Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-12-24

SdfnIdflun, BENIN DluHJy stated TIE
news.
Amy threw up her hands in realis-
tic stage CONSERVATION. Escaped?
Will escaped? Oh! oh Has he gone
When was it? Oh, dear! Wandering
about, in his condition."
Hasn't he come home?"
"Home !" ScOffed Tillie. Don't you
know anything about crazy folks?
Don't you know they always try to get
away from their relations? Didn't he
want to run away from home the very
first night he Gamer"
Indeed, yes" agreed Ellen. "You re-
member he even knocked you down. he
was so violent"
Bemm'S face darkened. He's a bit
too violent. The next time We'll put
him where he can't get OUT
"'We?" queried Amy.
His-er-friends," BENIN fastened
to explain He'll be- apt to do himself
harm, v know, if he's allowed to run
loose"
Before he is cured" added Ellen.
Amy raised her flushed face. That
most eminent of scientiStS-Charles
| DarWin-Observed that the expression
al after-effects of spasms of fear, an
ger and mirth are remarkably similar
There were tears in Amys redeemed
eyes as she looked up past Bemm's
| fashionable straw. Suddenly her half
compressed eyelids widened-she flung
up her hand and made a quick down
ward gesture.
BENIN spun about and stared up at
| the rear window of Clinton's bedroom
| The shade was down, but the morning
J light rippled on it's Watered surface as
if it were shaking. BENIN confronted
| Amy.
"Your brother is in his room," he
| charged.
Really" she rejoined with heavy
sarcasm. you don't say!'
He raised his shade. You waved
him to pull it down." shrewdly thrust
BENIN.
How clever" parted the girl. zone
might take you for Sherlock
Holmes"
The random shot hit BENIN so unex-
pectedly that he was disconnected.
Miss Lowrie!'' he snapped in angry
protest.
"Why, what Oh beg your pardon,
| Charlie!" she replied, her look express
sive only of innocent contrition. "Raf-
fies was a gentleman burglar, wasn't
| he? And l meant a gentleman detec-
! tive"
"Detective?" exclaimed Ellen.
Under her shocked gaze BENIN
flushed a brick red. Tillie had unob-
trusively started up the garden to-
ward the kitchen door. Amy renewed
| her attack.
"Oh, not a common, low, ordinary de-
tective, Ellen" she protested. mo one
could dream of Charlie being that
could they? But Sherlock Holmes
or q Gibberer-that famous French
detective, you knOw-thats altogether
different, isn't it? So romantic"
Unable longer to endure the grilling,
BENIN turned to retreat. Titles head
appeared above the blossoming
shrubs; it moved toward the kitchen
porch with marked rapidity. He looked
about at Amy with a glance of resent
ment and suspicion and started up the
Garden on q run. The girl SmOthered
a cry Of dismay and darted after him.
She. was only few steps in the rear
when he overlook Title.
''Stop!" he ordered the hurrying
woman. What are you going to do?''
She halted and faced him squarely,
her arms akimbo. Her tone was tart
Il amt working for you. Mind your
own business"
II SHALL" retorted BENIN, and he
showed her silver-plated officers
star.
Titles mouth closed with obstinate
tirmness. Amy FASTENED to interpose.
There's the phone ringing! Maybe
it's news of Will !"
She went past BENIN. He started
to follow her, but paused to grasp Til
lies wrist. "Come along" he ordered
"Why, Charlie!" demonstrated Ellen,
who had FASTENED up the garden after
Amy.
'I'll have no tricks" he rejoined.
Ellen gave him a disdainful glance
But he had turned to overtake Amy
holding fast to Tillie. The girl went
direct to the telephone, without max
ing any attempt to elude him. She had
the receiver at her ear when, still
dragging the reluctant Tillie, he over
took her.
"S-ssh" she whispered. tits that
nice police official at the hall. They've
seen Will out near City park, and
"What!" cried BENIN incredulously
"Yes-here, take the phone. He's
asking for you. He heard youi
voice."
''Stand where I can watch you
both of you," peremptorily command
ed BENIN as he took the telephone
| hoIfa Tb;s Sc Mr. pprnJn ~