Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1921-02-12

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could be Interesting. and then ] was
Interested IN him. He could be stupid.
and | avoided him. He could be SIrly,
and ignored him. He could be quar-
relsome and ] fought him back.
II seldom was IL matter Of SOhriety
or ilSohriety with him. He was best
natured To me at times when he was
most Intoxicated. He WAS surliest at
times when he was perfectly sober. At
other times he quite reversed this one
never knew from his physical cOndi-
lion what his disposition might be at
the time.
lie served at dinner when Mrs. Sid
ncy, fNuhG and |. more tremendously
than we cared to. dined. Certain do
nestle ceremonies pleased Mr.. Sidney
and he liked to know that in some re-
spcctS the burouiaI character Of his
place was being maintained rs he
would have maintained il if he had
been active.
When jed was In good nature, he
frequently sought me out for talks, and
when he was il good nature. | en-
Outraged him. | did not want to open
up any secrets the house might have.
merely to learn what they were. but |
knew Mrs Sidney needed help, and l
Thought might give it if knew how.
also thought that Jed some evening
when pleasantly and good naturedly
drunk and garrulous might say more
than ne intended. There were many
opportunities. hHt he never did.
! one night-this was in September
was walking about the place with the
maStilfS at my side. stood a while at
the edge of the woods looking at the
house. In its ShadOwy bulk it seemed
fit container of mystery. Only a few
windows We're Illuminated. 1t was the
river side of the house that was bright
at night.
l walked slowly across the lawn
toward the side where Mrs. Sidney's
rooms were A small balcony opened
off her sitting room. | could hear her
talking to some one on this balcony.
( The person she was talking 10, as
J heard in another moment, was Jed.
was then almost under the balcony.
81 am resOlute man." Jed was say
/ ing. "I'il have my own way. I'll have
what | want. I'll make you glad to
come To terms. Tn reasonable man,
too. Now. admit that I've been con-
Siderate."
/ started to get out of hearing as
quietly and rapidly as | could, but I
heard Mrs. Sidney, her voice vibrant
with Indignation, say:
81 ought to have you whipped"
"That is silly, unreasonable passion"
said led.
II shall not hesitate to kill you"
said Mrs. Sidney.
Then I went out OF earshOt. The
fact that Jed could threaten Mrs. Sid
ney in this fashion was inexplicable
1t could not be explained by his serv-
iceability TO Mr.. Sidney, great as that
was. I walked about for a while, dis
tressed and depressed; then l patted
the heads of the mastiffs. went indoors
and to my room.
/ Al hour later I opened my door in
response to light rap. Mrs. Sidney
was there.
MAY l come in mOment?" she
asked. Thank you. I have request
to make which you cannot help but
think is extraOrdinary-prep
! placed a chair for her. She thanked
me but remained standing. | thought
she must be in an agony of mind, but
( she smiled.
81 hope it is to ask me to take Jed
in hand" | said.
/ mo; it is to ask you to permit me
10 announce the engagement of my
daughter IsObel to you. Don't he
alarmed. 1t shall not make any diff