The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-12-09


threads Of perception, when Jed came
in. He carried manuscript in his
hand.
Jed drew chair up to the fire by
my side. 1t was with a strange feel
ing of relief that I accepted the sig
nificance of the manuscript he carried.
SIN a strange man, DOCTOR" he said
by way of beginning. You'd never
understand me. I'm a strange man
and do strange things. I'm going to
do one now. I've seemed conscience
less, haven't II"
''Ive never tried to conceal my
opinion Of you," / said.
"No, you haven't. like a candid
man. That's why I've always liked
you, although can't say much for
your intelligence. But you're honest.
I'm not honest, but I'm intelligent
I've looked at my life as something
! to make the best of, and / haven't
been foolish about scruples.
'I've managed my chances. and !
| have not allowed sentimentalism 70
stop me when something real was to
be gained. It's a real world, not a
fanciful one. That's the way think"
"Half the people would be swinging
on gallows," suggested, "if your ami
able ideas prevailed generally"
That's copy-book stuff that's so ir-
ritating," he said. "The only thing
extraordinary about me is my candor.
My ideas do prevail, but the people
who adopt them have less frankness.
But what / want to say is that I'm
going to do strange thing. You'll
probably think it an act of contrition.
1t isn't at all, but you'll think it so.
However, that's unimportant.
"You may not know Y, but I was
very fond Of Mr.. Sidney. He was the
best friend I ever had or ever shall
have.
"Now, I have guarded against act
ing impulsively or sentimentally.
know I am in an acutely emotional
condition. I have guarded against
that. / am still considering the world
as real world and myself as real
creature in it. And here's the way
I figure it. Mr.. Sidney's death has
taught me that materialism is not
enough. 1t is necessary, but there Is
something else. I've got to find an
other something else. That's more
important than any money or comforts
-physical-that / can find.
"Where is this something else to be
found again if not right here in this
family? I have determined to remain
in your service after you marry Miss
Sidney, and to take care of you and
her and Mrs. Sidney. couldn't leave.
The roots are too deep. l could be
cut down but not dug up. Pm too
old. So as a real creature in q real
world consult my real good, now as
always, and I hope I do not seem to
you to be acting sentimentally."
"You seem to me to be wholly crazy"
said. "When you speak Of Miss Sid
ney's marriage TO me, you are not only
ironic; you are cruel. should think
that this particular day might make
you at least considerate."
"You're the blindest man 1 ever
knew" said Jed, ''but I'm not dealing
with what you think but with what
I know. I told you once your engage
| ment was an unreal thing and that
did not consider it at all. Later /
took that back. Now 1 can tell you
that it is very real thing, but it is
different now with me. I'have suffered
shock. Something's the matter with
my world. 1t is not so bold or conf
dent.
"What I'm getting at is this" He
| held up the manuscript "This is Mr..
Sidney's diary. have talked to Mrs.
| sidney. She thinks, as I think, that
you should read it. You'll probably
want to confirm what I say. You'll
have to ask Mrs. Sidney. 1 know you
are itching to read it. I also know
that if one of your scruples inter-
vened, you'd let your itch go unscratch-
ed. But this is what came in for.
and here's the manuscript.
| "You understand that in giving it
to you / surrender Internationally. /
know it, but want friends. The only
one I had is dead; I must make other
ones"
The extraordinary fellow shook my
hand, left the manuscript in my lap
and went out, more pathetic figure
Of sorrow than / ever expected to
see in Jed.
went at once to Mrs. Sidney. Jed,
I said, had left the diary with me.
Would it serve any useful purpose for
me to read it, or should it not go di-
rectly to the fire?
81 think you should read it, john"
she said. 81 told Jed so. He is very
shrewd. His Judgment and mine in
this case agree"
went back to the Office, put log
on the fire and sat down to read the
diary.