Mason Elliott? Oh, of course, he has been an admirer of Eunice since they made mud-pies together.
Thats two, then, Embury laughed lightly. And Jim Craft is three and Halliwell James is four and Guy Little
Oh, dont include him, I beg of you! cried Eunice; he flats when he sings!
Well, I could round up a round dozen, who would willingly cast sheeps eyes at my wife, butwell, they dont!
Theyd better not, laughed Eunice, and Embury added, Not if I see them first!
Isnt it funny, said Aunt Abby, reminiscently, that Eunice did choose you out of that Cambridge bunch.
I chose her, corrected Embury, and dont take that wrong! I mean that I swooped down and carried her off under their very noses! Didnt I, Firebrand?
The only way you could get me, agreed Eunice, saucily.
Oh, I dont know! and Embury smiled. You werent so desperately opposed.
No; but she was undecided, said Aunt Abby; why, for weeks before your engagement was announced, Eunice couldnt make up her mind for certain. There was Mason Elliott and Al Hendricks, both as determined as you were.
I know it, Aunt. Good Lord, I guess I knew those boys all my life, and I knew all their love affairs as well as they knew all mine.
You had others, then? and Eunice opened her brown eyes in mock amazement.
Rather! How could I know you were the dearest girl in the world if I had no one to compare you with?
Well, then I had a right to have other beaux.
Of course you did! I never objected. But now, youre my wife, and though all the men in Christendom may admire you, you are not to give one of them a glance that belongs to me.
No, sir; I wont, and Eunices long lashes dropped on her cheeks as she assumed an absurdly overdone meekness.
I was surprised, though, pursued Aunt Abby, still reminiscent, when Eunice married you, Sanford. Mr. Mason is so much more intellectual and Mr. Hendricks so much better looking.
Thank you, lady! and Embury bowed gravely. But you see, I have thaterindescribable charmthat nobody can resist.
You have, you rascal! and Miss Ames beamed on him. And I think this a favorable moment to ask a favor of your Royal Highness.
Out with it. Ill grant it, to the half of my kingdom, but dont dip into the other half.
Well, its a simple little favor, after all. I want to go out to Newark to-morrow in the big car
Newark, New Jersey?
Is there any other?
Yep; Ohio.
Well, the New Jersey one will do me, this time. Oh, Sanford, do let me go! A man is going to will another manblindfolded, you knowto find a thingumbob that he hidnobody knows whereand he cant see a thing, and he doesnt know anybody and the guide man is Mr. Mortimerdont you remember, his mother used to live in Cambridge? she was an Emminswell, anyway, its the most marvelous exhibition of thought transference, or mind-reading, that has ever been shownand I must go. Do let me?please, Sanford!
My Lord, Aunt Abby, youve got me all mixed up! I remember the Mortimer boy, but whats he doing blindfolded?
No; its the Hanlon man whos blindfolded, and I can go with Ferdinandand
Go with Ferdinand! Is it a servants ballor what?
No, no; oh, if youd only listen, Sanford!
Well, I will, in a minute, Aunt Abby. But wait till I tell Eunice something. You see, dear, if Hendricks does show up, I can pump him judiciously and find out where the Meredith brothers stand. Then
All right, San, Ill see that he stays. Now do settle Aunt Abby on this crazy scheme of hers. She doesnt want to go to Newark at all
I do, I do! cried the old lady.
Between you and me, Eunice, I believe she does want to go, and Embury chuckled. Wheres the paper, Aunt? Let me see what its all about.
A Fair Test, he read aloud. Positive evidence for or against the theory of thought transference. The mysterious Hanlon to perform a seeming miracle. Sponsored by the Editor of the Newark Free Press, assisted by the prominent citizen, James L. Mortimer, done in broad daylight in the sight of crowds of people, tomorrows performance will be a revelation to doubters or a triumph indeed for those who believe in telepathy. Hmhmbut whats he going to do?
Read on, read on, Sanford, cried Aunt Abby, excitedly.
Starting from the Oberon Theatre at two oclock, Hanlon will undertake to find a penknife, previously hidden in a distant part of the city, its whereabouts known only to the Editor of the Free Press and to Mr. Mortimer. Hanlon is to be blindfolded by a committee of citizens and is to be followed, not preceded by Mr. Mortimer, who is to will Hanlon in the right direction, and to guide him merely by mental will-power. There is to be no word spoken between these two men, no personal contact, and no possibility of a confederate or trickery of any sort.
