The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-10-29
XIII.

At times l hated myself as a method
lcal person, but 1t did no good. I
was methodical, and from 1t there was
no escape. / kept a diary. And each
night as | made an entry, | turned back
to the day Of the year before. In doing
so this night l read In the entry Of the
previous year: "Mr. Sidney made a
sudden and astonishing recovery Of
strength. He walked about his room
without assistance and was In q high
degree Of animation"
I recalled that night with the sharp
er interest because the entry / was
about to make this night was substan-
TALLY IL not precisely to the same eff
feet. Mr.. Sidney had again revealed
an astonishing recovery Of strength
and had displayed the greatest anima-
ton. He had asked US to have our
dinner in his room, a thing very sell
dom done, and he had been wonderful
a. the majestic, courteous head of the
family, full of hnmor and joviality.
Jed was an amlable servitor, BAN
tered By Mr.. Sidney from time to time.
Isobel's animation was as infectious as
her fathers, but Mrs. Sidney, I
thought, had a look of apprehension
In her eyes which was something apart
from the pleasant smile on her face.
She seemed to find the occasion sig
nifcant, and I wonder that I had to
read my diary to be refreshed In mem
orr.
When l had read 1t, I also saw the
significance. and turning the page In
the record Of the year before, / read:
"Mr. Sidney 10 in a condition Of ex-
haustioa which might be called . COM
plets and dangerous collapse. . +. i.
DR.. Brownell, summoned In alarm,
says that during his acquaintance with
the case this transition overnight from
extraordinary activity to exhaustion
has been noted once every year and
at approximately the same time Of the
year. II not precisely on the same
date
The apprehension which Mrs. sid
ney could not wholly conceal had this
good foundation. Mr.. Sidney was in
the periodic miracle Of renewed health
and strength. but for whatever cause.
he would be found tomorrow morning
in a ~precarious condition of weakness
The event seemed so certain that I
thought 1t best to acquaint Or. Brow
nell that night Of the premonitory
/ decided to telephone o message to
DR.. Brownells residence In the city, to
be given to him Immediately II he were
awake or as soon as he arose In the
morning. I did not want to be over
heard. by any chance. by any one. In
telephoning this premonitory message.
and thought that the Office would be
my most secure place.
The house was not yet In full dark
ness when I came down the stairs to
the main hall. It was lighted. and the
stairway leading directly to Mr.. Sid
room was lighted. which indi.
Gated that Jed was still with Mr.. Sid
ney.
The Office door never was locked. I
did not want Jed laundering In on me
while I was telephonlng. He would be
along presently. I thought, and I de-
cided to 60 out on the main portico
until by the extinguishing Of the lights
| should know he vas on his way to
bed.
| was on my way to act on this plan
when the light in the stairway leading
to Mr.. Sidney's room was extinguished.
and I knew Jed was on his way down
stairs. I did not have time to reach the
entrance. / doubted that | even had
time to retrace my steps. | did not
want to meet Jed. SO I stepped into q
sort Of little lounging space on the
hall. which vas quite dark.
In a few minutes Jed went by, hum
ming. 10 singing. I had expected him
10 be very tipsy. considering the jo-
vial mood OF Mr.. Sidney II had even
to me that once a year, on a
date-one 70 be commemorated
Mr.. Sidney Joined Jed In the wine
and that this caused the relapse. But
Ted was aot drunk. his step was
nn az cnNrINITEDl