alist.

So, while Checkers told nothing of his apprehensions to Pert, he would
brook no interference in his plans. The middle of May they left the
house in care of "Mandy," and set out for the land of "The Great White
City."

What delight they found in roaming about through those wonderful
buildings and marvelous displays! Checkers, alert and all-observing,
Pert, enthusiastic and wondering--they spent whole days in a single
building or upon the ever-interesting Midway.

Checkers had found cozy quarters in a small hotel not far from the
grounds, but they lunched and dined where it suited them best. Thus it
chanced that one night, when they were going to the theater, they dined
beforehand at Kinsley's, as related by Checkers in the opening chapters.

Meanwhile, Checkers did not neglect the more serious part of his
mission. He hunted up Murray, who was surprised and glad to see him,
and who evinced a genuine interest in the story of his marital felicity.

Upon the matter of a doctor for Pert, Murray happened to know "just the
man," a friend of his, to whom he gave Checkers a letter of
introduction. Checkers called and explained the case to the doctor,
and the next day Pert underwent a thorough examination. Checkers
awaited the verdict anxiously. In effect it was this: her heart action
was weak, and at times irregular, but there was no reason to apprehend
but what, with a careful diet, regular exercise, plenty of sleep and
fresh air, she would live as long as the average woman, and fully
recover from the troublesome symptoms which sudden over-exertion had
brought upon her. Violent exercise and excitement, however, were
especially to be avoided; and the use of all stimulants, narcotics and
anaesthetics must be set down as dangerous in the extreme.

Checkers breathed a sigh of relief. He had warned the doctor to make
as light of the case to Pert as his conscience would permit, explaining
that he himself would tell her gradually, as fitting occasion offered,
what had been said to him, and would see that all instructions were
carefully carried out. Violent exercise she was already warned
against, and Checkers felt that he could guard her against unusual
excitement. He carefully avoided the harrowing plays at the theater,
but took her to operas and burlesques. But it never occurred to him as
necessary to warn her specifically against stimulants and drugs.

A few days before their departure for home, they recei