Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 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 irom a train at E>enver 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 his way to the coast. The couple appear greatly surprised, and learning he Is to be in town until midnight, the lady, introducing herself as Mrs. Kirkland, and her husband as Doctor Kirkland, invites him to dinner, explaining the action by his truly remarkable resemblance to a friend of theirs. He accepts. At the Kirkland home he meets a young lady who greets him as her fiance. 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 Lowrie, a young man who had been suffering from a nervous breakdown and had Kne east for medical treatment. Lowrie d had In his possession bonds of the Value of 1100,000, 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 Lowrie, suffering from loss of memory. CHAPTER IM.—Amy declares at once he Is her brother, and insists on treating him as such, to his great embarrassment CHAPTER IV.—Doctor Kirkland arranges to send a telegram to the sanitarium where Lowrie is undergoing treatment, inquiring as to his whereabouts. CHAPTER V.—Ellen and Amy try In vain 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 tells the president of the bank he is sure “Clinton" is Will Lowrie and agrees to find out the whereabouts of the missing bonda CHAPTER Vl.—With Bemm "Clinton" Visits the athletic club and there Bemm 'discovers that a birthmark, familiar to Lowrie's friends, has disappeared from “Clinton’s" arm. Bemm is somewhat disconcerted but unconvinced. That evening an answer to Doctor Kirkland's telegram arrives, ddth the information that the superin ten nut at the sanitarium is away, and the matter is left thus. CHAPTER Vll.—Bemm is very much in 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 Vin.—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 showa, 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. CHAPTER X. Blackmail. When Bemm drove up to the KirkQand residence in his big touring car the found Clinton dozing in a swingihench, and the girls on guard over [him. Each had her charming nose In [a magazine that she might not be [tempted to chatter and thereby disturb the repose of their drowsy Bemm’s arrival roused Clinton, and for some time the four talked on impersonal topics. At last Ellen and Amy went inside. Bemm promptly shifted to a seat near Clinton and remarked In a sympathetic tone: “That was rotten—their serving you with a

warrant But I suppose they thought .they were justified, when you started to leave town.” *T suppose so,” acquiesced Clinton. fact, however, is that nothing was further from my thoughts than those Lowrie bonds.” “Frankly,” said Bemm, “what pussies me Is that you wished to go at all. You had agreed to stay, and we were all trying our best to treat you well.” “I presume the police searched my suitcase.” irrelevantly observed Clln-

ton. To tell Bemm about Amy’s visit to his room was unthinkable. Bemm took out a cigarette before replying: “One can usually count on their committing such Impertinences, I take it. Though, if they opened your case, they must have been rather clever In their work. It seemed to be securely locked.” “You left It at Miss Lowrie’s?” “Yes.” . “That was very kind of you.” “Don’t mention It — I say, old man, I’ve been wanting to talk with you about your—er —about Miss Amy.” “I fall to take you,” said Clinton. “You forget that I am not your friend, Will Lowrie.” “Friend!” muttered Bemm. He forced a smile. “You’re the one that has forgotten your Identity. But, unluckily for me, you still retain an Impression—or, as Doctor Kirkland would say, a subconscious memory—of your opposition to me.” “Must I repeat—” “No. set you cannot deny you have this feeling, this prejudice against me, with regard to Amy.” “You refer to Miss Lowrie, I presume.” “Deuce take it!” exclaimed Bemm. “Haven’t I stood your friend in this police affair? Am I not entitled to some consideration from you?” “Very well,” said Clinton. “Now If you will kindly proceed'to elucidate what you are driving at.” “Rlght-O! We’re getting down to bedrock,” replied Bemm. “You’re listening to me as her brother; you have my word that I am not so frivolous or—fast —as I am said to be; and you know how I regard your sister. I may not be as desirable a match as some; but I am eligible, as you know, and though I seem to be doing nothing, I really am engaged in a serious and ambitious vocation.” “One moment,” said Clinton. “You insisted that I play the part of Miss Lowrie’s brother; but I have not asked for any confidences from you. Kindly remember that you are speaking to a “Indeed? Beally now, you can’t ftmcy you can shunt me off the track at this stage of the game,” scoffed Bemm. “A man in your situation might be expected to catch at hints. Perhaps your head really Is addled. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt” “Thanks,” said Clinton. “If it Is not addled, you certainly are a cool one,” rejoined Bemm. “Don’t you realise what a hole you are in over those bonds? Admitting for the sake of the argument that yon remember nothing about them, I will explain that I know enough of what you did to —put you through.” “Most kind of you to tell me,i Mr. Bemm.”

