Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1921-05-07

was holding that document. star
Ing m If. and rraSyn2 for elusive
threads ug perception, when jed came
u. 49,, CARRIED manuscript IN his
hand
I.d drew chair up 'o tho I'm. D..
rt ~,l, r. WAS with strauss. fec.
ing ut relief ,u9t | accepted rur ST..
rn..urr of rhr manuscru' Dee carried
"Im 20 strange man, doctor" l. -l.g
hy Way of beginning 'lou.d r...r
understand me- I'm a strange mau
and Iu strange things. I'm g,u. 10
do one now. I've seemed conscience.
loss. haven't Il"
1--WE never tried to conceal my
opinion of YOU" | said.
NO, you haven't. like n candid
man. That's why I've always liked
you, although | cant say much for
your intelligence. But you're honest.
I'm not honest. but I'm intelligent.
I've looked at my life rs something
to make the best Of, and | haven't
been foolish about scruples.
1--WE managed my chances, and ]
have not allowed sentimentalIsm TO
stop me when something real was to
be gained. It's real world, not a
fanciful one That's the way think"
Half the people would be swinging
on gallOws," / suggested, IF your ami
able ideas prevailed generally"
That's copy-boOk stuff that's so IT.
ritating," he said. "The only thing
extraordinary about me Is my candOr
My ideas do prevail. but the people
who adopt them have less frankness
But what | want to say is that I'm
going to do strange thing. You'll
probably think it an act of cOntrition.
1t isn't at all, but you'll think 1t SO.
However, that's uninpOrtant.
"YOu may not know 1t, but l was
very fond Of Mr. Sidney. He was the
best friend l ever had or ever shall
have. -
Now, / have gfardIed against act
ing impulSively or sentimentally.
know | am in an acutely emotional
condition. | have guarded against
that | am still considering the world
as a real world and myself rs real
creature in it. And here's the way
figure il. Mr.. Sdney's death has
taught me that mtcrialSm is not
enough. 1t is necessary, but there is
something else. I've got to find an
other something else. That's more
important than any money or comforts
-phySical-that | can find.
"Whcrc is this something else tn bs
found again If not right here in this
family? | have determined to remain
in your service after you marry Miss
Sidney, and to take care of you and
her and Mrs. Sidney. | couldn't leave
The roots are too deep. could be
cut down but not dug up. I'm toe
old So as n real creature In rea
world | consult my real good. now as
always. and hope | do not seem tC
you to be acting sentimentally."
you seem to me to he wholly crazy
I said. when you speak of Miss Sid
neys marriage TO me, you are not OnH
IrOnIc; you are cruel. | should think
that this particular day might make
you at least cOnsiderate."
You're the bllndest man ever
knew" said Jed. "but I'm not dealing
with what you think but with wha
| know. told you once your engage
bot
I did not consider II at all. Later
took that back. Now ! can tell yot
that II is very real thing, but 1t 1,
different now with me. have suffered
shock. Something's the matter witt
my world. II Is not so bold or conf
dent.
what I'm getting nj is this II,
held IN the manuscript. This is Mr.
Sidney's diary. | have talked to Mrs
Sidney. She thinks, rs | think, tina
YOU should read It. You'll probably
want to confirm what | say You'll
have TO ask Mrs. Sidney. | know 70,
are itching Ia read II. | also know
thnt If one of your scrupleS inter
vencd. you'd let your itch go unScratch
ed. But this is what I came in for
and here's the manuscript.
"You understand that in giving I
10 Won surrender unconditionalIy.
know II. but want friends. The onI,
one | had Is dead; must make othc
ones"
The extraordinary fellow shook m,
hand. left the manuscript In my lay
and went out. a more pathetic fgur,
OF sorrow than ever expected 4
see I'm Jed.
went nj once TO Mrs. Sidney. Jed
said, had left the diary with me
Would It serve any useful purpose 70
me 10 read It. or should II not 20 dI
rectly 70 the fire?
81 think you should read It. John,
she said. 81 told Jed so. He Is yer,
shrewd. His Judgment and mine Ii
this case agree"
went back to the office, put n loi
on the fire and sat down to read IN,
diary.
CHAPTER XVI.