Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1920 — THE MAN WHO WASN'T HIMSELF [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN WHO WASN'T HIMSELF

By ROBERT AMES BENNET

J SYNOPSIS. ' CHAPTER I.—Alighting rrom a train at Denver a well-dressed traveler la familiarly accosted by a man about his own age. The traveler Ignores the advance. A few minutes later he is greeted as ‘•Will” by an elderly lady and gentleman, Who stop their auto to speak. He imagines it a case of mistaken identity and announces ’himself as “Richard Clinton," on bls way to the coast. The couple ap(>ear greatly surprised, and learning he s to be in town until midpight, the lady. Introducing herself as Mrs. Kirkland, and ber husband as' Doctor Kirkland, invites him to dinner, explaining the action by tils truly remarkable resemblance to a friend of theirs. He accepts. At the Kirkland home he meets a young lady who greets him as her dance. She is Ellen Kirkland, and plainly is greatly hurt by his assertion that he is “Richard Clmton. CHAPTER 11. —At dinner “Clinton" learns that his host is a medical specialist and that he is believed to be Will Kwrie, a young man who had been sufferp from a nervous breakdown and had gone east for medical treatment. Lowrie Bad had in his possession bonds of the (Value of SIOO,OOO, belonging to the bank Where he was employed, which have disappeared and of which he has no recollection. With Dr. Kirkland “Clinton” goes to the Lowrie home, the doctor being satisfied that Amy Lowrie, Will’s sister, will convince “Clinton” he is really Dowrie, suffering from loss of memory. CHAPTER lll.—Amy declares at once be is her brother, and insists on treating him as such, to bis great embarrassment. CHAPTER IV.—Doctor Kirkland arranges to send a telegram to the sanitarium where Lowrie is undergoing treatment, inquiring as to bis whereabouts. CHAPTER V.—Ellen and Amy try In train to convince “Clinton” he is Will Lowrie, brother of one and the fiance of the other. He visits the. bank with Doctor Kirkland and cashes a draft. Bemm telle the president of the bank he is sure “Clinton” is Will Lowrie and agrees to (Ind out the whereabouts of the missing bonds. CHAPTER Vl.—With Bemm “Clinton” {Visits the athletic club and there Bemm (discovers that a birthmark, familiar to ,Xx>wrle’s friends, has disappeared from • “Gllpton’a” arm. Bemm Is somewhat dlslr’»?Vted but unconvinced. That evening > r(jnwer to Doctor Kirkland's telegram arrives, with the information that the superintendent of the sanitarium Is away, and the matter is left thus. CHAPTER Vll.—Bemm is very much tn love with Amy Lowrie. Her brother has discouraged the Intimacy, and Bemm thinks he can prove to Amy that her brother has made away with the bonds and is in danger of prosecution, from Which only Bemm can save him.

CHAPTER Vlll.—That evening Amy visits her “brother” in his room, in sisterly playfulness insisting he brush her hair. She tells him part of Bemm’s conversation and he is indignant To convince her he is not her brother he shows her his arm, from which the birthmark Is gone. Amy, believing at last, hastens from the room In maidenly shame, and “Clinton” at once leaves the house. “Indeed, yes. Every one knows that,” remarked Mrs. Kirkland. “It shows whenever you play tennis.” “Not when I play,” contradicted Clinton. "Mr. Bemm will tell you there Is not the slightest trace of a mark on my arm.” “No mark on your arm?” asked Ellen. She looked from him to her father in bewilderment. "You said you had no remembrance bf when the mark was removed,” Stated the police official. “That is a deliberate misstatement,” Clinton angrily retorted. “What I said

Iwas that there never had been any mark on my arm to be removed.” The physician fixed him with an intent gaze. ‘‘Recall the cases of which you read in my office yesterday. In yiew of those other instances of double personality, can you be positive (with regard to this mark?—can you be positive of your identity?” I The young man’s eyes darkened jwlth the shadow ,of doubt; but only for a moment He frowned and answered: “I can, sir. I am positive. &here never was any mark on my arm. | am Richard Clinton. You have all {deluded yourselves and each other Into believing I am this Will Lowrie.” t “How about your attempt to eetape?” cut in the official.

