people always
+appreciate the compliment of being invited to distinguished gatherings
+where the subjects of discussion are likely to be much beyond their
+range of knowledge or understanding.
+
+There was a large attendance, for while many members of the profession
+had come from idle curiosity, most of those present were interested in
+the views of any man of standing who might throw new light upon the
+successful application of either medical or surgical remedies.
+
+Whatever criticisms may be passed upon individual practitioners, or
+however many Bourbons may exist in the fraternity, yet it must be
+apparent to the student of such matters that nowhere in the world does
+as large a percentage of the medical or surgical profession adopt new
+and improved methods of treatment of the maimed and the ill as in the
+United States. And nowhere in the world are such new and improved
+methods applied with anything like the aptness or skill as by American
+doctors of medicine or surgery.
+
+The old school, the newer school, the newest school of legally
+recognized practitioners were there in force, as well as numbers of
+those who were effecting remarkable cures without any special sanction
+of law for their methods.
+
+Modestly and earnestly, Dr. Earl discussed the subject that had been
+assigned him, amplifying as much as his time would permit, and
+occasionally citing authorities bound to command respectful attention
+from scientific minds.
+
+He was aware that he had the sympathy of most of his audience, and he
+was just as fully conscious of the hostility of Drs. Morris, Tower,
+Hershell, Bainbridge and two or three more of those who believed with
+something approaching fanaticism that all physicians and surgeons must
+adhere strictly to what they denominated "standard methods."
+
+While Leonora could not comprehend the larger significance of his
+discourse, it gratified her pride and pleased her vanity that her
+fiancee was a man who could obtain such a hearing from the medical
+profession. The discussion that followed the address was animated and
+intelligent, and if the malcontents had intended any discourtesy to Dr.
+Earl their plans went awry.
+
+Dr. Earl found himself plunged deeper and deeper every day in the
+seemingly innumerable duties that crowded upon him. Summer came with
+tropical heat, but feeling that he had already enjoyed a long vacation,
+he made no plans, save to take his week-ends out of town, and prepared
+to keep office hours all summer.
+
+Early in July, Leonora and her mother went to Bar Harbor and the
+Ramseys to Newport. Frank had gone West in May. He would have missed
+them had he possessed a free moment, but the first of August found him
+as busy as ever, in spite of the fact that the city was deserted by the
+fashionable world. Sickness has fashions of its own, and the fame he had
+achieved as "the surgeon who cures without operating," brought him not a
+few calls from those who had nothing to commend them save their
+suffering and their faith. Every doctor worthy the name has a set of
+books kept only by his recording angel, and Earl's invisible guardian
+made many entries that summer, and there were times when even the
+insistence of Leonora could not make him feel willing to leave those who
+seemed so wholly dependent upon his presence for their physical welfare.
+
+Now and then, in spite of his all-absorbing work, there came to his
+sensitive consciousness a feeling of foreboding and dread that he could
+not explain, save by some subtle law of suggestion, as he recalled half
+in mirth and half in seriousness the dark prophecies of the astrologist
+at the suffrage ball. He had suspected his brother Frank, and when he
+learned that the seeress was Miss Renner, that suspicion had been
+confirmed; Frank might have given her the date of Leonora's birthday,
+but he had nothing to do with the warning she had given him that
+something would happen within the next twenty-four hours which would
+have a bearing on his whole career. Within two hours he had treated
+little Alice Bell, and out of that event had grown his more intimate
+acquaintance with Silvia, and the marked hostility of Dr. Morris. The
+child was doing as well as could be expected, but he was greatly
+disturbed over her condition, and was building up her general health in
+the hope of overcoming the disease.
+
+He had asked Miss Renner one or two questions, but she had evaded him,
+and while he had thought of calling on her and asking for the promised
+horoscope, which she did not send, the idea seemed absurd, and he had no
+time to carry it out.
+
+On the fourth of August he received a summons to come to Magnolia,
+Massachusetts, to attend a former patient who was spending the summer
+there, and he left New York, intending to remain a week.
+
+His movements had become a matter of interest to the ubiquitous
+newspaper reporter, and as the dog-days in New York were not prolific
+in startling items, the fact of his being sent for to attend a prominent
+New York man at Magnolia was seized upon and made into a fairly readable
+first page news story.
+
+He arranged for the care of his patients, saw the Bells and told them of
+his intended absence, and spent some time talking with the frail little
+child who had become greatly attached to him. As he rose to go, he
+turned to the couch once more. "What shall I send you from Boston,
+little Miss Alice?" he said kindly, and the girl replied in true child
+fashion, "Candy." He shook his head. "You know I don't approve of much
+candy for small girls; but you shall have something better," he said,
+"you may be sure I won't forget," and with another good-by he was gone.
+He took the midnight train for Boston, and his patient's motor car was
+waiting for him when he arrived there.
+
+Perhaps it was the excitement of thinking what the "something better"
+could be that kept Alice Bell awake that night; whatever it was, when
+Silvia Holland saw her the next morning her heart sank. She had a
+feeling that she was in some way responsible for the child also, and
+that she was still Dr. Earl's assistant. She watched her while she
+talked to Mrs. Bell, and suggested, in a tentative way, that Mrs. Bell
+should go to some quiet country place for a month, but the woman shook
+her head.
+
+"I cannot leave the city, now," she said. "I have a great quantity of
+sewing that must be done for Miss Lanier's wedding in September."
+
+"Couldn't you take it along?" asked Silvia.
+
+"No," she said quietly, but decidedly. "Some of the things she wants
+fitted, and I have said I would be here any time she wanted to run into
+town. Besides, there are other reasons why I cannot go away now." She
+controlled herself with an effort. "I can never tell you, Miss Holland,
+how thankful I am for the work you have brought my way. You can't
+understand, no woman who has never been anxious to know how she was
+going to get the rent can understand what a blessing it is to be
+independent! You are doing great things for all women, Miss Holland, and
+not forgetting individual women as some people would, but _do_ try to
+make girls understand that they can never be free so long as they are
+dependent on somebody else for their bread and butter."
+
+Silvia flushed. "You're not fretting because of the paltry little sum I
+advanced for your rent, are you?" she said. "I thought we were friends,
+and such things should not be spoken of between friends."
+
+The woman turned to her with a face in which gratitude and some great
+sorrow were contending emotions, and caught her hands and held them
+tight.
+
+"No," she said, "I don't mind being under obligations to you; I'm almost
+glad to be, for the sake of knowing such a woman. You can do a kindness
+without making it a burden; there are people who pay a debt as if they
+were doing you a favor. The only thing I mind is that I am not more
+worthy of all you have done for me."
+
+Silvia put her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "Don't talk to me
+of unworthiness," she said. "You are a brave woman and a devoted mother;
+it is one of the crimes of civilization that you should lack for any
+creature comforts, and you shall not any more. You shall earn what you
+need yourself, and this fall I intend to start a class of girls in
+domestic economy, and you shall teach them how to make these pretty
+things you fashion so exquisitely."
+
+An indescribable look of pain and rebellion passed over Mrs. Bell's
+face, and she turned away from Silvia, with a quick gesture of
+renunciation.
+
+"In the meantime," Silvia went on, feeling that the time had not come to
+seek any further confidence, "I am going to borrow Alice. I want to take
+her up to Nutwood for a week or two, and as I'm going this noon, suppose
+you gather her things together, and I'll take her right along."
+
+The little girl gave a cry of joy, and then her face dropped. "But,
+mamma," she said, "will I miss my present from Dr. Earl?"
+
+Her mother smiled and explained that the doctor had promised to send
+Allie "something better than candy" from Boston, where he had gone the
+night before. "I will forward it," she said; "you can trust mother for
+that."
+
+"He has been very good to you, hasn't he?" said Silvia absently,
+thinking of him once more as she had seen him first, as he bent over the
+child, the sleeves rolled back from his powerful white arms while he
+bathed the matted locks and set the broken leg.
+
+"He has that," said the woman laconically. "I'm glad to have Allie go
+with you, for she would miss him; he said he wouldn't be back for a
+week. Now be a good girl, Allie, and do just as Miss Holland tells you,
+and you will write mother a little letter every day, and mother will
+write to you." She flung her arms about the child in a sudden passion of
+emotion, but the eyes that looked into Silvia's as she took her hand
+were dry and wretched.
+
+"I wish you could tell me all about it," Silvia said impulsively.
+
+"I shall, soon," she answered; "unless Fate turns kind for once, I shall
+tell you all, soon, very soon."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF EMMA BELL
+
+
+The crowd going home from the resorts and roof gardens August 9th was
+startled by the wild cries of the newsboys: "Extra! Extra! All about the
+mysterious murder!"
+
+Murders are not so rare in New York as to cause any genuine sensation
+among its people when one is announced in the public press, but mystery
+has ever been attractive to the human race, and the details of the
+present case as contained in the columns of the papers were so involved
+in conjecture as to arouse the interest of every reader. The only facts
+that were clear were that Mrs. Emma Bell had been found dead in the
+sitting-room of her apartment on East 56th Street with a box of candied
+fruit on the table near her, which had just been opened, and which,
+according to the postmark stamped on the paper enclosing the box, had
+been mailed to her from Boston. Written on thin paper that was so
+pasted as to cover the entire top of the box was the inscription, "With
+best wishes to you and Alice. J. E."
+
+A weird description of the lifelike appearance of the woman when found,
+seated in her chair, with eyes staring and pupils dilated, was given in
+the best reportorial style. The coroner had taken possession of
+everything and had ordered the apartment sealed until an inquest could
+be held. Whether or not the candied fruit had anything to do with the
+death, and if so who could have sent it, were all matters of speculation
+which the various writers had covered in from one to four columns,
+according to their respective imaginative qualities and newspaper
+instinct, but none of them gave the slightest intimation as to the
+suspected person, if murder really had been committed.
+
+More or less accurate likenesses of Mrs. Bell were given with all the
+events of her life that seemed spectacular, the most prominent of which
+was that her neighbors had long speculated as to her source of
+livelihood, since her husband's death some four years previously, and
+with characteristic charity such speculation led to hints along
+salacious trails and the dark recesses of public suspicion. The events
+of the injury to her little girl, and her treatment by Dr. Earl, and
+the devotion of the volunteer nurse, lacked nothing in their interesting
+narration in connection with the supposed murder mystery, and assisted
+very materially in enhancing that mystery through the glamour of
+prominent personages who were so well in the foreground of the story.
+
+The coroner's jury sat upon the case as coroners' juries have been
+sitting upon similar cases ever since English jurisprudence advanced to
+the stage of not executing people on suspicion. There was the same dank,
+solemn atmosphere of the morgue, the same density of intellect and
+understanding, the same owl-like gaze of stupidity that passed muster
+for wisdom, the same perfervid desire to get a certificate on the public
+treasury without undue mental or physical effort, the same ambition to
+give a duly impressive but harmless verdict, that must have
+characterized the first empaneled jury of this nature. Never by any
+possibility could these original qualities have deteriorated, and it
+would require a wild stretch of the imagination to note any traces of
+improvement.
