The Dolores star., 1920-08-06

.hnn than l do! Let's omi,
the comedy; I'm talking businessw
Inc young mans mouth curled
Don't be mistaken. Mr.. Harmon
there's very little Joking In me when
1 ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
an..ered at the tone. but waved the
photograph in scoffing accusation.
You're not trying to sit there and
tell me"
i told you / was In hospital for
nearly yenr.I believe" said HIlliard
icily. ut was shrapnel-across the
race. As a matter of fact I dldn't
nave much Of any face left. But the
surgeons-they're pretty clever. Yes
they're clever" HIlllard's eyes were
needle points. "They make man over
from MS own photograph. In my own
case l preferred 1t differently. SO
~nen they asked me for something to
use as pattern in remode,ing me
gave 'em thisw He tossed out a pic
ture postcard. soiled and frayed.'
wen, that's where the trouble began.
Ihey cursed me up and down for a
still that part OF 1t won't interest
you'll His eyes were blazing now, and
his voice shook with passion "Natu-
rally hadn't meant It as id
literal as all that but they had
me under ether before I could help
myself = and they went through
with 1t 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
II 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
l was-and that's what am! What's
your opinion now?" The last sentence
came snarling through set teeth
The brokers' pupils had dlated
grossly; his eyes wandered vacantly
from the photograph to the postcard
and back to Hilliard's 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, "is the way they remember
me up In Syracuse. Do you think
they'd ever recognize me now?"
Its a miracle It's paralyz-
Ing! :. :" Harmon swallowed hard.
and looked down almost fearfully at
the tIme-worn postcard There's 50
much difference nobody'd ever
think of 1t without knowing &.
but when you see the original!
1t 1t knocks me all In heap!
It's staggering! And they did that to
you! Just to think they could do that
to you! I've got to have
drink r.
Hilliard motioned impatlently, but
his fit Of rage was slowly going down.
"There's no miracle about 1t at all.
1t wds good plastic surgery. II they'd
sent me out looking as l used to you
wouldn't call It 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. swell, certainly never
intended to go to Syracuse again for
pleasure, but II there's enough com
pensation to pay for the risk I'm not
afraid to try It on business.
His accent sent cold chllls coursing
down Harmon's spine. "In fact now
that think Of 1t, 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 a copy
II they're as clever as
Obi" He stopped short and his chin
dropped. "Ohl Is that the answerF
"Yes," said Hilliard, reclalmlng the
two photographs. "That's the answer.
I 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.
.why they surely needn't rec
oenize your name either, Mr.. Hilllard'
need they3 I mean. II you had any
idea of going back to your home town
incognito. as 1t were"
"They wouldn't recognize anything
about me-" said Hllliard dryly. HIS
teeth, showing at the moment were
white and regular - young wo!Is
uWe won't discuss that side OF II JUST