Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-04-03
WAS SHE MAD T!


dllHOuSu lie nau one Oh MS SOlU pieces III
his pocket.
"Well, as wish to see all, open the
CRATE"
The man doing as he was hidden, ST.
lently opened the massive door, made o.
iron grating.
"NIy Godr' cried Earnest, cit is not
possible oneso regally beautiful Why
man, look at her eyes y he continued
in whisper, "they are as cool and clear
as mine"
The man answered with n sinister
smile, 80, that is the old story. Every.
body thinks that at first; but they soor
find their mistake when they hear her
her gibberish."
"What is her name ?'
"Jennie Carlysle, No. no."
Let me go in alone-I would like tc
talk with her."
The keeper, glad to be relieved, gave
gave the keys to Earnest, and wenl
whistling loudly, into the outer hall.
Arnold stood for some minutes peer
ing at the occupant of the cell, who was
not aware of his presence. She had
heard his first exclamation but they
had been so still afterward, that she
thought they had retired.
"How is it possible" said he to him
self, "that such glorious woman as
this has lost her rcason?"
Earnest Arnold was physician. He
had no practice, as his ample fortune
was sufficient for his support; but he
was an enterprising young man, and
wished to have something to fall back
upon should he ever become poor, and
he had preferred medicine. This place
was the lunatic asylum at L-shire,
England, and he had been all over the
establishment examining the cases for
his own benefit. This was the last-and
one That astonished him. lie opened the
grate, then turned and cautiously lock-
ed it again, keeping the key in his hand
He advanced toward her with courtly
bow and the air of one entering the
drawing-roon ofa distinguished hostess
-I----Arnnin NNls n4NaNSl lpoflte and renned
Born uuo Drosx fso- nss1u Decft, 10 had
become perfectly natural to him.
"Miss Jennie Carlysle, believer" he
said.
|. She bowed with stately grace, and an
swered, "You are not mistaken. am
Jennie Carlysle, but you have the ad.
vantage of me, do not remember you"
az am Ernest Arnold, a physician, -
he replied, concealing smile at the
case and forgetfulness that she saw G
hundred strangers i'll day, that she
evinced.
"You came to examine the asylum,
suppose. and lock into the cases." she
added, with sarcastic smile.
'Yes, he answered with a light laugh
"I heard about you, Miss Carlysle, and
find myself very much interested. Will
you tell ms your story?"
Certainly, if you wish it; but have
told it so many times since have beer
here, that am almost weary of repeat
ing it-still hope on and on. suppose
1 shall till l die" And with a look o
almost despair settling on her beautiiu
countenance, she began.
.'In the first place, let me ask you tc
believe all this just while 1 tell it. Some
way my heart is lighter as look il
your face, and 1 almost feel as though
you are to be my deliverer, and that yor
will rescue me from this horrible place
1 am going to say now what all maniac'
say-I am not mad"
She caught his hands and looked ear
nestly into his face. Why was it hi!
heart beat so loudly at this touch?'
"Do you believe me ?" she cried. "Bu
you cannot until it is proved. Listen
My father and uncle are both murder
ersw
His bright expression changed to
disappointed one. "She is surely mad,
he thought. "Ah, me, she is surel,
mad"
She caught the look, and said fiercely
''Wait wait till tell you all. 1 presum,
you can remember the murder of on
james Thornton, and the trial and exc
cution of John Snow, Che supposed mur
derer, that happened about six year
ago?"
eyes"
"Well, John Snow was innocent, as
can prove to lou. James Thornton wa
bachelor, and my mothers only bro
ther. was an only child, and the heil
apparent of his enormous property, h
having no other sisters. Until was fiji
teen my uncle and were all in all t
each other. He gave me my education
, had the best masters, and spent mos
of my time at the old lodge, his home.-
But my mother died and my father
who had always been reckless, becam
more and more so, and finally lost al
the money he had i'm gambling. My un
Gle became very wroth at this, and hav
ing had an interview with my father, dc
clared in anger, that Frederick Carlysl
nor any one that belonged to him shoul
ever have cent of his property, or Sc
him again. He entirely forgot me in hi
anger; and when he did, was too prou
10 take back his words. He gave order
that his home should be sold and, ha
his trunks packed to start on a voyag
across the Atlantic. But my father ba
: not been idle in the meantime, and i
his wicked heart plotted the death
dear uncle, making only one confidcn
who readily Joined in his plans. Th
was his brother, Frank Carlysle, an
my uncle"