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

hear Jed coming down the hall, care
lessly now. He also went to the front
door, and l heard it opened and closed
again.
l went to a window of the Office
which gave view Of the lawn. !
could see one figure slowly crossing
the open space toward the path lead.
linz down to the river. Jed was
standing just outside the shadow of
the house.
The farther figure-Mr. Sidney as
l kEew-DnSSed into the dense black
Of the thickets by the path. Then
Jed stepped forth and went quickly
across the open. went to the front
entrance and stood on the porch.
The hunters moon was at full, and
the place was luminous In soft. misty
yellow light.
l had tremors, frankly-fet 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
strange errand far beyond any
strength ever knew him to have; and
Jed, whom l always dreaded, was fol.
lowing him.
1t may be wondered why l was not
instantly In chase and why stood
worried and indecisiye. The only ex.
PLANTATION is that I 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 it
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 I did and stood
or the porch listening to the unnatu-
rally late whippoorwill and looking
out toward the dark woods and thick
cts which stood at the edge of the
yellow moonlight. L
The tension was so great That got
distinct shock when out of this wall
Of darkness Came, d fgure running
into and across the moOnllt space to-
ward the house. I knew 1t must he
Jed, and waited where I stood as
he. approached. He barely had come
into the shadow Of the house when an
other figure came out 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, hut re-
covered himself with wonderful
Er0mptness.
"Inside. man. inside. and act natu-
RAIL-" he cried. "Come"-taking my
arm-'in the Office"
He was so certain and so command.
ing that I did just what was told
"Into the Office. man." he said. still
ciutching 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
hail-nOt all of them, but some of
them"
He ran to do 1t himself and was all
flutter and activity. Then he or
dered:
"Into the Office now. and act natu-
rail- You're a man OF genius; think of
something we could naturally be de-
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 Il
without you. Why did you have to be
on the scene? And can think Of
nothing!"
"You have severe cramps in the
stomach" ! said. tits not to be won
dered at. considering the way 20,
abuse your stomach. may say 10,
are the only human being eyer wa
glad to see drinking himself to death
You have now some premonitory syrhp
toms of gastritis. You have got M
up. II I do not have'a collar and ii
on it will look more NATURAL"
I tossed these articles and my coa
behind couch.
"And possibly If you were less cia'
10 would help the illusion"
Jed rid himself of collar. tie ant
coat and disposed Of them In the sam
fashion,.
snow. I imagine" said. eve ar
reasonably convincing as physician
and sinner. What are your symp
| toms?"
you're q man Of genius!" Jed q
claimed. "Wait minute"
He ran to the window, concealin
himself behind q curtain.
| "He's almost here" he said. 81. b
looked out on the CHASTITY white lawr
Then he came running back.
1.-THE door had better, be opened,
be said. and. be-. threw the door I
the ONCE open. Then be- aat In one 9
the chairs and began to whine loudl,
"It's an acute shooting. pain. dol
tor" he said loudly and tsAn he whit
pered {: "what ought itssto her
I heard the front daar open an
shut. s;s,,
II have often told .you." said lit
loud professional dignity shat thss