The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-02-02

sion, excited with the thought that the
train might fail to come, or that some
precious baggage might be left behind, or
some other imaginary evil occur. Among
them all, there was only one per-
son calmly self-possessed He was a U.
5. officer, dressed in an elegant uniform,
and leaning in an easy, careless attitude,
against the window. watching the crowd
with a mixture of sarcasm and amusement.
| was closely regarding him, when his eye
fell on me. There was start aud look
of recognition he evidently knew me.
And IL had met him before but when
OF where | could not tell.
While was yet puzzling my brain, the
train whistled, and a general scramble be-
gar. To my great surprise, the mystery
marched up to me, took my basket, mo-
toned me to follow him, and, entering the
car, showed me into a comfortable seat,
and sat beside me-
was bewildereG Surely, I did not
know this man yet, like dim ghost, the
shadow of such form, and such eyes,
fitted in the background of my memory
He seemed to enjoy my perplexity, and,
for some time quietly read his paper with
out uttering a word. Atlength he handed
me paragraph to read, and, commencing
on this, we entered into conversation.
This only added to my bewilderment
The voice was certainly familiar, and his
manner of ccnversing-I had studied it
all before-but could not place him. As
the train ncared the station at which
changed cars, he said, quietly, "Miss Let
tie, your train viii not leave until eight
O'Clock this evening. Shall l have the
pleasure of eseorting you to hotel ?"
Depths of mystery He not only knew
my name but my destination Before
| could collect my thoughts for reply,
was crowded out upon the platform. The
clouds had disappeared, and the sun shone
in clear summer sky.
The hotel was just across the street; SO
pushing our way through the crowd of
omnibus and hack drivers we assembled
the steps. Here group of officers was
collected, talking and smoking
"Why How are you, Victor?" ex-
claimed half dozen voices.
Excuse me III be with you in q
momentl' he replied, as he passed the
extended hands, and led me to the parlor.
He had just rung to order room for me,
when General, who sat chatting with
some ladies, sprang up, exclaiming, "Cas-
tie, my boy Where did you come from?"
Castle Victor Castle My old friend
Of the Asylum for the Insane His long
whiskers and heavy mustache had changed
him so much that l had failed to recog-
nize him.
As | heard the name and realized who
he was, vague terror possessed me-a
desire to escape some unknown danger.
As | followed the servant to my room, |
kept saying to myself-'It is easily ex-
planned. He has entirely recovered-been
discharged from the asylum-and his tai
ents, education, and wealth have won him
an honorable position in the army. He re-
members me, and wishes to be kind to
me-"
Nevertheless felt uncomfortable when.
upon examining the lock of my room,
fourd that it was broken, and that the
door could not be secured. An hour or
two later, as | sat waiting the announce
ment Of dinner, gentle tap at the door
startled me-
Without waiting for an answer, Mr..
Castle entered the room rudely, closed the
door, and coming very near me, leaned
down until his face almost touched mine,
and looked steadily in my eyes without
word.
My embarrassment knew no bounds.
The impertinence of his entrance, his for
mer insanity, and my ignorance of his pres
ent state of mind, paralized me. $50 you
know me ?" he said, at last. His breath
was laden with the perfume of brandy, and
feared he was half insane with its effects,
even though he had recovered from his
former arrangement. managed to say
81 did not recognize you at first, you
have changed SO much" Seating himself
in front of me, and watching the effect of
every word, he spoke again:
"When / saw you this morning / knew
you at once. Had | known certainly that
you would not have recognized me,
should have avoided you. As you have
seen, occupy place of honor and trust,
out Of which [ should be suddenly hurled,
were it known that some of the best years
of my life had been spent in mad house
That you are capable of betraying my Sc
cret know too well After my arrival
home / found letter from your brother,
telling my father what valuable assistance
you had given, by writing to me, and then
giving my letters to him. If you could
betray the trust reposed in you then, you
would gladly do it now. But, my dear
| have forestalled any such endeavor, by
telling the proprietor of the house and
my friends, the officers you saw, that you
are an insane girl, that | am taking to
an asylum. At first had no thought of
doing this, but the more think of it the
more | am inclined to think that Justice
demands that you should serve your time
as a patient in an insane asylum | prom
ise you my revenge viii be complete, when
you have been imprisoned as long as your
valuable assistance" prolonged my i'm
prisonment
| took in the whole situation at glance,
and began to revolyc in my mind the
chances for escape. looked toward the
door. He caught my meaning and with
sarcastic smile remarked, "You look at
the door as though it were too warm
Permit me TO open it ?"
His manner said as plainly as words
"Ah, my Gagged bird you may pass here,
but you will find barriers beyond r.
Remembering my former experience
with insane people, kept saying to my
self-"Keep cool Don't show fcarr
/ walked to the window and raised the
heavy curtain. There was nothing to
hold it back, so | laid it across the marble
mantel which was between the windows.
The smooth mantle offered no resistance
and it slid off,
"Let me fix it for you, said he, spring
ing to my help. Ny heart stood still,
when he took revolver from his pocket.
and placed it on the curtain. l was get
ting frantic with fear, for did not know
what evil purpose might seize him. Din
ner was announced, and the thought that
| might at the table meet some old friend
to whom l could appeal and be rescued,
flashed through my mind With this
hope, | took his profered arm, and was
led to the diuing-hall.
Alas His Ginning had bafiled me