The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-12-03
CHAPTER xI.

Think of the maddest you have evel
been, multiply that by ten, and you
viii! have some idea of Tommy's state
of mind when he found that his clothes
were gone. 1t was half an hour before
he was able to think.
And by that time there was nc
longer any sight or sound of Celestia.
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 &C
through and in cutting a strip of hide
for the belt, but as a suit the affair
was not a 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 well known there, and
could get clothes and if necessary
posse of men who would help find Out
what had become of her.
Badly bitten by mosquitoes, gnats
and deerhies, he had by five O'Clock
arrived within half mile of -Four
Corners, when a 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 we're 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 1t 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 ghastly smile. 1T is-it
must be Robinson Crusoe!"
What's that?" cried Tommy, sharp
ly. For he was not in pleasant hu
NOR.
That's all right" said Johnny, back
ing slowly away. Il thought you
thought you were Robinson Cruise; but
if you think you are someone else
think so too. think whatever you
do"
81 am Tommy Barclay, said Tommy
with a 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 a hasty "No Stree, | don't. Just
as sane as | am. Wouldn't wonder II
saner. Maybe two or three times as
sane"
Tommy couldn't help laughing.
Look here" said Tommy. don't be
an ass if you can possibly help it. My
clothes were stolen while l was in
swimming. | threw this fashionable
suit together out of respect for An
thony Comstock, and I'm looking for
a young lady named Celestia-'
The girl from'heaven?'
That's what she says; but how do
you know
Me? | interviewed her just before
she boarded the New York express.
Professor Stilliter. the famous psy'
chologist found her in the woods, and
between you and me she's some girl.
who are you?" Tommy asked alb
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.
IF you've any statement to make,
Mr.. Barclay"
Tommy shook his head.
They took her to New York;"
To Belleview, Stilliter couldn't
make up his mind whether she was
bughouse or not"
I'm afraid she is" said Tommy
Poor 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