The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1912-04-25
fooling wien the paiamas hy the tabls.

hand clutched the edge OF the table
and felt a spot yield under the
pressure of my thumb. Il was the
button controlling the bell TO Jen-
kins' room.
Lucky thing he sleeps like a jolly
porpoise." l reflected.
pushed a wicker armchair into
the moonlight and breeze by a win
dow, and pulling a fame to a cigarette.
leaned back, feeling jolly comfy. For
the breeze was ripping and delicious,
and the delicate silk OF the pajamas
flowed in little wavelets all the way
from my heels to my neck.
was just about dropping of, when
I heard some one 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 l could think about
It to reply, he halted suddenly, almost
pitching forward Then, with kind
of wheezy howl, he sprang to the wall.
Next instant. was blinking under the
dazzling electrolier.
Here, say! Shut OF that lightl"
1 demonstrated, half blinded.
| heard swift rush across the
rugs, and the next thing knew 1 was
roughly jerked from out my chair;
strong fingers clutched my throat, and
! found myself glaring into g fright
ened but resolute face.
"Jen-Jenkins!" tried to gasp, but
only gurgle came.
| was so taken unawares, l knew 1t
must be some dashed dream. Per-
haps another minute, and would
wake up. But he gripped me tighter
and shook me like rag.
Say, who are your" he hissed.
How did you get in here?"
And then, of course, knew that he
was crazy. Whether he was crazy
In dream or crazy with me awake, l
couldn't guess. 1t made very little
difference, anyhow, for l knew that in
another minute l should be either
dream dead or real dead; and dash
me II could see 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, l shot my leg for
ward with a mix-up and twist that
made Jenkins loosen his clutch and
stagger backward
What's the matter with your" /
gasped, advancing toward him. Are
you trying to murder meY" But 1
was so hoarse, the only word that
came out plainly was murder"
jenkins uttered howl Help, Mr..
Lightnut! Murder!"
you old fooll" cried. exasperated.
Come hereI"
He was coming. He seized a light
chair and swung 1t behind his head.
Then he rushed me with shout.
"Oh, Mr. Lightnut!"
Gone clear OF his nut!" was my
thought AS he swung the chair,
ducked low, and man and chair went
crashing to the floor. But he was up
again in a jifry and dancing at me.
Mr.. Lightnut, sir. why don't you
help me?"
Help you-you jolly idiot?" | NUT
tered Indignantly. Then my voice
raised: I've a mind to kill you'll"
With a yell he made a kangaroo
jump and swung at me again.
He says he's going to kill me, Mr..
Lightnut!" he painted as l lodged
again. Help me-wake up, sirl"
Wake up? Wake up, indeed, when
| had never been so devilish wide
awake in all my life! was sure
now about that. 1 moved toward him
cautiously.
stop your row!" | cried angrily;
you'll have somebody in. Think l
want the police up here%
With a glare at me, Jenkins darted
past me to the bedroom / had just
left It's light switch clicked. and
then back through the frightened
doorway he sprang and dashed for a
wall cabinet at the side. He began
tugging at its little drawer. And sud
denly | remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-five from a friend
in Denver--and loaded!
My spring to intercept him was
quick, but not quick enough! Half
way to him I pulled up under the
compelling argument OF the long blue
barrel pointed at my head.
Here! Look out, you fool-lt's
loaded" l warned, backing away to
the window.
Jenkins advanced. What have you
done with him?" he painted hoarsely.
Where is he?"
Where's who?" | asked savagely,
for | was getting devilish tired OF 1t
all But for the publicity. | shouId