Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-05-10

and the delicate silk OF the pa1amas
flowed in little wavelets all the way
from my heels TO my neck.
I was Just about dropping on, when
heard some n hurrying along the
private hall leading from the back
jenkins himself popped into the room
did you ring. SIR" he inquired
and advanced quickly.
And then. before / could think about
It to reply, he halted suddenly, almost
pitching forward. Then, with a kind
OF wheezy howl, he sprang to the wall
Next instant, | was blinking under the
dazzling electrolier.
Here, | say! Shut of that light"
demonstrated, half blinded.
heard a swift rush across the
rugs, and the next thing | knew l was
roughly Jerked from out my chair;
strong fingers clutched my throat, and
found myself glazing into a fright
ened but resolute face.
"Je~nJenkins!" | tried to gasp, but
only a gurgle came.
| was SO taken unawares, l knew II
must be some dashed dream. Per
haps another minute, and | would
wake up. But he gripped me tighter
and shook me like a rag.
Say, who are your" he Kissed
How did you get in here?"
And then. OF course, | knew that he
was crazy. Whether he was crazy
In a dream or crazy with mo awake, ]
couldn't guess. It made very little
difference, anyhow, for | knew that In
another minute | should be either
dream dead or real dead; and dash
me If | could sec any odds worth toss
ing for in either, you know.
But | don't belong to the athletic
club quite for nothing, and have man
aged to pick up a few tricks. you
know. SO with the decision to chuck
the dream theory, | shot my leg for
ward with a Ihixrlp and twist that
made Jenkins loosen his clutch and
stageer backward.
/ whats the matter with your"
gasped, advancing toward him. Are
| you trying to murder me?" But
was 80 hoarse. the only word that
came out plainly was murder"
jenkins uttered a howl. Help, Mr.
Lightnut. Murder!"
You old fool!" | cried, e~xasperated
Come here!"
He was coming. He seized a Iight
chair and swung 1t behind his head
Then he rushed me with a shout.
"Oh, Mr.. L~ightnut!"
"Gone clear off his mutt" was my
thought. AS he swung the chair,
ducked low, and man and chair Wen
crashing to the floor, But he was VI
again in a jiffy and dancing at me.
"Mr, Lightnut, sir, why don't yo'
help me-"
Help you-Sou jolly idiot?" | NUT
tered Indignantly. Then my voic
raised: I've a mind to kill you!"
With a yell, he made a kangaroo
jump and swung at me again.
"He says he's going to kill me, MI
Lightnut!" he painted as l dodge
again. Help me-wake up, sir"
Wake up? Wake up, indeed, whe
had never been 80 devilish wild
awake in all my life! was sur
now about that. | moved toward hill
/, cautiously.
stop your row." | cried angrlly
you'll have somebody In. Think
want the police up here?"
With a glare at me, Jenkins darte
past me to the bedroom | had ju;
, left. It's light switch clicked, an
then back through the brightene
doorway he sprang and dashed for
wall cabinet at the side. He bega
1 Juggling at its little drawer. And su.
r denly | remembered the revolvC
, there, an old forty five from a frier
in penver-and loaded!
My spring to intercept him WI
Q quick, but not quick enough! Hal
way to him | pulled up under Il
compelling argument Of the long BIZ
barrel pointed at my head.
n Here! Look out, you fool-it
loaded" | warned, backing away
the window.
jenkins advanced. What have "
Q done with him." he painted hoarsel
Where Is he?"
where's who?" | asked savagel
d for ! was getting devilish tired OF
| all. But for the publicity, | shou
have yelled from the window,
where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he d
y manded,
K "Oh, he's all right" | decided
adopt that soothing tone that | hi
s. read somewhere was the proper cap
with lunatics.
/ "Where?" jenkins insisted. pushil
nearer.
d And dashed II | knew what to a
swer; for. If | made a mistake,
lie might be serious, by Jove, Perha
some j~ocular reply would be safest
i'd might divert his attention, you kno
| The open window gave me an idt
p. why, do you know" | said pie;
re antly, Il Just chucked him down in
e. the street"
1t sounded like a cannon crack,
~ that gum The shower of splinter
lie glass from the picture between I
he windows barely missed me. But
he never waited n second-for this ID
n devilish straw was too much, do