The Meridian times., 1920-08-13
CHAPTER III.
Welcome Home.

The playing ceased. Doctor Kirk
land rose and advanced upon the group
at the piano.
"one moment, Ellen" he said. 1.-TWO
young men at time is one too many.
| am going to run or with Mr.. Clin-
ton"
"Papar"
"1f he will take a little spin with
me-" ...
"But why take away--take him
away now?"
HE will be interested to meet Amy"
"of course. How stupid of mel But
II you're hurried, papa, Charlie can
take us down in his car"
"To be sure" agreed BENIN.
"Tf Mr.. Clinton has no objections, /
prefer to take him myself, at once"
May l ask" began that young
man.
Certainly, certainly. / shall ex-
plain on the way down. Come. The
ladies will soon follow us in Charles
car"
"At oncew exclaimed Ellen.
NO" ordered her father, glancing
at his watch. "Not before half an
hour at least. Come, Mr.. Clinton"
The guest stiffened at the peremp-
tory tone of his host.
Does 1t not strike you, sir, that this
proceeding Is rather odd?" he asked.
ut must indeed seem so to you, Mr..
Clinton" replied Mrs. Kirkland. "But
my husband will explain on your way
down."
II see," he rejoined, and he stared
at the physician, his blue eyes bright
with angry suspicion. "You are all
under delusion that l am daft
insane. You have spoken of sani-
tarium. l have heard of supposedly
insane persons being decoyed into in
stitutions."
"DecOyed! You think L" gasped
the physician. He choked between
indignation and mirth, and waggled
his plump hand at his wife. '"T-tell
him-what-why
She smiled at the guest with unmis
taxable candOr in her look. 1--WE should
have explained the situation to you at
once" she said. at is true we still
doubt your identity. My husband con-
siders that the quickest way to settle
the matter Is to take you home to your
sister,"
''Home? Sister,"
you still Very well, then-to see
Miss Amy Lowrie. Your-pardon me
his mother Is away, us l believe we
told you at the depot. But even
though she is not there Amy will be
certain to know you"
"She will know me for what am
an absolute stranger to you ALL" he
qualified.
"Oh, win, please!" implored Ellen.
1--WE shall see, my dear" soothed
her mother. "The moment he and
Amy see each other there will no
longer be any doubt of the truth"
"Then l shall be glad to go at once"
said Clinton. "Fhis misunderstanding
Is as embarrassing to me MS fear it
Is distressing to Miss Kirkland. The
sooner 1t is settled the better"
do not follow for at least half an
hour" Doctor Kirkland ordered the
others as he went out with his guest.
At.the curb he sprang into the front
of his car and motioned to Clinton to
seat himself In the tonneau. The mo-
mcnt they We're aboard the car shot
out into the street and whlrred away
much faster than the city speed limit.
A light high up against the starry,
blue-blacS sky, outlined the dome of
the capitol. Doctor Kirkland ran on
to within block of the capitol
grounds and drew up before an cid
brick mansion.
Here we are" he said, and he
started in across the sidewalk without
looking about at his passenger.
Good evening, TilIie," said Doctor
Kirkland, opening the screen door.
Il guessed 1t was your ring, doctor"
said the woman with the familiarity
of an old servant. "Come right in
and the other gentleman, too. Miss
Amy is just-my lands If 1t amt Mr..
VIII. Well, neverl Looking finer'n
silk, tool Well, am glad to see YOU
home again, Mr.. VIII! I'll run Mt
once and tell Miss Amy. She'll be
most tlckled to deathr
She left the visitors and hurried
back along the narrow hallway, call
Ing breathlessly; Miss Amy! Miss
Amy Where are you? Lord bless
| us Here's MIR. VIII home again !
Where are you? Here's Mr.. VIII!
Where"
"Wlll? WIFI OH Then he has
comet Obi" came girlish shrek of
delight in the hall above.
Clinton had stepped inside, after
Doctor Kirkland. Looking up at the
turn of the stairs, he caught sight of
two little slippered feet twinkllng on
the steps of the top flight. In a mo-
ment their owner swung around the
turn and flew down the long, straight
lower flight as If winged. The young