The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-08-20
CHAPTER ~.



innd rose and advanced upon the group
at the piano.
"One moment, Ellen" ne said 1.-TWO
young men at time is one too many.
| am going to run OFF with Mr.. Gin
ton"
"Papar r.
III he will take little spin with
me-"
but why take away--take him
away now?"
He will be Interested to meet Amy"
"Of course. How stupid of me But
II you're hurried, papa, Charlie can
take us down in his car"
ITO be sure" agreed BENIN.
IF Mr.. Clinton has NO objections, l
prefer TO take him myself, ut once"
May ask" began that young
man.
Certainly, certainly. l shall ex-
plain on the way down. Come. The
ladies' Will soon follow us in Charles
car"
"At once !" exclaimed Ellen.
No" ordered her father, CHANGING
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 it not strike you, sir, that this
proceeding is rather odd?" he asked.
1T must indeed seem so to you, Mr.
Clinton" replied Mrs. Kirkland But
my husband will explain on your way
down."
Il see," he rejoined and he stared
at the physician, his blue eyes bright
with angry suspicion. you are all
under a. delusion that l am daft
insane You have spoken OF sani-
tarium. ! 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
Internationally
She smiled at the guest with unmis-
taxable candor in her look. I'VE should
have explained the situation to you at
once" she said. 1T 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? SisterT
you still Very well, then-to see
Miss Amy Lowrie. Your-pardon me-
his mother is away, as l believe we
told you at the depot. But even
though she is not there Amy viii be
certain to know you"
"She will know me for what | am
an absolute stranger to you ALL" he
qualified.
"Oh. win, pleased" implored Ellen.
"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. This misunderstanding
Is as embarrassing to me as 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 were aboard the car shot
out into the street and whirred away
much faster than the city speed limit
A light high up against the starry,
blue-black sky. outlined the dome of
the capitol. Doctor Kirkland ran on
TO within block Of the capitol
grounds and drew up before an old
brick mansion.
Here we are" he said. and he
started In across the sidewalk without
looking about ut his passenger.
Good evening, Tillie," said Doctor
Kirkland, opening the screen door.
81 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 ii amt Mr..
VIII. Well, l never Looking f1ner'n
silk, tool Well am glad to see you
home again, Mr.. VIII. I'll run at
once and tell Miss Amy. She'll be
most tickled to deathl'
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 Mr.. VIII home again
Where are you? Here's Mr.. WIFI
Where"
''Will? VIII Oh, Then he has
come! Obi" came a 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 slfppered feet twinkling on
the steps of the top flight n mo
ment their owner swung around the
turn and flew down the long, straight