Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-10-22
CHAPTER III.
Welcome Home.


The playing ceased. Doctor Kirk
land rose and advanced upon the group
at the piano.
zone moment, Ellen" he said. 1.-TWO
young men at time is one too many.
| am going to run off with Mr.. Clin-
ton"
Papa"
eff 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 me! But
If you're hurried, papa, Charlie can
take us down in his car"
'To be sure" agreed BENIN.
IF Mr. Clinton has no objections, l
prefer to take him myself, at once"
MAY | ask" began that young
man.
Certainly, certainly. 1 shall ex-
plain on the way down. Come. The
ladies will soon follow US in Charles
car"
eat Once" 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 it 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 a delusion that 1 am daft
insane. You have spoken of SAM
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
hinl-What-Why! y
She smiled at the guest with unmis-
taxable candOr in her look. 1--WE should
have explained the situation to you at
.ence," she said. ut 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, tnen-ro 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 will be
certain to know YOU"
"She will know me for what am-
an absolute stranger to you ALL" he
qualified.
ooh, Will, pleased" implored Ellen.
1--WE shall see, my DEAR" SOOthed
her mother. 1.-THE moment he and
Amy see each other there will no
longer be any doubt of the truth"
''Then shall be glad to go at once, :"
said Clinton. This misunderstanding
is as embarrassing to me as l fear it
Is distressing to Miss Kirkland. The
sooner it 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-
ment 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
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 at his passenger.
"Good evening, Tillie," said Doctor
Kirkland, opening the screen door.
81 guessed it was your ring, doctor"
said the woman with the familiarity
of an old servant. "Come right in
anu 'tiie OtLef SeHtieHiali, loo. hi"'
Amy is just-my lands if it amt Mr..
viii. Well, I never! Looking flner'n
silk, too! Well, l am glad TO see you
home again, Mr.. VIII! I'll run at
once and tell Miss Amy. She'll be
most tickled to death!"
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.. Will
Where"
''Will? Will! Oh! Then he has
come! Oh!'' came girlish shrek of
delight in the hall above.