Bemm’s gray-brown eyes lost their deceptive shallowness. Clinton looked into their depths and saw the man behind the jester. His steely glance struck flint instead of rubber. But Bemm’s voice was very soft: . “You see, old man, it is still a matter between friends. All you need do is to find the bonds, or their equivalent in money, if they have been disposed of. Doctor Kirkland believes you were irresponsible. If you'have used any of the—er —proceeds, there’s no doubt he will advance you the amount. If that is done —the bank reimbursed, y’know—the bank will accept his theory of your mental condition, and will allow the matter to be hushed up. This is provided I forget certain facts that, if recalled by me, would knock the doctor’s hypothesis into a cocked hat,” “So —you remember certain facts?” muttered Clinton. “My dear Will, let us say th#t I do not now remember them. One may easily forget, where a friend is concerned. All I ask is that you, in turn, show your friendship by Intimating the situation to Am—er —Miss Lowrie. Nothing raw, y’know. Just a hint She admits Khat she likes me, and yo' know how she is. A word from you in my favor, and she would at once—” For all bls quickness, Bemm was not quick enough to elude the hand that shot out to clutch his collar. He pulled back to free himself. In the same instant Clinton rose over him, whltp wKh anger, without a word, Clinton Jerked him to his feet, whirled him around and rushed him to the head of thp porch steps. Clinton’s shoe assisted his flight down the steps. The audacity even more than the suddenness of the attack had paralyzed Bemm’s power of resistance. The spell was broken by the shock of his landing on the hard cement walk at the foot of the steps. He scrambled to his feet, his face twitching with fury. He put his sand to his Vp. “Drop that hand,” ordered Clinton in a tone barely above s a whisper. Bemm’s furious glance fell .before the look in Clinton’s eyes. His hand

slipped down, away from the Mlppocket. Clinton descended a step, and spoke in the same low-pitched ton: “You blackmailer—you cur! Get out of here!” Again Bemm tried to face the other’s look, and again his glance wavered and fell. He 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 girlish exclamation caused the tense watcher to look about. Amy stood In the doorway, staring after the swlft-flylng car. “Why, it’s Charlie!” she crfied. “Whatever is the matter? —Oh! Will! your face! You look as if —as if —” 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 cur! the d-damed cur!” “Hush! hush, dear!” urged the girl, putting up a hand over his mouth.

“Oh. Will !” cried Ellen in the en-

trance of the drawing room. "You swore I” “The scoundrel! The—the —” Clinton choked with wrath. Between them, the girls hurried him into a 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 fled 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 contrast 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 pallor increased. Shuddering 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 if asleep. Amy, perched on the arm of the chair, was stroking his forehead and closed eyes. She looked about at the intruders and touched her lips for silence. But her patient had opened his eyes. At sight of the frightened ladles, he captured Amy’s hand and sat up in the chair, his face red with embarrassment. “Oh keep your seat I Do not disturb yourself! Be calm 1” urged Mrs. Kirkland. Amy freed an arm and slipped it about his neck. “You are calm now. Aren’t you, dear?” she soothed. “Yes —yes, of course,” mumbled Clinton, but his color deepened. “But, dearest,” murmured Ellen, “you must be dizzy. You look so Queer.” ——-— Clinton's expression became still more peculiar. His features were convulsed. He waggled his hands. “This —this —” he gasped. “Whatever I —l Don’t you—Chocolate Soldier?” They looked at one another in acute alarm. There now could be no doubt as to his condition. He sought to explain: “The —the opera.” “Opera?” 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 himself back in the chair and burst into a roar of laughter. The outburst was far more violent than the first It did not end until he lay helpless from spent emotion, tears rolling down his and his hands feebly beating the arms of the chair. Mrs. Kirkland hovered over him, ready with the bottle 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 a hand stroking his face. J “Save—save the places!” he panted. The girls their tender caresses. Mrs. Kirkland held her bottle under his nose. HB took a whiff, and groaned: “Alas! Wh° shall llyer ine out of the hands of mine—my friends?” B They exchanged anxlckis glances, and Mrs. Kirkland whispered: “Hysteria!” _ 1

