The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-11-04
CHAPTER TX.

the lawyer for nearly three weeks.
/ was unable to think that we had heard
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. Jeds
disposition was resilient, and soon he
recovered his poise bie 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, Teasels and
occasionally a fox kept them moving.
Jed's courage returned-and with it,
was disturbed to observe, threat of
another fit of temper. 1t showed itself
| first in moodiness and then in fnso-
lence. was glad to find that Jed In
this mood this time was not directing
himself against Mrs. Sidney. He had
turned against me. I knew that he
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," / 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 l had been progressing
las nationally as two young people
could, situated with regard to each
other as we were.
One evening l had been reading and
Isobel had gone to the piano. | had
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 player done with a mood may do
to express surfeit or conclusion.
mot a mild one?" Jed asked, per-
sisting.
swell, then, very weak said.
l 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
1 might at least try.
made an effort. I tried to keep
my attention on the type. It was no
use. After fifteen minutes reading
found that / had not turned page.
Neither had Jed brought the cocktail.
got up and walked about the library.
| I went to the front entrance to find II
few deep breaths in the open would
not produce tranquility.
AS stood at the entrance Isobel
came running toward it. I heard her
before / saw her. She was running
and gasping. she came up the steps,
saw me. controlled herself and tried
TO appear undisturbed. She might
have succeeded, but sleeve of her
gown was torn from her waist and had
fallen to her wrist.
"What has happened to you?"
asked.
Nothing" she said.
"You are running"
i ga little exercise"
'Look at your sleeve" 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
Iayed ten minutes. Then two maids
undertook the service Mrs. Sidney
/ asked for Jed. One of the maids sale
that he had not appeared and they
were doing the best they could with
out him.
"Why, what can have happened tt
jedi" Mrs. Sidney exclaimed.
what did happen to jedi" asked
Isobel after dinner when we were
! alone.
II don't know" she said.
s'Who tore your sleeve?''
"Jed," she said with resolute frank
ness.
where is he?"
ST don't know"
where were you when he did it?'
"At the edge of the woods. / hat
gone out for a bit of air-just across
the lawn. Jed appeared
"What did he say?"
II don't something incoher
ent, violent; and he took me by thu
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 vi
and carried him off,
/ spent the evening with. Mr.. Sidne.
and told him that Jed was ILL., He wa
. concerned, and made the. lie kind.
| one.
, "It is Insignificant" / said. swift
. 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 nor back in the morning
| and Mr.. Sidney had to be deceived il
more enduring fashion.
explained to him that Jed had beel