The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-11-11

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for a little game nor gold brick,
thank you"
He went out through the main exit
Of the old depot, leaving the man who
had accosted him agnpe and blankly
disconnected.
The traveller tensed with the upwell-
! ing Of his energy. He noted the line
of taxicabs drawn up outside the depot
grounds, and started forward, brisk
and purposeful. At the same time a
small touring car that had been stand
ing beside the curb before the ladies'
waiting room curved around and rolled
smoothly out across the block pave
ment toward the Welcome arch.
Car and pedestrian reached the
crossing at the same time. The driver,
a portly, gray-haired gentleman, footed
warning and swerved over on the
crossing. Checked by the sound of the
horn the traveller came to On abrupt
halt and stood poised, Whiting for the
automobile to glide past.
The elderly driver was too Intent on
steering the machine to give further
heed to him. But the matronly lady In
the rear seat looked In his direction
and met his gaze full and direct. In.
stantly she flung out her hand and
leaned toward him, her face aglow
with surprise and delight.
"Willp she cried. "Stop, Karl, stop I
Don't you see WHIP"
The car came to a stand within its
own length, and the dignlfied driver
twisted about to peer ut the traveller.
AS he met the young mans look Of
well-bred annoyance his joyful aston
ishment became clouded with doubt.
But the doubt vanished and left him
beaming with cocksure delight.
ut is Willp he exclaimed. "Aiost
Unexpected Such a-a-"
MY dear VIII My dear boy r.
broke in the lady. ITO think that
you"
For the first time the traveller rallied
from the half daze Into which he had
been thrown by this sudden attack. 81
beg your pardon, madam" he inter
rupted the lady. you have rather the
advantage OF me. Evidently you mis-
take me for some friend who has been
away"
He smiled as II In sympathetic
amusement, but the others at once be-
came grave. The lady gazed at him in
shocked surprise. The gentleman re-
piled to him with dignlhed irritation /:
"This is no occasion for practical
jokes, VIII. Very unlike you'll Merely
because you have grown q mustache
Is no reason why you should"
"One moment, SIR broke in the
young man, and he drew out his card
case. "My name is ClInton-Rlchard
Clinton. l am a stranger In Denver
ut won't do, won't do, Will" irri-
tably rejoined the older man. you've
changed a great deal-wonderful i'm
prOvement. But OF course it's all ow-
Ing to your complete recovery. Never
saw you look so robust. There's res
onance In your voice It's no use Of
fecting the Boston accent. You can't
disguise your voice."
"Slr, 1t is you who insist upon a
practical joke because of a fancIed re-
semblance," declared the young man,
his blue eyes glinting with annoyance.
| "Fancied" exclaimed the lady.
II beg your pardon, madam" he re-
piled, and he presented his card to her.
"As you see. my name is Richard Clln-
ton. am on my way through to the
Coast and am stopping over In Denver
only for the change of cars"
"Ah, yes, to be sure" she muNNured,
her eyes on his card. $50 stupid OF us.
Pray pardon me a moment"
She turned her shoulder to him and
leaned forward to hand the card to her
pOrtly companion.
"Ohl what can It be, Karl2 she
whispered. "See Ito have had cards
engraved He really seems to be seri-
GUS, and it's so unlike him to joke. Can
It be possible that his loss of MEN,
ory-that 1t has failed entirely2"
The bushy eyebrows of the gentle
man came down over his keen eyes,
and his face clOuded with concern.
Posslblel Possible" he muttered
"Amnesia - dissertation - secondary
personality My dear, it's not only
possible; it's highly probableI And l
thought he was joking. poor boyP
"HushI Leave 1t to me. We must
detaIn him. He cannot be allowed to
leave town."
mo, noi--whlle in this state-im-
possible !"
The lady turned to the young man
with an air Of gracious apology. "Mr.--
Clinton, you hear my husband. We
cannot allow you to leave the state
without FIRST having made amends to
you for this-thIs annoying mistake"