+
+The reading of the verdict of a coroner's jury has never been known to
+disqualify any person from serving on a trial jury in a murder case by
+unduly influencing the opinion, or arousing the passions of such
+involuntary candidate for the jury box. No jails have been stormed or
+revolutions started by the verdict of an American coroner's jury, and
+New York was not destined to have its sensibilities too harshly jarred
+by a sensational verdict in this case.
+
+After solemnly sitting for hours, the jury found that "Said Emma Bell
+came to her death from the effects of hydrocyanic acid administered by
+some person to the said jurors unknown, and whether said hydrocyanic
+acid was administered with felonious intent the said jurors cannot at
+this time ascertain."
+
+The facts established by the jury were, that the woman was dead; that
+hydrocyanic acid had killed her; that the cause of death was so evident
+that it was only necessary to examine the contents of the stomach; that
+apparently none of the candied fruit had been disturbed, as the box was
+even full and the top layer as smooth as when first packed; that a
+chemical analysis proved that no poison of any kind was in any of the
+candied fruit in the box; that no vial could be found on or near the
+woman after death, and that a thorough search of the apartment failed
+to disclose any of this or any other kind of poison; that the woman was
+quite alone in the apartment when death took place and was only
+discovered by the janitress at ten o'clock at night, at which time she
+entered the apartment, having been invited to sleep there during the
+absence of the child in the country, whither she had gone a few days
+previous to this for a week's stay; that Mrs. Bell had been doing her
+own work for several months and taking in fine sewing.
+
+But ambitious newspaper reporters bent themselves to this new task, as
+is their custom in all matters of public concern, _i. e._, to outrival
+the most noted expert in the line of that particular phase of public
+endeavor uppermost at the time. Theories were advanced in the daily
+papers that made Sherlock Holmes seem like a novice in detective work
+and Lucretia Borgia a mere infant in the skillful administration of
+poisons. The regular detectives, both public and private, were aroused
+by the mystery that shrouded the case. It remained, however, for the
+ubiquitous reporter, to whom society really owes a debt along every line
+of worthy public endeavor impossible either to estimate or discharge,
+to discover that the handwriting on the box was that of Dr. John Earl,
+and that he had been in the habit, for months, of paying almost daily
+visits to the Bell home; that he was at Magnolia Beach, but a short ride
+from Boston, at the time the package was mailed there; that ostensibly
+he had visited the Bell home to attend the little girl who was injured
+by the automobile, but that the mother was undoubtedly much interested
+in him; that there were many rumors among surgeons that his operation on
+the leg of the child had produced tuberculosis; that the district
+attorney had received anonymous letters to the effect that Earl had
+deliberately attempted to poison both mother and daughter, to be rid of
+an unpleasant _liaison_ on the one hand and the evidence of his lack of
+skill on the other; that the child had gone to the country after he left
+the city and he still supposed her with her mother, hence the saving of
+the child's life; that the box of candied fruit was only a blind, and
+that some other package must have arrived containing the poison in
+another form, possibly in the same wrapping paper with the fruit; that
+no possible motive could be discovered for the poisoning by any other
+person and no clue could be found leading to a suspicion of any one
+else.
+
+With five hundred thousand visitors constantly within the gates of their
+city; with a shifting population of nearly a million more; with
+permanent residents absorbed in the most strenuous existence known on
+the American Continent; with sensation in high life of such frequent
+occurrence as to benumb any effort to form a discriminating opinion--the
+people of New York (visitors, temporary denizens, those of fixed
+habitation) welcomed these ready-made conclusions of the daily press and
+blindly adopted them as their own.
+
+Individual character counts for less in the metropolis of the United
+States than it does anywhere else in the nation. There are several
+reasons for this, but the principal ones are a lack of time on the part
+of the permanent residents to inform themselves on such matters and a
+lack of interest in the subject on the part of the remainder of the
+population. The result is, that when charges are made, with any degree
+of sanction from the constituted authorities, against ordinary citizens
+of hitherto blameless lives, the great majority of the people accept
+such charges as well founded until they are effectively disproved.
+
+So it was in this case. Just as soon as the incriminating facts
+seriously involved Dr. John Earl it was taken for granted that he was
+guilty, and such presumption was certain to grip the public mind until
+his innocence could be duly established, if such result were at all
+possible.
+
+This was also the golden opportunity for the Bourbon members of his own
+profession to assail his theories and, secretly and openly, certain of
+them charged that the result in Dr. Earl's case was but the natural one
+where "standard methods" of practice were set aside for the, as yet,
+"unscientific paths of suggestive therapeutics," as these reactionary
+medical men denominated Earl's system, for he had cured through
+suggestive methods a score of patients who had been condemned to the
+operating table by other surgeons, and as a result he had aroused the
+resentment of such surgeons in particular and the condemnation in
+general of all those who believed in the supreme curative power of the
+knife.
+
+Those in other walks of life, who, from conviction or selfishness, were
+opposed to disturbing present conditions, and who appreciated and
+feared the interdependence of the whole progressive movement, were also
+easily convinced that, properly enough, he was in the toils of the law.
+
+It was not long until his friends and defenders began to realize that a
+secret sentiment was being created against him which had for its purpose
+the discrediting of his mental stability, as well as his medical
+methods, and that they would be compelled to combat not only menacing
+facts and conditions, but also the still more powerful influences of
+centuries of prejudice against men of his type, who had dared to get too
+far ahead of the general parade.
+
+Psychologically, some interesting impressions were made upon observant
+minds. Many of our national hypocrisies were emphasized, and these
+occurrences revealed certain inconsistencies of public pretension and
+action in other fields closely correlated to this one, and it became
+evident that improvement in theory and practice, in matters of this
+sort, was impossible so long as more fundamental abuses were not only
+permitted but sanctioned in a most aggressively affirmative manner.
+
+These observing people were reminded that in this Christian nation a
+cross of considerable dimensions is generally ready for instant use in
+immolating the person who is rash enough to interfere too strenuously or
+persistently with the operations of our morally depraved and generally
+rum-soaked political bosses, who have boldly usurped the functions of
+government and whose aims and purposes are widely at variance with all
+of the teachings of the lowly Nazarene; that, much as we pride ourselves
+upon our philosophical advancement, there is usually a cup of hemlock in
+reserve for a master spirit that attempts too far to outdistance the
+crowd; that, fond as we are of orating and writing about the dark days
+of barbarism, we continually applaud the barbarian methods of those who
+appropriate the property and liberties of their fellow men to increase
+their own wealth and power; that, while there is no longer much of a
+disposition to consider the earth flat, there is a marked tendency to
+regard most every other mysterious thing as of that character.
+
+Dr. John Earl had friends who understood the complex and extensive
+nature of these sentiments, and, whatever might be their opinion
+concerning his guilt or innocence of the specific charge under
+discussion, they greatly feared the graver charge which emanated from
+the chaotic darkness of superstition, ignorance, prejudice and jealousy
+and the location of which could be determined only by occasional and
+angry flashes of venom.
+
+While these things were occurring, Dr. Earl had come to New York and had
+gone directly to the district attorney and notified him that, if needed,
+he could be found at his house on East 53rd Street, but he assured that
+official that he knew nothing of the affair whatever.
+
+This was treated as bravado by those who believed in his guilt and as
+vindication by those who asserted his innocence.
+
+His brother Frank hastened from a summer resort in the fastnesses of the
+Rockies and his sister and brother-in-law returned to town from Newport.
+
+One day, Silvia Holland appeared at the coroner's office and asked to
+see the box in which the candied fruit had arrived. She examined it
+critically for several minutes, and then asked for the wrapper
+containing the address and postage stamps. There were three ten-cent and
+two fifteen-cent stamps on the paper, although it was apparent that half
+that amount in postage would have carried the package. She compared the
+handwriting with samples of Dr. Earl's, and it was only too evident that
+both address and message were written by him.
+
+When she returned to her office she found Miss Renner waiting for her in
+response to a telephone message. The two women had seen much of each
+other after their meeting at the League House and a deep regard had
+sprung up between them. For the time being, Miss Renner was doing
+special work on one of the New York papers, and lending her voice to the
+suffrage cause between assignments. They exchanged greetings, and then
+the little Westerner said quietly, "You wanted me?"
+
+Miss Holland looked at her long and searchingly. "Yes, I both want and
+need you, my dear. Your paper has been rather vindictive in its pursuit
+of evidence against Dr. Earl. I want you to go to the district attorney
+and ask him personally to examine the inside of the lid of the box which
+contained the fruit, also the scalloped paper that covered the fruit. If
+he does so, he will find that a green gage, an apricot or a plum, which
+was seedless, of course, rested on top of the paper, and was crushed
+against the lid of the box. The stain is quite distinct on both paper
+and cover, and shows that there was only one such piece of fruit placed
+there. Of course, it contained the poison, and was placed on top,
+because it would naturally be eaten first."
+
+Carroll Renner looked at her in amazement.
+
+"If I do that he will order the immediate arrest of Dr. Earl; it will
+put him in jail and possibly lead to his conviction. Is that what you
+desire?" She looked up at the taller woman searchingly.
+
+"Surely I do--if he is guilty," Miss Holland replied, without changing
+her expression. "There is no doubt that it will cause his immediate
+arrest," she added, "but even that is preferable to this suspense with
+everybody suspecting him and no opportunity to defend himself."
+
+She turned away, and Carroll slipped her arm about her waist. "Dear
+Silvia, I'll go--on one condition."
+
+"And that is?" came in a rather muffled voice.
+
+"That you will defend him yourself!" said Miss Renner. Miss Holland
+turned and caught her in her arms. "I can't do that," she said. "I
+couldn't, anyhow, without being asked, and besides, he will need the
+most skillful criminal lawyer in New York to defend him. I should make a
+sorry mess of it."
+
+Carroll drew her down on a settee and held her hands firmly. "You might
+just as well be a man, if you are going to talk like that--always ready
+to let women go ahead until something really worth while comes along,
+and then saying 'only a man can do big, difficult things.' After all
+you've said, are you going to hesitate when it comes to crossing
+professional swords with a man? Come now, promise me; if I go to the
+district attorney, you will defend him."
+
+"But I have not been employed, or even asked to defend him," she
+insisted. "You must see how unprofessional it would be, Carroll."
+
+"Professional! that's what the doctors say when they refuse to save your
+life because they don't want to be discourteous to a fellow
+practitioner," answered Carroll. "Well, if the life of the man I loved
+was at stake I wouldn't wait for somebody to come and hire me to defend
+him!"
+
+"Carroll!" cried Silvia.
+
+"Silvia!" she retorted. "Will your highness deign to accept employment
+if it is offered you by his family?"
+
+"Oh, Carroll, I can't let you drum up business----"
+
+"You should be shaken, Silvia," her friend answered. "Of course
+everybody in the country knows that you live in daily fear of the
+poorhouse, and keep an advertising bureau busy trying to find you
+employment! However, I suspected you would make these silly objections,
+so I told Frank Earl yesterday that he ought to move heaven and earth to
+get you to defend his brother. He nearly fell on my neck, and he is now
+giving me absent treatment or holding a thought that I may succeed in
+making you see that you could do more for the doctor than any other New
+York lawyer."