Mr. Mortimer is not a psychic; indeed, he is not a student of the occult or even a believer in telepathy, but he has promised to obey the conditions laid down for him. These are merely and only that he is to follow Hanlon, keeping a few steps behind him, and mentally will the blindfolded man to go in the right direction to find the hidden knife.
Isnt it wonderful, Sanford, breathed Miss Abby, her eyes shining with the delight of the mystery.
Poppycock! and Embury smiled at her as a gullible child. You dont mean to say, aunt, that you believe there is no trickery about this!
But how can there be? You know, Sanford, its easy enough to say poppycock and fiddle-dee-dee! and gammon and spinach! But just tell me how its donehow it can be done by trickery? Suggest a means however complicated or difficult
Oh, of course, I cant. Im no charlatan or prestidigitateur! But you know as well as I do, that the thing is a trick
I dont! And anyway, that isnt the point. I want to go to see it. Im not asking your opinion of the performance, Im asking you to let me go. May I?
No, indeed! Why, Aunt Abby, it will be a terrible crowda horde of ragamuffins and ruffians. Youd be torn to pieces
But I want to, Sanford, and the old lady was on the verge of tears. I want to see Hanlon
Hanlon! Who wants to see Hanlon?
The expected Hendricks came into the room, and shaking hands as he talked, he repeated his question: Who wants to see Hanlon? Because I do, and Ill take any one here who is interested.
Oh, you angel man! exclaimed Aunt Abby, her face beaming. I want to go! Will you really take me, Alvord?
Sure I will! Anybody else? You want to see it, Eunice?
Why, I didnt, but as Sanford just read it, it sounded interesting. How would we go?
Ill run you out in my touring car. It wont take moren the afternoon, and itll be a jolly picnic. Go along, San?
No, not on your life! When did you go foolish, Alvord?
Oh, I always had a notion toward that sort of thing. I want to see how he does it. Dont think I fall for the telepathy gag, but I want to see where the little joker is,and then, too, Im glad to please the ladies.
Ill go, said Eunice; that is, if youll stay and dine nowand we can talk it over and plan the trip.
Ill go, said Eunice; that is, if youll stay and dine nowand we can talk it over and plan the trip.
With all the pleasure in life, returned Hendricks.
Chapter II
A Trip To Newark
Perhaps no factor is more indicative of the type of a home life than its breakfast atmosphere. For, in America, it is only a small proportion, even among the wealthy who breakfast in their rooms. And a knowledge of the appointments and customs of the breakfast are often data enough to stamp the status of the household.
In the Embury home, breakfast was a pleasant send-off for the day. Both Sanford and Eunice were of the sort who wake up wide-awake, and their appearance in the dining-room was always an occasion of merry banter and a leisurely enjoyment of the meal. Aunt Abby, too, was at her best in the morning, and breakfast was served sufficiently early to do away with any need for hurry on Sanfords part.
The morning paper, save for its headlines, was not a component part of the routine, and it was an exceptionally interesting topic that caused it to be unfolded.
This morning, however, Miss Ames reached the dining-room before the others and eagerly scanned the pages for some further notes of the affair in Newark.
But with the total depravity of inanimate things and with the invariable disappointingness of a newspaper, the columns offered no other information than a mere announcement of the coming event.
Hunting for details of your wild-goose chase? asked Embury, as he paused on the way to his own chair to lean over Aunt Abbys shoulder.
Yes, and theres almost nothing! Why do you take this paper?
Youll see it all to-day, so why do you want to read about it? laughed a gay voice, and Eunice came in, all fluttering chiffon and ribbon ends.
She took the chair Ferdinand placed for her, and picked up a spoon as the attentive man set grapefruit at her plate. The waitress was allowed to serve the others, but Ferdinand reserved to himself the privilege of waiting on his beloved mistress.
Still of a mind to go? she said, smiling at her aunt.
More than ever! Its a perfectly heavenly day, and well have a good ride, if nothing more.
Good ride! chaffed Embury. Dont you fool yourself, Aunt Abby! The ride from this burg to Newark, N.J., is just about the most Godforsaken bit of scenery you ever passed through!
