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THE MADNESS OF MAY

by

MEREDITH NICHOLSON

With illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele







[Illustration: "I didn't know it was _your_ moon," he said.
[_Page_ 60]]


Upon the morn they took their horses with the queen, and rode
a-maying in woods and meadows, as it pleased them.
                                        --The Age of Chivalry.

New York
Charles Scribner's Sons
1917

Copyright, 1917, by
Charles Scribner's Sons

Published March, 1917



TO
MRS. CHARLES THOMAS KOUNTZE



ILLUSTRATIONS

                                                                  PAGE

"I didn't know it was _your_ moon," he said.            _Frontispiece_

"The young person left in haste, that's clear enough,"
remarked Hood.                                                      30

"I make it a rule never to deny food to any applicant,
no matter how unworthy. You may remain."                           123

"Throw up your hands, boys; it's no use!" cried Hood
in mock despair.                                                   166






THE MADNESS OF MAY

I


Billy Deering let himself into his father's house near Radford Hills,
Westchester County, and with a nod to Briggs, who came into the hall to
take his hat and coat, began turning over the letters that lay on the
table.

"Mr. Hood has arrived, sir," the servant announced. "I put him in the
south guest-room."

Deering lifted his head with a jerk. "Hood--what Hood?"

"Mr. Hood is all I know, sir. He said he was expected--you had asked him
for the night. If there's a mistake----"

Deering reached for his hat and coat, which Briggs still held. His face
whitened, and the outstretched hand shook visibly. Briggs eyed him with
grave concern, then took a step toward the stairway.

"If you wish, sir----"

"Never mind, Briggs," Deering snapped. "It's all right. I'd forgotten I
had a guest coming; that's all."

He opened a letter with assumed carelessness and held it before his eyes
until the door closed upon Briggs. Then his jaws tightened. He struck his
hands together