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Show THE SAUNA SUN. SAUNA, UTAH THE BLUE CIRCLE By Elizabeth Jordan ( by The Century Co.) WMJ Service. CHAPTER XII Continued 21 It might have been very serious, she went on slowly, more to herself than to him. It was quite possible that we might be left there till dinner time. With the whole house demoralized by grandfathers Illness, no one would have missed us " She checked herself as a new thought occurred to her. Dave you noticed how different the servants are? she abruptly asked. Im afraid, murmured Renshaw, they are resenting mel" She glanced at him. You mean Its natural enough. My position here is well, odd, at the best. It would annoy almost any servants, I suppose. They are probably afraid I will Interfere with the domestic end though of course that is the last thing I should think of doing. lie hesitated a moment. And I havent forgotten instructions to your grandfathers watch. You dont think that meant anything new? You didnt think so at the time. But Perhaps not, he conceded. theres no harm In keeping ones eyes open. However, dont lets talk about those things. Lets talk about you I She looked at him In quick surprise. It was the first time he had sounded the personal note. The unexpectedness of It startled her, but only for a moment. She smiled, and the smile Illuminated her beautiful face.. What do you want to know? Why you dislike me so much. I dont dislike you, she soberly assured him. You did. Possibly I did. Yes, I think I did. But that seems long ago so much has happened since! Will you tell tne the truth about He spoke almost under something? his breath. If I can. Then, why did you dislike me in the first place? Your feeling was one On what was of actual antagonism. It based? Theres usually a reason for a feeling as strong as that. She hesitated, sitting very still lr the big chair, her hands crossed In her lap, her eyes on the fire. He watched her, knowing that he could never forget the picture she made. Possibly I could tell you, she said at last, if you will tell me first why you disliked me. He laughed out, boyishly. The sound gave her a queer little thrill. She had not known he could laugh like that. Thats fair, he conceded, and I will tell you. I saw that you despised me, and I resented it, ns any man would resent such an affront to his t. well, let us say his She flushed. I umst have been abominably rude. Oli, no, you were never rude. You merely took no special pains to conceal what novelists like to call the nature of your feelings. What I am trjing to get at, he patiently repeated. is the explanation of those particular feelings. She was stammering Why I 1 helplessly now, trying to find pleasant words for an anpleasant admission. A rising wind yammered in the big chim-n,self-respec- -. "inn didn't trust me? It didn't exactly amount to that. What it did amount to," he was that you thought I was h on: of a man that I had per-siMm- l. one-tent- him through her eyes, had abruptly withdrawn to some Inner, unreachable fustness. Ills hour was over. But he had had it, and she could not take It from him; nor could she take away the memory of the words whose echoes still seemed to fill the room. I discovered that when there was anything to be done you did It I learned that you always keep your head. In saying those things she had sent him Into battle like a knight of old, with her glove Inside his breastshleld. For there was a battle to be fought for her and for others; and tonight, more clearly than ever before, he felt the Imminence of Its approach. The silence with which he accepted her tacit withdrawal held neither resentment nor pain. When she rose, he walked with her to the living room door and silently opened It for her. Their eyes met and held, and the look she saw In his, as comforting as a steady light through a fog, brought her reassured soul back to the windows of Its home. Impulsively, perhaps apologetically too, she offered him her hand, and as he took It, both again recalled the Idack hours In which It had found refuge In his. lie pressed the hand and dropped It. Goodnight. "Good-nigh- t. And thank you again. He watched her follow the curve of the staircase till she disappeared from view. Then he rang the bell. There was no response. He hnd hardly expected one. He put the shield before the still blazing fire, turned out the lights, and left the living room. Upstairs he turned to the left Instead of to the right, and, opening the door of the sick room, glanced In at the renssuring tableau there. Old David Campbell was still resting comfortably, his eyes closed, his breathing regular. In the soft glow of a shaded lamp the nurse gave abstracted attention to a book. Renshaw went back to the west wing with his mind at ease on that point. As he passed the closet near his bedroom, he stopped and looked at the door. The knobs were still off, but he discovered by a test