Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-04-15
WHEN THE
PORTIERES
OPENED
BY JOHN ELKINS


~ hOCE FENION was walking
* briskly away from the BARRIERS
J when man blocked his way.
isn't this Bruce Fenton?" he
asked.
"Why Jack Forbush!" exclaimed
the other with hand extended. "Where
did you hail fromT
Come and dine with me, and I'll tell
you"
Thanks, 1 can't I've special en-
gagement"
"Oh, come now" urged Fofbush. 81
haven't seen you In seven years.
You've got to eat somewhere, and Wen
hustle"
Fenton went somewhat under pro-
test, but the delight of again seeing
his old friend was too great tempta-
tion to set aside. He was ushered
into an apartment handsomely fur
nished In the oriental style. A subtle
odor of exquisite perfume was every
where.
WELL you must have been knock
ing around In the Far East !" observed
Fenton.
81 have"
Fenton, looking about the room, dis
covered slender thread of blue
smoke rising from cabinet in
corner.
where did you find that insense
burner? It's wonderfully"
Forbush smiled bit mysteriously.
81 promised not to TELL" he said.
Fenton looked questionlngly at the
other man. Have you become
Parsee, a Rosicrucian, or a Brahmin p
he Queried.
Perhaps a little of all three" was
the rather ambiguous answer.
The dinner was extremely good, and
well-served by an irreproachable wait
err After the second course Fenton
nervously looked at his watch.
81 must be out Of here In fifteen
minutes" he said.
"Whatl You don't mean to slight
my dinner that wayf"
'T'm sorry-but 1 told you had
pressing engagement"
'Pretty woman" ventured Forbush
trifle sardonically.
1.-THE loveliest in the world"
81 though so. To most men there
are only two important engagements
business and women. That careful
manlcurlng seemed to point toward a
lady. But am not to have a peep
at herr"
"Perhaps so, some day"
"After she Is securely yoursT
Exactly. After that"
Fenton beamed. 1t was his turn to
become mysterious. His friend re-
garded him curlOusly Fenton meeting
his eye became serious.
Somehow, you don't seem to be
the same man used to know" he
said.
perhaps I'm not" laughed Forbush.
"You know after seven years we may
not have one atom Of our old selves.
hope I haven't"
"Your eyes have changed" said the
other man slowly and curiously. Then
he looked at his watch. "Qnly ten
minutes more" And he vigorously
attacked his salad.
am bet you stay half an hour"
laughed his host.
'Bet don't"
"IIow muchY
Fifty dollars"
Lord You are hard hit, old chap"
"Put up your money" laughed Fen
ton. can use It just now"
Forbush hastily wrote a check which
the other covered with bills.
"What did you mean about my eyes
looking stranger asked Forbush. 81
wish you'd look carefully, and tell me-"
Fenton looked searchingly into his
hosts eyes. They seemed to hold
his gaze In some unaccountable way.
He did not speak, but sat still as
though fascinated. Presently his eyes
closed, and he sank back In the chair.
Forbush regarded the sleeping man
with an amused smile. He took out
his watch, laid 1t down on the pile
OF bank notes, and carefully noted the
time.
81 guess she'll forgive him IL he's
fifteen minutes late" he said to him
self.
He picked up an evening paper and
scanned the contents. After a time
he again consulted his watch, and
gave a slight start. ooh, WELL only
eight minutes overtime for good meas
ure," he thought, and going to the
sleeping man, he began making passes
over his face, at the same time calling
him by name. But his subject did
not respond as he had expected. He
tried all the means OF which he knew
to bring the man out Of his hypnotic
sleep. The more nervous and terrified
he became the less effect he knew
he was having on the unconscious
man. lie dreaded calling in help for
fear Of the consequences to himself.
After working over FentOn for nearly
an hour the young man opened his
eyes, staring about In bewllderment.
Hurry, Bruce, hurry!" cried For
bush, almost dragging him from the
chair.
what Is the matter? Have / been
asleep?" He clutcbed his watch,
looked at the time, his face went ashy
white and he staggered back, catch
Ing at the table Devil You drugged
met He sprang at the other man,
clutching at his throat
FOrbush held him off while he spoke.
"No, no, Bruce, mesmerlzed you, just
to win the bet. meant to wake you
up on time, and-I couldn't"
Fenton dashed to the telephone. His