Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-12-03
'Yes~-ysa. of ooupao." mumbed clin.

! you must be dizzy. You look so
queer"
Clintons expression became still
more peculiar His features were con-
vulsed He waggled his hands. This
this" he gasped. Whatever /!
Don't YOU Chocolate Soldier?'
They looked at one another in acute
alarm. There now could be no doubt
as to his condition. He sought to ex-
plain: "The-the opera"
"Opera?" repeated Amy. "Oh, yes
yes, we understand dear. You are
reminded of that opera, when the hero
comes into the castle and the ladies
make such a fuss of him. Yes, dear,
we understand. So now hush and be
quiet"
But instead of Obeying, he flung him.
self back in the chair and burst into
roar of laughter. The outburst was
far more violent than the first. 1t
did net end until he lay helpless from
spent emotion, tears rolling down his
cheeks, and his hands feebly beating
the arms of the chair. Mrs. Kirkland
lowered over him, ready with the bot
tie Of lavender salts. On either side
Of him knelt Amy and Ellen, each with
her arm about his neck, her head
against his shoulder, and hand strok-
ing his face.
"Save-save the pieces !" he painted.
The girls redoubled their tender
caresses. Mrs. kirkland held her bot
tie under his nose. He took whiff,
and grOaned: "Alas! Who shall de-
liver me out of the hands of mine-my
friends?"
They exchanged anxious glances,
and Mrs. Kirkland whispered: "Hys-
teria!"
He pulled himself together, caught
the girls hands and his breath, and
remarked in a conversational tone:
"My dear Mrs. Kirkland will you con-
slider it hysterical if l observe that
cup of tea"
He's coming to himself!" shrieked
Ellen.
"He has come to himself! shrieked
Amy.
Ellen flung herself upon his breast.
He averted his head to ward off her
lips, and Amy blew a kiss down the
back of his neck.
Mrs Kirkland observed his GRIM
soning face, and came to his rescue.
Girls, girls, that will do. He must
not be agitated. If he is hungry"
''T1l see if luncheon is served" eX-
claimed Amy, and she darted from the
room.
Clinton rose and transferred Ellen'S
arm from his neck to his elbow. "At
least | still retain my normal appe-
tite," he observed.
"That is great deal, dear boy"
said Mrs. Kirkland. at shows that
you have fully regained your physical
health. A little psychological treat
ment will soon restore your mental
balance, as WELL"
When, a few minutes later, Doctor
Kirkland came in upon them at the
luncheon table, the four were con-
versing as gaily as if none had ever
heard of doubt and apprehension. The
physician entered briskly, nodded to
all in his genial manner, and explained
his presence with a casual: "On my
way to the sanitarium. Thought I'd
stop by for bite of lunch. My dear,
q word about the new case-if may
ask the girls and viii to excuse u.s."
Mrs. kirkland followed him from
the room with an air of composure
that vanished the moment he closed
the door behind her.
Karl, you must do something-at
once!" she urged. "He is worse, far
worse! !"
appears to me to be quite ration"
ALL replied her husband.
"Since he came in to luncheon
yes. But before that-such queer be-
havior, laughter, DISCRIMINATION the
mad rage that so frightened Ellen"
Him. This makes it doubly neces-
sary. His attack on BENIN"
"Charlie?-he attacked Charles?"
"Yes 1 had a telephone call from
police headquarters just as was
leaving the office. Couldn't quite make
it out. But l gather that BENIN was
indiscreet-Will had SO angered him
that he complained to our official
friend. l was told that Will should
be confined. I agreed"
ITO send him to Jail you agreed
to that?" protested Mrs. Kirkland, hor-
rified.
Our official friend may have under
stood it that way"
"Ah-But you"
"In the sanitarium he will be even
safer than in Jail, and will receive the
treatment so necessary for his recoy-
cry" explained her husband. "If can
report that he is there under guard
| believe the bank will accept my argu-
ment that it is to their interest for him
to remain"
The little housemaid appeared in
the doorway. Excuse me, mann.
Here's a telegram"
Doctor Kirkland had the yellow en-
velop open in twinkling. He
waved the maid out, with a laconic,
mo ansWer"-and read the message to
his wife: Patient escaped night Of
I. \