Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-26
SYNOPSIS

serving In the French army attracts at
tention by his deep dependency. Asked
by the surgeons for photograph to guide
them In making over his face he offers
In derision 4 picture OF the Savior. bid
ding them take that as a model, They. do
80. making remarkable lkenesA
The young man regarded him ston-
| Nv for an Instant; then gradually a
far-away expression crept into his
ewes: he started and caught his
breath.
"Tll let you judge for Yourself" He
brought out fiat leather wallet, from
which he extracted tiny photograph,
torn from an old passport. what do
you think of that?"
Harmon scanned 1t specifically.
"Nice-looking boy. Who Is he7"
at was taken two years ago." said
HnlIard, resting his elbows on the
table. "You wanted to know how they
remember me, so I'm showing you.
That's a photograph Of me, taken two
years ago"
Impossible Harmon snerted It.
THAT doesn't look any more like you
shan than I do! Let's omit
the comedy; I'm talking businessw
The young mans mouth curled.
"Don'tN be mistaken, Mr.. Harmon
there's very little Joking in me when
I ever mention Syracuse" Harmon
shivered at the tone, but waved the
photograph in scofflng accusation.
You're not trying to sit there and
tell me"
Il told you was in hospital for
nearly a year, believe" said billiard
Jelly. at was shrapnel-across the
| face. AS matter Of fact I didn't
have much Of any face left. But the
surgeons-they're pretty clever. Yes
they're clever"' billiards. eyes were
needle points. "They make man over
from his own photograph. In my own
case 1 preferred it differently. SO
when they asked me for something to
use as pattern in renodeling me
| gave 'em this" He tossed out pic
| ture postcard, soiled and frayed.'
well, that's where the trouble began.
They cursed me UP and down for a. :.
still that part Of 1t won't interest
YOU" His eyes were blazing now. and
his voice shook with passion. "Natn-
rally I hadn't meant 1t as ID
literal as all that but they had
me under ether before i could help
myself !. and they went through
with 1t and cursed me some
more afterward :. They couldn't
copy 1t exactly, Of course, but they did
the best they could. Gloated
over 1t! Took Infinite pains to make
1t perfect 4. and sneered ut me
While they did It! sneered--and
laughed. Well, you've got the
results in front Of you. That's what
I was-and that's what ] am! What's
your opinion now?" The last sentence
came snarling through set teeth.
The brokers' pupils had dilated
| grossly; his eyes wandered vacantly
from the photograph to the postcard
and back to billiards. face. His whole
Imagination was pinned down and
crushed; he swore softly under his
breath and wet his lips.
ITS -. miracle" he STAN
mered. "a miracle! :"
1.-THE photograph" said Hilliard
harshly, SIS the way they remember
me up In Syracuse. Do you think
they'd ever recognize me now?"
ing! :. :" Harmon swallowed hard,
and looked down almost fearfully at
the time-worn- postcard. "There's so
| much difference nobody'd ever
think of it without knowing Z.
but when you see the original! !.
1t it knocks me all in heap |!
It's staggering! And they did that to
you! Just to think they could do that
| TO you'll I've got to have a
drink |" .2
Hilliard motioned impatiently, but
his fit Of rage was slowly going down.
| There's no miracle about 1t at all.
1t was good plastic surgery. If they'd
sent me out looking as l used to you
wouldn't call 1t q miracle, would you?
| No. It's only what they did do that
makes it staggering. But it's clever
oh, yes--clever And you can see for
yourself how few marks of 1t there
| are" He drew long breath and man
aged to smile again; but the effect was
shocking. for while his features were
composed and kindly his eyes were
venomous. "Well certainly never
intended to 60 to Syracuse again for
| pleasure, but II there's enough CON-
pensation to bay for the risk I'm not
afraid to try 1t on business"
His accent sent cold chills coursing
down Harmon's spine. ''In fact now
that think of 1t, 1t ought to be
rather amusing"
The broker was striving to pull him
self together.
"But why on earth didn't you have
'em use. your own picture for a copy
If they're as clever a. .
Oil" He stopped short and his chin
| dropped. "Oh Is that the answsrr'
Eyes" said billiard, Rsclaiming the
two Photographic. That's the answer.
1 didn't mind starting over again,
only" Hs sighed and inhaled might
lily. "OnIy take my advice. Mr.. Har.
mon, ana don't lose your temper just
before "a operation
Harmon breathed morS freely. but
he was still n violent intellectual DIS
| tress. He round face was vapid with
awe, and he was tongueiDg his lips in
constant nervousness. for the complete
| possibility OF the situation was Green.
ing over him.