“Escape? Bah! I’ve told you three times already it was to get away from the—the embarrassment of my false position.” “False, Will?” Inquired Mrs. Kirkland. “Then you realize —” “That you are all deluded —crazy — or else In a conspiracy to ,have me jailed, perhaps tried and sent to the penitentiary, while the real criminal—” “Criminal I” shrieked Amy. “But it isn’t true! it isn’t lit isn’t! You didn’t take the bonds I” “You admit it, then. You admit I'm not your brother.” “No, no! you are! you must be! Doctor says— ’’ “Hush, hush, my dear,” interposed Mrs. Kirkland. “You are overwrought. Let the doctor explain all about it.” She drew the reluctant girl from Clinton, who promptly edged around opposite Ellen and placed himself between Doctor Kirkland and the police official. Bemm, who had kept rather in the background, now came forward with a show of friendly interest. “As a friend of the —that is, of Mr. Lowrie,” he remarked, “may I be per-, mltted to suggest that this idea of his about a conspiracy rather supports Doctor Kirkland’s theory of irresponsibility.” Clinton set his jaw and stood silent, evidently resolved to say no more. Doctor Kirkland smiled approval. “That is better, my boy. Keep cooL Over-excitement is good for no one. May I see the warrant?” The official produced the warrant. The physician glanced through it with an experienced eye. “H’m—embezzlement of the bonds—Will Lowrie, alias Bichard Clinton.” “Pardon me,” remarked Bemm somewhat diffidently.' “I wish to say I happen to know that the —er —party representing the bank in this matter is inclined to accept my theory that our friend disposed of —that Is to say, misplaced the bonds while mentally irresponsible.” “Tijen why have they acted so outrageously to him?” demanded Amy. “Had he not attempted to leave town, y’ know —” “That is the worst of itl" exclaimed Mrs. Kirkland. “The publicity! The scandal!”

“Madam,” reassured the official, “there has been no publicity so far; and there need be none if Mr. Lowrie can account for the bonds. We here are the only ones who know of his arrest, except the plain-clothes man who caught him at the depot He won’t leak.” “One moment officer, if you please,” interrupted Doctor Kirkland. He fixed his keen gaze on Clinton. “If released from custody would you leave town?” Clinton looked at Amy, and suddenly his anger vanished. He even smiled as he answered: “Those who dance must pay the piper. I could have telegraphed for my proofs; I could have told you all about my life. But I was too stubborn to do either. Bemm and this official refuse to believe my full statement about myself and my business. Therefore I now refuse to telegraph or say anything more, except that I no longer have any wish to go away. I wish to stay, even though it be In jail, until you have disproved this ridiculous charge and I am free He looked at Amy, smiled and strolled over to gaze at a photograph in" the far corner of the room. Amy glided after him, to stand by his side and fondle his hand in silent sympathy. Ellen looked longingly at the couple, but lingered to hear what her father was saying to the official. “This charge of conspiracy clearly Indicates his delusional predisposition. You have my word, sir, that he was and Is mentally Irresponsible for his actions, in the full legal senses term.” . The official looked his concern. “Sor-‘ but in the case of a war-' rant—” waUEBi 2Very trpe,” agreed the physician. “He must be kepi in custody, unless admitted to bail. That does not prevent you from 'deputizing me and placing him in my custody. What he requires is sanitarium treatment Confinement in jail would probably shatter his mind beyond all hope of recovery. The sanitarium,, on the, contrary, may restore him to his old self and enable him to remember how he lost the bonds.” Bemm smiled suavely at the police official. “Ah. In that case I venture to request you to accede to Doctor Kirkland’s suggestion. I feel sure you may safely Intrust Mr. Lowrie in his custody. Consider me as the doctor’s second In the matter—er —what Is the term? —his guarantor, if I am considered to have any standing.” “H’m," muttered the official. "It’s a queer case.* Well, I guess I’ll take the responsibility of deputizing Doctor Kirkland and entrusting the prisoner

to his custody- There’s no precedent for It; but considering the circumstances and the fact that the doctor has often helped out the department with expert advice. I’ll risk it.” The physician bowed In acknowledgment and walked over to Clinton. “My boy,” he said, “we cannot compel you to give over your fancied idea of a conspiracy against you. However, our friend here has agreed to set you at liberty on my recognizance. All I ask of you is your word as a gentleman that you will remain In Denver until cleared of this charge.” Clinton turned and Impulsively held out his hand. “Doctor, I beg your pardon' for my suspicion. It was the only way I could account for the persistency of everybody in identifying me with Mr. Lowrie. I see that I must have been mistaken. I give you my word that I will not leave town until 1 am cleared of this false and ridiculous charge.” “We shall stay with Amy until her — your mother returns," rather hastily remarked Mrs. Kirkland. She covered the betrayal of the doubt that troubled her with a smile, gracious and cordial: “And now you and Amy must come home to lunch with us." “And Charlie, too,” added Ellen. “He was so thoughtful, phoning to us.” “Will is my best friend,” said Bemm, looking at Amy. She gave him a grateful glance. He started for the door. “Count on me. I’d like to go with you, but I shall hunt up Will’s suitcase and take it home for him on my way." (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“How About Your Attempt to Escape?”