The Jasper news., 1920-11-25

two little slippered feet twinklins on
the steps OF the top flight. In a mo-
ment their owner swung around the
turn and Few down the long. straight
lower flight as II winged. The young
man had a swift vision Of graceful,
animated little form with outfung
arms, Of a charming little dimpled
face, OF pair Of starlike brown eyes.
Then the vision was at the foot Of the
stairs.
He drew back with what seemed to
be instructive reserve. Doctor Kirk
land frowned and shot a glance from
him to the girl. She had not paused.
II In her excitement she perceived the
young mans attempt to avoid her she
disregarded II. From the foot Of the
stairs she darted past the physician
to his companion. Clinton continued
to draw back. He put out his hands
as II to keep her away from him.
"Wait, wait" he protested. II
must"
But she had slipped between his
hands and flung her arms around him.
Her little bosom pressed so close
against his coat that he could feel the
beat Of her joyously leaplng heart the
crown of her fragrant, glossy brown
hair touched his chin. From between
his lapel and tie came a muffied cry
of ecstatic delight: "Dear. dear VIII I"
IL say, +" he stammered, his
face flushing crimson. He started to
grasp the girls shoulders. hesitated,
and looked nppeallngly at Doctor Kirk
land. Good heavensl This-she does
not realizei You must at once-I beg
your
The girl flung back her head to
beam up into his perturbed face.
"Oh, VIII" she exclaimed. $50
that's I'll You've an English accent,
and you've learned horrid English
manners at the same time. You're
ashamed to hug me before Tillie and
Doctor. You old slllyi"
She released her embrace. but II was
only to clasp her arms around his neck
and hold him fast while she reached
up on tiptoe to kiss him. At the touch
of her lips his flush deepened and he
sought to thrust her away from him.
His expression was a peculiar mixture
of pleasure and shame.
doctor Kirkland" he begged, "you
see that unless use force You
know ! am not her brother"
"Not Willw cried the girl. and she
burst into merry laugh. "Just listen
to that, Tillle. He says he's not VIII.
I'll show him." Again she stood on
tiptoe and kissed him with joyous ten
derness. "There. sir. take thati Now
do you dare say you're not my
brother7"
He had not tried very hard to avoid
the caress. but moment after It he
drew her arms from about his neck
and pushed her away with sudden de-
termination.
81 do not know what Mrs. Kirkland
told you" he said. "The truth Is that
am not your brother. and l."
"Willr'
"Just try to imagine what It means
to me coming here. an absolute
stranger"
"Oh, dear! Then It's true. You're
not yourself. You've completely for
gotten us all-even mel"
81 have forgotten nobody whom !
know. am Richard Clinton, and l
must say this mess" He stopped,
gazed into Amy's eyes, and changed
his tone: However. II you wish me
to stay, ! believe WILL"
The girl smiled with quickly recov.
cred confidence. "You will stay1 Their
, of course it's all right"
81 told Miss Kirkland ! would moi
stay. But now"
"Ellen," she corrected. "Say Ellen.
"Can you not understand, Miss Low
, rIe?" he said. 81 have only become
acquainted with Miss Kirkland this
evening. ! am not your brother.
am"
"O-a-ahl" she reproached.
:. ~ am Richard Clinton. So you set
how wrong II would be to let you be
have as if-that is, to allow you to-
. act as If were your brother"
She peaked her eyebrows at thu
: closely observant physician. ''Isn'
: it horrid Of hlm7" she pouted. "HoV
!, long will 1t take to cure him2"
A telephone bell rang somewher'
: back of the hall. Doctor kirkland
: : watched TilIie go out to answer tn
call before he replied to the ques
ton: How long will It takef H
probably can bring on his proOfa In
L few days"
"Proofsl But that's no answer.
y asked"
"Yes. yes, sweetheart, know. YO1
see until he-h'm-I wonder II W