The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-01-24
Californian Sob 06tr.

Frank had gradually kept back 10 posi-
ton In iron; of his uncle, and stood gazing
steadtastlv into hi, countenance with a SOL
emn earnestness and childish curiosity. "Un-
Gle Carl" he began deliberately, " YOU have
lived in desert island-have YOU seen ghosts
also -
Alice laughed and drew him away calling
him foolish boy, and bidding him not to
teaZe his uncle. who was tired.
Seen ghosts what does the lad mean?
ghosts, what are ghosts ~ sad Carl, pas-
>ionaeIy. and with livid!v blanched lips
d" Ghosts . who says anything about ghosts?
know nothing. Why should see ghosts?
Go away. 90 away.
Frank hid himself behind his mother, but
it was not HIM that Carl's cenched fist menace
ed; it was some shadow form in the air at
which he slared. and which he babe besons.
This fit of agitation lasted two or three min
ufes. and then he sank collapsed and groan-
ing in his chair. with his face buried in his
breast. Alice hurried the children out of
the room and sent them to their beds. When
she returned. Carl was telling his brother
how Ill he had been in Rome. and that he
had not recovered his tone vet. You see,
Robin, have led hard life; o, my God,
what miserable life
Your fathers death, occurred 30 suddenly,
was dreadful shock to YOU. Carl :" said Al
ice. gently. There was no answer Carl sat
staring into the fire for several minutes At
last he said, very suddenly
Go Won away. Alice: have something
! TO tell RobiE-.o away"' As the door rir.-
ed after her. Carl leaned forwards toward
his brother. and said in hoarse whisper.
Robin. murdered INV father and Mar.e-
ry Piiking,on - Robin started back and
stared at him: their eyes met.
Yes poisoned them both. and they
iI-d-1ied- and am-IIow wild Won
look. brother. what ails YOU Z"
| Have done with these foolish tales. will
you :" cried Robin iiercely; you have COM
mand enough TO keep in lies. have YOU not ,"
! -! put three times The quantity in the glass,
and he took i, out of nv hand If | hsi
waited three hours 1 should have saved NV
s,ul-ihe doctor said he could not have lived
longer, but the devil was there temptin: ME
!-Mar.erv Pi!kins'on found nv secret out
the first evening she lived with me. and the
persecution under went from that woman
WAS awul-and one night she threatened ME
= ANU >AS N''N- NSits "uot VI Audt ucN
>al'! she had disease of the heart"
! Carl. are these tab!es, coniured out Of
sick BRAIN they are, surely :" SAID Robin
+ IN An awful tone
! '-i,csllS truth every one of them" return
ed Carl. with an insane glee devils truth,
tell YOU If YOU don't believe me, ask
Marcery Pi.kincton-there she sits In YOUR
wiirs place. lou won't tell Alire-swaar."
! lac >IranE up and put his hail on his bro
,her'> Shoulder. ROBIN 'hrus, hin back into
4 char, and held him with a .rasp OF iron
D., ~You stark mad. Carl, aud d. no, tuo-
what Won say
Il do know what | saw. lie; me be-" he
shook himself roughly. but ROBIN did not
move his hand, for there was dangerous gilt
ter IN Carl's ewes as if he lonsed to spring On
and throttle him. At this instant a second
knock WAS heard at the street doo-, which
caused Carl TO cover down pale and trembling
is If he would hide himself Some one
a>renird the stairs. Alice opened the door,
and a large toreisn looking man entered.
Mr. Carl is here :" he observed: then
whispered to Robin that he had a word for
his private ear. You will stay here a mn-
ute. Mr.. Carl" he added. lifting a fore finger
in a menacins way: Ma lame will keep YOU
company till We return" They passed into
the adjoining room.
Mr.. UarI esraped us yesterday, sir You
will have discovered that he is mad :" said
the stranger; You will allow us to remove
him -
Robin looked disconnected. Mad. Yes
suppose he ,>-ndeed Of course he is
There can be no doub, ofit-"he replied,
he>itatin.ly.
~. he cannot he with any one an hour
without he;rayinc ii Enthusiastically. Itis pos
>ihe that he may have told YOU his fancies ="
Yes" sad Robin. and paused The man
was watching his countenance closely.
Absurd >e!faccusations, eh =" questioned
the man. who in spite Of his foreign air.spoke
English with the native accent. IL see, he
has startled YOU. SIT; YOU are inclined to be.
.ieve that he really did murder his venerable
father and that woman? :? Ii IS his mania.-
have heard him confess all the imaginary
circumstances with wonderful air of realitv
but inst IN the same way have heard him
confess to other ceeds-to killing you, for
instance. and girl called Alice. and variety
OF thetts, in the most circumstanrial manner.
Ills mnd-what he has left of it at least
runs perpc'ually on murder"
ROBIN drew long breath 'IIow is Il
tha, he Is under your care 2" be asked the
stranger
'Slr am physician some time since
two years-Mr Carl Brans,on placed himself
in .ay hands, and l undertook to protect him
against himself His lucid intervals are few
ami short. Yesterday morning he was toler.
ably well, and while walking in the ground.
OF my house. must have suddenly conceived
the design OF AN escape; but he was easily
traced
III will be satisfaction to me to have him
near London" said Robin; IL should like to
see that his unhappy condition is as much
amelioracd as it can be-
Naturally, sir; hut there would be risk Of
his bahhlIngs-marvelou.lv truthful! they
sound sOmetmes-rousing .crutnv On the
whoie-consilrr it carefully-on the whole.
1t would toe as we'll that you should let me
ren'ove him abroad, replied the doctor.
Let us hear what he saws himself" said
Robin.
Il am hc will be of NV opinion" re-
turned the stranger. and they went back into
the first roon.. Alice had brought in Carlis
cloak. thoroughly dry, and he was busy put
ting it"n.
Il an almost ready, doctor" he exclaimed,
eagerly.
~ on will 80 with me, will you not2 You
feel safe ~
Yes much safer. Come awav" He took
no nrtioe OF Alices hand held out TO him. or
Of the tears that she ronla no, restrain. bu.
hurried down the sian, holding the Doctor.
arm. Robin followed. AT the door waited
l. -