The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-04-01
Doctor Holford's Patient.
ICOncIusiOn.l !

And then Walter had told her that ne
had himself given opportunity to his
enemies in some moments OF excitement
consequent OH the loss of money. But
the doctOri there was the rub. Could
it be possible that DR.. Holford, the up
right and honorable, had deliberately
lent himself to this vile plot: Even
Lizzie's excited Imagination could not
lead her to believe that. No, the man
was not mad-that was certaln-6ut
the doctor had been deceived; his keen
eye had been blinded by Walter Stones
perfidious friends. who, though they
had cautiously avoided committing
themselves by speaking of more than
"nerves," had SO cunningly worded their
artful testimony, that the doctor had
jumped to the conclusion without much
personal observation, that Walter must
be insane. That could not be a fault
at least well, hardly, OF if it were, she,
Lizzie Stuart, would undcceive him,
and enable him to make atonement.
And then she went off into a aday-drean,
and was just in the middle of speech
from the doctor, expressive of his deep
gratitude to her for having, by her wo-
mans keen-sightedness and quick jndg-
ment, disabused him of the idea under
which he had been fabOring, &c, &c,
when she looked up, and behold. the
moon had risen, and was already light
ing up the top branches of the haw-
thOrns! She turned into the house, fully
resolved to speak seriously to the doctor
the very next morning.
The moon was high in the heavens
when Lizzie Stuart went that evening,
as her custom was, to sit in the nursery
while nurse went down to her supper.
At these times Lizzie always sat in a
particular chair by the window. Nurses
white ,eurtained bed stood in recess at
the back of the room; a little to one
side, bat facing the fire-still necessary
at night-was the baby's bassinet, OF
which little but the hood was to be
seen from where Lizzie sat. The other
two children slept in what was, in fact,
an adjoining room, though the door 'of
Communication had long been removed,
to make the two nurseries as far as pos
sible into one. There was no light in
the room but the moonshine, and the
glimmer of the fire; Lizzie leant back in
her chair and resumed her day-dream.
By-and-by, low knock came at the
door.
"Come in." said Lizzie, wondering
that nurse should have made such haste
at her supper.
The door opened softly, and Walter
Stone put his head into the room. II
want to speak to you, want 10 speak
to you," he whispered, excitedly; "yon
must let me come in. 1t is most impor-
tant."
There was something queer about his
manner, but Lizzie, strong in her con-
viction, was in no wise frightened. Be-
sides, he had talked to her that day of
escape, and she lenged to repeat the ar
guments she had used against any such
scheme. for it's success would be fatal to
the doctors credit. While she hesi-
tated, he stole silently up to her, clos
ing the door behind him. No other
man living would Lizzie have allowed
to remain there, but her sympathy for
Walter Stone was deep and strong, all
the more strong from her love for the
man who was doing him such uAwitting
injury. How grieved the doctor will
be tomorrow! she Thought, and she let
Walter stay. He sat down by her side,
and remained silent. After minute or
two the stiffness grew oppressive, and
she opened her mouth to speak. AS she
did SO, she looked in his face, ghastly in
the moonlight! All. how awful was the
change there. His pleasant, careless
look had disappeared, and in its stead
was dreadful expression of fixed ma
Lightly, of insane cunning and rage;
the glare of maniac's eye caught and
fixed hers as she looked. Horror-strickeu
she drew back, but he bent forward,
and said in kissing Whisper
"Tve something to show you. I've
locked the door, and we can't be inter
rupted, no, no. Look here" and he
drew from his pocket an ordinary dinner
knife, on which the moonbeams glitter
ed hideously.
beautiful, isn't it," he muttered as
he stroked and seemed to fondle it, turn
ing it from side to side. "Truc steel
the real thing! Not for you, though,
not for you-for those little devils that
cling round You, and prevent your COM
ing with me. I'll set yon free, Fll--"
and he lapsed into inarticulate mur-
murs, still s.roking the knife. Never,
in all her life, did Lizzie Stuart forget
the sensations of that moment; they
come back to her often in dreams, even
now. She did not lose consciousness,
but she could not move; her heart
seemed to stand still, and her brain to
reel.
THE youngest first" he Whispered az
last and leavias i.vt suddenly, he dart
ed towards the hearth. For one second
his knife cleaned brightly in the moon
light rs he brandished it aloft, the next
he had plunged it deep into the bassinet.
Oh God, there was no cry.
| A wild shrek rose to Lizzie's lips.
Repressing it with violent effort, she
collected her senses and walked to his
side.
81 must kill the others myself she
said with an unfaltering voice; "let me
do it-they wonld not be quiet other
WISE"
The maniac turned towards her hor-
rible face Of triumph.
You're one of the right sort!' he ex-
claimed enthusiastically. The young
May moon is beaming, love. The glow
worms lamp is burning, love. How
sweet to rove-No, that's not it-So she
killed her gown O green satin, and
tuckit it up TO her knee-Lizzie Lind
say-that's you-Lord Ronald Clan
Dolsnd-that's me. Won't We be hap
py' Now them
"Yes, am going" she said, still speak
ing calmly; "wait here tilf l come
back"
He stopped to draw the knife ont of
| the bassinet.
"No, don't do that" she whispered,
fercing herself to lay her hand upon his
arm, and turning away her eyes, lest
the sight that might meet them should
unnerve her, 81 have fancy for doing
it differently"
He stood upright again, and motioned
her to go, and only as she moved to
where the other children slept, she re-
membered with sick horror that there
was no door between the rooms. Despair
gave her courage, she quickened her
pace; he did not follow her-there was
moments respite. Softly and rapidly
she threw q coverlet over the two fair
sleeping heads, then she flew to the bell.
A violent pull-anOther-and the bell
rope broke in her hand. Would any one
comet The mailman heard the twang