The diamond drill., 1920-06-05
CHAPTER ~.
The Bear.

The mufled ring OF the doorbell
stirred Amy TO agile activity. She
bent down to thrust her fingertips in
to the side OF one tiny slipper.
"Must be doctorl" she exclaimed
where in the world did that Oh.
there II isl" She Strengthened up,
rosy checked. TO flourish the key Of
the front door in Clnton's face. "Own
upl You'd never have looked for II
there-now would your"
"Maglcl" he declared. you'll not
pretend you really had that huge thing
I'm one of those slIppers"
Her face clouded. "Oh, WIN, for
you 10 make such compliment as
that II shows you can't remember
I'm only your sister"
"Miss Lowrie," he replied, between
amusement and evaporation, "if II
were not for you. l would 20 az once.
This continual insistence that | am
not"
"But doctor--hell soon cure your
she cried in joyful relief. and she
darted into the hall, calling, "Wait.
Tillle, have the key. I'll let him in"
The lines OF Clinton's firm mouth
tlghtened. He confronted Doctor
Kirkland, who came Fastening in from
the hall with one big plump hand on
Amys shoulder. The physician waved
his other hand around the room and
ordered genially; "Sit down. Wen
talk this over like sensible people"
81 agreed TO remain until you came,
Doctor Kirkland said Clinton, stiff
fleming.
"He was going 10 run of and leave
u.s. announced Mrs. Kirkland.
'IeaveY-tonight?" queried her nus.
band. He eyed the would-be run
away atfentively. 1T was my under
standing that you agreed to remain in
Denver until"
until | had sent on for proofs 10
convince you Of my Identity" broke In
Clinton. "When / agreed TO that did
not foresee how exasperatlng this alb
surd mistake would become"
'Exasperating?
"Yes. Can none OF you Imagine how
II seems 10 me? come TO Denver an
absolute stranger 10 you ALL"
"Oh, WIFI" sighed Ellen.
Amy, suddenly full of concern, be
gan stroklng his forehead.
you see!" he cried. "ro sit here
and let her-and no more her broth
er than Mr.. Bemml"
mo. no." differed BENIN. "AiIss
Amy never offered TO be a sister TO me,
I'm glad TO say"
In spite OF the girls soothing Tin
gers Clintons forehead gathered Ia
frown. 'ThiS is no joke" he said. 1T
has gone far enough already Every
one Of YOU seems so deluded that the
only thing for me 10 do is to 20 OH
10 California and not come back here
until have received proofs that must
convince you"
you are sure that YOU can furnish
proofsY asked Doctor Kirkland.
Positive"
The physician gravely shook his
head. "Complete case OF dissocla-
tion.' he observed Perfect instance
OF secondary personality. My dear
boy, In the circumstances I cannot ex-
pect YOU TO believe me. We must all
seem. as you think. absolute strangers
70 you. Yet may request you TO lis
ten seriously TO what l have to say7"
Clinton looked at his watch. glanced
around at the tense faces OF BENIN
and the ladies', and reluctantly acQui-
esced: very well. II you do not take
too long. and II Miss Lowrie will kind
ly cease to--will take another seat"
"O-ah T. murmured Amy. drawing
away from him, deeply hurt.
Cant you see?" he burst out. "To
let you-m0st desplcable OF me- 7"
"But-but TO think that y-you--w
sobbed the girl.
MY dear boy" said Doctor Kirk.
land. 'try 10 be reasonable. AS a
mere question OF probability, here are
i've Of us believing that you are your
self-that is, VIII Lowrie; while you
alone"
But know that I am not he:
know I am Richard Clinton"
"YouN mean you believe you know.
You are not conscious OF being other
than what and who you think you are.
May I ask II you have ever studied
abnormal Psychology"
mot studied though I have some
idea"
"Some7 Good II you have even
the slightest Idea of psychopathology
you will know that anyone subject 10 !
amnesia, that Is 70 say, loss Of men,
ory-r