He pulled himself together, caught the girls' hands and his breath, and remarked in a conversational tone: “My dear Mes. Kirkland, will you consider it hysterical if I observe that a cup of tea—” “He’s coming to himself I” shrieked Ellen. “He has come to himself!” shrieked Amy. Ellen flung herself upon his breast. He averted his head to ward off her Ups, and Amy blew a kiss down the back of his neck. Mrs. Kirkland observed his crimsoning face, and came to his rescue. “Girls, girls, that will do. He must not be agitated. If he is hungry—” “I'll see if luncheon Is served,” exclaimed Amy, and she-darted from the room. Clinton rose and transferred Ellen's arm from his neck to his elbow. “At least I still retain my normal appetite,” he observed. “That is a grant deal, dear boy,” said Mrs. Kirkland. “It shows that you have fully regained your physical health. A little -psychological treatment will soon restore your mental ■balance, as well.” When, a few minutes later, Doctor Kirkland came in upon them at the luncheon table, the four were conversing as gaily as if none had' ever heard of doubt and apprehension. The physician entered briskly, nodded to all in his genial manner, and explained his presence with a casual: “On my way to the sanitarium. Thought I’d stop by for a bite of lunch. My dear, a word about the new case—ls I may ask the girls and Will to excuse us.” Mrs. Kirkland followed him from the room with an air of composure that vanished the moment he closed the door behind her. “Karl, you must do something—at once!” she urged. “He Is worse, far worsel” “Appears to me to be quite rational,” replied her husband. “Since he came in to luncheonyes. But before that—such queer behavior, laughter, hysteria—after the mad rage that so frightened Ellen.” “H’m. This makes it doubly necessary. His attack on Bemm —” “Charlie?—he attacked Charles?” “Yes. I had a telephone call from police headquarters just as I was leaving the office. Couldn’t quite make it out. But I gather that Bemm was Indiscreet—Will had so angered him that he complained to our official friend. I was told that Will should be confined. I agreed.” “To send him to jail!—you agreed to that?” protested Mrs. Kirkland, horrified. “Our official friend may have understood It that way.” “Ah—But you?” “In the sanitarium he will be even safer than in jail, and will receive the treatment so necessary for his recovery,” explained her husband. “If I can report that he is there under guard, I believe the bank will accept my argument that it is to their Interest for him to remain.” The little housemaid appeared In the doorway. “Excuse me, ma’m. Here’s a telegram.” Doctor Kirkland had the yellow envelop open in a twinkling. He waved the maid out, with a laconic, “no answer”—and read the message to his wife: “Patient escaped night of sixteenth. Followed by superintendent. All trace lost in Chicago. Has he returned home?” Mrs. Kirkland glanced about at the door behind her. ’Then there Is absolutely no doubt now,” she said. “You know, he has been so positive; and at times it has seemed to me there are real differences. But after this —” “Yes,” agreed her husband. “Now that this proves we were not mistaken, I confess there have been several times when, had It not been for my knowledge of dual personality, I might have doubted. Truly the changes superinduced by dissociation are marvelous! In his real self, Will is absolutely honorable, straightforward, honest. Yet It Is evident he secreted the bonds, sold or obtained a loan on them, and deposited the money In Chicago. I have It from Bemm. He has information from a friend in the bank.” “You cannot mean that Will actually—took “Not knowingly. Evidently, in his dazed condition when the change of personality occurred, his first and only Idea with regard to the bonds was to raise money on them and take a trip to California.” “You are so profound, Karl! Your deductive logic is simply wonderful!” “Hardly that, my dear. These cases are simple, when one has the key. The difficulty is to induce him to— Ah I I have it—that.case of byperaesthesia. The girls know her.” "You mean Annie Searle? It is hardly more than a speaking acquaintance.” ‘That is quite sufficient Come.” He returned to the luncheon tablet brisk, genial, and domineering—“ What; still at it? Sweetheart, there’s a friend of yours at the sanitarium. You remember Annie Searle. She has asked for you. Might do her good to see you.” “Poor Annie!” responded Amy with ready sympathy. “If I can cheer her up . . . . But to leave Wil! —— “We might all go,” suggested Mrs. Kirkland. t “Clap on your hats, girls, and you also, my dear, while I take my milk and a sandwich,” directed the physician. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

"That Was Rotten—Their Serving You With a Warrant."

“Drop That Hand,” Ordered Clinton.