The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-12-02

Jed preceded me through corridors
to my door and left me surlily. As he
closed :he door ! thought | heard an
other sound than that of the clicking
OF the latch. had. II was the throw
Ing " bolt on the outside: Jed had
locked me In. I made sure Of this by
trying the door. II could not be
opened. Here was an astonishing sit
uation for first night In place. My
impulse was TO make q noise and ask
for an explanation. but on second
thought did not. My room was on
the Second floor, and ! saw. looking
out of the window. that 1t would not
be impossible 10 make a descent on
the outside In an emergency. ] de-
cided not to begin my stay with a pro-
test against any habits of the house
or occurrences In It. In the night I
was awakened out Of sound sleep
with an idea that had been disturbed
by noises, but nothing l could hear
sustained 1t. and / went to sleep again.
was up early, dressed and found
that my door had been unbolted.
examined the outside of II for bolt
and had difficulty IN finding one, so
ingeniously had II been concealed. The
knob seemed part of the decoration
of the panel. and the bolt was of thin
steel. ! found II only by finding the
socket into which II could be shot.
The rain had stopped. and although
the woods were dripping, there was a
glorious, radiant sunlight. The effect
| xya itar . 81 .I
change. Man. said the morning, was
made to be happy.
Exulting in pleasant emotions, I let
myself out of the main door and re-
jolced In the beauty of the place and
the moment. l took short walk
across the lawn toward the woods
A gardener asked me IL were the new
the day he wished would come to
the cottage beyond the gardens. His
infant had cough.
The house was astlr when ] re-
entered. Jed was the first person I
saw, and to my astonlshment he was
not only civil but pleasant and candid.
did you have a fair night. doctorT
he asked. Sometimes a first night In
a new place is disturbed, and l owe
you apologies. We have had here oc-
casion at times for locking doors on
the outside as well as on the inside.
and last night l forgot myself and
threw the bolt of your door. am oc-
caslonally In liquor, and last night
had touch too much"
l smiled at his candor and said
something jolSingly in comment.
"A servant can't be blamed, doctor,
for that" he said, 'if his master leads
him into 1t. We have coffee before
breakfast. I'll serve you anywhere
The moraing papers are Ia the library.
There's porch off 1t with good
view. It's my favorite spot OF a morn
Ing. recommend that you have your
coffee there"
His friendliness was amusing. but /
found his suggestion good, and being
fond of coffee. enjoyed II with half
hour Of magnificent view and a cignr-
ette. The morning was odorous after
the rain.
The house was a charming struc-
tural disorder Of LIS and wings,
porches and balconies. II was very
old, and one could see where different
generations had contributed to Its
growth. The walls were backgrounds
for hollyhocks or support for climbing
roses or Ivy. 1t had plenty Of sun
light, but dense white oak woods came
close up.
| held myself in readiness to attend
my patient at his convenience. but 1t
was ten o'clock before l was sum-
moned. Mr.. Sidney was pleasant and
animated.
"We must arrive at schedule"
suggested. "This Is little too late In
the day to satisfy DR.. Brownell's ideas
Of what my duties are"
But, my dear DOCTOR" he said, II
do not wake until nine. / need my
sleep. ! do not go to sleep until one"
II should advise early hours" said.
"Of course you would. but you must
remember that you are dealing with
maI, at the end Of his life. trying to
make the most Of 1t. l like to remain
awake late"
| "Then you must" I said. 81 shall
consider 1t settled to see you at ten."
"And. hope. sometimes to sit up
with me until one. Do you like chess?"
II never played"
| Luckily, Jed does. just well enough
to interest me and have me beat him.
Do you like wlnef"
"A young doctor does not drink"
Luckily. Jed does. II is a great
satisfaction to have some one whom
you can beat at chess and whom you
can see enjoying wine. Doctor, ! have
yielded to my friend Brownell's de-
mand for constant attention, but as
you can see. there will not be great
deal for physician to do. eat well,
sleep well, and so long as my sensa-
tions are pleasant, want to live. They
are not always pleasant, but mostly
they are so. I'd like to have you as