Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-08-20

upon and acceptance of service. But
Mr.. Sidney was always cordial and
considerate. A great deal of the time
he spent In bed. When he was not in
bed, he sat in a great chair, and very
often a yellow Persian cat rested on
his knees. 1t was a difficult If not
dangerous matter for any one else than
Mr.. Sidney to touch the cat, named
Algol.
"The Win5ing Demon" said Mr..
Sidney, lingering the cats ruff as 1t
lay on his lap, and purred. l knew just
enough of the star Algol and its vari-
ability to understand the whimsicality
of an old mans naming a cat for the
winking sun. Algol In Mr.. Sidney's
lap bllnked at me. and the old mans
genius for understanding and classi-
fication seemed u1canny.
Mr.. Sidney's room was of great size.
1t had two fireplaces and a large cove
Of windows bulging toward the west.
At the smaller Of the two freplaces
he had his breakfast. Either at the
large fireplace or In the outward bulge
of windows, he had his dinner.
In spite of the Persian cat, Mr.. Sid
ney had three canaries in the room.
Algol respected them after a fashion
that thought uncertain. 1 have seen
a canary sitting on the cats head, but
l thought 1t was decided case of mis-
placed confidence. Algol wanted that
canary and would continue to want 1t.
He was deferred from natural action
in the matter by his affection for the
strange but kindly master who want
ed cats and canaries to live together in
amity.
I know l never fully grasped Mr.
Sidney's scheme Of life, but I thought
that he found existence ironic. His
graciousness and his cheerfulness,
thought. represented the garlands Of
his conquest of morbidity. His per
sonal charm was extraordinary. Every
one In the house felt 1t. But an aston
ishing thing about Mr.. Sidney was al
occasional emotion which, as it mani
tested itself In his expressions-an(
that was the only fashion / saw 1t TO
a long time-was one Of savage hate
1t was only by coming on him whel
he was not expecting me that 1 say
this. 1 remember that the first tim
l saw the expression on his face l wa
dumfounded. That was not expecte'
in his room was entirely without inter
ton on my part. People who were &c
customed 70 being with him Wake
into the room without ceremony. Hi
bedroom and bath were to one sidt
His living-room he. insisted should b
open without formality.
On the occasion 1 speak Of had com
In quietly, but 1t was without intentio
to surprise my patient. He was slttin
In his large chair with Algol on hi
knees. His eyes were closed, and o
his face was an expression of malevo
enee that was almost demoniac.
was so startling that the sight Of
stopped me in my step and made N
feel more than uneasy, almost afrai,
} Mr.. Sidney was quiet, except that wit
one hand he stroked Algol about ii
head and ears. The caress was a
most imperceptible In motion, but A
gol was purring so loudly that IL
sound filed the otherwise quiet room
The malevOlence-the malignanc
hatred, concentrated essence of fero
ity-in Mr.. Sidney's face would hay
stopped anyone. To one who had a
fection for him as 1 had, 1t was a
horrent to see him so. 1t was a CO
fessior of something / did not wal
to know.
/ was In fear that he might hear n
and, opening his eyes, find that 1 h,
discovered him. was embarrasst
and uncertain what to do. 1t was
silly predicament, as 1 saw afterwar
My part was quite simple. I shou
have paid no attention to any sn,
phenomenon as the expression on
mans face and have acted perfect
naturally.
The common-sense thing-and 1 co
slider myself fairly sensfble-was a
parent afterward. 1t indicates the q
tonishing shock of the thing that W
unable to act sensibly. What was Il
expression in an amiable, charmil
mans face, to knock sensible pers,
out of all his senses? Here was
DOING man merely toying with a car
ears, and the very sight of what W
expressed in his face, made me nun
/ cannot understand it now, the Il
rifying sensation being one which d
appeared as the recollection of t
emotions faded. What l did was
. back toward the door, open it as qui,
! ly as 1 could, back out, and then ]
enter the room noisily.
Mr.. Sidney was looking at me SIN
ingly. His charm Of manner nev
seemed more positive and active.
b. "Hello, doctor" he said. 81 need
company and just your company.
you would only drink wineW
, A broken pipe in the laundry ma
2, It necessary to call a plumber fro
n Hartley, and to get quick service,
l. was agreed that we should send q {
n for the man and his helper.
Tne day was pleasant, ana Tor
n sake Of the drive went with I
1t driver. The plumber was fat m
Of the comic type. thought he m,
IT be the embodiment Of all the plumbe
jokes. They seemed to have Great
IS him; he was the product of the comi
even asked him If he were sure
had oil his tools. 1 thought he wo1
be sure to send us back for wren
He was amiable, laughed at anythl
r or nothing and was saved from be-
n a nuisance only by an abounding a
ID NAL optimism which was infectious
to Driving through the Hartley ho1
grounds. we came to the pool, and
Il. plumber-named Harkins-chuckl
n Thus far, whenever he or someth
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