The Ordway new era., 1920-06-25

Inc young mans mouth curled.
Don't be mistaken. Mr.. Harmon
there's very little joking in me when
l ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
shlvered at the tone. but waved the
photograph In scofilng accusation.
You're not trying to sit there and
tell me-"
" told you was in hospital for
nearly year. believe" said Hllliard
icily. at was shrapnel-across the
face. As matter of fact / dion't
have much of any face left, But the
surgeons-they're pretty clever. Yes
they're clever!" Hilliard's eyes were
needle points. 'They make man over
from his own photograph. In my OWL
case 1 preferred it differently. So
when they asked me for something to
use as a pattern in remodslng me !
gave 'em this!" He tossed out a pic
ture postcard. soIled and frayed.'
well, that's where the trouble began.
They cursed me up and down for &.
still that part of 1t won't interest
you!" His eyes were blazing now. and
his voice shook with passion. "Natu-
rally l hadn't meant It as ID
literal as all that but they had
the under ether before l could help
myself and they went through
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
1t perfect e.. and sneered at me
while they did IT. Sneered-and
laughed. Well. you've got the
results In front of you. That's what
l was-and that's what ami What's
your opinion now?' The last sentence
came snarling through set teeth.
The brokers' pupils had dilated
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 miracle!" he STAN
mered. "A miracle, :"
1.-The photograph" said, HiIlIard
harshly. sis the way they remember
me up in Syracuse. Do you think
they'd ever recognize me now?"
"Its miracle it's paralyz-
Ing =. :" Harmon swallowed hard,
and looked down almost fearfully at
the time-worn postcard. There's so
much difference nobody'd ever
think of II without knowing /.
but when you see the original! F..
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 a
drink ~
Hilliard motioned impatiently. but
his fit of rage was slowly going down.
There's no miracle about 1t at ALL
1t was good plastic surgery. II they'd
sent me out looking as 1 used to you
wouldn't call 1t 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 ofNit 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. well. certainly never
''''Nhhth ~ HO " aEuln lOT
pleasure, but IL there's enough com
pensation to pay for the risk I'm not
nfrald to try 1t on business"
His accent sent cold chllls- coursing
down Harmon's spine. an fact now
that 1 think Of 1t. 1t 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 copy
II they're as clever as
Ohl He stopped short and his chin
dropped. "Oh! Is that the answer?"
Yes" said Hilliard, reclaimlng the
two photographs. That's the answer.
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 JUS;
before an operation"
| Harmon breathed more freely, bu,
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.
"lf that's the case" he ventured,
"why they surely needn't rec.
ognize your name either, Mr.. Hilliard,
need they? / mean IL you had any
Idea of going back to your home town
incognito, as 1t were"
''rhey wouldn't recognize anything
about me- said Hilllnrd dryly. His
teeth. showing at the moment, were
white and regular as young VOLTS
1--WE won't discuss that side of 1t Jus,