+
+"That isn't true, Carroll," she said. "I wish it were, but it isn't, and
+I haven't been able to think of any one that I want to see take up his
+defense."
+
+"Naturally, because you know you ought to do it yourself. Now listen to
+me." Miss Renner put her hands on Silvia's shoulders. "We haven't known
+each other long, but it doesn't follow that we don't know each other
+well. If John Earl were my brother I should give you no peace until you
+promised to defend him, not alone because you have the requisite skill
+as an attorney, but because you would give this case the devotion, the
+insight, that are not to be bought with money. Now you know my terms;
+shall I go to the district attorney?"
+
+Silvia kissed her impulsively. "Yes, dear; go--go at once!" Her eyes
+filled and her exquisite voice quivered with the strain of the emotion
+she could no longer conceal. "Oh, Carroll, I'm glad to have you now;
+come back to me afterward and tell me all about it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE ARREST OF DR. JOHN EARL
+
+
+Early the next morning Dr. John Earl was arrested for the murder of Emma
+Bell and was remanded by the magistrate to The Tombs without bail to
+await the action of the grand jury, which was soon to convene. Both he
+and his family had foreseen the event, and he had made the necessary
+arrangements for the conduct of his business. Humiliating as his arrest
+was, they all bore it with Spartan courage, and prepared to ransack the
+earth, if need be, to establish his innocence.
+
+Leonora Kimball and her mother returned from Bar Harbor to find their
+city friends almost unanimously arrayed against Dr. Earl, and they were
+not themselves in the best humor with the tide of ill fortune that had
+swept them into these muddy currents. They went immediately to The
+Tombs, and in the interview that followed Dr. Earl insisted that Leonora
+should consider herself released from her engagement so long as the
+least taint was attached to his name in connection with this charge. She
+protested that this was the hour of his need, and she could not think of
+such a thing, but he caught the tone of doubt in her voice, and the lack
+of genuine sympathy in her manner. There passed rapidly through his mind
+the thought that the electric chair might be just ahead of him; a long
+imprisonment might be his fate; he might lose the affection of friends
+and the respect of strangers, but if in this hour of bitter ordeal,
+guilty or innocent, whichever she might believe, his affianced wife did
+not show supreme faith and devotion, he was indeed a beggar in the realm
+of love. Carroll's ominous words about the malign stars that governed
+her fate recurred to his mind, and he thought of his contest with
+himself, and his decision when, defying the possibility of separation,
+inharmony or divorce, he elected to keep his plighted troth whatever his
+post-nuptial fate might be.
+
+But in the recesses of his prison he had yearned for love, for the
+divine, illuminating rays that had lighted the path of many a martyr to
+the stake; of many a hero to the cannon's mouth; of not a few convicts
+to the gallows; of many a sublime philosopher to the dungeon or the
+ax--and all his misfortunes seemed but fleecy down compared to the
+weight which this sense of isolation and aloofness from the tenderness
+of the world brought to him. He looked at her fair young face, clouded
+and troubled now with doubts and annoyance, and with a sinking heart he
+realized that her personal vexation loomed as large upon the horizon of
+her mind as the shame and danger that had overtaken him.
+
+"For the present, dear, you are absolved from any obligation to me," he
+said very gravely. "When I am released I shall, of course, give you the
+opportunity to reconsider if you choose to do so, but in the meantime
+you are entirely free; it must be so, dearest."
+
+She made no reply, but lifted her face to his for their farewell kiss,
+and her mother was not able to stifle her sigh of relief until they had
+passed beyond the prison walls. As they left, Frank entered the room,
+and the glance he cast after the departing form of the elder lady was
+not exactly amiable, but he kept his peace.
+
+"It is time, Jack, that you were thinking of somebody to take charge of
+your case. You know I'm not familiar with criminal law, or the New York
+practice; I'll do my best, but you must have a skilled lawyer in
+command."
+
+"I have already given the matter deep thought, but I have not made up my
+mind. There's Littlefield, but hiring him or any other noted criminal
+lawyer is equivalent to pleading guilty," answered Jack. "What do you
+suggest?"
+
+"I'm not in a position to make suggestions myself that are really
+valuable," Frank replied, "and of the hundreds that have been made there
+has been but one that really appealed to me. That came from my Colorado
+friend--Miss Renner; but this is a matter where you must be the sole
+judge, and I want you to make your own selection, regardless of any
+other person's ideas."
+
+"Miss Renner is a very keen woman," Jack said, a gleam of curiosity in
+his manner. "I should like to hear her proposition; it is sure to be
+original, anyhow."
+
+Frank answered rather hesitatingly. "At first, I was enthusiastic about
+it, but I fear you will not approve of trusting your life to a woman,
+and I don't urge it in any way; Miss Renner wants us to employ Silvia
+Holland."
+
+"Miss Holland defend me? Will she--would she be willing to do it?" Jack
+asked, in startled tones.
+
+"Carroll Renner says she will," Frank answered, "and she is curiously
+correct in her judgments of people, and they have been pretty close this
+last summer."
+
+Earl gave a sigh of relief. "Then by all means employ her at once," he
+said. "I not trust my life to a woman? Dear Frank, when is there ever a
+time when man does not trust his fate to woman? The infant owes his
+existence to a woman; the boy would make sad progress in the world were
+it not for the woman. The young man would drop back to barbarism but for
+her, and where would you and I be but for that dear, sweet sister of
+ours? Simply because the Twentieth Century woman is breaking away from
+the old, destructive life of the parasite and endeavoring to fulfill her
+destiny on earth, is no reason for believing that she does not still
+possess all the noble qualities that have characterized her since the
+world began. Not only have I no prejudices against, but a decided
+partiality for a woman defender," and so the matter was settled.
+
+Silvia went to consult with Earl every day that she was in the city,
+and strongly advised against any attempt to secure bail, as sure to open
+anew the charges and innuendoes which were already but dimly remembered
+by the New York public. She took personal charge of every phase of the
+case, and although Frank was associated with her he asked few questions
+and she volunteered but little information. A week later she spent
+several days in Boston and stopped at Providence on her way back, but
+aside from telling his family where she had been she gave no intimation
+either of her purposes or the results of her trip, and cautioned every
+one to give nothing to the press.
+
+"What did you do with the box of candied fruit you bought at Thompson's
+candy store when you were in Boston?" she demanded of Dr. Earl at her
+first interview after her return.
+
+For a moment he looked dazed. "Box of candied fruit--I didn't buy
+any--oh, yes; wait a minute. While at Magnolia, I wished to pay a visit
+to some old friends who live in East Boston; they have a youngster in
+the family, and I bought the candied fruit for her at the same time I
+bought the pecans which I sent to Alice; but do you know, a curious
+thing happened to that package of candied fruit. I put it on the seat
+beside me while crossing the ferry, and then took up a magazine article
+I was much interested in, and when I rose to leave the boat the package
+was gone. I hadn't been conscious that any one was near enough to take
+it, but there was a crowd on the boat, and my package disappeared;
+naturally, I didn't mention it to my friends."
+
+The look she bent upon him was full of perplexity. "Of course it can't
+be traced," she said to herself. "Did the box have the name of the
+store, or any name of a manufacturer or dealer upon it? Try and
+remember," she said.
+
+"Really, I cannot say; I didn't notice, except that the clerk wrapped it
+in plain white paper," he replied.
+
+"Were you in Providence on this trip, or have you been there recently?"
+she continued.
+
+"Not in four years," he answered and she gave an involuntary sigh of
+relief.
+
+"Have you expressed any annoyance to your medical friends over the
+development of tuberculosis in the knee of little Alice Bell, or have
+you stated that the case baffled you?" she asked with considerable
+concern.
+
+"Yes, I have said to at least two surgeons that I was annoyed at what I
+believe to be the recurrence of an old condition, but never that I was
+baffled. It is perfectly simple."
+
+"How I wish I could find that letter," she said, more to herself than to
+him. "The post-office department has ransacked the country for it, but it
+seems to have disappeared as completely as did your package on the boat.
+I do wish I could clear up two or three things to my own satisfaction,
+but you can't help me, and there is no need of annoying you with them."
+She looked about the small room set aside for the consultation of
+prisoners with their counsel, but gained no inspiration from the bare
+walls, and rose to go, extending her hand as she did so.
+
+"You do believe in my innocence?" he asked.
+
+She gave no direct answer in words, but as her eyes met his he knew that
+he was no longer alone in his struggles, and whatever her belief in the
+merits of his case, her faith in him was supreme.
+
+"It is not a question of what I believe," she said at last, "but of what
+the State can prove on the one hand, and what we shall be able to show
+on the other."
+
+"You are worried," he said quickly.
+
+"Yes," she said, "I am; your life may be at stake, and if I fail to
+clear you every one in the country will say that I should never have
+taken this case, and they will be right. Even now, Dr. Earl, are you
+certain it would not be better to employ counsel eminent in this branch
+of the profession? I shall be very glad to serve in second place."
+
+"This is no time for flattery or false sentiment, and I shall attempt
+neither," he said, "as you know, I prefer thorough methods in all
+professions, and those methods require rather more of the psychological
+than the usual practitioner employs. I think we are quite agreed in
+that. For that and other ample reasons I prefer to leave my case just
+where it is."
+
+The look that the blue eyes flashed up to the brown ones was pleased and
+proud, and something that she saw there sent a quick flush to her cheek,
+and though her heart was heavy her step was light as she left the gloomy
+building.
+
+Her car was waiting at the door, and calmly seated therein was Carroll
+Renner. Silvia greeted her eagerly. "Of all persons on earth you are the
+one I was most wishing to see," she said. "How did you happen to come
+here?"
+
+"I got your telepathy, Silvia, dear," she answered, with a squeeze of
+the hand, "when on mischief bent about three blocks from here, and
+decided to come by this cheerful edifice on the chance that you might be
+here. I saw the car, introduced myself to your chauffeur and climbed in.
+I must say," she added, "that you were an unconscionable time. Now, what
+can I do for you?"
+
+"Let's go and have luncheon somewhere," answered Silvia, "and I'll tell
+you all about it."
+
+"No," said the newspaper woman, "I have to interview a Mrs. Somebody or
+other who has just come to town to teach us how to connect our trolleys
+with psychic wires, or our subliminal minds with ethereal vibrations.
+She's stopping at the Buckingham, and if you want to take me out there
+I'll be glad of the lift, for I'm short on time, and we can talk on the
+way."
+
+"Surely, I'll take you gladly," Silvia answered, giving the directions
+to the chauffeur, "and since I've wasted so much of your afternoon, I'll
+send back for you, and have you taken to the office if you're going
+there, or to your own hotel, unless you'll come and dine with me; I'm
+alone to-night."
+
+"Thank you," Miss Renner answered; "I would be glad to get back home,
+for I've a wretched headache; not that I'm particularly comfortable
+there, for it's been abominably warm the last few days."
+
+Silvia gave a sigh of relief. "Has it? Well, that makes it easier for me
+to ask a favor of you. But first tell me, Carroll, are you
+timid--nervous?"
