The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1915-08-18
CHAPTER xI.

Think OF the maddest you have ever
been, multiply that by ten, and you
will have SONG idea OF Tommy's state
Of mind when he found that his clothes
we're gone. 1t was half an hour before
he was able to think.
And by that time there was no
longer any sight or sound of Celestial.
; Still furiously angry, but calmer. he
hurried to the hut and used up the pre-
cious hour to make suit Of clothes out
Of the buffalo robe. He succeeded with
an old nail, which he found, In max
ing holes for his arms and legs to go
through and in cutting strip of hide
for the belt, but as a suit the affair
was not success. Finally he deter
mined to travel naked, carrying the
buffalo suit over his arm to be donned
hastily In case he met anyone.
So he swan to the mainland, keep
ing the buffalo hide out OF water as
much as he could, and on feet which
were soon bruised and bloodied, head
ed straight for Four Corners. He
chose this course not because he ex-
pected to find Celestia there, but be-
cause he was we'll known there, ana
could get clothes and If necessary a
posse of men who would help find out
what had become of her.
Badly bitten by mosquitoes, gnats
and deerfies, he had by five o'clock
arrived within half a mile of Four
Corners, when sound of footsteps
caused him to dart behind virburnum
bush and dress hastily In his buffalo
robe suit. That SO dressed he re-
sembled cross between the wild man
of Borneo and Christmas stocking.
did not trouble him. He was covered
and proprieties were preserved. That
was all that mattered. Stepping back
into the trail and renewing his way
he came face to face with John Cum
berland.
John gave one look at Tommy and
shuddered. Every brave man has his
weakness; an Unborn fear Of maniacs
was Johnny's. He would have given
his reputation to be elsewhere, but he
had plenty of real nerve. and though
he felt that the situation might prove
desperate he resolved to face it like a
man. He had often heard that the way
to get along with maniacs is by humor-
ing them; SO he drew long breath,
assumed a CHASTITY smile. 1T is-it
must be Robinson CrusoeH
What's THAR" cried Tommy, sharp
ly. For he was not in a pleasant hui
NOR.
That's all right" said Johnny, back
ing slowly away. II thought You
thought you were Robinson Cruise; but
IL you think you are someone else
think SO too. / think whatever you
do"
Il am Tommy Barclay" said Tommy
with certain fierceness.
"Of course you are," exclaimed the
reporter, that's what meant to say
in the first place.
IF you think I'm mad" Tommy
began, but Cumberland interrupted
with hasty mo STREE, don't. Just
as sane as am. Wouldn't wonder If
saner. Maybe two OF three times as
sane"
Tommy couldn't help laughing.
Look here" said Tommy, don't be
an ass IL you can possibly help it. My
clothes were stolen while / was In
swimming. l threw this fashionable
suit together out of respect for An
thony Comstock, and Pm looking for
a young lady named Celestia-"
"The girl from.heavenT
That's what she says; but how do
you known"
me? / interviewed her just before
she boarded the New York express
Professor stilliter. the famous psy.
biologist found her in the woods, and
between you and me she's some girl"
who are your" Tommy asked abb |
ruptly.
John Cumberland. New York !
Beacon"
"Then you probably know who /
am"
IF you're really Mr.. Thomas Bar
clay, do. Are your"
Tommy merely nodded and the re-
porter knew he was speaking the
truth.
III you've any statement to make.
Mr.. Barclay"
Tommy shook his head
They took her TO New York;
TO BeIleyiew. Stilliter couldn't
make up his mind whether she was
bughouse or not"
I'm afraid she u.s." said Tommy.
rPccr kid. Look here, old man. I'd be
a life long friend to anybody who'd
bring me a decent suit Of clothes IN
time TO catch the next train / know
everybody in Four Corners, but some
how ] can't see myself facing them In