The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-08-06

SAoho tadu ts commonly known.
AS l informed you, everybody is,
strictly speaking. more or less insane"
There he goes againr' put in Mrs.
Kirkland. Were all not quite our
selyes!"
Some are much less so than Others"
added her husband. "A few are not
themselves at all. By the way, Mr..
Ciinton-to change the subject am
interested in small psychological ex-
pertinent. 1t is to have one, state,
without pausing to think, the ideas
suggested to him by a given word.
Would you have any objections to my
testing you?"
None whatever"
Mrs. Kirkland and Ellen exchanged
swift glances.
The physician smiled blandly. Then
if you'll answer quickly the ideas sug-
geSted by-bOnds."
AS be spoke the word he eyed his
guest with intense keenness. The
ladies involutarily leaned forward to
catch the answer Clinton smiled and
responded without a trace of hest
fancy: "BOnds-cash, bank accounts,
trip to California"
Enough, thank you" interrupted
the physician, his eyes twinkling with
compIacent self-satisfacrion
If there is any other word you wish
to try l shall be pleased to answer"
said the guest.
NO, that was the only one. Ny real
purpose in using it was to fish in your
subconsciousness."
And you caught"
Merely a confirmation of certain
optical impressions"
May I ask why you spoke OF
bonds:"
Mrs. Kirkland interposed. u fear
that you would hardly be interested
in the matter"
why, mamma" said Ellen, how
could he be other than interested?"
perhaps, perhaps" qualified her ia
ther. He looked at the guest with a
shrewd glance. 1T is rather a private
matter, Mr.. Clinton"
Then of course Pardon my curl
osity."
We can trust you not to repeat
what tell you. Shortly before Will
Mr.. Lowrie-accepted my advice to
90 to the sanitarium he was sent to
| Pueblo to negotiate for an issue Of
bonds. The parties whom he repre-
scented were allotted one hundred
| thousand dollars of the issue, and the
| bonds in that amount were delivered
| over to him. Soon afterward Charlie
| BENIN. who had run down to Pueblo
in his touring car, came upon Will sit
| ting in the station grounds. He had
missed his train. Charlie took him in,
suitcase and all, and brought him to
| Denver. Late that evening he came
| home with his suitcase but without
the bonds He had not turned them
| in at the bank. and he could not re-
| member what he had done with them.
| Except for a vague recollection of
| riding with Charlie and of wandering
| through City park, he could remember
nothing since early that morning. The
bonds have not yet been found"
"Has he never recalled what he did
with them?"
Not to our knowledge. Worry over
| their loss induced such alarming psy-
! Geological conditions that the great
| specialist in charge of the sanitarium
| prescribed an absolute change. He
has been temporarily cut off from ev-
| erything related to his life here. The
last report received by me was that
he had ben sent abroad in the care
of one of the staff. Since then we
have heard nothing"
There is the saying, NO news is
good news" remarked Clinton.
If only we could believe that ~
sighed Mrs. Kirkland. do you Won
der that l was delighted when l saw
you there at the depot, looking so
strong and well?"
"Mistaking me for this unfortunate
Mr.. Lowrie," sympathetically replied
Clinton.
The physician had drawn out his
watch. II must return to the santa
rum. IT you can Keep Mr.. Clinton
entertained shall be back soon
seven-thirty or eight"
He was up and away with his usual
briSknesS.
A few minutes later they left the
table and went in to what Mrs. Kirk
land aptly termed the living room
With matter-of-course bearing Ellen
Mt once seated herself at the piano
and began to search in her music cab
met. Mrs. Kirkland excused herself
TO Clinton and went out a side door
way. Owing TO the twisted corner of
rug the door did not close fast. A
draft swung it ajar as Clinton drew
back farther from the girl and seated
himself on the chair at the far side of
the doorway.
He leaned back at ease and quietly
took in the tasteful unpretentiousuess
,,f his SurrOuniinrS. Ellen continued