The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-12-03

acros the open. I went TO the front
entrance and stood on the porch.
The hunters moor was at full, and
| the place was luminous in a soft, misty
yellow light.
had tremOrs, frankly-felt the pres
ence of tangible dangers, unseen, and
OF intangible terrorS. ! never felt such
| oppression. doubt. distress and dismay
In my life. My patient was on a
strange errand far beyond any
strength I ever knew him TO have and
Jed, whom I always dreaded, was fol-
lowing him.
1t may be wondered why | was not
instantly in chase and why I stood
worried and indecisive. The only eX-
PLANTATION is That ! knew, as surely as
one could know anything by reason
and conjecture, that whatever was
happening that night had happened
this same night for a 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 not to pos
SeSs. For these reasons. or upon this
instinct, | acted as ! did and stood
or the porch listening TO the unnatu-
rally late whippOorWill and looking
out toward the dark woods and thick
yellow moonlight.
Tho tension was so great that | got
n distinct shock when out of this wall
OF darkness came a figure running
into and across the moOnlit space to-
ward the house. | knew it must be
Jed, and | waited whore l stood as
he approached. He barely had COM
into the shadow of TIE house when an
other figure came ont of the dark wall
Of the thickets and came slowly across
the moonlit space.
Jed. running up the steps. saw me
and gasped with establishment, but re-
covered himself with wonderful
rromptneSs.
Inside. man, inside, and act natu-
raj" he cried. demonstrating my
arm-'in the office"
He was so certain and so command
ing that did just what ! was told.
into the Office, man." he 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 it himself and was all
flutter and activity. Then he or
dered:
Into the Office now, and act natu-
raj. You're a man Of genius; think of
something we could naturally be do
ing at this time. Think quick man;
it's beyond me. What are you doing
here? Good Lord, what are you do
ing here? | could have managed 1t
without you. Why did you have to be
on the scene? And l can think Of
nothing"
"You have severe cramps IN the
stomach" | said. sits not TO be Won
dered at. considering the way you
abuse your stomach. ! may say you
are the only human being l ever was
glad to see drinking himself to death.
You have now some premonitory symp-
toms of gastritis. You have got me
up. If do not have q collar and tie
on it will look more natural"
1 tossed these articles and my coar
behind q couch.
"And possibly if you were less clad
it would help the Illusion"
- :,-c " 1nIJ,- ITO nn1
coat and disposed Of them in the same
fashion.
"Now, imagine" I said, "we are
reasonably convincing as physician
and sinner. What are your symp-
toms?"
You're a man Of genius" Jed eX-
claimed. "Wait q minute"
He ran to the window, concealing
himself behind a curtain.
Hes 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
the chairs and began to whine loudly.
ITS an acute shooting pain, dOc-
tor" he said loudly and then he whis-
pered "What ought it to be-"
heard the front door open anc
shut.
Il have often told you," I said with
loud professional dignity, that there
is a penalty attached 10 such habits
as yours. Have YOU any n~ausea?'
"Slck as ! can be with pain said
Jed. grooming TREMENDOUSLY.
81 don't mind at all being aroused,
Jed" | said, Just loud enough TO carry
10 the person approaching and TO
sound 10 him as if it were a normal
tone to Jed with me in the office.
That is n part Of my business here"
knew Mr.. Sidney was standing in
the doorway. SO did jed. Neither Of
rs betrayed our knowledge until the
strange apparitiOn which w knew TO
be there said:
"Up so late, doctor? Up so late,
Jed?"
"Why, Mr.. Sidney" I exclaimed.
He was, indeed. an extraordinary
Iool,;po haing He had Centralized his