The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-03-21

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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 ab0u.
IL to reply, he halted suddenly, almost
pitching forward Then, with a KIND
Of wheezy howl, he sprang to the wall
Next instant, I was blinking under the
! dazzling electroier.
Here, say! Shut off that light
| demonstrated, half blinded.
| heard a swift rush across ths
rugs, and the next thing | knew / was
| roughly jerked from out my chair
| strong fingers clutched my throat. and
| found myself glaring into a fright
ened but resolute face.
"Jen-Jenkins,' | tried to gasp, but
only gurgle came.
! was so taken unawares, | knew It
must be some dashed dream. Per
| haps another minute, and | would
wake up. But he gripped me tighter
anu oAOOh me Inc a IdS.
Say who are you2" ne 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,
couldn't guess It made very little
difference, anyhow, for knew that IN
another minute ! 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 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 you?"
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 howl. Help. Mr..
Llghtnut! Murder.
You old fool!" cried. exasperated.
Come here!"
He was coming lie seized a light
chair and swung it behind his head
Then he rushed me with shout.
"Oh. Mr.. Lightnut!"
Gone clear off 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 jiffy and dancing at me.
MIR. Lightnut. sir, why don't you
help me?"
Help you-you jolly idiot?" NUT
tered Indignantly. Then my voice
raised; I've mind to Kill you"
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 deviish wide
awake in all my life! was sure
now about that l moved toward him
cautiously.
Stop your row." | cried angrily;
you'll have sonebody In. Think
want the police up here?"
With 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 It's little drawer. And sud.
denly | remembered the revolver
there, an old forty-five from friend
In Denver-and loaded!
My spring to 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?" I asked savagely,
for l was getting devilish tired of it
all. But for the publicity, l should
have yelled from the window.
Where's Mr.. Lightnut?" he de
manded
"Oh, he's all right" i decided to
adopt that soothing tone that l had
read somewhere was the proper caper
with lunatics.
"Where?" Jenkins insisted, pushing
nearer.
And dashed II | knew what to an
swer; for. II l 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. II Just chucked him down into
the street"
1t sounded like a cannon cracker.
that gun! The shower of splintered
glass from the picture between the
windows barely missed me. But
never waited second-fcr this last
devilish straw was too much, don't
you know. and something had to be
done. leaped for the weapon as II
struck the hardwood floor between US.
jerked from jenkins hand by tho nm