+
+"Do you mean am I given to 'seein' things at night'?" Carroll asked. "I
+don't know how it will be after I have my seance with Mrs. Whoever-it-is
+I'm going to see, but when I'm reasonably abstemious I'm not given to
+ingrowing nerves. What do you want me to do?"
+
+"I want you to go and live in what was Mrs. Bell's home. I had paid the
+rent for her up to the end of October, and after her death I took charge
+of the place. Of course, I couldn't send Alice back there, but I went
+and got her clothes and toys and I've been there a number of times. I
+had a new lock put on, and have taken a maid there and kept it in order,
+so all you'll have to do will be to send up your trunk."
+
+"Certainly I'll go," Carroll answered soberly, "but what do you expect
+to gain by it? Of course you have a motive."
+
+"Yes," answered the other woman, "I have, but it isn't the sort of thing
+one can speak of, except in the closest confidence. I haven't mentioned
+it even to Frank Earl, whose interest in this case is at least as great
+as mine, and you mustn't. I haven't been practicing law so very long,
+but I've heard that all lawyers, who are really worth while, are
+superstitious about talking over a case before it goes to trial. They
+don't tell their clients more than a bare outline, and I believe it is
+true, for surely I've found myself more fanciful than I ever was before.
+The day before Mrs. Bell was found dead in her room she wrote to Alice;
+it was a very short letter, and she excused herself by saying that she
+was very tired, having written me a long letter. Naturally, Alice showed
+me the letter, and I remarked at the time that it was strange mine
+hadn't come by the same mail. Then after the tragedy it slipped my mind
+for a day or so, and when I made inquiries it had not been received, or
+if it had, the servants said it was forwarded to me here. I made more
+inquiries, but nothing could be found in my office, though there was a
+bunch of mail from Nutwood. The longer I thought of it the more anxious
+I became to find that letter, and when I was employed in this case it
+seemed to me absolutely imperative that I should do so. I have seen all
+the postal authorities here who could have any knowledge of the letter,
+or its possible disposition, and have written to Washington, but all in
+vain. I am sure it would clear up several matters that are troubling me
+greatly."
+
+"Couldn't the letter have been returned to Mrs. Bell's apartment,
+through some error in the address? She would not have mailed an
+important letter without the return address," said Carroll practically.
+
+"That was my idea exactly, so when it didn't come I looked for it there;
+several letters addressed to her had been delivered, but there was no
+sign of this one. Now, I can't tell why, but I feel as if I want
+somebody in that house. Was there ever anything more utterly
+unreasonable than that? I wouldn't dare tell any one but you; I can't
+explain it, but neither can I rid myself of the feeling, and I was going
+to seek you, to ask if you will undertake this for me. All I want is
+that you shall put in whatever time you spend in your own apartment
+there. Nothing may come of it, but you have no idea what a relief it
+will be to me if you will not be too much inconvenienced, and you have
+no dread of the rather morbid associations."
+
+"I'll do it," Carroll answered. "There are too many other people in the
+building for me to be afraid of anything alive, and as for the
+dead--well, I shouldn't be afraid of her either. I can't tell you why,
+but I believe this is a good move." She gave a little shiver. "I hope
+the new lock is a strong one, Silvia; I should hate to have the murderer
+come back to the scene of his crime."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+DR. EARL IS INDICTED FOR MURDER
+
+
+The grand jury returned an indictment against Dr. John Earl for the
+murder of Mrs. Emma Bell. There could be but one grade of homicide in
+this kind of a case, and he was accordingly charged with murder in the
+first degree and his trial was set for Tuesday of the following week.
+
+Frank came to see him early Saturday morning. "The neighbors of Mrs.
+Bell will be at the trial in full force to tell of your daily visits
+there at all sorts of ungodly hours. Their gossip indicates that they
+believe you had a very serious affair on with her, and this, together
+with the claim of the surgeons that you botched the operation on the
+child's leg, furnishes a fairly powerful motive for the crime, at least
+in the public mind. Jack," he asked, with a mixture of doubt and
+anxiety, "did you really have an affair with her?"
+
+"Nonsense, Frank, nonsense," answered his brother. "It is true that I
+went there at rather unusual hours; I was pretty busy, and when I found
+she was in the habit of sitting up until after midnight I used to drop
+in there when I was through for the day. I don't think I ever went there
+later than nine-thirty or ten, and I seldom stayed more than fifteen or
+twenty minutes. Later on I was, and I still am, greatly worried about
+the child. Of course my operation didn't produce tuberculosis; that is
+silly, but it serves the purposes of jealous rivals. When I found this
+tubercular condition developing I asked her mother a great many
+questions; it seemed to me so improbable that it should have occurred
+when the child was really having better care than usual, judging from
+their surroundings, that I sought to learn whether it was not a
+recurrence of some trouble she had apparently outgrown, and from her
+mother's answers I think there is absolutely no doubt that this is true.
+You will readily see, under the circumstances, that I did not time my
+visits watch in hand, but the charge of a _liaison_ there would be
+ridiculous were it not so vulgar and malicious. There was some sort of
+a tragedy in the woman's life, but I have no idea whatever as to its
+nature."
+
+"With your handwriting on both the outside and inside of the package,
+your intimate relations with the family, the complications of this
+surgical case, the fact that you were practically in Boston at the time
+the package was mailed, and the total lack of suspicion of any one
+else," said Frank, checking the indictments off on his fingers, "they
+have a fairly convincing case against you, old man, and if you know
+anything that can break these theories down now is the time to divulge
+it."
+
+"Naturally, if there were anything of the kind you imply, it would be
+easier for me to discuss it with you than with my leading counsel," his
+brother replied, "but equally, of course, in such a case, I should not
+have employed a woman to defend me; certainly not such a rabid feminist
+as Miss Holland. I have told her all I know, all I can conjecture, but
+candidly, Frank, I fear she is greatly worried over the outcome. I know
+the difficulty in overcoming gossip and prejudice and jealousy, and if
+that cannot be done I fear I must pay the penalty of being the target of
+their shafts. Crushing as that is, there is one haunting thought that
+is even more intolerable," he concluded.
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"That the last thought of that unhappy woman was that I sent the candied
+fruit. She may have realized in that brief second of time that it caused
+her death. I hope to prove my innocence to the world, but she has passed
+beyond the reach of proof."
+
+"She has also passed beyond the need of it," answered his brother
+quickly. "Why don't you comfort yourself with the thought that, no
+matter who else may be deceived, wherever she is, she knows the truth?"
+
+There had been something akin to despair in his voice, and Frank noticed
+how trouble had deepened the lines in his face. "Brace up, old fellow,"
+he said huskily. "We'll get a line on something before we go to trial."
+
+Dr. Earl did not see Leonora or hear from her directly again after their
+interview, but the Sunday following the announcement that Miss Holland
+had been employed to defend him, an item appeared in the society columns
+of the New York papers stating that their engagement had been
+terminated. He sighed when he read it, whether from sorrow or relief he
+could scarcely have told himself. But he fully realized at this time
+that the vital heart-beats of genuine love are not always inspired by
+plighted troth, neither is the latter always a product of the former,
+and he marveled at his own lack of understanding in so readily accepting
+a superficial substitute for the real article. The Ramseys gave every
+evidence of their devotion, seeing him daily, and there were not wanting
+a few staunch friends, and numerous former patients showed their
+loyalty, but as the day of his trial approached he found himself
+thinking more and more of the four devoted souls who had done and would
+do all for him that was humanly possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A GREAT MURDER TRIAL BEGINS
+
+
+Although the court officials had taken the precaution to admit
+spectators only by cards issued from the sheriff's office, the famous
+old room in the Criminal Courts Building was jammed to its very doors at
+the opening of the trial of Dr. John Earl for the murder of Mrs. Emma
+Bell, for it must be remembered sheriffs are elected by popular vote and
+have friends in all walks of life. So there were business men and street
+urchins, ladies of fashion and washerwomen, members of the learned
+professions and hoboes, scholars and draymen, students of psychology and
+the merely curious, advocates in frock-coats and counsellors in jackets,
+attracted by the ever-living fascination of seeing a human being
+fighting for his life, with the added interest in this case of the
+novelty of seeing that fight made by a woman attorney.
+
+Many tragic memories cling to this old room. Here other doctors had
+been convicted and sentenced to the electric chair for sending poison
+through the mails. Here more ordinary individuals had been acquitted by
+displaying more skill in the transaction than had been shown by the
+doctors. Here had been tried all sorts of murder cases, with all sorts
+of defenses, from self-preservation with an ax to the irresponsibility
+of a brain-storm. From that old-fashioned witness chair, on its high
+platform, enough tales of tragedy had been told, if bound in books, to
+fill a good-sized library; enough tears had been shed to atone for a
+thousand crimes; enough pathos shown to have broken a million hearts;
+enough perjury committed to substantiate David's somewhat sweeping
+assertion.
+
+From that high perch against the wall had emanated the technical
+rulings, or the broad principles of justice that had made society
+tremble for its safety, or caused it to repose in security.
+
+From that old counsel's table some of the greatest lawyers of the world
+had measured steel in weird combats over sending human souls into the
+mysterious Beyond.
+
+On this day, the district attorney sat at one side of the table, with
+his assistants, grave, severe, determined-looking officers of the law.
+On the other side sat a beautiful young woman, with luminous eyes, a
+spirituelle countenance, but a firm and earnest manner and perfect
+poise. Behind her sat the younger brother of the prisoner. At her side
+was the prisoner himself, grave in mien, courageous in bearing,
+collected in deportment. Back of them were Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. Among
+the witnesses for the defense was Dr. Morris, saturnine, mocking,
+indifferent.
+
+Thus organized society arrayed itself against a portion of its own
+elements. Thus organized society spoke through the cold impassiveness of
+its own laws, while its elements spoke through personal emotions and
+human passions. Thus organized society appealed to itself to protect
+itself, while its elements appealed for human kindness and universal
+charity.
+
+Such is the situation in every criminal trial.
+
+It took three days to obtain a jury of proper qualification and
+sufficient disinterestedness to satisfy both sides. All the other
+lawyers watched with interest the methods employed by the "woman lawyer"
+in asking her _voir dire_ questions and in exercising her right to
+challenge, and most of them agreed that she asked no useless questions
+and showed rare judgment in her peremptory challenges.
+
+The next day on the convening of court the district attorney outlined
+his case with circumstantial detail. He related in spectacular fashion
+the first meeting of Dr. Earl and the Bells at the suffrage ball, and
+dwelt insinuatingly upon the interest manifested by Dr. Earl in the
+child at the time of the accident. Either inadvertently, or by design,
+he referred in slighting tones to the part played at this meeting by the
+"volunteer nurse," but his sentence was never completed, for Silvia
+addressed the Court.
+
+"May it please the Court," she said--and her manner was unmistakable--"I
+have no right, and neither do I intend, to complain of any respectful
+reference made to me during the course of this trial, either as an
+individual, or as an attorney for this defendant, but I shall insist now
+and hereafter that I must be referred to with the respect and
+consideration due my, as yet, unsullied membership in the legal
+profession and my reputation as a private citizen."
