Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1920-11-04
CHAPTER TX.

We had seen nothing of Dravada or
the lawyer for nearly three weeks. l
was unable to think that we had heard
the last Of them. Dravada's purpose
had been too long nourished and the
lawyers cupidity was too great for
either to abandon his intent. Jed's
disposition was resilient, and soon he
recovered his poise. He thought his
enemies had abandoned their intent.
1t was a relief to me when going to
bed and lying a few minutes awake, to
hear the rush and scurry Of the dogs
about the place. They were active at
night. Rabbits, coons, weasels and
occasionally fox kept them moving.
Jed's courage returned-and with it,
was disturbed to observe, threat of
another fit of temper. 1t showed itself
first in moodiness and then in inso-
lence. 1 was glad to find that Jed in
this mood this time was not directing
himself against Mrs. Sidney. He had
turned against me. / knew that he
was In torment again. He had moth
ing to say to me unless he saw me in
Mr.. Sidney's room. Then he was
pleasant.
Jed" / said to him one morning,
II know you better than you think l
do. You'll torment yourself until you
do something you'll regret"
"Go to the devil" said Jed.
Ieoho1 md bod hoov,
as nationally as two young people
could, situated with regard to each
other as we were.
One evening l had been reading and
IsObel had gone to the piano. had
put my book down on my knees as
she began to play. Then was aroused
by perceiving, without seeing, that
somebody was near me.
turned suddenly and saw Jed. He
was not three feet behind my chair.
His face revealed disorder of mind.
, 'DO you want a cocktail?" he asked.
"No," said.
IsObel touched the keys Of the piano,
as a player done with mood may do
to express surfeit or conclusion.
"Not a mild oneY Jed asked, per-
sisting.
swell, then, very weak" said.
took up my book again and forced
myself, as discipline, to read. l had
not been able to do 1t so long as Isobel
played, but now that she had stopped
l might at least try.
/ made an effort. l tried to keep
my attention on the type. 1t was no
use. After fifteen minutes reading / |
found that had not turned a page.
Neither had Jed brought the cocktail. |
/ got up and walked about the library. |
l went to the front entrance to find if |
a few deep breaths in the open would |
not produce tranquility.
AS ! stood at the entrance Isobel
came running toward it. l heard her
before / saw her. She was running
and gasping. She came up the steps,
saw me, controlled herself and tried
to appear undisturbed. She might
have succeeded, but a sleeve of her
gown was torn from her waist and had
fallen to her wrist.
"What has happened to your ]
asked.
Nothing" she said.
"You are running"
"A little exercise"
"Look at your sleeve" l said.
She clutched at 1t as If she had be-
come conscious Of 1t for the first time,
and then ran by me and indoors.
We met at dinner twenty minutes
later. Isobel had on another gown.
led did not serve us. Dinner was de-
aged ten minutes. Then two maids
undertook the service. Mrs. Sidney
asked for Jed. One of the maids said
hat he had not appeared and they
we're doing the best they could with
tut him.
why, what can have happened to
TedT Mrs. Sidney exclaimed.
"What did happen to jedi" / asked
.sObel after dinner when we were
llone.
II don't know" she said.
GXVho tore your nInpva9u &G