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

At times I hated myself as a method
ical person. but it did no good. I
was methodical, and from it there was
no escape. l kept a diary. And each
night a. l made an entry, l 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
degree of animation"
l recalled that night with the sharp
er interest because the entry ] was
about to make this night was substan-
TALLY if 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, n thing very sell
dom done, and he had been wonderful
as the majestic, courteous head Of the
family, full of humor and joviality.
Jed was an amiable servitor, ban.
tered by Mr.. Sidney from time to time.
Isobel's animation was as infectious as
her fathers, hut Mrs. Sidney, l
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
nificant. and l wonder that l had to
read my diary to be- refreshed in mem
DRY.
When l had read it, I also saw the
significance. and turning the page In
the record of the year before. l read
"Mr. Sidney is in a condition Of ex.
haustio1 which might be called a COM
plete and dangerous collapse.
DR.. Brownell, summoned in alarm
says that during his acquaintance with
the cnse this transition overnight from
extraordinary activity to e%Xhaustio.
has been noted once every year ant
at approximately the same time of the
year. if not precisely IN the same
date"
The apprehension which Mrs. Sid
ney could not wholly conceal had thi!
good foundation. Mr.. Sidney was Ii
the periodic miracle of renewed health
and strength, but for whatever cause
lie would be found tomorrow morning
in a p~recarious condition of weakness
The event seemed so certain that
thought it best to acquaint DR.. Brow
nell that night of the premonitor!
symptoms.
l decided to telephone n message t,
DR.. Brownell's residence in the city. II
be given to him Immediately If he wer,
awake or as soon as he arose in TIN
morning. I did not want to be over
heard, by any chance, by any one. ii
telephoning this premonitory message
and thought that the office would b.
my most secure place.
The house was not yet in full dark
ness when 1 came down the stairs t,
the main hall. 1t was lighted, and tn
stairway leading directly to Mr.. Sid
ney's room was lighted, which indi
Gated that Jed was still with Mr.. Sid
ney.
The Office door never vas locked.
did not want Jed laundering in on m
while l was telephoning. He would b.
along presently, l thought. and l de
cided to 90 out OF the main portic'
until by the extinguishing of the lights
I should know he was on his way t,
bed.
was Oh my way to act On this plaI
when the light in the stairway lendin.
to Mr.. Sidney's room vas extinguished
and I knew Jed was on his way down
stairs. l did not have time to reach thu
entrance. l doubted that 1 wen hat
time to retrace my steps. l did no
want to meet Jed. So l stepped into {
sort of little lounging space off thu
hall. which was quite dark.
In a few minutes Jed went by, hum
ming, not singing. l had expected hin
to be very tipsy, considering the 10
vial mood of Mr.. Sidney it had ever
occurred to me that once a year, on {
certain date-one to be c~Ommemoratet
Mr.. Sidney Joined Jed in the wine
and that this caused the relapse. Blu
Jed was aot drunk. his step wal
steady.
(To BE coNTINUEDo
Something Doing Then.