The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-09-30
Illustrated By Irwin Copyright by6eofqe HDordnGo

He might have been impatient, have
had whims and crochets. He might
have been irascible in his demands
upon and acceptance of service. But
Mr.. Sidney was always cordial and
considerate A great deal of the time
he spent in bed. When he was not In
bed, he sat In great chair, and very
often a yellow Persian cat rested on
his Knees. 1t was difficult II not
dangerous matter for any one else than
Mr.. Sidney to touch the cat, named
Algol.
1.-THE Winking Demon" said Mr..
Sidney, lingering the cats ruff as 1t
lay on his lap, and purred. / knew just
enough of the star Algol and it's vari-
ability to understand the whimsicality
of an old mans naming cat for the
winking sun. Algol in Mr.. Sidneys
lap blinked at me, and the old man
genius for understanding and classl-
fication seemed u1canny.
Mr.. Sidney's room was of great size.
1t had two fireplaces and large cove
OF windows bullying toward the west.
at the smaller of the two fireplaces
he had his breakfast. Either at the
large fireplace or in the outward bulge
of windows, he had his dinner.
In spite of The Persian cat, Mr.. Sid
ney had three canaries in the room.
Algol respected them after fashion
that / thought uncertain. | have seen
a canary sitting on the cats head, but
l thought it was decided case of mis-
placed confidence. Algol wanted that
canary and would continue to want It..
He was deferred from natural action
in the matter by his affection for the
strange but kindly master who want
ed cats and canaries to live together in
amity.
/ know l never fully grasped Mr..
Sidney's scheme of life, but thought
thar he found existence ironic. His
graciousness and his cheerfulness, 4
thought, represented the garlands OF
his conquest of morbidity. His per-
sonal charm was extraordinary. Every
one in the house felt it. But an aston
fishing thing about Mr.. Sidney was an
occasional emotion which, as it mani
tested itself in his expressions and
| that was the only fashion / saw it for
long time-was one of savage hate.
1t was only by coming on him when
he was not expecting me that saw
this | remember that the first time
/ saw the expression on his face was
dumfounded. That was not expected
in his room was entirely without inten-
ton on my part. People who were ac-
customed to being with him walked
into the room without ceremony. His
bedroom and bath were to one side.
| His living-room he insisted should be
open withc ut formality.
| On the occasion / speak of / had come
in quietly. but it was without intention
to surprise my patient. He was sitting
| in his large chair with Algol on his
knees. His eyes. were closed and on
his face was an expression of malevol-
ence that was almost demoniac. 1t
was so startling that the sight of it
stopped me in my step and made me
| feel more than uneasy, almost afraid.
/ L.
one hand he stroked Algol about the
head and ears. The caress was al
most imperceptible in motion, but AL
| goi was purring SO loudly that the
sound filled the otherwise quiet room.
The malevolence-the malignancy,
| ity-in Mr.. Sidney's face would have
stopped anyone. To ore who had af-
| lection for him as had, it was abb
hOrrent to see him SO. 1t was con-
fession of something ] did not want
to know.
l was in fear that he might hear me
and, opening his eyes, find that had
discovered him. / was embarrassed
and uncertain what to do. 1t was a
silly predicament, as / saw afterward.
Ny part was quite simple. should
have paid no attention to any such
phenomenon as the expression on a
mans face and have acted perfectly
naturally.
The common-sense thing-and con-
slider myself fairly sensible-was APP
parent afterward. 1t indicates the as
tonishing shock of the thing that was
unable to act sensibly. What was the
expression in an amiable, charming
mans face, to knock sensible person
| out of all his senses? Here was a
doing man merely toying with cats
| ears, and the very sight of what was
expressed in his face, made me numb
| cannot understand it now, the ter
rifying sensation being one which dis
/ appeared as the recollection of the
| emotions faded. What / did was to
| back toward the door, open it as quiet
/ ly as / could, back out and then re-
enter the room noisily.
Mr. Sidney was looking at me smil-
ingly. His charm of manner never
seemed more positive and active.
"HeHo, doctor.' he said. 81 needed
company and just Your company. If
you would only drink wine.''
IL
broken pipe in the laundry made
it necessar. to call plumber from
Hartley. and to get quick service, ii
was geed THAI we should send a car
for t.aa man and his helper.
The day was pleasant, and for the
| sake of the drive / went with the
driver. The plumber was fat man
of the comic-type. / thought he must
be the embodiment of all the plumbers
| ;ot-oe. rrhax coomad RI have praatad