Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1920 — THE HAN WHO WASHT HIMSELF [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE HAN WHO WASHT HIMSELF

by ROBERT AMES SENNET

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SYNOPSIB. CHAPTER I.—Alighting irom a train at Denver a well-dressed traveler la familiarly accosted by a man about his own •ge. 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 bis 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 ll.—At dinner "Clinton" learns that his host is a medical specialist and that he is believed to be Will Lowrle, a young man who had been suffering from a nervous breakdown and had Ene east for medical treatment. Cowrie d had In his possession bonds of the Value of SIOO,OOO, belonging to the bank Where he was employed, which haver disappeared and of which he has no recollection. With Dr. Kirkland "Clinton" goes to the Lowrle home, the doctor being satisfied that Amy Lowrle, Will’s sister, will convince “Clinton’' he Is really Lowrle, suffering from loss of memory. CHAPTER lll.—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 Lowrle is undergoing treatment, inquiring as to his whereabouts. CHAPTER V.—Ellen and Amy try in vain to convince "Clinton" he is Will Lowrle, 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 Lowrle and agrees to find out the whereabouts of the missing bonds. CHAPTER Vl.—With Bemm “CUnton” Visits the athletic club and there Bemm discovers that a birthmark, familiar to Lowrle’s friends, has disappeared from “Clinton’s" arm. Bemm Is somewhat disconcerted but unconvinced. That evening an answer to Doctor Kirkland’s telegram arrives, with the Information that the superintendent of the sanitarium is away, and the matter Is left thus. tfo&APTER Vll.—Bemm Is very much In lefts with Amy Lowrle. Her brother has discouraged the Intimacy, and Bemm thinks be 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 show* 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. 4 CHAPTER IX.—"Clinton," about to leave town, is arrested, and Doctor Kirkland and the ladles visit him at the police station. The doctor arranges for bis release. CHAPTER X.—At the Kirkland residence, where the party goes, Bemm, still certain "Clinton" is his former acquaintance, Lowrle, makes a proposition to him to return the bonds, promising immunity from prosecution in return for his Inducing Amy to accept him as her fiance. "Clinton” throws him out of the house. Doctor Kirkland makes up his mind to have the young man remain in his sanitarium for observation and probable cure.

CHAPTER XI. Caged. As Mrs. Kirkland chose the seat beside her husband, Clinton was required to make one of the three In the tonneau, and the girls saw to It that he sat between them. The visitors were shown Into a refreshingly cool waiting room, and the ladles sent up their cards, to the patient they had come to see. Presently a pleasant young nurse, with the dress and manners of a social secretary, came down to say that Miss Searle was at home and would be delighted to see Miss Lowrie. "Only me?” exclaimed Amy. Iff The nurse looked at Doctor Kirkland. He considered, and spoke to his wife: “Amy alone may prove too exciting for her. She needs the quieting Influence of yourself and Ellen. Go to her door ahd pretend to take leave of Amy. When she sees you are not coming In, she will insist that you make her a call.” - - P “BuJ Will, papa?” objected Ellen. •‘You hfive to visit your patients. He pijtyflgcMt tgdlous waiting here alone.” shall show Idm about. He will enjoy looking over the institution,” recited the physician with his usual In<cisi veness. ‘ Mrs. Kirkland had at once started to accompany the nurse. The girls reluctantly followed her. Doctor Kirklgnd led Clinton away in the opposite (firecHofi. After conducting him [through the offices, he took him up to the roqf garden, where several vlvaoouK Hashionably dressed persons were strolling about fn the bright sunshine, each In company with a melancholy companion. The situation required no explanation. On the second floor Dr. Kirkland led him Into an unoccupied room facing the side street. It had a private bath and was otherwise furnished with conveniences to satisfy the most fastidious teste. The physician closed the door gnd signed to Clinton to listen. From above came a faint, almost Inaudible sound. / “That is a patient In the room above,” be explained. “She is shrieking la an hysterical paroxysm, I told you

