Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1920-11-04

ffankly, SAID BENIN, what pug
zles me 10 that you wished to 90 at all.
You had agreed to stay, and we were
all trying our best to treat you we'll"
II presume the police searched my
suitcase" irrelevantly observed Clin-
ton. To tell BENIN about Amy's visit
to his room was unthinkabRe.
BENIN took out cigarette before re,
plying: zone can usually count on
their committing such impertinences,
I take 1t. Though. IL they opened your
case, they must have been rather clev-
er In their work. It seemed to be se-
curely locked"
"You left It at Mas Lowrie's1' ~
Eyes"
'-That was very kind Of you"
"Don't mention IT. say, old man.
I've been wanting to talk with you
about your-er-about Miss Amy"
II fail to take you" said Clinton,
''You forget that I am not your friend,
VIII Lowrie."
"Friend!" muttered BENIN. He
forced a smile. you're the one that
has forgotten your identity. But. un-
luckily for me. you still retain an Inn.
pression-or, as Doctor kirkland
would say. a subconscious memory-of
your opposition to me-"
Must repeat"
mo. Yet you cannot deny you have
this feeling, this prejudice against me,
with regard to Amy"
'sYou refer to Miss Lowrie, I pre-
sume." Af-
"Deuce take It'll" exclaimed BENIN.
Haven't stood your friend in this
police affair1 Am not entitled to
some confederation from you?" &
every WE'LL" said Clinton. "Now II
you will kindly proceed to elucldate
what you are driving at"
"Right-O! We're getting down to
bedrock" replied BENIN. "You're
listening to me as her brother; you
have my word that am not 80 friv-
olous or-fast-as I am said to be;
and you know how regard your sis
ter. may not be as desirable a match
as some; but I am eligible. as you
know, and though seem to be doing
nothing, I really ain engaged in a
serious and ambitious vocation" ie
Zone moment" said Clinton. "'You
insisted that play the part Of Miss
Lowrie's brother; but have not asked
for any condolences from you. Kindly
remember that you are speaking to q.
stranger
"1ndeeda Really now, you can't
fancy you can shunt me of the track
at this stage Of the game" scoffed
BENIN. "A man in your situation
might be expected to catch at hints.
Perhaps your head really is added.
I'll give you the benefit Of the doubt"
'aThanks." said Clinton. :
If it Is not added, you certainly
are cool one" rejoined BENIN.
Don't you realize what hole you
are In over those bonds? Admitting
for the sake Of the argument that you
remember nothing about them. will
explain that know enough of what
you did to-put you through"
Most kind Of you to tell me. Mr.,
BENIN" (:
Bemm's gray-brown eyes lost their
deceptive shallowness. Clinton looked
into their depths and saw the.
man behind the Jester. His steely
glance struck flint instead Of rubber.
But Bemm's voice was very soft:
You see. old man, It Is still mat
ter between friends. All you need do
Is 70 And the bonds, or their equiva-
lent IN. money, IL they have been dis
posed of. Doctor Kirkland believes
you were irresponsible. II you have
used any Of the-er-proceeds. there's
no doubt he will advance you the
amount. II that Is done-the bank re-
fmbursed, y'know-the bank will &C
cept his theory 'of your mental condi.
ton, and will allow the matter to be
hushed up. This il provided I forget
certain facts that II recalled by me,
would knock the doctors hypothesis
into cooked hat"
'So-you remember certain facts7"
muttered Clinton.
my dear Will, let MS say that I do
not now remember them. One may
easily forget, where a friend is con-
cerned. All ask is that you, In turn,
show your friendship by intimating
the situation to Am-er-Miss Lowrie.
Nothing raw. y'know. Just hint.
She admits that she likes me, and you
know how she is. "A word from you
in my favor. and she would at once"
For all his quickness, BENIN was
not quick enough to elude the hand
that shot out to clutch his collar. He
pulled back to free himself. In the
same instant Clinton rose over him,
white with anger. Without a word,
Clinton jerked him to his feet, whirled
him around and rushed him to the
head Of the porch. steps. Clinton's
shoe assisted his flight down the
steps. s
The audacity even more than the
suddenness Of the attack had para
lyzed Bemm's power Of resistance The
spell was broken by the shock, of his
landing on the hard cement walk at
the foot Of the steps. He scrambled
n hia foo< HE fono x,ut<oV,sn., ~,,a<t,