The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-11-18

Jed, whom l always dreaded, was fol-
lowing him.
1t may be wondered why I was not
instantly in chase and why I stood
worried and indccisive. The only ex-
PLANTATION is that l knew, as surely rs
one could know anything by reason
and conjecture, that whatever was
happening that night had happened
this same night for n number of years
in the past. and that whatever 1t
was, 1t had direct connection with the
secret Of the place which Mrs. Sidney
so earnestly desired me o to pos
sess. For these reasons, or upon this
instinct, l acted as I did and stood
or the porch listening to the nnatu
rally late whippoorwill and looking
out toward the dark woods and thick
cts which stood at the edge of the
yellow moonlight.
The tension was so great that l got
n distinct shock when out of this wall
of darkness came n figure running
into and across the moonlit space to-
ward the house. knew it must be
Jed, and I waited where I stood as
he approached. He barely had come
into the shadow of the house when an
other figure came out of the dark wall
of the thickets and came slowly across
the moonlit space.
Jed. running up the steps. saw me
and gasped with astonishment, but re-
covered himself with wonderful
rromptness.
"Inside, man. inside. and act natu-
arm-"in the office"
He was so certain and so command
ing that I did Just what I was told.
Unto the office, man." lie said, still
clutching me. "What are you doing
abroad? This night of all nights! But
no matter. Into the office. and turn on
the lights. Turn on the lights in the
hall-not all Of them, but some Of
Them"
He ran to do 1t himself and was all
lutter and activity. Then he or
dered:
"1nto the office now, and act natu-
raj You're a man Of genius; think Of
SViIlStlIlIIS We SOuINl iltllNitIIS w wv
ing at this time. Think quick man:
it's beyond me. What are you doing
here? Good Lord, what are YOU do
ing here? I could have managed it
without you. Why did you have to be
on the scene? And ! cur think of
nothing"
"You have severe cramps in the
c%or,o1l,S " 7 ~of1 NVtSS MT fo o0 S1v0n.
dered at. considering the way you
abuse your stomach. l may say YOU
are the only human being I ever was
glad to see drinking himself to death.
!. You have now some premonitory symp-
toms of gastritis. You have got me
up. If l do not have n collar and tie
on 1t will look more natural"
l tossed these articles and my coat
behind a couch.
"And possibly If o were less clad
1t would help the Illusion"
Jed rid himself of collar. tie and
: coat and. disposed of them in the same
fashion.
snow, I imagine" I said, 1--WE are
reasonably convincing MS physician
: and sinner. What are your symp'
toms?"
you're q man Of genius" Jed ex.
claimed. "Wait Il minute"
He ran to the window. concealinG
! himself behind a curtain.
"He's almost here" he said, as he
looked out on the CHASTITY white lawn
Then he came running back.
. 1.-THE door had better be opened"
. he said, and he threw the door to
the office open. Then he sat in one OF
J the chairs and began to whine loudly
"It's an acute shooting pain, doc
tor" he said loudly and then he whis'
t pered: "What ought it to be-"
] 1 heard the front door open and
shut.
II have often told you" l said with
loud professional dignity, that there
is q penalty attached to such habits
. as yours. Have you any nausea?"
"Sick as l can be with PAIN" said
Jed, grooming TREMENDOUSLY.
Il don't mind at all being aroused,
> jed" l said, just loud enough to carry
( to the person approaching and to
! sound to him as if it were n normal
tone to Jed with me in the office
"That is a part Of my business here
l knew Mr.. Sidney was standing in
the doorway. So did Jed. Neither of
us betrayed Jul knowledge until the
strange apparltion which we knew to
be there said:
! "Up so late, doctor? Up so late,
Jed?"
"Why, Mr.. Sidney! !" 1 exclaimed.
| He was. indeed. an extraordinary
looking being. He had controlled his
] voice ami his manner. Discipline was