The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-09-24

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 herew
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 Charlie!' she cried,
whatever is the matter?-Oh! Will
your face! 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 herel" he muttered-
Private, where none can see or hear
till he comes back The curl the
d-darned curw
flush hush, dear" urged the girl,
putting up hand over his mouth.
"Oh, Willp cried Ellen In the en-.
trance of the drawing room. you
swore!"
"The scoundrelI The-the-" Clin-
ton choked with wrath.
Between them, the girls hurried
him into a 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
Ellen. With a trepidation that by con.
trast emphasized her moral courage,
the lady opened the door of the room
in which Ellen had left the maniac.
No sound came from within. Her pal
lor increased. Shuddering with dread
of what might be within, she rushed
into the room. Ellen followed. still
more fearful of what they might find
Clinton was reposing In the depths
of a big "sleepy-hollow" chair, as
peaceful and still as If asleep. Amy
perched on the arm of the chair, was
stroking his forehead and closed eyes,
She looked about at the intruders
and touched her lips for silence. But
her patient had opened his eyes. AT
sight of the frightened ladies, he cap
tured Amy's hand and sat up In the
chair, his face red with embarrass-
ment.
"Oh keep your seat! Do not dis.
turb yourselfi Be calm" urged Mrs
Kirkland.
Amy freed an arm and slipped 1t
about his neck. "You are calm now
Aren't you, dear?" she soothed.
"Yes-yes, of course" mumbled Clin.
ton, but his color deepened.
But, dearest" murmured Ellen,
"you must be dizzy. You look so
queer"
Clinton's expression became still
more peculiar. His features were con.
vulsed. He waggled his hands. "This
this" he gasped. whatever Ii
Don't you-Chocolate Soldier?"
They looked at one another in acute
alarm. There now could be no doubt
as to his condition. He sought to ex.
plain: "The-the opera"
"Opera?" repeated Amy. "Oh, yes
yes, we understand, dear. You are
reminded of that opera, when the hero
comes into the castle and the ladies
make such a fuss of him. Yes, dear
we understand. So now hush and be
quiet"
But instead of Obeying, he flung him.
self back in the chair and burst into
roar of laughter. The outburst was
far more violent than the first. II
did not end until he lay helpless from
spent emotion, tears rolling down his
cheeks, and his hands feebly beating
the arms of the chair Mrs. Kirkland
lowered over him, ready with the bot.
tie of lavender salts. On either side
of him knelt Amy and Ellen, each with
her arm about his neck, her head
against his shoulder, and a hand strok-
ing his face.
"Save-save the pieces ~ he painted.
The girls redoubled their tender
caresses. Mrs. Kirkland held her bot.
tie under his nose. He took a Whit,
and groaned: ALAS! Who shall de-
liver me out of the hands of mine-my
friends"
They exchanged anxious glances,
and Mrs. Kirkland whispered: "Hys-
teria"
He pulled himself together, caught
the girls hands and his breath. and
remarked in a conversational tone:
my dear Mrs. Kirkland. will you con-
slider it hysterical If observe that
cup of tea"
He's coming to himself!" shrieked