Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Dec 1916)

MOTION PICTURE and apparently you cant, at least you must realize how much time and how many petty annoyances I could save you by taking these details of housekeeping out of your hands. Think of the endless number of interruptions when you are at work — and all because I am not in a position to pay the smallest of our bills.” Dr. Ellis paused with his hand on “My dear fellow,” he said at last, “I dont like to disappoint you, but the fact is, as I told you when you first mentioned it, I have no faith in these drug cures. I believe that nothing but will-power, and will-power alone, can overcome the drug habit. Moreover, I am opposed to endorsing anything which partakes of the nature of a patent medicine. ‘Oublier, ’ how one or two, where I have been able to keep in touch with the victims, it has positively worked a cure. Think what a boon this will be to the wretched creatures who are held fast in the clutches of the drug habit.” Ellis shook his head. “I will say nothing against it, I promise you, but I cannot be quoted as endorsing it.” As the doctor ever N 'm K7 effica c i o u s ^ F it may prove, is " 1 If a p r o prietary \ / remedy. To endorse V / it will endanger my \ xr standing in the profes \ / sion. I cannot take the risk — even for as good a v friend as yourself.” Powers’ face fell. He had counted upon the endorsement of Dr. Ellis. “But there is no risk about it,” he protested. “I have tried it, and I know that it is good. I have gone about in the haunts of the drug-fiends, and I have induced them to take it, under the impression that it was some new form of ‘dope.’ In every case there has been improvement, and in finished this speech there was a knock at the door. “W h o is there?” “It is I, dear — Norma.” ‘ ‘ Sorry, dear, but I cant see you now. I ’m busy. ’ ’ To his surprise the door opened and Norma entered, with t h e household account books under her arm. Feeling that something unusual was in the air, Powers rose at once and, before Ellis could voice his astonished indignation at Norma’s unceremonious entrance, he turned to the doctor, extending his hand. “Well, I must be running along,” he said. “I’m sorry you dont see it my way, and I’m sure I’ll be able to convince you. I’ll wait, however, until you have had more time to think it over.” “I’m afraid you will have a long wait. Dont stay away until you think I am ready. Come and have dinner with us tonight.” When Powers had left. Dr. Ellis turned to his wife, with a coldly inquiring manner. “How, may I ask, did you happen to come in when I said that I was busy ? ’ ’ “Because I had something to say which could not wait,” flared Norma. “After you came downstairs I thought everything over, and I came to the conclusion that we would have to do one thing or the other. Either you will give me the money to run the house, or you must run it yourself. I wont do half and half. We women who are never given any money of our own are more like slaves than wives — we are bondwomen, chattels — and if I am to be a chattel, I mean to have the doorknob. “My dear Norma, ” he said, in his most oracular manner, ‘ ‘ these petty annoyances, as you term them, are much to be preferred to a continual annoyance, and that is what your insistence in this matter threatens to become. I must ask vou to cease acting like a child.” And the door closed behind him, cutting off any possible retort. When the doctor entered his office, he found awaiting him his friend, David Powers, a wellknown chemist and a frequent visitor at the Ellis home. When they had shaken hands, Powers took a newspaper clipping from his pocket, saying, “I had a double purpose in coming to see you this afternoon. For one thing, our copper stock is booming. Shares in the Chance Mine, as you will see by this clipping, have advanced about twenty points in the last couple of days. ’ ’ The doctor took the clipping eagerly. ‘ ‘ Good ! ” he exclaimed. ‘ ‘ I have five thousand dollars worth of the stock and only have one payment of one thousand dollars to make before I own it outright. At this rate it will make us all rich.” “I hope so,” responded Powers, “but in case it does not I have another hope of making a fortune. It is the ‘Oublier’ — the drug cure. I sent you a sample of it the other day — have you had time to examine it? I want to get your endorsement.” Dr. Ellis was a little embarrassed. He hesitated. ( Eighteen )