Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1921-04-02
CHAPTER TX.

the lawyer for nearly three weeks. |
was unable To think that We had heard
the last of them. DravadaS purpose
had been too long nouriShed and the
lawyers cupidity was too great for
either to abandon his intent. Jcd's
disposition was resilient. and soon he
recovered his poise. He thought his
enemies had abandoned their intent.
1t was relief to me wien going to
bed and lying IL few minutes awake. to
hear the rush and scurry of the dogs
about The place. They were active at
night. Rabbits. coOnS, WcaselS and
occasionally fox kept them moving.
Jrd'~ courage returned with il,
WAS disturbed to observe. Il threat of
another fiji of temper. 1t showed Itself
first in mcodincSS and then in insO-
lrncc. was glad to find that Jed i'm
this mood this time was not directing
himself against Mrs Sidney. He had
turned against me. | knew that he
was in torment again. He had moth
ing To say to me unless he saw me in
wi 'NlNH'S i'oil' lHCh W. N'N
pleasant.
Jed | said to him one morning,
Il know you better than you think
do. You'll torment Yourself until you
do something you'll regret"
"Go to the devil" said Jed.
lsohel and | had been progressing
as nationally as two young people
could, situated with regard to each
other as we were
one evening | had been reading and
IsObel had gone To the piano. | had
put my book down on my knees as
she began to play. Then | was aroused
by perceiving, without seeing, that
somebody was near me.
turned suddenly and saw Jed. He
was not three feet behind my chair
His face revealed disorder of mind.
do you want a cOcktail?" he asked.
NO" l said.
IsObel touched the keys of the piano,
as a player done with a mood may do
to express surfeit or conclusion.
"Not a mild one?' Jed asked, per-
sisting.
"Well, then, very weak" l said.
took up my book again and forced
myself, as discipline, to read. | had
not been able to do it so long as Isobel
played but now that she had stopped
| might at least try.
| made an effort. | tried to keep
my attention on the type. 1t was no
use. After fifteen minutes reading |
found that | had not turned page.
Neither had Jed brought the cocktail.
| got up and walked about the library.
| went TO the front entrance To find II
few deep breaths in the open would
not produce tranquility.
AS | stood at the entrance IsObel
came running toward it. l heard her
before | saw her. She was running
and gasping. She came up the steps,
saw me, controlled herself and tried
To appear undisturbed. She might
have succeeded, but a sleeve of her
gown was torn from her waist and had
fallen to her wrist.
What has happened to your"
asked.
Nothing" she said.
You are running"
"A little exercise"
Look at your sleeve" | said
She clutched mt 1t as II she had be-
come conscious Of 1t for the first time
and then ran by me and indoors.
We met at dinner twenty minutes
later Isobel had on another gown.
Jed did not serve us. Dinner was de-
, layed ten minutes. Then two maids
undertook the service. Mrs. Sidney
asked for Jed. One of the maids said
that he had not appeared and they
were doing the best they could with
out him.
Why. what can have happened TO
led" Mrs. Sidney exclaimed.
What did happen to Jed?" I asked
lSobel after dinner when we were
alone.
Il don't know" She said.
"Who tore your sleeve?"
Jed" she said with reSolute frank
ness.
Where is hep"
II don't know"
Where were you when he did itT'
AT the edge of the woods. had
gone out for bit of air-just across
the lawn. Jed appeared"
What did he say?"
II don't know something incoher-
ent, violent; and he took me by the
sleeve. | was not frightened, but
drew back suddenly. My sleeve ripped
out We were at the edge of the woods.
Three men appeared, strangled Jed he
fore he could cry out, picked him up
and carried him off"
| spent the evening with Mr.. Sidney
and told him that Jed was i'll. He was
concerned. and l made the lie a kindly
one.
1T is ms Gniticant," l said. with
his habits lie must occasionally pay a
price. y touch of indigestion this
time"
4 To eNromporize few lies 10 set
through the night WAS easy enough :;
Iut jed was not back. iu the morning
aHd Mr.. Sidney had To be deceived in
more enduring fashion.
explained 10 him That Jed lad been
talled away on an urgent matter,