that the doors weight kept It plumb when It was closed. lie turned down the bed covering and so arranged It that to anyone glancing Into the dim room the bed would seem to be occupied. Satisfied with this stage setting for the events of the night, he left the room, and after a swift but piercing glance around him slipped Into the hall closet and closed Its door. Ilis plan was beautifully simple. Anything or anyone that now came to visit him and reached his door would be pocketed in that corner, the only-exi-t being Into his bedroom. He himself, leaping from his unsuspected hiding place In the closet, would be a sad surprise to the visitor and, he hoped, a heavy burden on the latters neck. It was all well thought out and logical. As he passed from the dark hall Into the darker closet his foot struck an unlooked-fo- r obstruction. It appeared to he a bundle, huge and hard so hard. Indeed, that the Impact against Its unyielding side hurt his foot. He suppressed a rude word, and in the next Instant struck out with all his strength, while he gasped and gurgled as he jerked Ills head backward, swaying with another figure in the closets limited space. Thus far, despite his plans, the other figure had all the advantage. It had not only taken him wholly by surprise, but It had also taken him firmly by the throat. Chapter XIII dime out of the sanatorium without Four of a Kind. p..,:e, without courage, without self-- n c t. Wasn't that it? Renshaw's first Impression was that too the thing that had caught him was You are making it entirely Mioug," she protested warmly. "If I amazingly powerful. His next, as their ii.ol thought all those things I should struggle carried him and it past the l,;ie been sorry for you sympathetic, yielding closet door and into the hall, I mean. What I felt in you was a kind was that in the dim light It was horof inner force and domination that you ribly grotesque. It seemed to he a exercised perhaps unconsciously, but hairy thing, and perhaps also a masked w itlmut without thing. He could not see clearly enough "Without the real things to hack It to be sure whether it had it mask or I merely a strikingly up. he somberly finished for her. repellent face. understand. Ilis next discovery was in a way reShe went on, without observing the assuring. The grasp on his throat shadow that had fallen over his face, which, respite his efforts, he could not and almost as if she had not heard shake off, though it was him speak. him was simply the grasp Then I discovered that there was of a pair of very strong human hands. The battle, though intense, was a something hack of It, she said, In a voice so low that he had to lean strangely silent one. Neither fighter I disuttered a sound. Both were down on toward her to hear clearly. covered that when there was anything the carpeted floor, Interlocked In a to he done you did it. I learned that, close grip, rolling, twisting, and strainithough .you talk about nerves, you al- ng. Renshaw felt his tongue protrudways keep your head in an emergency. ing and his eyes popping out of his 1 found that head. Ilis blood rang in his ears you had tact and an amaz" She broke off. Do Unless he could shake off tlmt grasp ing gentleness After what seemed an eternity of you think I can ever forget how wan-nerfyou were In the black hole of effort, he did so and gulped in a breath of air with n gasp that was the that closet?" first sound of the encounter. He still man been have would Any other he Jested. as wonderful, Probably had his hands more than full. The almost any other man would have fellow he was fighting was an exfound some way of getting you out pert, up to all sorts of tricks, and unfettered by any rules of the game. sooner." He felt suddenly Jubilnnt, exuberant. Moreover, lie was In condition, and the An aviary of joy birds seemed singing secretary was not sure of his own In his heart. It was an amazing senstaying power. The silent struggle sation. Under Its influence he lost his went on. Renshaw Inch by inch forcing his adversary across the threshold and head a trifle. "You say you will never forget the Into his bedroom. There the combat continued with the he experience In that black hole. A said. Hnd his voice sank as hers had growing Intensity of desperation. 