River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-08-22
VJCT0R:
The story of a MAD Lover.

DltQE. is L sat dADLt Iii NY piCll1
room, resting back in my chair, allowing
my Berlin work to fall unheeded on my
lap, while nay eyes wandered here ano
there, surveying with fond pride my pos
sessions.
Many of the pictures on the walls, the
bTonzes on the mantel, the clock, chair
here and there, had been bridal presents
and as only one short year had passed
siuce | came to mY kingdom, had nc
time 10 weary.
A wear ago, and I had then thought
myself a happy girl. l had yet to learn
the full happiness which comes to every
loved and loving wife; but had especial
cause for gratitude in fact which might
present pain.
Before | met viii, my husband, [ had
been engaged to a young man by very
few years my senior, when one discover
ed his father and grandfather before him
had died inmates of lunatic asylum.
My parents in med1ately broke off the
engagement, and | was too sensible 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,
end he held it so tenderly, so sacredly,
that soon there was not even scar 10
mark the old wound.
But the tears came freely to my eyes,
nor did Will reproach me with them,
when, some six months after my marriage,
learned, in the full flush of my happiness
that Victor Struthers sad fate had over
taken him, and that he, too, had followed
in the steps Of those gone before; that
never again the light of reason would
shine within his eyes, or the words of love
he so we'll knew how TO utter fall from
his lips.
These thoughts slowly came back to-
night as | sat alOne-the first evening
had spent alone since my marriage; bat
VIII had been called away by important
business, and would not be back until
late, perhaps not until tomorrow.
Once more the tears came within my
eyessas l contrasted my lot with Victor's,
or shuddered at the fate which would
have been mine had / followed nv first
mad impulse TO be his at any cost.
Yet, had not the loss of the girl be
loved fastened his doom2 The physi-
clans said not; but their verdict would
not satisfy my nervous dread. / sighed
a long tremulous sigh at this latter
thought.
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 vernada, which, AS
the evening was cool, were closed and
fastened; but as | glanced round, with a
strange misgiving at my heart, saw the
folds of one tremble.
The window must then be open; yet |
felt no air.
With this thought ] arose from my
seat, stepping forward to ascertain the
= cause, but had barely taken single step
when I stopped, my blood frozen, unable
tO'make another movement, or even part
my lips to scream for help.
On the blue surface was mans white
hand-no rufiians hand, but white and
handsome.
A ring cleaned on one of the fingers,
and on its lustre my eyes rested, fasci-
mated as the dove by the serpent. Where
had seen that ring before2 Somewhere,
surely, though where my tortured mind
could not reason.
Then snmmening all my strength and
courage, with desperate effort turned 20
leave the vJom. Once put a closed door
between myself and that white hand,
whose invisible owner might at any mo-
ment 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 bril-
liantly lighted, to grope my way to the
door.
At last l approached 1t, and stretched
out my arm to open the way to freedom,
when five white fingers, one bearing the
cleaning ring, were laid on mine. and
slowly drew me back into the room.
'Look at mel" said a voice. at is
your work-you need not fear"
Then ! realized the truth and glancing
mp. saw Victor Struthers standing before
me.
My first sensation was of relief. His
reyes, peering into mine, were lit by the
old SOftness; around his mouth was the
old smile; and, though his words we've
bitter, his handsome face was only kind
Could he be mad? Or had recovery
come to him, spite of the physician s
hopeless decreel
1 laughed a nervous laugh, as / an
swered, "How conld you so startle me-,
Victorl What strange way to pay me-
visit Surely you could not doubt your
welcome2'
al have not received it" he replied,
'though have walked one hundred miles
that you might give it to me. take no
welcome but the old one, Elsie.n
And he stopped as if to kiss me, but I
drew back, shuddering.
"What! no greeting2" he exclaimed
and slowly there crept into his eyes look
l had never seen there before look oi
cunning and of mortal dread
He glanced round the room.
II have waited so Iong-waited to find
You alone. We are going on journey
tonight, you and I, Elsie But you will
not fear it if YOU are with me. even il
Death he the boatman to row us across
Listen, elsie / am tired OF life. But
one thing only has made me cling to il
SO long, and that is, the gates of heaven
would not open TO receive me urles YOU
were by my side; so have come for YOU
In that moment [ knew the truth
knew that this man by my side, quiet Is
he was, was indeed mad, ready at ans
moment TO throw off even this mask oi
anity, and seize me In his powerfa
srasp.
once more glanced arounC my pretty
room.
My husbands eye looked into mine
from his portrait on the wall, as if to say
''For my sake, darling, keep calm. All
rests with you. Do not let me return IL
find desolate home, with your blood
staining its threshold"
Victor l said, suddenly, "before we
geon this journey. tell me of yourself
of all you have been DOING
s0f myself2 What is there to tellq" he
questioned, with rising pssslonin his voice
.0fwha. have been doing shall indeefl
tell you Working for this hour, Shaving
for il, enduring for it, with but one ambi,
ton IN tile wretched struggle they call
life-to meet you face to face, TO look In