Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-09-09
ILLUSTRATED bg Irwin Copyreht by6eorqe HDodnoo

L.
in his large chair with Algol on his
knees. His eyes were closed, and on
his face was an expression of malevol-
ence that was almost delnOniac. 1t
was so startling that the sight of 1T
stopped me in my step and made me
feel more than uneasy, almost afraid.
MIR. Sidney was quiet, except that With
one hand he stroked Algol about the
head and ears. The caress was at
most imperceptible in motion, but AL.
g"i was purring SO loudly that the
sound filled the otherwise quiet room.
The malevolence-the malignancy.
hatred, concentrated essence Of ferOc-
ity-in Mr.. Sidney's face would have
stopped anyone. To one who had af-
lection for him as had. 1t was alb
hOrrent to see him so. 1t was Il con-
fession of something l did not wan;
to know
was in fear that he might hear me
and, opening his eyes, find that I had
discovered him. was embarrassed
and uncertain what to do. 1t was a
silly predicament, as saw afterward
My part was quite simple. should
have paid no attention to any such
phenomenon as the expression on a
mans face and have acted perfectly
naturally.
The common-sense thing-and con-
slider myself fairly sensible-was ap-
parent afterward. 1t indicates the as
tonishing shock of the thing that was
unable to act sensibly. What was the
expression in an amiable, charming
mans face, to knock sensible person
out Of all his senses? Here was 81
doing man merely toying with cats
ears. and the very sight Of What was
expressed in his face, made me numb.
cannot understand it now. the ter
rifying sensation being one which dis
appeared as the recollection Of the
emotions faded. What did was to
back toward the door, open it as quiet
Iy rs could. back out. and then re-
enter the room nOisily.
Mr.. Sidney was looking at me s,nil-
ingly. His charm of manner never
seemed more positive and active.
l
company and just your company. If
you would only drink wine!"
A broken pipe in the laundry made
1t necessary TO call plumber from
Hartley. and to get quick service. it
was agreed that we should send car
for the man and his helper.
The day was pleasant. and for the
sake Of the drive went with the
driver. The plumber was fat man
of the comic type. thought he must
be the embodiment Of all the plumbers
jokes They seemed to have created
him: he was the product of the comics.
even asked him if he were sure he
had all his tools. l thought he would
be sure to send us back for a wrench.
He was amiahle laughed at anything
or nothing and was saved from being
a nuisance only by an Astounding ami
NAL optimism which was infectious.
Driving through the Hartley house
grounds. we came to the pool. and the
plumher-named Harkins-chuckleti
Thus far. whenever he or something
else amused him. he had laughed. Now
he chuckled as if in recollection of an
experience richer or deeper than any
he had been talking Of. .r
"That place is going to he remeln-
hered by me-" he said. II have been
out here only once since the night
made a bet was not afraid to sit on
| the bank here for an hour. They've
| got good many stories of this place
in town. had been drinking little
don't do 1t steady. but once in while
| get out. You've got to do 1t to keeI
the house going happy. Give the wife
something to talk about. My wifi
would rather scold me than eat, an
she loves her food.
1--WE were at the White Pigeon, HAY
ing good time but thinking Of g0in
home, when some one started on thi
Hartley house story. Everybody ha
something to say, and said that ther
was no ghost that could scare me, a
least no ghost that ever was within
hundred miles of Hartley. That
where I made a fool Of myself. Nv
i got to admit that's where made
fool Of myself. ->-'-''~s 49, =
+ II bet five dollars would sit a
:. hour on the bank at this place. fol
, got all about the dogs, or I'd not hav
made the bet. Anyway, they didn
bother me. We got an automobile an
drove out here. The fellows left III
7 at the pool and went mile bael
They were going to take my word fc
1t. I was to stay an hour and the
start walking back. At the end of a
hour they would start toward me an
pick me up. They had beer and sane
!. wiches. l had couple of bottles an
, some cheese and crackers.
II wasn't afraid of that place. II
e not afraid of any place unless gt
s to thinking about this one. It wa
along in October A hoot-owl wa
: somewhere back Of me, and there wa
: a whippoorwill up toward the house.
"I'm used to hoot-owls and WIFI
S poorwills, but hadn't drunk MOI
). than half bottle Of beer before eve
e these things began to sound different
ssThe current of the river kent knOc