Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1920-10-01
CHAPTER TX.

/ was unable TO TnlnK LnaL we mao uedTQ
/ the last of them. Dravada's purpose
had been too long nourished and the
lawyers cupidity was too great for
either to abandon his intent. Jed's
disposition was resilients and soon he
recovered his poise. He thought his
enemies had abandoned their intent.
1t was a relief to me when going to
bed and lying few minutes awake. to
hear the rush and scurry Of the dogs
about the place. They were active at
night. Rabbits, coons, weasels and
occasionally a fox kept them moving.
Jed's courage returned-and with it,
/ was disturbed to observe, a threat OF
another fit of temper. 1t showed itself
! first in moodiness and then in inso-
lence. / was glad to find that Jed IN
this mood this time was not directing
himself against Mrs. Sidney. He had
turned against me- | knew that ne
was in torment again. He had moth
ing to- say to me unless he saw me IN
Mr.. Sidney's room. Then he was
pleasant.
Jed" I said to him one morning,
II know you better than you think
do You'll torment yourself until you
do something you'll regret"
"Go to the devil" said Jed.
Isobel and | had been progressing
as nationally as two young people
could, situated with regard to each
/ other as we Were
One evening had been reading and
put my book down on my knees as
she began to play Then was aroused
by perceiving, without seeing. that
somebody was near me.
/ turned suddenly and saw Jed. He
was not three feet behind my chair.
His face revealed disorder of mind.
do you want a cocktail?'' he asked.
mo" / said.
Isobel touched the keys of the piano,
as a player done with a mood may SO
j to express surfeit or conclusion.
"Not mild one?" Jed asked, per-
sisting.
"Well, then, very weak" / said.
/ / took up my book again and forced
myself, as discipline, to read. / had
not been able to do it so long as Isobel
| played, but now that she had stopped
i I might at least try.
made an effort. tried to keeI
my attention on the type. It was nc
use. After fifteen minutes reading
i found that / had not turned page
Neither had Jed brought the cocktail
/ got up and walked about the library
went to the front entrance to find 4
few deep breaths in the open would
not produce tranquility.
/ AS | stood at the entrance Isobe
came running toward it. / heard hel
before I saw her. She was running
and gasping. She came up the steps
saw me, controlled herself and tried
to appear undisturbed. She nigh
have succeeded, but sleeve Of hel
gown was torn from her waist and haC
fallen to her wrist.
sWhat has happened to your
asked.
Nothing" she said.
you are running"
"a little exercise
"Look at your sleeve" I said.
She clutched at it as If she had be
come conscious of it for the first time
and then ran by me and indoors.
We met at dinner twenty minutes
later. Isobel had on another gown
Jed did not serve us. Dinner was de
layed ten minutes. Then two maid
undertook the service. Mrs. Sidne.
asked for Jed. One of the maids sail
that he had not appeared and the.
were doing the best they could with
out him.
'Why, what can have happened t
Jed?' Mrs. Sidney exclaimed.
eWhat did happen to jedi" I asked
Isobel after dinner when we wer
alone.
81 don't know" she said.
"Wko tore -FOUR sleeve?"
"Jed," she said with resolute frank
ness.
Where is hep
II don't know"
Where were you when he did it?'
Eat the edge of the woods. hat
gone out for a bit of air-just across
the lawn. Jed appeared
"What did he sayYA
81 don't knOW-SOmething incoher
ent, violent; and he took me by tht
sleeve. l was not frightened, but
drew back suddenly. My sleeve ripped
out. We were at the edge of the woods
Three men appeared, strangled Jed be
fore he could cry out, picked him III
and carried him off"
I spent the evening with Mr.. Sidne.
/. and told him that Jed was ill. He wa
concerned, and made the lie kindl!
| one.
SIT is insignificant" I said. "Witl
his habits he must occasionally pay
price. A touch Of indigestion thi
! time"
. To extemporize a few lies to ge
through the night was easy enough
but Jed was not back in the morning
and Mr.. Sidney had to be deceived il
more enduring fashion.
explained to him that Jed had beer
called away on an urgent matter