+
+There was no opportunity for a ruling by the Court, for the district
+attorney promptly disclaimed any intention of disrespect, and begged
+her pardon for any words susceptible of such construction. It was
+evident that her interruption produced a most favorable impression upon
+Court, jury and spectators, and if any came to scoff at the weakness of
+the "woman attorney" they remained to admire the strength of the female
+advocate. The district attorney continued, warmed into greater
+determination to make a lasting impression upon the jury as to the guilt
+of the defendant.
+
+He followed Dr. Earl on his numerous visits to the Bell home; dwelt upon
+the unusual hour of many of them; agreed to prove more than ordinary
+intimacy between Mrs. Bell and the defendant; showed the defects in his
+surgery and the terrible results, which promised permanently to cripple
+the child; exhibited the handwriting upon the box and placed beside it
+the handwriting of Dr. Earl to undisputed legal documents; stated that
+the defense would scarcely claim that the handwriting was not his;
+asserted that they had positive proof that Dr. Earl had purchased a box
+of candied fruit of the exact size and character of this box just prior
+to the time it was mailed, and that Dr. Earl was in Boston at the time
+of the mailing of the package.
+
+From his recital it was clear that much thorough detective work had been
+done in the case for the State.
+
+"Now, gentlemen of the jury, as to the motive," he went on. "A powerful
+incentive existed for the commission of this crime. Dr. Earl had been
+engaged for some time to marry into one of the most prominent and
+wealthy families in this city and the wedding was to have taken place
+this month. The advertisement that followed his spectacular professional
+performance at the suffrage ball brought him an enormous practice. To
+have the public learn that this piece of surgery upon which his
+reputation was based was in reality a case of malpractice meant ruin. To
+have his married life disturbed by the appearance of a wronged woman
+meant destruction to his domestic happiness, so he planned that the
+poison should be sent to wipe out this family on the eve of his wedding
+and before any damage had been done him in either of these directions.
+You must confess it was a skillful job. Only one piece of poisoned fruit
+in the box, and that so arranged as not to disturb its contents. Whether
+mother or daughter got this piece of candied fruit first, the other was
+doomed, for a kiss from those dying lips would have conveyed a like
+fate, so powerful was this solution. The only thing that thwarted his
+nefarious purpose to kill them both was the absence of the child, who
+was in the country, a fact entirely unknown to Dr. Earl."
+
+This and much more of like import furnished the closing portion of his
+statement to the jury, and when he finished it was apparent that his
+recital had made a deep impression upon every person in the courtroom.
+The atmosphere was charged with serious import to Dr. Earl.
+
+His sister had moved closer to him and was holding his hand. Her husband
+came nearer, and Frank turned and gave him a reassuring glance. His
+expressive face showed deep concern rather than worry.
+
+As soon as the district attorney resumed his seat Silvia arose and
+deathlike stillness fell upon the courtroom. "With your permission, your
+honor, I will reserve my statement of defense until the State has closed
+its case."
+
+"Certainly, that is your privilege," replied the Judge.
+
+Then there was a buzz of excited whispering. "What does it mean?" "Is
+she afraid to state her defense after that terrific arraignment of the
+defendant?" "Oh, there comes in the timidity of woman!" said an old and
+skilled criminal lawyer. "Does she not realize that it is a fatal
+evidence of weakness not to state a defense at the opening of the
+trial?"
+
+But the district attorney had called his first witness and the bailiff
+rapped loudly for order. For three days the State put witness after
+witness on the stand and by expert medical testimony, by toxicologists,
+by direct and inferential testimony, the district attorney more than
+proved the case which he had outlined to the jury.
+
+That the child was probably permanently crippled from tuberculosis of
+the knee and that the tuberculosis resulted from faulty surgery was the
+opinion of the three surgical experts called upon that point, but upon
+cross-examination Silvia forced each of them to admit that it was
+possible that a former tubercular condition had recurred. She also
+forced the unwilling admission that so far as the fracture of the leg
+was concerned the bones had knit perfectly. The most damaging testimony
+was that of a neighbor woman, who had overheard Mrs. Bell exclaim to
+herself on the very day of the poisoning, "I will force him to marry me
+or I will kill him!"
+
+Pressed on cross-examination as to what she saw as well as heard, she
+related how she had passed Mrs. Bell's door, which was open, and had
+seen Mrs. Bell with a document of some kind in one hand and a pen in the
+other, and had heard her utter this exclamation. When asked why she
+assumed that the statement must refer to Dr. Earl, she replied with some
+feeling that no other man had been seen around the apartment since Mrs.
+Bell moved in, the first of April.
+
+A young woman, a clerk in Thompson's candy store in Boston, identified
+Dr. Earl as the purchaser of a box of candied fruit a few days before
+the poisoning. On cross-examination she said it was a box of identical
+proportions with the one marked "Exhibit A." Silvia asked her if the
+boxes from their store did not always bear the firm name on the lid and
+she admitted that they did, and swore that the one purchased by Dr. Earl
+had the firm name on the outside of the lid in gilt letters. Then Silvia
+showed her the box which had contained the poisoned fruit and asked her
+to state on oath whether or not that was the box in which she had sold
+Dr. Earl the fruit and she declared that it was not. Then she asked her
+if Dr. Earl had purchased any loose pieces of fruit, and she testified
+that he had not.
+
+Silvia produced a box and asked the witness if it were not from the
+Thompson store. She answered that it was.
+
+"Did not Dr. Earl also purchase a box of pecans at the time that he
+bought the fruit and is not this the box in which the pecans were
+packed?" Silvia continued.
+
+The girl seemed to study for a few moments. "Yes, I do remember," she
+said, "he did buy a box of pecans the same day he bought the candied
+fruit and this box may have contained them, for it is from our store. I
+want to add, though, that I had forgotten about the nuts when the
+district attorney asked his questions here and when I was examined in
+Boston."
+
+"How did you happen to forget about the nuts and remember about the
+candied fruit?" asked Silvia.
+
+"There was nothing to recall the pecans to my mind until you mentioned
+them just now, but I remember that Dr. Earl bought them first and
+returned afterward and bought the fruit."
+
+On redirect examination the district attorney got an admission from the
+clerk that at several places in Boston, which she mentioned, boxes could
+be obtained without any name on the lid, but that the Thompson store
+never carried them.
+
+The testimony of this clerk that the box presented by the district
+attorney had not come from their store, was the only rift in the
+otherwise dense cloud of incriminating evidence for the State, and the
+prosecution closed its case with perceptible gloom hanging over every
+person connected with the defense, and the jury was grave of face, as
+men well may be who have the life of a fellow being in their hands.
+
+The prosecution closed at four-thirty and Silvia asked for an
+adjournment until morning to open her case. The request was granted, and
+New York spent the night wondering what the "woman lawyer" would do the
+next day. In the cafes, clubs, hotels, between acts in the theatres,
+little else was discussed, and the consensus of opinion was that she was
+doomed to defeat in this her first big trial.
+
+Progressive women grieved over the outlook, for it spelled much of
+disaster to the woman movement if she should be humiliatingly
+vanquished. Her friends championed her cause as best they could,
+vigorously, but not with the genuine enthusiasm they would like to have
+felt.
+
+New York had never before been so interested in a criminal trial.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A WOMAN AND SPOOKS FIND A LETTER
+
+
+The trial had been in progress some six days when the State rested its
+case. None of the family or friends of the defendant underestimated the
+impression created by the array of facts marshalled by the district
+attorney. The evidence, though wholly circumstantial, was nevertheless
+sinister and deadly.
+
+Hilda Ramsey, white and worn, kissed her brother with quivering lips and
+went out of the court leaning on her husband's arm, and making no
+pretense of concealing her suffering. Neither her belief in her
+brother's innocence, nor her confidence in Silvia's ability to prove it,
+could counteract the pain and humiliation of the past weeks. Ramsey
+wrung his brother-in-law's hand, and gave him a look more eloquent than
+words, and Frank bade him brace up. "'Thrice is he armed that hath his
+quarrel just,' you know, old fellow," he said, with a slap on the
+shoulder.
+
+There was a grayish pallor on Silvia's face as she gave her client her
+hand, but he was as composed and almost as cheerful as if he were but "a
+looker-on in Vienna" as he once more assured her and Frank of his entire
+confidence in a verdict of acquittal.
+
+"If you will pardon me," he said, looking at Silvia kindly, "I will
+change places with you and be the counsellor for a moment, and advise
+you to eat a good dinner of very simple things, then disconnect your
+telephone and go to bed and read Omar till you fall asleep; there are
+times when it is an immense comfort to remember that--
+
+    "'He that tossed you down into the Field,
+    _He_ knows about it all--He knows! He knows!'"
+
+His quiet voice acted like a tonic, and her face was full of gratitude
+as she bade him goodnight, and turned to confer with Frank. Carroll
+stood by the reporters' tables, irresolutely, until presently Silvia
+beckoned her. The two women exchanged looks which were enigmatical to
+Frank, but evidently perfectly intelligible to them, for Carroll turned
+away with a sound like a strangled sob, and the pall of weariness and
+depression which had lifted for a moment again settled over Silvia, now
+that there were no longer any prying or unfriendly eyes upon them.
+Without another word she turned and went down to her car. Frank waited
+until Carroll gathered up her "copy," and then they went out into the
+street together.
+
+"Why didn't you go home with Miss Holland?" he asked. "She looked as if
+she wanted you; I supposed she was going to ask you when she called you
+over."
+
+"Not she," answered the girl. "She knows better than to prepare for the
+great day of her life by gabbling half the night. Besides, I'm too blue
+to be of any use to her."
+
+"Anything happened?" he asked, too absorbed in his own affairs to give
+other matters more than perfunctory attention.
+
+"Yes," she said, vexation in her voice. "I've fallen down on an
+assignment, the biggest I've had since I came to New York, and I'm all
+broken up over it."
+
+He turned and looked at her, conscious of a sense of disappointment all
+out of proportion to the occasion. It was the first time he had ever
+known her to fail in comprehension or sympathy; that she could even
+remember, let alone obtrude, a small personal grievance of her own in
+the face of the tragedy that surrounded them, was so utterly out of
+keeping with her character that he looked at her in amazement, and it
+took him several minutes to control his voice so as to make the proper
+politely concerned query as to the demands of the city editor which had
+proved too much for her well-known ability.
+
+"It wasn't the city editor," she said, too unhappy to notice the icy
+timbre of his voice. "It's a good thing to disappoint them once in a
+while; keeps 'em from expecting you to outdo the labors of Hercules in
+time to beat the morning papers. No, it was something I was to do for
+Silvia, and I can't make good; at least I haven't, and I'm at the end of
+my resources."
+
+In spite of the fact that it was still broad daylight, and a crowded
+thoroughfare, Frank Earl stopped and gave her hand a cordial grip that
+made her wince. "You're all right," he said. "You're all right. Now
+let's go and have dinner."
+
+"Are you not going to the Ramseys'?" she asked, evidently taking it for
+granted that the family would wish to be together at such a time.