1 shall never forget this hour chair went down. The reading table done. by the fireplace fell, and the unlit with you before the fire. Possibly It was the timbre of his burp crashed against the brass fender. voice rather than his words that re- Uach of the fighters appeared to have called her to consciousness of the un- the same Inspiration about that fender If a man's head were brought against usual Intimacy of their conversation. She settled hack In her chair and her It with sufficient force, that man To the young would he out of commission for a expression changed. Both contestants were beman watching her It was as If the soul time. and both were Inside that beautiful body, which hnd coming exhausted, It. Their breath showing been compassionately looking out at now slowly-stranglin- . came raggedly. Renshaw found himself on top of the other, and with something between his hands that was thick and slippery. He was conscious of agonizing pain. One of his fingers had been bitten almost through. He turned sick, but hung on to the throat that choked and gurgled. He knew be could not hold on much longer. His strength was almost spent. But suddenly the figure under him grew limp. He was prepared for more tricks. He knelt on his antagonists chest and dug his fingers deeper Into the throat, taking advantage of the respite to fill his own lungs with air. But there was something reassuring about the continued limpness and stillness of the sprawled thing under him. After a brief wait he took from one of his pockets some of the light, strong cord with which he had provided himself, and bound the figure where it lay. When he has finished It he rose, straightened himself, drew a few more deep breaths, and shut his bedroom door. Then, turning on the lights, he surveyed his prisoner. The man lay face downward, as he had been turned during the binding. Obviously, he had worn a combined mask and light headpiece. Their tattered remnants strewed the floor. The garment that hud looked and felt like e hair was a affair of some fuzzy material that covered the wearer from neck to ankles. Combined with the mask and headpiece, the outfit would have served very well as a masquerade costume representing a man ape. To heighten its effect, tonight's masquerader had blackened his hands and arms; hut the back of his neck was white where It was not becoming black and blue. Renshaw turned over the trussed figure, looked into the eves, that were now conscious, and nodded slowly. I Jenks," he affably observed. thought so. For a long moment Jenks did not speak, Apparently he could not. Ills eyes stared up at Renshaw dully, as If he had not yet taken In what had happened. He tried to move, and the effort made him groan. Youve broken my arm d n he brought out at last. you Well have it reset, and It will heal Renshaw drew nicely In Sing Sing. a chair close to the prostrate form, and, sitting down, regarded It with warm Interest. "So all this little masquerade was for my benefit, he mused aloud. What was the idea? Jenks did not answer. Renshaw prodded him with his foot. What was Speak up, he urged. It for? To get rid of you, d n you I What else did you think It was for?" growled the captive. Renshaw shook his head at him. Youre not acting at all like a sport, Jenks, he austerely pointed out. You played for big stakes, and lost them. Why dont you take your medicine like a man? Ills voice changed. "So the Idea was to get rid of me? he said briskly. Why? Speak up, Jenks. a little longer. Be a Masquerade sport." The man was silent. "So we had the thumps and the crawling sound and the climbing sound and the locked doors and the black hand and the closet episode. Did you do all that yourself? Annie shut that closet door, d d her! She might of killed Miss Campbell. And you didnt want that?" one-piec- ! Of course didnt." I Why not? You seemed to be for anything." ready Jenks was weary of the conversation. He gave the Inquisitive gentleman another rude bit of advice which that serene individual quietly ignored. So you did It all yourself, aided by the bundle of bricks I Just fell over In the closet. I understand. But how about that infernal light the blue circle? Flashlight effect, of course, but where were yon?" Tree. "Oh, that would be it By Jove, Jenks, youre thorough. I'll say that for you. Nothing was too much trouble, was It? And all to get rid who hadnt any of a husky nerve left but might have been Inconvenient to have around in a crisis! Jenks remained silent. And as soon as I was out of the way the gang of you were going to take Cainpbe!s ready money and the Jewelry of the ladies and skip. That was what you were after. It would have been a big haul. For the first time, the face of Jenks changed. "Nothin like It," he snarled. Oh, yes, Udward Edwards, alias Joe Stevens, alias the Ourang ontung alias Joseph Jenks. Y'ou werent doinj. all this merely to get rid of a new. comer you disliked. Did you Imagine I didnt know you? Jenks muttered a word that was His face had turned to a inaudible. pasty gray. six-foot- (TO BE CONTINUED.) Awakens New Hope Some enterprising California citizen discovered that goldfish are much more valuable Ir. a pond of stagnant water than In a glass bowl. It Is said that a few goldfish placed In sluggish wafer where mosquitoes breed will In one season eat every vestige of mosquito larvae, freeing the neighborhood of this pest. Just about the time we had given up all hope that this metallic colored fish had any vnlue other than as a parlor pet. along comes this news There is hope for the gar dispatch. pike