The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-07-12

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flowed In little wavelcts all the way
from my heels 10 my neck.
was Just about dropping on. 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 | could think about
II to reply, he halted suddenly. almost
pitching forward Then, with a kind
of whec2y howl. he sprang to the wall.
Next instant, was blinking under the
dazzling electrolier.
Here. | say. Shut OF that light"
| demonstrated. half blinded.
heard swift rush across tho
rugs. and the next thing ! knew | was
roughly jerkcd from out my chair:
strong fingers clutched my throat. and
found myself glaring into fright.
ened but resolu:s face.
"Jen.Jenkins. tried to gasp. but
only a gurgle cane.
| 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 shock me like 4 rag.
Say. who are you?" 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. !
In 10 ny, Ia
difference. anyhow. FOR knew that in
another minute | should be either
dream dead or real dead: and dash
ne IL could see any odds worth toss
ing fer in either. you know.
But ! dent belong 10 the athletic
, club quite for nothing. and have man
aged 10 pick up few tricks, you
know. So with the decision 10 chuck
the dream theory. shot my leg for.
ward with rcix.up and twist that
made jenkins lcoson his clutch and
| stagger backward.
What's the matter with you?"
gasped. advancing toward him. Are
you trying 20 murder me?' But
was so hcarse. INC only word that
came out plainly was murder"
Jenkins uttered howl. Help, Mr..
Lightnut Murder
You old fool! cried, exasperated.
Come here"
lie was coming. lie seized light
chair and swung X behind his head.
Then be rushed ne with a shout
oh, Mr. Lishtnut!"
Gone clear OF his NUT" was my
thought is he swung the chair.
ducaed low. and man and chair went
crashing TO the ioor But he was UP
,gain in a i!ny and GaEcrg at me.
Mr. l.ightnut. sir. why don't you
help me-"
Help ycu-you jolly IDIOT | nut.
tered Indignantly. Then my voice
raised: I've 4 mind 10 Kill you"
With yell. he made a kangaroo
jump and swung st me again.
He says he's going to kin me, Mr..
Lightnut." he painted as lodged
again Help me--wake up. sir"
Wake up? Wake up. indeed, when
| had never been 80 devilish wide
awake in all my life. was sure
now about that. ! moved toward him
cautiously.
stop your row" | cried angrily;
you'll have somebody in. Think
want the police up here"
With a glare at me. jenkins darted
past me o. the bedroom | had just
left Its light switch clicked. and
then back through the frightened
doorway ne sprang and dashed for a
wall cabinet at the side. He began
trrging at its little drawer. And sud.
denly remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-five from friend
in Denver-and loaded.
Ny spring 10 intercept him was
quick. but not quick enough. Half
way to him pulled up under the
compelling argument OF the long blue
barrel pointed at my head.
Here, Look out, you fool--it's
loaded" 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 II
ALL But for the publicity, | should
have yelled from the window.
where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he de-
manded.
"Oh, he's all right" decided to
adopt that soothing tone that | had
read somewhere was the proper caper
with lunatics.
"Where?" Jenkins insisted, pushing
nearer
And dashed II knew what TO an
swer: for, n made mistake. II
might be serious, by Jove! Perhaps
some jocular reply would be safest
might divert his attention. you know.
The open window gave me an idea.
why, do you know" said pleas
antiy, Il just chucked him down into
the street"
II sounded like a cannon cracker
that gun! The shower OF spliutcred
glass from the picture between the
windows barely missed me. But
never waited a second-for this last
deyil,sh straw was too much, don't
you know, and something had to be
done. leaped for the weapon as !:
struck the hardwood floor between us,
V-~lrfnos hand ~ eha mr..