The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-10-22

| from bewilderment to perplexity, from
perplexity to hysterical alarm and an
| ger.
"Youl What-what do you mean"
| she screamed.
Before he could realize what she
was about she had darted at him and
plucked frantically at his mustache.
"Jovew he CALCULATED, and he
clapped his hand to his lip. ........
"Oh! oh oh ~ she painted, shrinking
away from him, her dilating eyes fixed
in a Mortified stare upon the few stiff
hairs in her clutched fingers. ''It's
real! Obi"
"Afy word! l should say it isr he
mumbled, pressing hard on his lip.
"But-but how then-oh, dear! oh
dear! Take me in TO doctor must
be crazy! You had it; then you didn't
have it; now you do have itI' g.
"Have it?"
your mus-mustache I thought
you had shaved. 1t was gone-Pm sure
it was gone-yet now"
Gone! When?"
"In therein the library-not five
minutes agol oh, dear! l must be
raving crazy! 1t wasn't there then
you've grown it again in five min
utes !"
He stared at her wildly, infected
with the terror in her look and voice.
Insane--lnsane That face in the mir
ror She, too, had seen it!
They glared at one another, over
come with dread and horror.
Il say remarked d voice behind
him.
He wheeled about and found him.
self looking into the muzzle of an au-
tomato pistol in the hand of BENIN.
Caught you mapping, eh?" jeered
the detective. 81 learned that Kirk
land was tracing in this direction.
did not rush up to the front door.
Quietly slipped in from the rear,
y'know; and-here we are. Quite
clever, call it. No wonder you look
tlabbergasted."
In flash Amy flung herself between
the two. Don't you shoot him! Don't
you dare" she cried.
Hastily he lowered the pistol and
sought to explain: II had no intention,
none whatever-only in self-defense.
Can't you understand? If he is vio-
lent-attempts to resist But If you
persuade him to submit / am sorry
to have to use handouts"
Handouts? Oh, shame! shame on
t-nrnfnnhinu 70 ha l.
this time! Shame on you'll"
BENIN bit his lip. His bright, shall
low eyes deepened and darkened with
profound emotion. But he stood firm.
Il made no pretense," he rejoined.
Il offered to prove myself his friend.
stood ready to save him, even at the
cost of my professional honor"
Your professional honor! she re-
preached.
He is your brother. I thought you
would understand. 1 am willing to
give a great deal to clear him, if you
Will-er-accept my"
But if cannot?"
Then shall do my duty. Do you
take me for fool, to connive at the
escape of an embezzler, unless you are
considerate enough to"
, "Oh, you won't-you can't! Surely
you'll not be so meant"
Il can send him to the penitentiarv
what's more, l will, unless"
"NO-n-no! do not" cried the ago.
nized girl Let him go, please let him
go! | will do what-what Won wish ="
You will? You will marry meP" he
demanded, and he stepped forward in
eager citation.
She shrank back with her hands
over her averted face. The prisoner
slipped a protective arm about her
shoulders and quietly remarked to
BENIN: Better step aside if YOU are
nervous. You might accidentally dis
charge your pistol. There are peonIe
coming along the path behind YOU"
Suspicious of ruSe, BENIN edged
around to the side of the opening and
glanced swiftly over his shoulder. A
Few feet away two hats We're visible
over the shrubs, moving down the
twisting path.
Here they are. Hurry up" doomed
the voice of Doctor Kirkland.
nv