Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-07-24

strong fingers clutched my throat, and
] found myself glaring into a fright
ened but resoute face.
"Jen.Jenkins!" / tried TO gasp but
only a gurgle came.
was so taken unawares, 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 dream or crazy with me awake, /
couldn't guess. II made very little
difference, anyhow, for / knew that in
another minute should be either
dream dead or real dead; and dash
me If | could see any odds worth toss.
| ing Tor In either, you know.
But l 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 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 me?" But /
was SO hoarse, the only word that
came out plainly was murder"
jenkins uttered a howl. Help, MI
Lightnut! Murderl"
You old fool" cried. exasperated
Come herel"
He was coming. He seized a light
chair and swung it behind his head
Then he rushed me with a shout.
oh, Mr.. Lightnut!"
Gone clear off his mutt" 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 jiffy 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 | lodged
again Help me-wake up, sir!"
Wake up? Wake up, indeed, when
had never been so devilish wide
awake in all my life was sure
now about that l moved toward him
cautiously.
stop your row." l cried angrilyi
you'll have somebody in. Think
want the police up here?"
With a glare at me, jenkins darteC
past me to the bedroom | had JUS
left It's light switch clicked, ant
then back through the frightened
doorway he sprang and dashed for {
wall cabinet at the side. He begar
Juggling at its little drawer. And sud
denly | remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-five from a frienC
in Denver-and loaded!
My spring to intercept him wal
quick, but not quick enough! Half
way to him / pulled up under thu
compelling argument of the long blu,
barrel pointed at my head
Here! Look out, you fool-it
loaded" l warned, backing away Il
the window.
Jenkins advanced. What have yo1
done with him?" he painted hoaTsely
Where is he?"
where's who?" | asked savagely
for | was getting devilish tired of /
all. But for the publicity, l shout,
have yelled from the window
where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he dc
manded.
"Oh, he's all right" l decided t
adopt that soothing tone that | ha
read somewhere was the proper cape
with lunatics
"Where?" Jenkins insisted, pushin
nearer.
. And dashed If knew what to al
swer; for, if l made a mistake,
might be serious, by Jove! Perhap
some jocular reply would be safest
might divert his attention, you know
The open window gave me an ide'
| why, do you know" | said plea'
antly, Il Just chucked him down int
the street"
It sounded like a cannon cracke
that gun! The shower of splintere
glass from the picture between tn
> windows barely missed me, But
never waited a second-for this las
devilish stray was too much, don
YOU know, and something had to b
done. | leaped for the weapon as
struck the hardwood floor between III
, ierked from Jenkins hand by the III
familiar upward kick. Another il
slant and | was poking the muzzl
| into his side.
= i've just had enough of this, 20
) Pool!" | cried impatiently. Her
+, take a good look at mel" pushed m
face closer. Look at me, tell you
? By Jove, he shuddered! His eye
3 wide distended with terror, rolled
9 the ceiling.
. Il can't" he whispered; Il Jul
+ can't-anything but that! Only pleas
please don't kill me, too"
y XIII your" l said, frowning stern
as he gave a furtive glance, z ce
0 stainly will, if you don't take GOO
+ look at mel"
}, He gave a sort of despairlng sig
r and closed his eyes SO tightly tt
J, lashes disappeared. "All right, then
S he said sullenly; you may kill me-
y |. The way with these lunatics,