Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-06-06
VICTOR.
The Story of a Mad Lover.

UraWln0-TOOHl, resting DICK III the cIldlf,
allowing my Berlin work to fall unheed-
ed on my lap. while my eye wandered
here and there, survey .ng with fond
pride my possessions.
Many of the pictures on the walls,
the bronzes on the mantel, the clock,
chair here and there, had been pre-
sents and as only one short year had
passed since | came to my kingdom, |
had no time to weary
A year ago, and / had then thought
myself a happy girl. | had yet to learn
the full happiness which comes to every
loved and loving wife; but / had espe-
cial cause for gratitude in a fact which
might present pain.
Before I met VIII, my husband, had
been engaged to a young man, by very
few years my senior, when some one
discovered his father and grandfather
before him had died inmates of a luna
tic asylum.
NJ parents Immediately broke off the
engagement. and | was too insensible
not to bow to their decree. For time
| was very miserable, but soon after |
met Will, and learned that into his
keeping had passed the one true love of
my life, and he held it so tenderly, so
sacrediy that soon there was not even
a scar to mark the old wound.
But the tears came freely to my eyes,
nor did Will reproach me with them
when six months after my marriage, I
learned. in the full flush of my happi-
ness, that Victor Struthers' sad fate had
Overtaken him, and that he, too, had
followed in the steps of those gone be-
fore; that never again the light of rea-
son would shine within his eyes, or the
words of love he so we'll knew how to
inter fall from his lips.
These thoughts slowly came back to
night Us | sat alone-the first evening |
had spent alone since my marriage;
but VIII had been called away by i'm
portant business, and would not be back
until late, peshaps not until to-mor-
row.
Once more the tears came within my
eyes as | cOntrastad my lot with Victor's
or shuddered at the fate which would
have been mine had | followed my first
mad impulse to be his at any cost.
Yet, had not the loss OF the girl he
loved fastened his doom? The physi-
clans said not; but their verdict would
not satisfy my nervous dread
And surely-was it imagination p
somewhere within the room the sigh
was re-echoed.
We had IN the month of roses two
long French windows, draped with blue
satin and lace, opened on a veranda,
which, as the evening was cool, were
closed and tasted; but as | glanced
round, with a strange misgiving at my
heart, | saw the folds of one tremblc.
The window must then be open; vet
felt no air.
With this thought | arose from my
seat, stepping forward to ascertain the
cause, but had barely taken a single
step when | stopped, my blood frozen,
unable to make another movement, or
even part my lips to scream for help.
On the blue surface was mans hand
no ruffian's hand, but white and
handsome.
A ring cleaned on one Of the fingers,
and on It's lustre my eyes rested, fasci-
mated as the dove by the serpent.
Where had | seen that ring before :?
Somewhere, surely, though where, my
Then summoning all my strength
and courage, with desperate. effort |
turned to leave the room. Once put n
closed door between myself and that
white hand, whose Invisible owner
might at any moment step from his
concealment and | might know what
best could be done.
Now | was blind with terror, and
could scarcely see, though the room
was brilliantly lighted, to grope my way
to the door.
AT last approached it, and stretched
out my arm to open the way to free
dom, when five wkite fingers, one bear
ing the cleaning ring, were laid on
mine, and slowly drew me back into
the room,
Look at me !" said voice. at is
your work-you need not fear"
Then | realized the truth; and, glanc-
ing up, saw Victor Struthers standing
before me.
My first sensation was of relief. His
eyes, peerlng into mine, were lit by the
old softness; around his mouth was the
old smile; and, though his words were
bitter, his handsome face was only
kind.
Could he be mad?
Or had recovery come to MIN, despite
the physicians hopeless decree?
| laughed a nervous laugh as | an
swered, Glow could you so startle me,
Victor? What strange wav to pay
me visit Surely you could not doubt
your welcOme?,'
=" have not yet received it," he re-
piled, " though | have walked one hun
dred miles that you might give it to
me. | take no welcome but the old
one, Elsie"
And he stopped as if to kiss me, but
drew back, shuddering.
What? no greeting ?" he exclalm-
ed; and slowly there crept into his eyes
a look l had never seen there before
a look of cunning and of mortal dread.
He glanced round the room.
Il have waited so long-waited to
find you alone. We are going or
journey tonight, you and |. Elsie. But
you will not fear if you are with me,
even if Death be the boatman to row us
across. Listen, Elsie. | am tired of
life. But one thing only has made me
cling to it so long, and that is, the gates
of heaven would not open to receive
me unless you were by my side, so l
have come for you"
In that moment | knew the truth
knew that this man by my side, quiet
as he was, was indeed mad, and ready
at any moment to throw off this mask
of sanity, and seize me in his powerful
grasp.
Once more / glanced around my