yet. Detroit News. Uncle Eben Nearly all de folks dat know enough to give good advice," sale Uncle Eben, Is lawyers or doctors dat charges real money to t It." Washington Star. When Better Fairy Tale GRAHAM jyMXN - Automobiles Are BONflEk ft vtilU Built TOMMY STARTS Tommy was a little boy who longed to adventure. He had heard Ids grandfather and friends of his grandfather tulk of a wonderful adventure to be had at the top of a mountain where lived a strange old nmn. They had never gone all the way to see the old man for there had been a lovely half-waplace where they had always stopped and had a picnic and then decided to put off the long climb until another time. Tommy knew, for he hud thought it all out, that he would only he able to get just so fur at a time. In fact, they had told him so. They had told him that was the reason they had not gone further. So he decided he would not expect a great deal to happen at once, nor to accomplish a lot in a short climb. He wus willing that the progress should he slow. He knew all along the way he would enjoy himself. It was holiday time and Tommy made up Ids mind that lie would find the pond and the cave and lie hoped lie would see the old man. Tommy's grandfather was delightI'll lend edly excited over the idea. you the stick I used to take with me when I started on that trip only I hope you will go all the way. Then, when jou come hack, you cun tell me all about it." His grandfathers eyes shone at the very thought. So bright and early one morning Tommy started off. No one went with him, for the few hoys of his own age didnt like the idea of such u long, long trump just for a sight of a pretty pond and a possible old man and a possible treasure. Theres enough to do down by the river here not to go all that way to look for anything, they told him. Besides that story of the treasure sounds foolish. There arent any treasures any more. But it all sounded so thrilling to Tommy. It was like living years and years ago, somehow, and looking for QUICK Will Build Them y Monetary Pledge of Centuries Ago An archeological expedition sent out by the University of Pennsylvania dug up a clay tablet In the ruins of the ancient city of Nippur, Babylon, with an Inscription upon It which, translated, reads jis follows : Thirty bushels of dates are due to Bel Nadin Shun, son of Marashu, by Bel Bullitsu and Sim Nabu Shu, sons of Kirebtl, and their tenants. In the month of Tashrl (harvest month) of the thirty-fourt- h year of King Artux-erxe- s I, they shall pay the dates, thirty bushels, according to the measure of Bel Nadin Shun, in the town of Bit Balntsu. Their field, cultivated and uncultivated, their fief estate, is held as a pledge for the dates, namely, thirty bushels, by Bel Nadin Shun. Another creditor shall not have power over It." This tablet was dated 430 B. C or nearly 2,400 years ago. 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He had a blanket and a knapsack of food and his grandfather's stick. "Don't he gone too long, his grandfather had said, for his grandfather would miss him as would the other members of Ills family. But they all envied Tommy his great adventure. They had all dreamed of adventures themselves. Up and up the hills he climbed, through woods and woods. After a long time when lie was feeling quite weary lie came to a small lake. He thought it was a very pretty lake and he wondered if it would not he fun to stop here and explore. Probably this would do as well as the other. It was a long climb here and he was quite, quite tired. But then he remembered thul this was where the others had stopped. There was a higher hill beyond tills, then some woods, and then up to the tiptop of another hill the mountain top if was called. Tliat wus where the beautiful pond wus to he found, so they had said. But now that he was feeling so tired he wondered if the No one had pond really was there. seen it. No one was really sure. Maybe the old man wasnt quite right In his mind. Maybe there was nothing there at all no adventures to he had, no cave, no treasure, no wonderful, wonderful beauty. lie sat and thought about it, but then decided he would go on and see, though he was just a little discouraged when no one was really sure. He had just begun to climb the next hill when he heard a hissing and a swishing in tlie grass. Well, he was glad he had his stick with him. There must be no delay. Without a doubt this sound meant a snake. And no sooner hnd he thought this than the snake was wriggling along ahead of him. He raised his stick and kept it raised. Certainly the snake was showing no sign of hurting Mm. In fact he was timidly hurrying away. After ail he was rather a pretty snake and he had almost a helpless look. How dreadful. Tommy thought to himself, not to have legs and to have to He put down his move this way. stick and the snake turned around. 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