Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-11-04

ueT IAlHeI ., uut MFS. SlUney, y
| thought. had 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 ! wonder that had To-
read my diary to be refreshed in MEM
ory.
When Ihad read 1t, 4 also saw the
significance. and turning the page In
| the record of the year before. i read |:
"A1r. Sidney is In condition Of ex-
haustiol which might be called COM
pIete and dangerous collapse. {. Z. /.
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, If not precisely on the same
date" 5sil y
The apprehension which Mrs. Sid
ney could not wholly conceal had this
good foundation. Mr.. Sidney was In
the periodic miracle Of renewed health
md strength. hut 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 DR.. Brow
nell that night of the premonitory
symptoms.
II decided to telephone message to
DR.. Brownell's residence in the city, to,
he given to him Immediately IL he were
awake or as soon us he arose in the
morning. n did not want to be over
! heard. by any chance. by any one. in
telephonfng this prelnonitory message.
and thought that the Office would be
my most secure place.
The house was not yet In full dark
ness when 1 came down the stuirs to
the main half. 1t was lighted, and the
stairway leading directly to Mr.. Sid
.aey's room was lighted, which indt-
Gated that Jed was still with Mr.. Sid
ney.
The Office door never was locked. I
did not want Jed blunderfng in on me
while I was telephontng. He would be
along presently, thought. and de
cided to go out on the main portico
! until by the extingufshdng of the lights
I should know he was on hts way to
bed. s;..s,
Z was on my way to act on this plan
when the light in the stairway leading
to Mr.. Sidney's room Was extinguished,
and knew Jed was on Ibis way down
stairs. I did not have time to reach the
entrance. Il doubted that even had
time to sretrace my steps. I did not
want to meet Jed. SO stepped into a
sort of little leunging space on the
hall.swhieh was qufte dark.
In a few minutes Jed went by. hum
ming, not singing. had expected him
to be very tipsy, considering the 10
Vial mood of Mr.. Sidney It hard even
occurred to me, that once q year. on a
certain date cone to be coinmernosate1
Mr. Sidney Joined Jed in the wine
and that this caused the relapse. But
Jed was hot drunk, his step was
steady. ,.l ~
He was turning cut tie lights, but
he was reversing the reasonable pro.
cess. He went down the haIl to the
flight at the stairway leading to his
room and turned tt out. Then he
came back, past the recess in which
stood, turning ont lights as he went,
and, the last light he exttnguished was
the one at the foot Of tir. sfdney's
stairs. s.,
Now the hall was 10 complete dark
ness and was quiet. Jed, like nayself
guessed. was inI hiding but for what
reason? 4 J., rs "a
Thelk1 heard the fatntest stirring
near III came nearer. tried to
keep from breathing audibly. I could
hear another persons breathing. II
was Jed, beyond doubt. He came into
the; recess where / stood. It was
only FIVE or SIX feet deep but fully
twenty feet long. He was at one end,
as nearly as ! could Judge. I was at
the other. s's.a
The situation. 4 product Of supercau-
tioa, had grown ridicnlous and also q
l-bit CHASTITY. Hafe were Jed. and II
standing In utter darkness in a small
| recess Id the hall, he not knowing Of
my presence. l not knowing his pur-.
Ispose. Ess: IS 4 III Ii "A
1-s5l decided to make my escape. II had.
al usual; my electric fash in my
pocket, II he heard me and challenged
ne. 4 could throw the light on him.
i challenge him. and say that = was
Ion my.way to- the telephone to con
sult Doctor Brownell. and make him
| explain. His position was the avAL.
/ awhnd one. I had an idea that esa
1 &c ne heard me- he would not chaileJ.
made my escape without Noise
\ ~ Il I made any Jed did not inquire;
and I found the. once door IN the dark.
Ia intended merely u. use the Hash. md
4 the telephone and do my errand In
the dark. But had Just flashed >the
|Siight oncs about the room when 1
theard 4 personat the door. This was
\ mot 4 stealthy person; the hand that
if#ltQuched the doorknob was resolute. BY
ls;thfs time nothing rational seemed rea.
.sonlble. "a The house Of mystery. had
|:so asserted itself that one, hear
ling, : noise. hid. Before me- revealed