The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent., 1920-09-17

from bewlderment to perplexity, from
perplexity to hysterical alarm and an
ger.
"YOu! What-what do you meanT
she screamed.
Before he could realize what she
was about she had darted at him aLd
plucked frantically ut his mustache.
"Jove" he ejaculated, and he
clapped his hand to his lip.
"Oh! oh! OH" she painted, shrinking
away from him, her dilating eyes fixe'l
In Mortified stare upon the few still
hairs In her clutched fingers. Its
real! On"
MY word! should say It isl" he
mumbled. pressing hard on his lip.
"But-hnt how then-oh, dear! oh
dear! Take me in to doctor! I must
be crazy! You had 1t; then you didn't
have 1t; now you do have it!''
"Have IT."
"YO,lr mus-mustache! thought
you had shaved. 1t was gone-l'in sure
1t was gOne-yet now"
"Gone! When?"
"In therein the library-not Ave
minutes ago! Oh. dear! I must he
raving" crazy! It wasn't there then
| you've grown 1t again in i've min.
utes!"
He stared at her wildly. infected
with the terror in her look and voice.
Insane-insane! That face IN the mir.
rOr! She. too, had seen 1t!
They glared ut one another, over
come with dread and horror.
n say" remarked voice behind
him.
He wheeled about and found him.
self looking into the muzzle Of an au.
tomato pistol in the hand Of BENIN.
"Caught you mapping. eh?' jeered
the detective. II learned that Kirk.
land was tracing In this direction. |
did not rush up to the front door.
Quietly slipped in from the rear,
y'know; and-here we are. Quite
clever. call it. No wonder you look
dabbergasted."
In flash Amy flung herself between
the two. Don't you shoot him! Don't
you dare!" she cried.
Hastily he lowered the pistol and
sought to explain: Il had no intention,
none whatever-only in self.defense.
Can't you understand? If he Is viO-
lent-attempts to resist But II you
persuade him to submit l am sorr:
to have to use handcuffs."
Handouts? Oh. shame! shame or
you !-pretending to be his friend all
| this time! Shame on YOU 7"
BENIN bit his lip. His bright, shal.
low eyes deepened and darkened with
profound emotion. But he stood firm,
Il made no pretense." he rejoined
Il offered to prove myself his friend
l stood ready to save him. even ut the
cost of my professional honor
"Your professional honor!" she re
preached.
"He is your brother. thought 70,
would understand. am willing t.
give a great deal to clear him. ii 70,
will-er-accept my"
"But II l cannot?"
"Then I shall do my duty. Do so,
take me for fool, to connive ut tn,
escape of an embezzler. unless you ar
considerate enough to-"
"Oh, you won't-you can't! Surel,
yOu'll not be SO mean!"
Il can send him to the penitentlars
What's more, ! will. unless"
"No-n-nO! do mott" cried the age
nized girl. "l.et him go. please let hi,
go! will do what-what you wish
You will? You will marry me?" h
demanded. and he stepped forward /
eager elatiOn.
She shrank back with her hand
over her averted face. The prisone
slipped protective arm about he
. shoulders and quietly remarked I
; BENIN: "Better step aside II you ar
. nervous. You might accidentally dl!
charge your pistol. There are peopl
} coming along the path behind you."
Suspicious Of ruse. BENIN edge
around to the side of the opening au
: glanced swiftly over his shoulder.
few feet away two hats were vtsibl
over the shrubs, moving down th
twisting path.
"Here they are. Hurry up," boone
the voice OF Doctor Kirkland.
(TO BE CONTlNUEDJ