+
+"Oh, no," he answered. "Hilda will go straight to bed, poor girl; and
+Ramsey will sit beside her and dab cologne on her forehead, and after a
+while he'll coax her to eat a cracker and drink some tea, and he'll have
+his dinner right there beside her. You don't know the turtle-doves. I
+don't hanker for my own society to-night, but I shall have to put up
+with it unless you take pity on me."
+
+"I can't, Frank," she answered. "I simply can't eat when my mind is so
+upset; I'm going straight home."
+
+"And make _your_ supper on crackers and tea, I suppose," he said
+disgustedly. "Well, in that case, I'll go for a tramp and try to get rid
+of the cobwebs in my brain, and the stuffy air of that courtroom. I
+always feel as if twenty centuries of alleged justice, injustice and
+malpractice looked down upon me when I get into court; that's one reason
+why I'm no good as a trial lawyer. Here, isn't this your street?"
+
+"Yes, no--I don't live where I did any more just now," she answered
+lucidly. He stopped and looked at her and smiled in spite of every
+everything. "I've sent in my copy, and you can walk up with me, if you
+want to."
+
+They walked on in silence; Frank was evidently thinking deeply, and
+Carroll was following some weary round of conjecture for the thousandth
+time when she stopped at her number. Frank looked at it and then at her,
+startled out of his usual debonair manner for once.
+
+"Why--it is----"
+
+"Yes," she answered. "I've been living here for some time, but that
+wasn't for publication, so I kept my other room, and had my mail go
+there as usual. Silvia desired it."
+
+"She hasn't left any stone unturned," he said musingly. "I wonder what
+was in that letter!"
+
+"Oh, she has told you, then?" Carroll asked.
+
+"About Mrs. Bell's letter to her? Oh, yes, she told me to-night, just
+before you joined us; I thought you knew about it. Anyhow, it seems to
+be gone beyond recall. Don't you intend to invite me in? Well, of all
+the inhospitable persons! I'll see you in the morning," and lifting his
+hat he went on up the Avenue.
+
+Carroll climbed the two flights slowly and unlocked her door. The suite
+across the hall had been vacated by a superstitious tenant the week
+after the murder, and the family immediately below had moved away that
+morning. As Carroll closed the door behind her she was conscious of a
+sense of oppression. It was not fear, which is a simple, concrete
+emotion, easily understood; it was not even so subtle as dread of any
+abstract thing, ghost or goblin damned. She gave her shoulders a little
+shake, as if the sensation were some tangible thing to be thrown off,
+and laying aside her hat and gloves she went through to the buffet
+kitchen and put the kettle on. She returned to the sitting-room and
+looked about her uneasily, and then put on a house gown and slippers,
+and arranged her tea-tray. There were but four rooms in the apartment,
+in addition to the kitchenette, and but one of them offered much in the
+way of light or ventilation, so Carroll lived in the front room, as Emma
+Bell had lived there; she worked there, as Emma Bell had worked; she
+looked upon the same nondescript blue wall paper, and the few pictures
+that relieved its monotony. With some misty idea, similar to that of the
+French "_confrontation_," she had brought none of her own books or
+belongings to disturb the suggestion of the room as it had been. There
+were three large windows, through which the city lights were beginning
+to shine; under one of these and across that end of the room was a
+divan, covered with a bright rug; opposite and against the other wall
+was a desk, with a chair before it, and bookshelves, and a corner
+cupboard which held a plentiful supply of tea-things. Between the two
+windows nearest it was a tea-table, which evidently served a double
+purpose, for underneath was a basketful of neatly folded sewing. By the
+table was the high-armed mission rocking-chair in which the dead woman
+had been found. Opposite was the little sewing-chair, usually occupied
+by Alice when she and her mother had supper together at the table, which
+had been a gift of Silvia's. Evidently it had been a fancy of Mrs.
+Bell's to set the chair for the child before she opened the fatal box,
+and Carroll had kept both chairs in their relative positions. The
+doorway into the alcove bedroom was concealed by a portiere.
+
+There was nothing in the desk now but some of Carroll's writing
+materials; everything in the room had been ransacked at the time of its
+mistress' death, and Silvia had herself searched carefully for anything
+that might afford a possible clue. Sometimes she even thought that some
+one, possessing a key, had entered the place and removed all evidence
+while that ghastly witness still sat in the chair, for there were no
+letters, no papers, nothing. Immediately after going there to stay,
+Carroll had gone over the tiny place with systematic care. There was no
+upholstered furniture in which anything could have been concealed; even
+the divan was a rattan affair; there were only rugs upon the floors. The
+mattress revealed nothing, and though she laboriously examined every
+picture, there was nothing concealed back of them or within the frames.
+
+"Don't you think the letter was mailed?" Silvia asked her, and she had
+replied that while it probably had been, the chances were that a rough
+draft of it had been written, and preserved somewhere, and it was for
+this that she searched until it became evident that the slight resources
+of the flat were exhausted.
+
+It was rather a poor little place, woefully lacking in the closets and
+cubby-holes so dear to women, and yet, as Carroll sat there in the
+child's place, with her second cup of strong tea getting cold beside
+her, she found herself looking at the other chair expectantly, and the
+empty desk seemed watching her; she was resentfully conscious that
+everything in that room knew the truth, everything save its human
+occupant with her keen mind, her active brain. The hours passed and
+still she sat there, waiting, waiting. There were the usual noises,
+commonplace and mysterious, to be found in vacant houses, but about nine
+o'clock she became conscious that there were sounds in the recently
+vacated flat below. Evidently the family had come back for some last
+articles which they had left behind. They were a quiet old couple with
+whom Carroll had exchanged greetings now and then on the stairs; the old
+lady had told her they were going to live with their daughter. Carroll
+roused herself and lit the gas, and a little while later there came a
+tap at the door. She was frightened for a second, the sound was so
+unexpected, and then with a laugh at her foolishness she went to the
+door and opened it, revealing an old man, her neighbor from the floor
+below. He held a rather heavy package in his arms, and explained, rather
+shamefacedly, that they had no high-chair, and when their little
+grandchild was brought to visit them Mrs. Bell had been accustomed to
+lend them her big dictionary. "Not bein' literary she didn't need it,
+and the very afternoon of the day she died I came up to borrow it, same
+as usual; she had stepped out, but the door was ajar, and the
+dictionary lying right on the end of the divan, so I took it, and when I
+brought it back after supper I couldn't get in, and after the trouble my
+wife wrapped it up and put it away for safe-keeping, Miss, and forgot it
+till we come to move," he finished breathlessly.
+
+He put the package on the divan, and Carroll talked with him a few
+moments longer, and then locked the door upon his retreating form and
+went to the window, and stood there, looking out, yet seeing nothing. It
+was beginning to rain, and the cool, damp air was pleasant, but she
+shivered and turned back to the room that still kept its silent
+mistress' secret, as she had kept it, even in death. The little clock on
+the mantel struck ten, and there was a quick, light step on the stair,
+and a brisk knock at her door. As she opened it, Frank stood there,
+shaking the drops of water from his hat.
+
+"I've had my walk," he said, "I've got over my gloom; I've lost my
+grouch, but I still have my appetite with me. Now come on, like a good
+fellow, and let's have supper."
+
+"Oh, go away, Frank," she said, almost crying with vexation. "I was
+almost on the verge of something when you came."
+
+"That's what I thought," he said cheerfully. "I said, 'She'll drink a
+pint of strong tea and sit there in the dark until the rugs begin to
+wiggle and the wall paper glowers at her.' You're on the verge of
+nervous prostration; that's what you're on the verge of, and nothing
+else. Now come along, or have I got to come over there and make you?" He
+noticed her negligee. "Put on your frock, and I'll wait, but hurry."
+
+"It's raining," she demurred, "and I haven't my raincoat here."
+
+"I brushed by one in the hall," he said, and stepping back he lifted
+down a somewhat shabby gray raincoat and flung it toward her. She picked
+it up, and slipped it on. It was large, but still she could wear it, and
+while she stood in the middle of the room hesitating, she slipped her
+hands into the capacious pockets.
+
+"Well?" demanded Frank impatiently.
+
+The girl did not answer, but stood staring ahead of her. Slowly she
+raised her left hand, pressing the thumb between her eyebrows, and
+taking the right hand from the raincoat pocket, she stretched it out,
+the fingers groping uncertainly. She turned so white that the young man
+in the doorway stared, frightened, yet under a spell that forbade his
+moving. Suddenly the trembling, questioning hand grew rigid, and
+without an instant's hesitation she turned and walked to the divan, and
+laid her hand upon the bundle.
+
+"It is here, Frank," she said quietly. "Turn up the light, and cut this
+cord."
+
+He did so, and as the paper fell away from the dictionary, she opened
+the heavy volume and their eyes fell upon a large manila envelope
+plainly addressed to "Miss Silvia Holland, City Investment Building, New
+York." The girl laid her hand upon it.
+
+"Wait a minute; let me tell you what happened," she said. "When the
+postman came she gave him the letter for Alice, and he gave her the box.
+She didn't give him this letter because she hadn't stamps enough--see,
+it has but one--or perhaps she meant to use it as a threat; there was
+somebody who had a motive for killing her. The woman across the hall
+called her and she slipped this envelope into the dictionary and went
+out, leaving her door open; old Mr. Dillon came up and got the book;
+he's just been telling me about it. They never opened it, and after her
+body was found--Mrs. Bell's, I mean--his wife was so upset that she went
+to her daughter, and they forgot it entirely until to-night. When Mrs.
+Bell came back, she opened the package the postman had given her, and
+she never had a chance to miss anything after that."
+
+She lifted her hand, and Frank picked up the envelope and looked at it
+and then at her.
+
+"I believe you have solved the mystery," he said, "and that all you have
+not learned will be revealed when Silvia opens this envelope. Oh, this
+is wonderful, Carroll! I'll get a taxi, and we'll go to her at once."
+
+"I wouldn't," said the girl. "It'll be nearly midnight by the time we
+can get there, and if it is bad news--which it isn't--there's nothing
+she can do to-night, and if it is good--and I am sure it is, for us at
+least--it can wait until morning. Whichever it is, she needs a night's
+sleep before she faces any new complication."
+
+She took the envelope and looked at it again, and then at Frank Earl.
+With a little laugh she clutched it to her bosom, and holding out the
+other hand to him, she said, "Now, I'm ready to go to the kitchen and
+cook anything there is to be found in this section of New York!"
+
+"Carroll," he said, humbly, "would you mind if I proposed to you once
+more? We seem to need you in our family."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+SILVIA HOLLAND'S GREAT PLEA TO THE JURY
+
+
+Hours before court time the next morning an immense crowd packed the
+streets around the building, and when the doors were opened it was
+useless to attempt the enforcement of the ticket rule. When the court
+convened the space outside the rail was jammed with a crowd that
+threatened to overflow the space inside which was reserved for members
+of the legal profession, witnesses, and the family of the defendant. It
+was an orderly crowd, however, and the tension of silence was so
+complete that it held them in a kind of paralysis of attention when the
+gavel fell and the stentorian voice of the bailiff called his "Hear ye."
