The diamond drill., 1920-06-26

zen O'CLOCK ano eVerypouys gone,
and"
~Ten o'ciockr
"Yes. MIssus Kirkland and Miss
Ellen left half an hour ago. when they
found Mr.. VIII was gone"
He has gonei And they went
without telling mel"
'Nissus Kirkland said you looked
like you must've been Ill In the night.
and for me to let you sleep till you
woke up. But when this came.
thought p'r'aps-"
'What is itT asked Amy. holding
out her hands for the package.
II dunno. A messenger boy brought
II. He wanted tip because the wrong
address had made him run all round
Robin Hoods barn before he got here
Like Pandora. Amy gazed uncertain
ly at the box-and ended by opening
It. Within lay a new hairbrush. the
duplicate OF her own. She blushed
scarlet, and was about TO clap on the
cover OF the box when she perceived
note tucked in under the handle OF
around her dainty pink room. and aft
er several moments OF hesitancy, drew
out the note as IL II were n bomb.
The writing was In bold sharp
hand, very unlike the copper-plate
script OF her brother:
MY dear Miss Lowrie:
MAY l ask you to accept the In
closed brush In place OF the one
which. II seems, carried or with me
In my suItcase2 l must also aclrnowl-
edge having purlolned one Of the pho
tographs from the mantel. My justi-
fcatlon is that I need II TO keep me
mindful OF my little sisters relation
ship to me until such time as my
identity Is established.
Very respectfully.
"Your brother pro tenn,
"RICHARD CLINTON"
She slipped out OF bed and stole
barefoot through the hall to the door
OF her brothers bedroom. She opened
the door little way and peeped across
at the mantel The frame Of one OF
the photographs was empty. In the
other she saw the beautiful serious
face OF Ellen.
She scurried back like a frightened
mouse, hid the brush and note under
her pillows. and popped into bed.
When Tillle came up with the choco-
! late, the girl was cuddled under her
coverIet with only the tip OF her nose
showing.
"why, Miss Amyi You're not took
worse. are your"
"The light" came back mufiied
voice. "Pull down the blinds, please"
AS TillIe fastened to obey, the voice
called after her: Don't worry. I'll
soon be all right now. Leave the
chocolate. I'll get up in little while.
There's the postman's whistle"
TillIe hastened downstairs for the
mall. When she returned Amy was
almost dressed 10 go out. She fore
stalled the expected protest with a
quick explanation: "Now don't say
anything, Tlllle. I'm going down TO
consult doctor"
'That's good. If you're feeling bad,
Miss Amy"
The girl faced away from the affec-
tionate, near-sighted eyes. "Ies. IL
you1l do my buttons. please"
Five minutes later she was running
the coupe from the little garage out
through the green arbor Of the per-
COLA. She reached Doctor Kirkland's
Office before his regular morning hour,
but the attendant was present and ad-
mltted her to the private waiting room.
When the physician came in his look
was grave even before he saw her
face.
you're here. weetheart-without
your SMILE" he said. "Then VIII has
not come homer
"'Wilr9" she exclaimed. You still
call him thatT'
"Why not1-- Child you've not let
him persuade you"
"He showed me-"
impossible How7"
"Hls armw
"wellr'
"The mark was not there"
Doctor Kirkland smiled and patted
her on the shoulder. you poor child !
II is merely that he has had the mark
removed. Carbon dioxide snow is one
method; radlum another"
"rhen you still really believe he is
not some one elsef'
"He is your brother. child" the
physician answered with satisfying
posltiveness.
Amy pressed his chubby hnnd to
her lips and murrnured In profound re-
lief; You dear, dear old comforti"
The door few open and Ellen burst
wildly into the room. Her mother
no less agitated. hurried In after her.
but retained enough presence Of mind
20 close the door. The half distracted
girl ran 10 cling TO her fathers arm.
"Papal pnpai papai Quickt" she
painted. "Help hlmi Don't let them ="
'Hush." he commanded In an au-