Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-26

Gates. looking little startled and uneasy,
for he knew the eccentric nature Of his boy.
hoods friend.
But neither he nor Matt was quite pre-
pared for what followed. With quickness
Of hand scarcely to be expected Of one
snatched so recently from the jaws of death
through the arms Of bride, Uncle Jerry
struck a match and. before the other two
could determine the rash act he was up to,
held the flame against the lace curtain of
the long window. 1t hared up with sudden
rush Of shooting flame.
lurched back.
But Matt, that creature Of impulse, did not
lose his head. With motion Of his thumb
he released the safety catch, took three PAGES
to the rear, and with deft manipulation OF
some graceful exponent Of the cue sent Jet
the length Of the blazing curtain. And this
one Jet sufflced. As il by magic, or like the
flash Of the photographers magnesium pow
der when taking banquet scene, the brill
liant glare went out to leave only some
charred fringes of curtain and portiere and
a smudge Of darkened woodwork.
Uncle Jerry let out whoop Of joy. "Gosh
all hemlock!" he cried. with slap of his
whom the house belonged, breathed softly
Geehoshaphat!"
These exclamations were echoed by others
from the doorway. and Matt looked around
to see standing there, with eyes a great deal
like those Of the banqueters aforementioned
when the photo of the festal scene is printed
May. Nancy, Sylvia, and Sam. The latter
Of subdued and chastened yet happy de.
meanor, rather suggested the habitually
faithful dog which, in a moment of tempta
ton, having yielded to the impulse to kill Il
sheep. has been caught in the act corrected
and forgiven.
Curiosity had drawn them to the open
double doors OF the study to see what was
going on, and they had seen.
well, Of all the mad, crazy, dangerous
stunts" commenced Nancy. who was under
the impression that it was Matt who had so
radically demonstrated his invention, when
Uncle Jerry cut her short.
"Shut up, you sassy baggage" he rasped.
"T did that" And Nancy shut up, while
Matts eyes went to her with malicious look
which seemed to hold the query: who's
ooney now?"
Uncle Jerry was rubbing his hands and
beaning at Mr.. Gates with all the enthu.
siasm of boy who has just successfully set
oH Drllldnt ureWOTR.
There. you see, Hy!" he cried triumph.
antly. Didn't I tell you Matt wasn't the
fool we all thought him? Now are you sat
ished?"
Satisfied amt quite the word, Jerry"
croaked Mr.. Gates whose mouth was slightly
dry. I'm not quite strong enough for that
sort Of crazy stuff just now"
well, you saw how the thing works.
Are you ready to back it?"
" To the limit" said Mr. Gates ferventIy
But I'd have done that anyhow il the
damned thing had been loaded with gaso
line. You needn't have scared me to death"
well, wanted to convince" said Uncle
Jerry.
90, all right" sighed Mr.. Gates; "don't
mind mo. Just take it down to the hayloft
or the gas tank or any other darned place"
bright idea seemed to flash across his
sorely tried mind. take it down to Sans
shipyard and light the shavings In the plan.
ing house."
Go as far as you like, Matt" said Sam
cheerfully. I" You have my order now for
full equipment"
Uncle Jerry was handling the instrument
delghtedly.
Mr.. Gates looked at him with fresh anx.
iety. then turned imploringly to May.
Take him home, dear lady," said he, and
send for a husky keeper"
Nancy looked at Matt. then edged little
closer.
Insanity must run in the family" she
whispered, but, unfortunately for her, a
hush had fallen at this moment. and Uncle
Jerrys quick ears had caught her words.