+As soon as he sat down the Court recognized Silvia. She took her place
+at the end of the counsel table with a few papers within reach. The
+district attorney noticed with satisfaction that they were very few. She
+was gowned in pure white, and her hair rippled back from her broad
+forehead, and with head proudly erect and with easy, natural pose, she
+faced the jury, which gave her instant and absorbed attention. She spoke
+slowly, deliberately, and her soft, musical voice was heard distinctly
+in every corner of the courtroom.
+
+"Gentlemen of the Jury: Human life is the greatest mystery in a universe
+of mystery. It springs into existence with the knowledge of the ages
+coursing through its sensibilities and inherently possessing all of the
+passion and prejudice of countless centuries. Where it started none of
+us knows. Where the aeons ahead of us destine it to end none of us can
+tell. Deliberately to blot from this earth and its service that which
+comes into the world so divinely equipped with knowledge and inspiration
+requires both sublime courage and indescribable depravity; sublime
+courage to invite the hostility of the vast, complicated, mysterious
+forces that are embodied in a human life, however humble it may be;
+indescribable depravity to destroy the most useful and the most
+beautiful product of this earth.
+
+"Yet the statute in this and other American States for the punishment of
+those who take human life is made to apply but to a fraction of those
+guilty of such offense. The individual who shoots or otherwise takes the
+life of another is always prosecuted and generally punished. The
+association, whose culpable neglect of the ordinary dictates of humanity
+in making its employees safe, is not even prosecuted for factory girls
+destroyed in a fire, for miners entombed in the earth, for passengers
+and trainmen hurled to their death that dividends may be wrung from soft
+roadbeds and rotten rails, for excursion boats so built as to prevent
+the saving of passengers in case of accident; and what must be said of
+those economic and social conditions that drive thousands to
+self-destruction every year and that destroy all Christian and political
+ideals, the proper development of which would preclude the possibility
+of crime!
+
+"You, gentlemen, represent the collected society of which I am a part,
+and the fact is worth your consideration at least, that under the system
+of woman parasitism, dependence, and, in a way, slavery, the rugged
+qualities of strength of purpose, of womanly self-reliance, of
+constantly expanding mental and moral natures that so distinguished our
+foremothers, and which mean so much to the character of children, which
+in turn mean so much to the character of the citizen and the nation,
+have largely disappeared.
+
+"In every consideration of crime, its cause should be of interest to
+those who represent the State. I am not seeking to minimize or palliate
+or excuse whatever crime may have been committed in this case, but
+_that_ society which is seeking its own safety and perpetuity cannot too
+strongly be urged to beware of the universal menace to its existence, as
+well as to guard against those individuals that war only against
+individuals. So I appeal to you in this case, if crime there be, to deal
+with the perpetrator of such crime with all due justice, but with that
+mercy and consideration which these thoughts may suggest, and which we
+owe to the weaker members of society.
+
+"Whatever crime was committed in this case sprang from the old order of
+our existence, which is rapidly passing away; it was nurtured in that
+soil which most of us cultivate too much, and which produces envy,
+malice, hatred, uncharitableness and other destructive and despoiling
+human traits. I have no quarrel with the character of the testimony with
+which it is sought to convict the defendant, for circumstantial
+evidence is the most reliable, the most convincing, the least subject to
+perjury of any evidence recognized by the law, and, as I shall undertake
+to demonstrate to you, it is absolutely unassailable when each link of
+the chain fits perfectly in every other one. I am not unmindful of the
+very strong case which the district attorney has made against the
+defendant, and it may be that his contention is the correct one. That is
+a matter for you to determine."
+
+There was a little stir in the courtroom at this extraordinary
+statement, and Hilda looked at her husband and then at her brother and
+the hot flush of resentment dyed her white face to the hair.
+
+"The motive of malpractice on the child," Silvia went on evenly, "and a
+troublesome _liaison_ with the mother do, indeed, seem to be powerful,
+but what can be said for those motives when I prove to your entire
+satisfaction that the setting of this fracture and the subsequent
+treatment and final results are among some of the best ever attending
+such cases in this large city; that the tuberculosis of the knee is the
+recurrence of a disease which had attacked the child five years before
+in the glands of the neck and which broke forth afresh in the knee
+because of her low physical condition and the immediate injury to the
+knee; that what I shall present will so conclusively prove the
+impossibility of a _liaison_ between Dr. Earl and Mrs. Bell that there
+cannot even remain the suspicion of such a thing?
+
+"The mystery of her support since last April I alone can clear up with
+checks and other evidence so convincing in character as to leave no
+doubt. It is embarrassing but necessary to bring myself as a witness
+into this trial. I found this poor woman with a great and secret sorrow,
+not knowing how to earn a living and by industrial independence develop
+the best qualities of her nature, and I undertook to teach her
+self-reliance and to lead her into the new life of social and economic
+freedom. Had she been thus trained from girlhood this tragedy would have
+been impossible, and her life would have been full of beauty, for I have
+never known a sweeter character. In the meantime I loaned--not gave, but
+loaned her the money to live upon. She would have resented a gift. She
+was making splendid progress with her fine sewing, and would soon have
+been independent of any financial aid. But the sorrow which hung over
+her, and which all this time was and still is a mystery to me, seemed
+to dominate her life, as I will presently show you.
+
+"It was the ghost of the old environment, of the old parasitical age,
+when women were so easily enslaved with the promise of idle luxury and
+transient caresses, stalking into the midst of a nobler effort and
+beckoning her backward while yet the understanding and courage were not
+sufficiently seasoned. Later I shall go into these things more fully.
+
+"I will prove to you by the proper Federal officials that, owing to a
+change of design by the government, the ten-cent stamps on this package,
+bearing this particular vignette, could only be purchased in three or
+four post-offices in the United States for several months before and at
+the time the package was mailed, and the only place east of the
+post-office at St. Louis was in Providence, Rhode Island, and I shall
+also prove that the defendant has not been in Providence in four years.
+You will notice that stamps to the value of sixty cents were placed on
+the parcel, when half that amount would have been sufficient, showing
+that whoever mailed it did not care to have it officially weighed.
+
+"Another circumstance worthy your attention is that poisoning by
+hydrocyanic acid is so easily recognized that it has seldom been used
+for purposes of murder, except in cases where the person committing the
+crime felt safe as to his own identity, and desired to make it appear
+that some one else had done the deed."
+
+She paused in her recital and cast a glance at a large, muscular man,
+seated among a group of witnesses for the defense. He gave her an almost
+imperceptible nod in the affirmative, and she went on slowly and
+impressively:
+
+"What is more, gentlemen of the jury, this candied fruit was not
+purchased in Boston, but in Providence, and the person buying it
+insisted on a perfectly plain box, without any name upon it; he also
+bought several separate pieces of similar fruit."
+
+There was a buzz of excitement in the human hive, which the bailiff
+suppressed by a sharp rap of his gavel. Those who had caught the signal
+turned their eyes from Silvia to the large man, but there was nothing in
+his impassive demeanor to attract attention.
+
+The defendant and his family were evidently as much at sea as were the
+others in the courtroom as to the significance of these assertions, but
+the look of worry had entirely disappeared from the face of Dr. Earl.
+
+"It is true," she went on, "that I had taken the little girl to the
+country for a week when this awful crime was committed, but Dr. Earl
+knew nothing of this, and the evidence is already so clear as to need no
+further illumination that the person who sent the poisoned candy was
+aware of the fact that the child was not at home, and would not be for
+several days at least. So clear is it that Dr. Earl did not know the
+child was in the country that I will prove to you that he sent to her
+city address a box of pecans which were forwarded by her mother to the
+country, and I will offer in evidence the box in which they were sent.
+The person who mailed this box had designs on one victim only, and had
+the child been at home she would undoubtedly have been the one killed,
+for she would have been certain to receive the first piece. With all due
+deference to the learned district attorney, and while his theory is
+possible that a kiss given and received might have caused the death of
+the other, the probability is so remote that a person skilled in the
+knowledge of poisons and their effects, as Dr. Earl is, would scarcely
+have undertaken to poison two people in this clumsy and uncertain
+fashion, when the placing of two pieces of candied fruit instead of one
+on the top of the box was all that was necessary to insure the end
+desired."
+
+She paused again, and gave the large man another look, and then
+exhibited a card to the jury, which she had been holding in her hand
+from the beginning of her address.
+
+"No, gentlemen, the poison was intended for but one person, and that
+person partook of it," she said sadly and earnestly. She held a picture
+postal so the jury could see it. "This postcard, as you see, was sent to
+Mrs. Bell from Magnolia a few days before the crime occurred. It is
+dated August 5th; her death took place August 9th. Look at the address
+on this card, and at the message on the other side. Now let me show you
+a strange thing, which cannot be merely a coincidence."
+
+She took the outer layer of thin white paper that had wrapped the box,
+on which were the stamps and the address, and laid it over the same
+address on the card, and the length and formation of each letter were
+identical, the punctuation marks and the lines of shading were the same,
+on paper and card.
+
+"You see how this has been done," she said. "The address on the paper is
+written with an indelible pencil. Ink would have spread and blotted. We
+shall prove to you that the address on the box was copied by tracing
+from this identical card, as also were the closing words on the card
+with the initials which were traced on the paper that is pasted on the
+top of the box--'With best wishes to you and Alice. J. E.'"
+
+The district attorney protested to the Court against so much detail and
+proof going into an opening statement, and the Judge looked inquiringly
+at Silvia.
+
+"I know I am pursuing an unusual course," she replied, "but I promise
+your honor, and also the honorable district attorney, that I will not
+abuse my privilege, and if you gentlemen will bear with me I am certain
+that I shall be able to render a distinct service to the State."
+
+The Judge had followed her carefully, and being one of those wearers of
+the ermine who believe that substantial justice rather than technical
+results should be the aim of courts in criminal trials, said to the
+district attorney, "I am certain that Miss Holland fully understands the
+rules of procedure in this court and will adhere to them as strictly as
+the nature of her defense will permit. If I think she is overstepping
+them, I will stop her."
+
+Silvia gave another glance at the large man. His eyes were on the little
+group by his side at the time, but the silence caused him to turn to her
+again, and after another affirmative nod she resumed.
+
+"It is difficult for me to cause pain to anything that lives. I feel
+that the ant, with its wonderful little organism, is as much entitled to
+the uses and joys of this dear old world as I am. When I enlisted in
+this case it was to defend a man whom I felt certain was innocent, not
+to bring any other person to the bar of justice, and even now, if I
+could clear the fair name of my client from the remotest suspicion of
+ever having thought of this crime, without injury to another, I should
+much prefer to do so. Not that I am unmindful of my duty as a citizen,
+but I am more conscious of the tenderer feelings that are of necessity
+appealed to in such a case.
+
+"When in the discharge of my duty I found suspicious footprints leading
+elsewhere I spent hours determining what course I should pursue in this
+complicated situation. The sequel will give all of you, in the jury box
+and in this courtroom, an opportunity to decide whether my course has
+been the right one. God knows I have prayed to be shown another way, but
+I could discover none."