our walls are sound proof. That Is not absolutely the case, as you hear.” “But virtually so,” said Clinton. “One never would Imagine that a woman is screaming less than ten feet away.” “There is a special manner of deadening the walls and windows,” explained the physician. “Otherwise we could not keep our supersensitive patients in the same building with those subject to noisy outbursts. Our arrangements are so perfect that many persons came hqfe simply for relaxation and quiet. This room Is one reserved for the use of such guests— I can hardly call them patients.” "It is an ideal room,” remarked Clinton. The physician beamed upon him. “I’m glad to hear you say that, ray boy. What do you say to taking it yourself for a few days?” “Why not? You could keep secluded, and escape all this annoyanc# over your identity. Am I right inysurmlsing that even the attentions of the girls are not altogether agreeable to you?” . vi am not so sure as to that,” replied Clinton. "I cannot say that I have found it so very unpleasant being with my—sister.” The physician’s look became grave. “I did not wish to speak of a disagreeable subject. The fact is the bank officials are not altogether satisfied with the arrangement by which you were placed in my—charge. If I can say that you are here under treatment, they may be willing to wait a reasonable time while we are straightening But this muddle.” “They still threaten me with punishment 1” exclaimed Clinton, his eyes Sashing with quick anger. “I shall go to the bank and tell them to try it I” “You will do nothing of the kind,” genially contradicted the physician, and he laid a sympathetic hand on the young man's shoulder. “Consider your friends." “Friends?” “Even if you should prove to be what you claim, do you imagine we would cease to think of you as a friend V Clinton grasped the other’s chubby hand. “It is most kind of you to say It, doctor!” '“The simple truth, my boy.. I know you will stay, to oblige me. Pardon me a moment. I wish to inquire about a patient." He left the room In his usually brisk manner. Clinton selected a magazine from a pile on the neat little writing table and sat down in an easy chair. Noiselessly an attendant reached in and closed the door behind him without attracting his attention. • He read an article, tossed the magazine aside, and looked around. Dr. Kirkland had not returned. He yawned, rdse, sauntered across the room, and opened the door. In a moment he found himself confronted by an attendant, who planted himself in the doorway, hand to cap and a smile on his good-humored, resolute face. “You called, sir?” “No,” said Clinton. “I am going down to the waiting room.” The man did not move out of the doorway. Clinton advanced a half

step and said sharply: “Are you deaf? lam going down. Step aside." “Beg pardon, sir, I ,’ respectfully replied the attendant. “Dr. Kirkland wished me to tell you that he preferred you should keep In your room.” Clinton measured the man with a swift glance. There could be no mis-

taking me atpietic ease of the fellow's poise. Yet he stood with hands down. An uppercut to the chin, followed by a straight drive, might put hlnr out of the way. Clinton tensed for the attack —and did not make It. Three other male attendants had appeared in the corridor behind their fellow employee. To attack would only result In the humiliation of certain defeat. The ; mere knowledge of this fact was quite sufficiently humiliating. Clinton flushed crimson with chagrin. * “You have the odds on your side,” he muttered. “Yes, sir. I trust you will not hold It against us personally, sir.” - .. The respectful, %ood-nntured reply tended to mollify the prisoner. “That depends,” he said. “I wish to see Dr. Kirkland.” “I’m afraid, sir, he won’t be through with his calls for half an hour. But Just as soon—” "Then tell Miss Lowrle I wish to see her —alone.” The man looked his surprise. Clinton hesitated, und explained: “Dr. Kirkland will understand. I wish to take leave of my—sister bqfor® she leaves.” “Beg pardon, sir. Your sister —Miss Lowrle —very good, sir. The matter shall be attended to at once.” ’Clinton faced about and returned to his chair. The man quietly closed the door. Several minutes passed. Clinton had frowned when he glanced about and noted the closed door. He was now pacing uneasily to and fro across the room. As he made the turn near the door It swung open. He stopped short. The nthletlc attendant glanced In and promptly drew back. Amy darted past him Into the room and clasped Clinton’s hand. “Dear brother, what is it?” she asked. “We were waiting. Mrs. Kirkland 1* with a friend. Why didn’t you come down? Why did you send for us?” Over her shoulder he shot an angry glance at the attendant. “I sent only for you,” he replied. “Amy!” murmured Ellen, stopping short Just within the door. “That look in his eyes! Be —be careful, dear, else he may again—” She faltered at sight of his frown. He replied ironically: “Yes, be careful. The mtfhiac has been trapped. He Is In a cage; therefore he must be dangerous.” “Will 1" she protested. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“Are You Deaf? I Am Going Down."