Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-09-09

II.
You had agreed to stay, and we were
all trying our best TO treat you we'll"
II presume the police searched my
suitcase" irrelevantly observed Gin
ton To tell BENIN about Amys visit
to his room was unthlnkable.
BENIN took out a cigarette before re-
plying: zone can usually count on
their committing such impertinences,
take It, Though, If they opened your
case, they must have been rather cley-
er In their work. 1t seemed to be Sc
curely locked"
"You left 1t at Miss Lowrie's"
"Yes."
"That was very kind Of you"
Don't mention it, / say, old man,
I've been wanting TO talk with you
about your-er-about Miss Amy
II fail to take you" said Clinton.
you forget that / am not your friend,
WIN Lowrie."
Friend !" muttered BENIN. He
forced a smile. You're the one that
has forgotten your identity. But, I'M
luckily for me, you still retain an I'm.
pression--or, as Doctor Kirkland
would say, a subconscious memory--of
your opposition to me-"
Must 7 repeat"
mo. Yet you cannot deny you have
this feeling, this prejudice against me,
with regard to Amy"
you refer to Miss Lowrie, I pre-
sumo"
Deuce take It !" exclaimed BENIN.
Haven't | stood your friend In this
police affair? Am / not entitled to
some consideration from your"
every well" said Clinton. Now If
you will kindly proceed to elucldate
what you are driving at"
"Right-Ol 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 match
as some; but / am eligible, as you
know, and though ] seem to be doing
nothing | really am engaged in a
serious and ambitious vocation"
zone moment" said Clinton. "You
insisted that | 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"
'Indeed1 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.
''If 1t Is not added you certainly
are cool one" fejoIned BENIN.
Don't you realize what a hole you
are in over hose b0uds7 Admitting
for the sake Of the argument that you
remember nothing about them, | will
explain that l know enough of what
you did to-put you through"
Most kind of you to tell me, Mr..
BENIN"
Bemms 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:
you see, old man, it is still a mat
ter between friends. All you need do
Ia 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 condl-
ton, and Will allow the matter to be
hushed up. This is provided forget
certain facts that. If recalled by me,
would knock the doctors hypothesis
into n cooked hat"
"So--you remember certain factsT
muttered Clinton.
MY dear WIN, let us say that | do
not now remember them One may
easily forget, where friend is con
cerned. All ask is that you, In turn,
show your friendship by intimatlng
the situation to Am-er-Mlss Lowrie
Nothing raw. yknow. Just a hint
She admits that she likes me, and you
know how she is. word from you
In my favor, and she would at once
For all his qulckness, 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 word,
Clinton jerSed him 20 his feet, whlrled
him around and rushed him 70 the
head OF the porch steps. Clinton's
shoe assisted his flight down the
steps.
The audacIty even more than the
suddeuness OF the attack had para
lyaed Bemms power Of resistance. The
spell was broken by the shock of his