Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-08-17
Must I repeat, !.

with regard 10 Amy.
@You refer to Miss Lowrie. pre-
sumo"
Deuce take it.s exclaimed BENIN
Haven't ! stood your friend In this
police AFFAIR." Am / not entitled Ia
some consideration from your"
very WE'LL said Clinton. Now II
you win kindly proceed to elucidate
what you are driving at"
"Right-Oi We're getting down To
bedrock" replied BENIN. you're
listening to me as her brother: you
have my word that | am not so friv.
olous or-fast-as / am said to be
and you know how regard your sis.
ter. may not be as desirable q match
as some; but I am eligible, as you
know, and though / seem to be doing
nothing, really am engaged in a
serious and ambitious vocation"
'One moment" said Clinton. "You
insisted that I play the part of Miss
Lowrie's brother; but have not asked
for any condolences from you. Kindly
remember that you are speaking to a
stranger"
Indeed? Really now. you can't
fancy you can shunt me off 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"
Thanks. said Clinton.
aIf 1t is not added, you certainly
are cool one," rejoined BENIN.
Don't you realize what a 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:
NO0 SIN, oiu II 10 stilA u Iudl-
ter between friends. All you need do
Is to find the bonds, or their equiva-
lent in money. If they have been dis
posed of. Doctor Kirkland believes
you were irresponsible. If you have
used any Of the-er-proceeds, there's
no doubt he will advance you the
amount. If that is done-the bank re-
imbursed, y'know-the bank will ac-
cept his theory of your mental condi-
ton, and will allow the matter to be
hushed up. This is provided I forget
certain facts that, If recalled by me,
would knock the doctors hypothesis
into cooked hat"
"So-you remember certain facts?"
muttered Clinton.
"My dear WILL let us say that / do
not now remember them. One may
easily forget, where friend is con-
cerned. All l ask is that you, in turn.
show your friendship by intimating
the situation to Am--er-Miss Lowrie
Nothing raw, y'know. Just a 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.
The audacity even more than the
suddcnness 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
to his feet, his face twitching with
fury. He put his hand TO his hip.
drop that hand" ordered Clinton
in tone barely above whisper.
Bemm's furious glance fell before
the look in Clinton's eyes. His hand
slipped down. away from the hip
pocket. Clinton descended a step,
and spoke in the same low-pitched
ton: you blackmailer-you cur. Get
out of here"
Again BENIN tried to face the 9th
er's look, and again his glance wav-
cred and fell. He turned and walked
hurriedly down to the curb. The tires
of his big car tore holes in the street
surfacing. so violently did he throw
on the full power of the engine.
A girlish exclamation caused the
tense watcher to look about. Amy
stood in the doorway, staring after
the swift-fiying car.
"Why, it's Charlien' she cried.
"Whatever is the matter?-Oh! Will!
your facet You look as if-as if"
She flung herself at him.
He sprang to meet and sweep her
back into the house.
"No-not out herer' he muttered-
Private, where none can see or hear
till he comes back The cur! the
d-darned curl"
FLUSH hush. dear!" urged the girl,
putting up hand over his mouth.
"Oh, WIFI cried Ellen in the en-
trance Of the drawing room. you
sworer !"
''The scoundrei! The-the-" Clin-
ton choked with wrath.
Between them, the girls hurried
him into secluded room where he
could not be heard. There he found
voice; but the words that burst forth
were so incoherent with rage that
neither girl could understand what he
said. Overcome with dread of his wild
outburst, Ellen fled to tell her mother
that he had become violently insane.
Mrs. Kirkland FASTENED TO telephone
the calamitous news to her husband.
AS soon as she received his promise to
at once come home, she started to the
rescue of Amy, timidly followed by