Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-08-27

ders working up and down my spine
The phenomenon was outrageous and
unbelievable. The moonlight flashed
out again for an instant. l saw the
figure again but persuaded or tried to
persuade myself that 1 did not see it.
to say to myself that it was bush
twisted into extravagant shape by my
imagination.
The moon went under great dark
cloud. I made a moral and physical
retreat. 1 did not run. That would
have been an honest confession and
expression of desire. I was hypocriti-
cal and walked, but my moral defeat
was complete.
There was a man at the haunted
pool.
1 had seem him and something had
deferred me from speaking to him,
finding out who he was or why he was
there.
A really violent change came into
our lives. A suggestion that Mr.. Sid
ney go to the South for the winter was
acted upon, and within a month was
separated from the place and people
so important in my affections. Doc
tor Brownell had been called to Hart
ley house by Mr. Sidney's discourag-
ing condition. Our invalid had over
taxed himself the evening he displayed
such activity in his room, such un-
usual strength and agility. The fol-
lowing. morning he was almost in col
lapse. / was alarmed and telephoned
Doctor Brownell, who came out at
once.
"You will see his will pull him
through" he said. eff it were not for
that, should be alarmed. He IS very
low"
81 blame myself for permitting the
unusual exertion," I said. MY judg-
ment was deluded, think, by my hap
piness at seeing him SO strong He
really seemed strong. 1t did not seem
fictitious or unnatural.
| Doctor Brownell said that the phe-
nomenon was not new in his expert
ence with Mr.. Sidney's case
81 have had it six years." he said,
"and this is the sixth time he has gone
from unexplained and unnatural
strength to extreme and dangerous
weakness. And always in the fall
: somewhere about this time. Each time
have seen his will assert itself and
strengthen him in his exhaustion"
The day I called Doctor Brownen ]
had been too concerned and alarmed
to pay much attention to anyone but
Mr.. Sidney and did not observe until
toward evening that Jed was malig
nantly unfriendly again in his attitude
toward me. Finally he made it appar
ent by bit of vicious insolence.
had determined never again to take
hold of that nettle gingerly but tc
clutch it.
''What do you mean by that?"
: asked.
'sThere is plague of oficiousnesl
about here, or has been since 70,
came" he said. "You locked the from
door last night some time, didn't your
81 found it open this morning, ant
for while I came in and threw tn
bolt" I told him.
He seemed unpleasantly astonishe,
!, -jolted and disturbed.
"You were abroad last nightp' b
exclaimed.
You had locked me in, know.
said, Cor thought you had. 1 foun,
my door bolted when I went back t
my room. / wasn't in it when yo1
bolted it." I added. 81 was asleep il
the library. When I awakened 1 wen
outside for moment. The door wa
unfastened. I bolted it when I cam
in"
Jed was more disturbed, and h
showed it.
"Where did. you go?" he asted.
81 walked around" I said, "down b
the river
His discomposure became acute. b
looked sick.
where were the dogs?" 1 asked. I"
didn't see any,"
He tried to smile.
''They were with me-" he said. "
was out, and you locked me out. That
why I have been so indignant. 1 cam
back and found had to break into tn
, house. I was in hurry. You wouldn'
have liked it yourself"
81 don't like it myself. don't lik
being locked in my room. I'll not hav
it. thought I had given you to ur
derstand that it would not be tolel
ated. do not want to annoy the fan
lily by complaints, but will not er
dure that"
"Well, you can see the occasion fo
J, it. You were loose last night, an
S your conscientious off1ciousness mad
i trouble. knew your type, the momen
set eyes on you. I said here's
i trouble-making person with a duty
g You show it. Of course, you had t
Y bolt that door, You could not assum
e that it was open for a purpose. N
thought of anybody that might be out
J. side! I knew you. That's why we'r
: safe only when you are locked in you
d room''
e 'Well, I'll not have it." I insisted
g "and you can understand that It
It fiat. Why do you have to run aroun
3 the grounds at night?"
do you have to be judge Of m
t habits? If you do, it may satisfy 20
e to know that frequently have man
j. duties to perform for Mr.. Sidney i
e the night. frequently drink too muc
: wine. I frequently walk around th
grounds to clear my head and be abl
e to do what is needed by Mr.. Sidney"
My mind had jumped to a conclI
} sion.
= Were you at the pool last night?"
asked.
"Yes," he said.
. He was very ugly.
"You seem to be a Paul Pry," b
said. you ought to be manacled."
y I was not interested in Jed. I wa
thinking Of my figure at the pool. A
y ;. embodied in Jed it did not fascinat
me.