ion meeting of representative
citizens.) Mr. Douglas took pride in nominating that Midas of Medicine,
Dr. Surtaine. (More and louder applause.) The Reverend Dr. Wales, of Dr.
Surtaine's church, sonorously seconded the nomination. So did Hollis
Myers, of the Security Power Products Company. So, a trifle grumpily,
did Elias M. Pierce. Also Col. Parker, editor of the "Telegram," Aaron
Scheffler, of Scheffler and Mintz, and Councilman Carlin. The presiding
officer inquired with the bland indifference of the assured whether
there were any further nominations. There were not. But turning in his
second-row seat, Festus Willard, who was too important a figure
commercially to leave out, though Dr. Surtaine had entertained doubts of
his "soundness," demanded of McGuire Ellis, seated just behind him, what
it was all about.

"Ask the chairman," suggested Ellis.

"I will," said Willard. He got up and did.

The Honorable Brett Harkins looked uncomfortable. He didn't really know
what it was all about. Moreover, it had been intimated to him that he'd
perhaps better not know. He cast an appealing glance at Douglas.

"That is not exactly the question before the meeting," began Douglas
hastily.

"It is the question I asked," persisted Willard. "Before we elect Dr.
Surtaine or any one else chairman of a committee with a fund to spend, I
want to know what the committee is for."

"To cope with the health situation of the city."

"Very well. Now we're getting somewhere. Where's Dr. Merritt? I think we
ought to hear from him on that point."

Murmurs of assent were heard about the room. Dr. Surtaine rose to his
feet.

"If I may be pardoned for speaking to a motion of which I am a part," he
said in his profound and mellow voice.

"I think I can throw light upon the situation. Quite a number of us
have observed with uneasiness the increase of sickness in Worthington.
Sensationalists have gone so far as to whisper that there is an
epidemic. I have myself made a rigid investigation. More than this, my
son, Mr. Harrington Surtaine, has placed the resources of the 'Clarion'
staff at our disposal, and on the strength of both inquiries, I am
prepared to assure this gathering that nothing like an epidemic exists."

"Well, I _am_ damned!" was McGuire Ellis's astounded and none too
low-voiced comment upon this bold perversion of the "Clarion"
enterprise. Stretching upward from his seat he looked about for Hal. The
young editor sat in a far c