Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-03-28

Swer; for II l made a mistake, IL
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
antly, Il just chucked him down into
the street"
It sounded like q cannon cracker,
that gun! The shower of splintered
glass from the picture between the
windows barely missed me. But
never waited q second-for this last
devilish straw was too much, don't
you know, and something had to be
done. I leaped for the weapon as It
struck the hardwood floor between us,
jerked from jenkins hand by the I'M
familiar upward kick. Another in.
slant and l was poking the muzzle
into his side.
1--WE just had enough Of this, you
fool" l cried impatiently. Here,
take a good look at mel" pushed my
face closer. Look at me, tell you!"
By Jove, he shuddered! His eyes.
wide distended with terror, rolled to
the ceiling.
Il can't" he whispered; Il just
can't-anythIrg rut that C0Iy, please
please I-It kin ne. too"
XIII you?" l said, ROWING sternly
as he gave a furtive glance. Il GER
tainly will, if you don't take q good
look at mel"
He gave a sort of de pairing sign
and closed his eyes so tightly the
lashes disappeared. "All right, them
he said sullenly; you may kill mel"
The way with these lunutics, |
thought Next thing. he would be
begging and insisting that l kill him.
I mOtionei to the door OF my guest
room and gave him push.
In there" I said, and keep Fer
fectly quiet"
| And as he shot inside, closed the
| door and locked it. l just had to take
the chance of his hurting himself
against the walls and furniture;
didn't believe he was so crazy he
| would undertake the six-story leap to
the ground. Listening, | heard some.
thing like a sob. Then l caught my
name.
Poor Mr.. Lightnut," came choking.
| ly: the kindest gentlest master!"
And then more sobs and gulps.
BY Jove, under his insane delusion,
the poor beggar was grieving for me;
not thinking Of himself at ALL you
know. felt my eyes grow a bit
moist, somehow, and all at once my
heart went heavy. Thought how long
| poor old Jenkins had been with me-
ever since l was out of college, you
know-fve years-and remembered
how devllish faithful and attached he
had always been. Poor old jerks! 1t
was awful his going OF this way!
recalled how he had taken to seeing
things. earlier in the evening, and had
made me see them. too. dash it! One
thing determined: whatever had to
be done with him. he should have the
finest OF attention.
knew that l ought to telephone to
somebody or something, but dashed II
l had any idea who or whore. Ocdly
enough, not q soul seemed to have
been reused By the pistol shot, but 1
saw by the little clock that It was
close to three-the hour in q bachelor
apartment house when everybody 60
asleep, II they're going to sleep at all.
decided that the best thing to do
FIRST was to get into some clothes. And
with this thought was turning away,
when It occurred to ne to make an
EFFORT to sec II poor Jenkins seeuoea
more rational now or had gone 70
sleep
tapped upon the door. Are you
asleep?" asked softly.
A howl of positive terror came
back.
I'm a-keeping quiet" he cried, but
don't let me hear your voice again,
or I'll jump right out of the window"
I shook my head sadly and tiptoed
into my room. where | slipped hur-
riedly out Of the pajamas and into
some clothes; then back l went to
the telephone. 1t was on my little
writing-desk close to the door contin.
ing jenkins.
l lifted the receiver with sigh.
Hello, central" I began, respond
ing to the operator. II say, will you
give me information?"
A loud shout suddenly sounded from
behind the closed door, and there
came a frantic double-pounding OF
fists.
mfr. Lightnut-Mr. Lightnut!"
screamed Jenkins. "Oh, Mr.. Light
nut, you're back-you're alive-I can
hear your voice! This is Jenkins, Mr..
Lightnut; yes, sir. Jenkins. They've
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