I dont mind that. Al Hendricks is good company, and, any way, Id go through fire and water to see that Hanlon show. Eunice, cant you and Mr. Hendricks pick me up? I want to go to my Psychic Class this morning, and theres no use coming way back here again.
Yes, certainly; were going about noon, you know, and have lunch in Newark.
In Newark! and Embury looked his amazement.
Yes; Alvord said so last night. He says that new hotel there is quite all right. Well only have time for a bite, anyway.
Well, bite where you like. By the way, my Tiger girl, you didnt get that information from our friend last evening.
No, San, I couldnt, without making it too pointed. I thought I could bring it in more casually to-daysay, at luncheon.
Yes; thats good. But find out, Eunice, just where the Merediths stand. They may swing the whole vote.
What vote? asked Aunt Abby, who was interested in everything.
Our club, Auntie, and Embury explained. You know Hendricks is presidenthas been for yearsand were trying to oust him in favor of yours truly.
You, Sanford! Do you mean you want to put him out and put yourself in his place?
Exactly that, my lady.
But-how queer! Does he know it?
Rather! Yeseven on calm second thought, I should say Hendricks knows it!
But I shouldnt think you two would be friends in such circumstances.
Thats the beauty of it, maam; were bosom friends, as you know; and yet, were fighting for that presidency like two cats of Kilkenny.
The New York Athletic Club, is it?
Oh, no, maam! Not so, but far otherwise. The Metropolitan Athletic Club if you please.
Yes, I knowId forgotten the name.
Dont mix up the twotheyre deadly rivals.
Why do you want to be president, Sanford?
Thats a long tale, but in a nutshell, purely and solely for the good of the club.
And thats the truth, declared Eunice. Sanford is getting himself disliked in some quarters, influential ones, too, and hes making life-long enemiesnot Alvord, but othersand it is all because he has the real interests of the club at heart. Al Hendricks is running it intointo a mud-puddle! Isnt he, San?
Well, yes, though I shouldnt have thought of using that word. But, he is bringing its gray hairs in sorrow to the graveor will, if he remains in office, instead of turning it over to a well-balanced man of good judgment and unerring tastesay, like one Sanford Embury.
You certainly are not afflicted with false pride, Sanford, and Aunt Abby bit into her crisp toast with a decided snap.
Why, thank you, and Embury smiled as he purposely misinterpreted her words. I quite agree, Aunt, that my pride is by no means false. It is a just and righteous pride in my own merits, both natural and acquired.
He winked at Eunice across the table, and she smiled back appreciatively. Aunt Abby gave him what was meant to be a scathing glance, but which turned to a nod of admiration.
Thats so, Sanford, she admitted. Al Hendricks is a nice man, but he falls down on some things. Hasnt he been a good president?
Until lately, Aunt Abby. Now, hes all mixed up with a crowd of intractablessporty chaps, who want a lot of innovations that the more conservative element wont stand for.
Why, they want prize-fights and a movie theatre-right in the club! informed Eunice. And it means too much expense, besides being a horrid, low-down
There, there, Tiger, and Sanford shook his head at her. Let us say those things are unpalatable to a lot of us old fogies
Stop! I wont have you call yourself oldor fogyish, either! Youre the farthest possible removed from that! Why, youre no older than Al Hendricks.
You were all children together, said Aunt Abby, as if imparting a bit of new information; you three, and Mason Elliott. Why, when you were ten or eleven, Eunice, those three boys were eternally camping out in the front yard, waiting for you to get your hair curled and go out to play. And later, they all hung around to take you to parties, and then, later stillnot so much later, eitherthey all wanted to marry you.
Why, Auntie, youre telling the whole story of my life and whats my real name!Sanford knows all this, and knows that he cut out the other twothough Im not saying they wanted to marry me.
It goes without saying, and her husband gave her a gallant bow. But, great heavens, Eunice, if youd married those other twoI mean one of emeither oneyoud have been decidedly out of your element. Hendricks, though a bully chap, is a man of impossible tastes, and Elliott is a prigpure and simple! I, you see, strike a happy medium. And, speaking of such things, are your mediums always happy, Aunt Abby?
How you do rattle on, Sanford! A true medium is so absorbed in her endeavors, so wrapped up in her work, she is, of course, happyI suppose. I never thought about it.