Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-09-16

Jul dSuI1 LOT un instant. i saw the
figure again but persuaded or tried to
persuade myself that did .not see 1T.
to say to myself that 1t was a bush
twisted into extravagant shape by my
Imagination.
The moon went under great dark
cloud. made moral and physical
retreat. did not run. That would
have been an honest confession and
expression Of desire. l was hypocriti-
cal and walked, but my moral defeat
was complete.
There was man at the haunted
pool.
had seem him and something had
deferred me from speaking to him,
finding out who he was or why he was
there.
A really violent change came into
our lives. A suggestion that Mr.. Sid
ney go to the South for the winter was
acted upon. and within month was
separated from the place and people
so important In my affections. Doc
tor Brownell had been called to Hart.
ley house by Mr.. Sidney's discourage
ing condition. Our invalid had over.
taxed himself the evening he displayed
such activity In his room. such un-
usual strength and agility. The fol.
lowing morning he was almost In col.
lapse. ] was alarmed and telephoned
Doctor Brownell, who came out at
once.
"You will see his will pull him
through" he said. IF 1t were not for
that, should be alarmed. He is very
low"
Il blame myself for permitting the
unusual exertion." said. "Nly judg.
ment was dcluded. think. by my hap
piness at seeing him SO strong. He
really seemed strong. It did not seem
fictitious or unnatural"
Doctor Brownell said that the phe-
nomenon was not new in his experi-
ence with Mr.. Sidney's case.
II have had it six years." he said,
'and this is the sixth time he has gone
from unexplained and unnatural
strength to extreme and dangerous
weakness. And always in the fall
somewhere about this time. Each time
have seen his will assert itself and
strengthen him in his exhaustion"
The day called Doctor Brownell !
had been too concerned and alarmed
to pay much attention to anyone but
Mr. Sidney and did not observe until
toward evening that Jed was malig-
nantly unfriendIy again In his attitude
toward me. Finally he made it appar-
ent by bit of vicious insolence. I
had determined never agrin to take
hold Of that nettle gingerly but to
clutch it.
"What do you mean by thatT' I
asked.
'"There is plague Of officiousness
about here. or has been since you
came" he said. you locked the front
door last night some time. didn't you?"
II found it open this morning, and
after had walked about the grounds
bolt" told him.
He seemed unpleasantly astonished
-jolted and disturbed.
"You were abroad last night!" he
exclaimed
'sYou had locked me in, know"
said. or thought you had. found
my door bolted when I went back to
my room. l wasn't in It when you
bolted IT," l added. II was asleep in
the library. When l awakened went
outside for moment. The door was
unfastened. bolted 1t when came
in"
Jed was more disturbed, and he
showed It.
"Where did you go7" he asked.
II walked around" said. "down by
the river"
His discomposure became acute. He
looked sick.
"where were the dogsT' asked. II
didn't see any"
He tried to smile.
'"They were with me-" he said. II
was out, and you locked me out. That's
why have been so indignant. came
back and found I had to break into the
house. l was in hurry. You wouldn't
have liked it yourself"
II don't like it myself. don't like
being locked in my room. I'll not have
1t. I thought had given you to un-
derstand that it would not be toler-
ated. I do not want to annoy the fam
lily by complaints, but I will not en-
dure that"
SWELL. you can see the occasion for
it. You were loose last night, and
your conscientious offlciousness made
trouble. knew your type, the moment
I set eyes on you. I said here's q
trouble-making person with duty,
You show it. OF course, you had to
bolt that. door. Yoll could not assume
that it. was open for a purpose. No
thought Of anybody that might be out.
side! I knew you. That's why we're
safe only when you are locked in your
ROOM"
swell, I'll not have It," insisted
"and you can understand that. 1t is
fiat. Why do. you have to run around
tho grounds. at nipht7" s'4st