The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-05-08

they're cleverw 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 remodeling me |
gave EN- thisr' He tossed out pic
ture postcard, soiled ana frayed.'
well, that's where the trouble began.
They cursed me up and down for :.
still that part Of it won't interest
YOU" His eyes were blazing now, and
his voice shook with passion. "Natu-
rally | hadn't meant 1t as ID
literal as all that bit they had
me under ether before l could help
myself ana they went through
with it and cursed me some
more afterward They couldn't
copy it exactly, of course, but they did
the best they could. Gloated
over it, Took infinite pains to make
t perfect and sneered at me
while they did it.! Sneered-and
laughed. Well, you've got the
results in front Of you. That's what
was-and that's what | am! What's
your opinion now?" The last sentence
came snarling 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
oh I,D tic
breath and wet his lips.
TITS a miraclen' he STAN
mered. "A miraclel ;"
"The photograph" said billiard
harshly, sis the way they remember
me up in Syracuse. Do you think
they'd ever recognize me now"
''It's a miracle it's paralyz-
ing :. :" Harmon swallowed hard,
and looked down almost fearfully at
the time-worn postcard. There's so
much difference nobody'd ever
think of it without knowing I.
but when you see the original! I.
1t it knocks me all In heap!
It's staggering And they did that to
you! Just to think they could do that
to you'll I've got to have a
drink ~
billiard motioned impatiently, but
his fit of rage was slowly going down
'There's no miracle about it at all
1t was good plastic surgery. If they'd
sent me out looking as | used to you
wouldn't call 1t q miracle, would you?
No. It's only what they did do that
makes it staggering. But it's clever
oh, yes-clever And you can see for
yourself how few marks of it 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, | certainly never
intended to go to Syracuse again for
pleasure, but If there's enough COM
pensation 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 it, it 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 copy
If they're as clever as !.
Obi" He stopped short and his chin
dropped. "Oh! Is that the answer?"
EYES," said billiard, reclaiming 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"
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.
IF that's the case" he ventured,
"wby they surely needn't rec
ognize your name either, Mr. billiard.
need they? | mean, If you had any
idea of going back to your home town
incognito. as it were
"They wouldn't recognize anything
about me-" said Hilliard dryly. His
teeth, showing at the moment, were
white and regular as young VOLTS.
ave won't discuss that side of it just
now. though. But if / go back, I'm
incognito-and don't make any mis-
take about ii. Is that quite clear?"
Harmon swallowed again.
They'd recognize your voice,
wouldn't they?"
II had to get used to this one n.y.
self. Something went wrong with my
vocal cords. and the antrum on both
sides was hurt : It seemed, TO have an
effect like changing sounding-board.'
$50! And you used to be fatter in
the face, didn't you? How about your
general size. and so on?"
1--WE taken ON twenty-five pounds;
my face is IA lot thinner, but there's a
reason. 1t hasn't grown on me; it
was manufactured. Incidentally. while
| think of it my strides shortened six
inches. That's another Identification
gone Bullet in my knee. I don't ex-
actly limp, but"
Harmon was beaming now, and
flushed with excitement.
"That's great. Oh! that's wonder
full! Wonderful! Nobody'll know you
from Adam: Thunder and lightning,