The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-03-24

tigue. She was Of a style Of figure and
posses sed colOring and features that
were agreeable to my fancy. She was
in travelling dress. She fixed upon
me an earnest look Of extreme anxiety
and pressed an unsteady hand to her
bosom. think she would have start
ed forward. but the gentleman arrest
ed her movement with an authorize
tive motion of his hand. He then came
forty. little gray about the temples
and with a strong. thoughtful face.
Bedford, old man." he said cordial
ly. I'm glad to see you again. or
course we know everything Is all
right | warned you, you know. that
YOU were OVERRIDING it. Now you'll g"
back with US and be yourself again in
10 time"
| smiled ironically.
81 have been 'Bellforded' so often
| said. that it has lost its edge. Still
in the end it may grow wearisome.
Would you be willing at all to enter
tain the hypothesis that my name is
Edward Pinkhammer and that never
saw you before in my lfe?'
Before the man could reply a wall
ing cry came from the woman. She
sprang past his OBTAINING arm. "Fl
wyn," she sObbed, and cast herself
upon me and chung tight. "Elwyn."
she cried again, don't break my
heart am your wife. Call my
name 0nce-just once. | could sec
you dead rather than this way"
unwound her arms respectfully,
but firmly.
Madam" l said severely, pardon
me if | suggest that you accept a re
semblance too precipitately. It is d
pity" I went on, with an amused
laugh as the thought occurred to me.
that this Bedford and l could not be
kept side by side upon the same shelf
like tartrates of sodium and antimony
for purposes of Identification. In or
der to understand the allusion," | con
Guided airily. sit may be necessary for
you to keep an eye on the proceedings
of the druggists national convention"
The lady turned to her companion
and g~asped his arm.
What is it. DR.. Volney. oh, what is
it?' she moaned.
He led her to the door
$50 to your room for awhile" ]
heard him say II will remain and
talk with him. His mind: No, !
think not only a portion of the brain
Yes, I am sure he will recover Go
to your room and leave me with him"
The lady disappeared. The man in
dark clothes also went outside, still
manicuring himself in thoughtful
way think he waited in>the hall.
81 would like to- talk with You
awhile. Mr. Pipkhammer, if l may,
said the gentleman who remained.
VERY well. if you care TO-. replied
land will excuse me if | take it com
fortably; am rather tired" l stretch
ed myself upon couch by window
and lit cigar He drew q chair near
by.
LET us speak to the point" he said
soothingly. Your name is not Pink
hammer"
II know that as well as you do" |
said coolly. But a man must have a
name of some sort. / can assure you
that l do not extravagantly admire
the name of Pinkhammer. But when
one christens oneself suddenly the fine
names do not seem to suggest them
selves"
Your NAME" said the other man
| seriously, SIS Elwyn G. Bedford. You
are one Of the first lawyers in Denver.
You are suffering from an attack Of
| aphasia. which has caused you to for
get your identity. The cause Of it was
overapplication to your profession and
perhaps life too bare of natural recre-
ton and pleasures. The lady who has
just left the room is your wife"
"She is what would call fine looG
ing woman" l said after judicial
pause. 81 particularly admire the
: shade of brown in her hair"
"She is a wife to be proud of. Since
your disappearance nearly two weeks
ago she has scarcely closed her eyes
We learned that you were in New
York through telegram sent by Isl
dore Newman, a travelling man from
Denver He said that he had met yol
in a hotel here and that you did nor
recognize him.
II think l remember the OCCASION -
said. The fellow called me Bell
! ford if am not mistaken. But don't
you think it about time now for you 70
introduce yourself?"
81 am Robert Volney-Dr VOlney. {
| have been your close friend for TWEEN
ty years and your physician for fifteen
came with Mrs. Bedford to trace yen
as soon as we got the telegram. Try.
Elwyn, old man-try to remember
whats the use to try?' asked
with little frown. You say yon
are a physician. Is aphasia curablof
When a man loses his memory does it
return slowly or suddenly"
Sometimes gradually and imperfect
fy, sometimes as suddenly as it went. :"
| "WiIl you undertake the treat ment Of