The Jasper news., 1921-01-06

bippeo 0OWnp away from the MD
pocket. Clinton descended a step,
and spoke In the same low-pitched
ton: you blackmailer-you cur Get
out of herei"
Again BENIN tried TO face the 9TH
er's look, and again his glance wav-
cred and fell. BE 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 girllsh exclamation caused the
tense watcher to look about. Amy
stood In the doorway, staring after
the swift-hying car.
whatever Is the matterf-Ohi Will
your facet You look as if-as IT,"
She flung herself at him.
he sprang to meet and sweep her
back into the house.
"No-not out here |" he muttered-
Private. where none can see or hear
till he comes back The curl the
d-darned curl"
"Hush hush. dearr" urged the girl,
putting up a hand over his mouth.
"Oh, Willp cried Ellen in the en-
trance Of the drawing room. you
sworeT"
"The scoundreli The-the--" Cin-
ton choked with wrath.
Between them, the girls hurried
him into q 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 hastened 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 a 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 pail
lor increased. Shdddering with dread
of what might be within. she rushed
into the room. Ellen followed. still
more fearful Of what they might find.
Clinton was reposing in the depths
Of a big 'sleepy-hOllow' chair, as
peaceful and still as II asleep. Amy,
perched on the arm OF the chair. was
stroking his forehead and closed eyes.
She looked about at tho intruders
and touched her lips for silence. But
4 her patient had opened his eyes. At
sight Of the frightened ladies. he cap
tured Amy's hand and sat up In tbs
chair, his face red with embarrass-
ment.
"Oh keep your seat Do not dis
turb yourselfl Be cnlml" urged Mrs.
Kirkland.
Amy freed an arm and slipped II
about his neck. "You are calm now.
Aren't you, dear7" she soothed.
"Yes-yes, Of course" mumbled Clln-
ton, but his color deepened.
But, dearest" murmured Ellen.
you must be dizzy. You look 90
queer"
Clinton's expression became still
more peculiar. His features were con-
vulsed. He waggled his hands. "This
this" he gasped. "Whatever IL
Don't you-Chocolate Soldierr
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"
"OperaT 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 q
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
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 piecesr' he painted
The girls redOubled their tender
caresses. Mrs. Kirkland held her bot
tie under his nose. He took a whiff
and groaned: "Alasi Who shall de
liver me out OF the hands Of mlne-my
friendsT
They exchanged anxious glances
and Mrs. Kirkland whispered: "Hys
teriai"
He pulled himself together. eaugh
} the girls hands and his breath. ant