+
+She paused, and the tears were glistening in her eyes and her voice
+trembled, but she regained her self-control at once.
+
+"Before I did aught else, I had two skilled detectives watch the
+suspected person; their observations were all too convincing. It was
+Eugene Aram again telling his dream to the child, but this time the
+guilt was acted.
+
+    "Then down I cast me on my face,
+      And first began to weep,
+    For I knew my secret then was one
+      That earth refused to keep:
+    Or land or sea, though he should be
+      Ten thousand fathoms deep.
+
+    "So wills the fierce, avenging sprite,
+      Till blood for blood atones!
+    Ay, though he's buried in a cave,
+      And trodden down with stones,
+    And years have rotted off his flesh--
+      The world shall see his bones!"
+
+Once more the tears shone in her eyes, tears that were the only
+consolation one wretched soul in that courtroom was ever to know, but
+she dashed them away impatiently.
+
+"To prevent injustice, and possible injury, the suspected man has been
+kept under surveillance ever since."
+
+Again there was a murmur of voices over the courtroom, and Frank, who
+had entered hastily, just after she began her address, called her
+attention to a large envelope which he laid on the table before her. She
+looked at him, and then at the envelope, and gave an involuntary start
+of surprise and a hastily stifled exclamation. "The missing letter!" she
+said, under her breath, and hastily tore it open, and glanced at the
+first and last pages, while the bailiff restored order.
+
+"I must beg your honor's indulgence," she said, "for a few moments. This
+letter contains information of vital importance, and as your honor sees,
+it has just come into my hands."
+
+The Judge granted her request, and while she hastily read the document,
+the excited murmur swelled again in spite of the glaring bailiff. In a
+few minutes she turned to the Judge.
+
+"Your honor," she said, "this is a letter to me written by Mrs. Bell
+only a few hours before her death; I can easily prove her handwriting,
+and in any event, it is sworn to before a notary. The matter contained
+therein will end this trial. That I can use it as part of the _res
+gesta_, I have no doubt. I will submit it to the district attorney and
+ask him to examine it, and then give it to your honor. In the interest
+of justice and my client I would like to read it to the jury at this
+time."
+
+She handed the letter to the district attorney, and while he read it she
+seated herself and conferred with Frank. "Where in the world did you get
+it?" she asked.
+
+"Carroll and spooks," he began, and then went on more seriously, "but
+where on earth did you hide yourself? We have been madly tearing around
+New York, and telephoning all over the adjacent territory in a wild
+endeavor to find you and get this into your hands. I'm not going to tell
+you about the letter itself; that's Carroll's story. We've been to the
+Studios, and everywhere else we thought there was a possibility of
+finding you, and waited at your office until the last minute in the hope
+that you'd come there."
+
+"I spent the night at Nutwood, making a last search for the letter," she
+said. "It was only a chance, but I felt that I couldn't give it up.
+This morning I motored down, and we had some delay, so that I had to
+come directly here. But it's all right."
+
+The Judge finished reading the letter, and called Silvia to the bench,
+where they held a whispered conversation with the district attorney,
+glancing once or twice toward the little group of witnesses where the
+large man sat. Then Silvia returned to her seat, and the district
+attorney gave some hurried directions to a deputy, who immediately left
+the room, while the Judge gave whispered instructions to a bailiff, who
+stationed himself at the general entrance.
+
+"You may read the letter, Miss Holland," said the Judge, and the tension
+in the courtroom grew almost intolerable as she rose, holding the letter
+in shaking hands, and began reading:
+
+"'NEW YORK, August 9.
+
+"'MY DEAR MISS HOLLAND:
+
+"'The secret I have longed and yet hesitated to tell you must now be
+disclosed. Of course my trouble has been caused by a man, a man whom I
+have known a long time and loved too well. He was here day before
+yesterday and we had a stormy interview--which he says shall be the
+last. For a long time his manner has been changed toward me, and for the
+last few months he has neglected me. He didn't seem to like it when I
+got acquainted with you, or when you paid so much attention to Allie; he
+said he didn't see what you wanted of her, and asked me how you came to
+take her to the country and when she would be back, and wanted to know
+if I had told you or Dr. Earl of my relations with him. I said certainly
+not, and when I reproached him for not coming to see me he said he
+couldn't come here. Since Allie was hurt, I have only met him a few
+times. Sometimes I have been happy when I was with him, for I loved, and
+I love him, better than my life, but I have not wanted to deceive you,
+and every day the old life has grown harder to bear. I think I have
+always believed that he would marry me, as he promised in the beginning,
+until this summer. Now I see that, more than he has deceived me, I have
+deceived myself, as every woman deceives herself when she forgets the
+honor of the present for promises that are to be redeemed in the future.
+
+"'I had made up my mind to break away from this life and try to begin
+over again; you had shown me the way, and I saw the means by which I
+could support myself and Allie, and not be beholden to him. God knows I
+never wanted to take his money, and when it was grudgingly given it was
+worse than gall and wormwood to have to ask him for it. I did not mean
+to see him any more, for when I look into his face I forget everything
+except the days when he did love me. I meant to tear him out of my
+heart, and devote my life to Allie.
+
+"'And then, Miss Holland, I made the discovery that has made me
+desperate, the one discovery that tells a woman she is helpless, and
+that not only her whole future, but that of another, depend upon the
+whim of a man. I demanded that he should keep his promise; I will not
+permit a child of mine to go through the world bearing the brand of
+illegitimacy, and I told him so plainly. Perhaps I was wrong to lose my
+temper and threaten him, but I am half mad. I told him I might bear the
+blame, and the pain, but that if he allowed me to go through this
+dreadful time alone that he should share the shame, if I dragged him
+through the courts to fasten it on him.
+
+"'I don't wonder much that he was infuriated with me, or that he
+threatened to kill me if I didn't let him alone. He said he hadn't the
+money to give me all I needed, but if I would be sensible and not make a
+fuss and a scandal, when he married the rich woman he expected to win
+that he would give me a fortune ample for myself and my children for the
+balance of my life. I think it was the thought of his marrying another
+woman when my child was coming into the world fatherless that made me
+beside myself, but I could not bear it and I said some dreadful things.
+
+"'Now, I want to know what I can do, or if there is any law to defend a
+woman who makes a mistake; if there is, I know you will find it. I am
+going to swear to this, so you will know that I am in earnest, and will
+not back out like so many women do.
+
+"'One other thing I think I ought to tell you. While we were talking he
+picked up the postal Dr. Earl sent me, from Magnolia, and then he began
+all over again and talked awfully about him. I don't know why, but he
+hates him and will injure him if he can.
+
+"'You will find this at your office when you get back from the country;
+even now I can't bear to tell the whole truth, and yet I suppose you
+must know it if you are to help me. What fools women are, Miss Holland;
+I ought to hate him, and yet if it were to be the last word I should
+ever write--now, as I always have, I love Orrin Morris.
+
+                                            "'Your unhappy friend,
+                                                           'EMMA BELL.'"
+
+Silvia had scarcely finished the letter, pausing instinctively before
+she read the name of the guilty man, when the large man, who had been
+furtively keeping guard of the little group of witnesses where Dr.
+Morris was seated, sprang toward Morris in a vain attempt to knock from
+his hand a vial which he but that instant had touched to his lips. At
+the same moment a smaller man on the other side of the group made a
+similar effort, but they were both too late. Almost instantly the doomed
+man became rigid, a slight froth appeared on his lips, the pupils of his
+eyes dilated and the lids opened in a wide and horrible stare. There was
+a general rush in his direction on the part of the medical men gathered
+for the trial, but the first of the physicians to gain his side saw the
+hopelessness of any effort to save him and waved the crowd back. In less
+than five minutes he was dead, and in the sudden appalled silence the
+bailiffs cleared a way and removed the body, a considerable portion of
+the curious crowd following.
+
+Every day during the trial Dr. Morris had occupied practically the same
+seat in the courtroom. His naturally colorless face gave no indication
+of the emotions within, and when Silvia's address told him all too
+plainly that his deeds were to be publicly uncovered, he turned a trifle
+more livid, but otherwise gave no evidence of his feelings. He had known
+for several days that he was under surveillance and he understood, at
+last, that the reason for his subpoena as an expert for the defense was
+to keep him constantly in attendance on the court, but he faced his
+ordeal with resolute will, if not with supreme courage. As often before
+during his career he had carefully scanned the path he was to tread and
+was prepared for every emergency. When the fatal exposure came, which he
+had hoped until the last might be withheld, he was determined that none
+should know aught from his lips concerning its truth or falsity. They
+might speculate as to the significance of his death by his own hand,
+but he would neither say nor do anything that would throw additional
+light upon the subject.
+
+Poor Morris! Other learned professional men before him had sought to
+mystify the world as to their misdeeds by blotting out their own lives,
+not realizing that every accusing finger of the seen and the unseen
+world would be instinctively and unerringly pointed toward their mortal
+remains with the final and irrevocable verdict--"Suicide is confession."
+
+When quiet was restored the Court ordered the defendant to come forward,
+and Silvia, trembling with emotion, stepped to the front of the Judge's
+bench with him.
+
+"It is quite evident, sir," began the Judge, clearing his throat, "that
+a mistake has been made in your case. Not an intentional one, or one
+that could have been avoided, apparently. The manner in which you have
+been defended leaves not a vestige of suspicion attaching to you either
+in connection with this matter, your professional qualifications or your
+standing as a citizen. Let me assure you that such a result, under the
+circumstances, is most gratifying to all of the officers of the law, for
+our purpose is to guard society by punishing the guilty and protecting
+the innocent. Sir, you are discharged as a defendant in this case."
+
+Great applause greeted this speech from the Court, and the district
+attorney added his own tribute, while Silvia was given an impromptu
+reception by jurors, court officers and spectators. When this was over,
+and the throng that had surrounded her and her client went their way on
+the quest of new sensations, she found herself standing alone with him
+before the bench, in almost the identical spot where he had entered his
+plea of "Not guilty" a few weeks before. The Ramseys and Frank and
+Carroll were eagerly waiting their turn to shower congratulations upon
+them, but as John Earl took both her hands in his, Silvia was
+unconscious of all else. The eyes she lifted to his were swimming in
+happy tears that could not drown the love they revealed. He dared not
+trust his voice for more. Besides, what more was there to say? For all
+the world lay in the single word--"Silvia!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In a short time, Jack and Silvia were absorbed in their respective
+professions, but never failing in their duty to the great world
+movement that was making real the prophecy of England's poetic seer:
+
+    "We two will serve them both in aiding her--
+    Will clear away the parasitic forms
+    That seem to keep her up but drag her down--
+    Will leave her space to burgeon out of all
+    Within her--let her make herself her own
+    To give or keep, to live and learn and be
+    All that not harms distinctive womanhood."
+
+There was no "task" to their duties, for the all-powerful though subtle
+inspiration of genuine love made each day only a part of a splendid
+dream which they felt could never end.
+
+And the love that leads to high endeavor and unlocks the storehouses of
+human progress crowned their efforts with success, and humanity was
+better and nobler for their deeds and example.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's An American Suffragette, by Isaac N. Stevens
+
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