Charlevoix county herald., 1920-09-24

"Drop That Hand" Ordered Clinton.
spell was broken by the shock of his
landing on the hard cement walk al
the foot of the steps. He scrambled
to his feet, his face twitching with
fury. He put his hand to his hip.
drop that hand" ordered Clinton
In tone barely above a whisper.
Bemm's furious glance fell before
the look In Clinton's eyes. His hand
slipped down, away from the hip.
pocket. Clinton descended step,
and spoke In the same lOw-pitched
ton: You blackmailer-you cur! Get
out of herew
Again BENIN tried to face the 9th
er's look, and again his glance wav-
cred and fell. He turned and walked
hurriedly down to the curb. The tires
of his big car tore holes in the street
surfacing, so violently did he throw
on the full power of the engine.
A girlish exclamation caused the
tense watcher to look about. Amy
stood In the doorway, staring after
the swift-fying car.
"Why, it's Charlie" she cried.
"Whatever is the matter?-Ohl VIII
your facet You look as if-as if"
She flung herself at him.
He sprang to meet and sweep her
back into the house.
"NO-nOt out here 7" he muttered-
Private, where none can see or hear
d-darned curl"
FLUSH hush. dearl" urged the girl,
putting up hand over his mouth.
"Oh, Will" cried Ellen In the en-
trance of the drawing room. you
swOre!"
1.-The scoundrel! The-the-" Gin
ton choked with wrath.
Between them, the girls hurried
him into a secluded room where he
could not be heard. There he found
voice; but the words that burst forth
were so incoherent with rage that
neither girl could understand what he
said. Overcome with dread of his wild
outburst, Ellen fed to tell her mother
that he had become violently insane.
Mrs. Kirkland FASTENED to telephone
the calamitous news to her husband.
AS soon as she received his promise to
at once come home, she started to the
rescue of Amy timidly followed by
Ellen. With trepidation that by con-
trast emphasized her moral courage,
the lady opened the door of the room
in which Ellen had left the maniac.
No sound came from within. Her pal
Tor increased. Shuddering with dread
Of what might be within, she rushed
into the room. Ellen followed, still
more fearful of what they might nnd
Clinton was reposing In the depths
Of big "sleepy-hollow" chair, as
peaceful and still as If asleep. Amy,
pefched on the arm Of the chair, was
stroking his forehead and closed eyes.
She looked about at the intruders
and touched her lips for silence. But
her patient had opened his eyes. At
sight of the frightened ladies, he cap
tured Amy's hand and sat up in the
chair, his face red with embarrass-
ment.
"Oh keep your seati Do not dis
turb yourself Be calml" urged Mrs.
Kirkland.
Amy freed an arm and slipped It
about his neck. "You are calm now.
Aren't you, dear7" she soothed.
"Yes-yes, of course" mumbled Clin-
ton, but his color deepened.
But, dearest murmured Ellen,
you must be dizzy. You look so
queer"
Clinton's expression became still
more peculiar. His features were con-
vulsed. He waggled his hands. "This
this" he gasped. whatever II
Don't you--Chocolate SoldierT
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"
"Operaf" repeated Amy. ooh, yes
yes, we understand, dear. You are
reminded of that opera, when the hero
comes-into the castle and the ladies
make such 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 a
roar of laughter. The outburst was
far more violent than the first. II
did not 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