The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-03-25

tnan lnan L 90! Let's omit
the comedy; I'm talking business I"
The young mans mouth curled.
Don't be mistaken, Mr.. Harmon
there's very little joking in me when
1 ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
shivered at the tone, but waved the
photograph In scoffing accusation.
You're not trying to sit there and
tell me"
Il told you 1 was in hospital for
nearly year. believe" said IIilliard
Jelly. 1T was shrapnel-across the
face. AS matter of fact / didn't
have much of any face left. But the
surgeons-they're pretty clever. Yes
they're clever!" billiards. eyes were
needle points. "They make man over
from his own photograph. In my own
case | preferred it differently. SO
when they asked me for something to
use as a pattern In remodellng me
gave 'em thisI" He tossed out a pic
ture postcard, soiled and frayed.'
WELL that's where the trouble began.
They cursed me up and down for a E.
still that part of 1t won't interest
you!" His eyes were blazing now, and
his voice shook with passion. "Natu-
rally | hadn't meant IL as ID
literal as all that but they had
me under ether before l could help
myself and they went through
with it and cursed me some
more afterward They couldn't
copy 1T exactly, Of course, but they did
the best they could. Gloated
over 1t Took infinite pains to make
1t perfect and sneered at me
while they did 1t! Sneered-and
laughed. Well, you've got the
results in front of you. That's what
I was-and that's what I am! What's
your opinion now?" The last sentence
came snarllng through set teeth.
The brokers' pupils had dilated
grossly; his eyes wandered vacantly
from the photograph to the postcard
and back to billiards face. His whole
imagination was pinned down and
crushed he swore softly under his
breath and wet his lips.
ITS a miracle !" he STAN
mered. "a miracle! :"
''The photograph" said Hilllard
harshly, sis the way they remember
me up in Syracuse. Do you think
they'd ever recognize me now"
"It's miracle It's paralyz-
ingl =. :" Harmon swallowed hard,
and looked down almost fearfully at
the time-worn postcard. "There's so
much difference -. nobody'd ever
think of 1t without knowing .
but when you see the originate .
1t It knocks me all In q heap
It's staggering! And they did that to
you'll Just to think they could do that
to you! I've got to have a
drink I"
billiard motioned impatiently. but
his fit Of rage was slowly going down.
There's no miracle about 1t at all.
1t was good plastic surgery. If they'd
sent me out looking as l used to you
wouldn't call 1t miracle, would you?
No. It's only what they did do that
makes 1t staggering. But It's clever
oh, yes-clever And you can see for
yourself how few marks of 1t there
are" He drew long breath and man.
aged to smile again; but the effect was
shocking, for while his features were
composed and kindly his eyes were
venomous. "Well, l certainly never
intended to go to Syracuse again for
pleasure, but IL there's enough COM
pensati0n to pay for the risk I'm not
afraid TO try It on business"
His accent sent cold chills coursing
down Harmon's spine. "In fact now
that / think Of 1t, 1t ought to be
rather amusing"
The broker was striving to pull him
self together.
"But why on earth didn't you have
'em use your own picture for a copy
+. IL they're as clever as
Obi" He stopped short and his chin
dropped. "Ohl Is that the answerT
"Yes," said billiard. recaiming the
two photographs. That's the answer.
/ didn't mind starting over again
only" He sighed and inhaled might
lily. "Only take my advice, Mr.. Har-
mon, and don't lose your temper, just
before an operation"
I Harmon breathed more freely, but
he was still in violent intellectual dis
tress. He round face was vapid with
awe, and he was tongueing his lips in
constant nervousness, for the complete
| possibility of the situation was creep
ing over him.
Tf that's the case" he ventured,
"why they surely needn't rec
ognize your name either, Mr.. billiard,
need they2 / mean, II you had any
idea OF going back to your home town
incognito. as Il were"
"They wouldn't recognize anything
about me-" said billiard dryly. His
teeth, showing at the moment, were
white ,and regular as a young VOLTS.
1--WE won't discuss that side of It just
Il "