Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-07


Violet looked toward them:
"Do you see that girl2 She is one Of
our worst cases."
"1n whlte2" Major stapylton asked, in
doubt as to which was meant.
The doctor was suddenly called away :;
and as Major Stapylton was still looking
at Violet, wondering if it was she, her
apparent forwardness in addressing an
unknown stranger confirmed the idea of
her madness, while the slightest doubt on
the subject was removed when she spoke
to him as the Emperor of China, he new
er having heard Of his brothers imperial
delusion.
They sat together for a few moments
in silence, till Violet, finding 1t unbeara-
bic, growing more and more nervous, and
trying to suit her conversation to him,
said:
sis it long since you were in China?"
~ never wa there in my life,' was the
startling answer, while Violet felt fright
ened as he added confusedly, Cat least,
meant don know" And he thought
in his turn, "Poor girl, forgot was the
! Chinese Emperor. How on earth
can keep the character?'
Violet hurrledly went on:
"0f course. understand. I suppose
| you knew DR.. Smith before, and IRE pay
| ing him visit?'
Major Stapylton shuddered.
''What! She thinks I am fellow pa
ticnt, then However, poor Charles is, so
she can talk sensibly;" and he hastily
changed the conversation by asking her
| if she had read one of the books of the
day.
Violet knew it well, and to her surprise
and delight found her Emperor capable
of a rational conversation. She had sell
dom enjoyed one so much. She was very
young, and had not yet got over her
shyness with strangers, but why need she
be shy with Door lunatic? So, with the
object of pleasing him, she talked with
out hesitation of her favorite pursuits
and books, and answered personal ques-
tons without taking any otfense.
Major Stapylton, on his side, delight
ed with the fresh young girl, touched by
her openness, and profoundly sorry for
her awful misfortune, tired with mingled
kindness and curio sity to encourage her
almost unconscious revelations of char
acter.
"Have you been here long?" he at last
ventured to ask
''About an hour, think" ske answer
ed, not understanding.
"In the ball but I mean how long
have you been at Dunstone2' i
30, what shall 1 do! he thinks 1 am
mad, tool" she thought; but her look of
terror warned Major Stapylton he was on
dangerous ground.
IL beg your PARDON" he said, II had
no right to ask, Tell me more OF your
visit to Italy,"
And plunging into mutual Roman re-
collections, they were again delighted
with the rational way in which each con-
vcrsed.
One of the gentlemen of the Egerton
party now came and asked Violet to
dance, explaining that he could not find
her before, and adding in a low voice:
evil you come, or do you prefer stay
ing here?"
II would rather stay here, thanks; but
please ask Mrs. Egerton If she minds"
"Certainly; but should think in this
case it was all right" and he went off to
report Miss Brook as perfectly happy
talking to very good-looking lunatic.
Mrs. Edgerton, not knowing what was
the usual etiquette at lunatic: asylums,
lett her undisturbed, and she and Major
Stapylton had another hour of delightful
talk; til Mr.. Hunter came to look for
him, when she seized the opportunity to
escape. Mrs. Edgerton leaving soon after
ward, she saw her new friend no more.
Frank secured a seat in the carriage
opposite to her, and began to reproach
her for the way in which she spent her
evening.
II am sorry if it was wrong" she an
swered, simply; "but the poor man SEEM
ed to enjoy talking to me; and 1 thought
it would be cruel to 60 away. Do you
know, he is your friend, the Mr.. Stapyl-
ton you told me of, Emperor of China'
els he? asked one Of the attendants,
and he told me he was not there. How
stupid! should like to have spoken to
him, poor fellow. I did not recognize
him; but see it is the same face, but
older and altered in expression. He used
to be very clever and popular"
"He is delightful, Violet said. Then
ashamed Of such strong praise, added,
"Of course, I only say so because he is
mad. Do you know, he thought I was
mad, also?
Full of admiration for his evident ab1l-
tiles, charmed with his manner, and
plying his misfortune, Violet for the
next twenty-four hours thought of little
but this fascinating mailman.
Major Stapylton, on his side, was in
much the same state. He had vainly
tried to point her out to MIR. Hunter, and
resolved to question DR.. Smith the next
day when he returned to see his brother.
Mr.. Hunter told him he had accepted an
invitation from Mrs. Egerton to dine with
her and bring his friends: and Major Sta
python felt bored by the prospect of 60
ing among complete strangers.
The next morning he visited the asy-
lum, and had a most satisfactory inter
view with his brother; and was afterward
assured by DR.. Smith that he felt certain
of his speedy and complete recovery.
Then Major Stapylton rather awkward-
ly began his inquiries about the young
lady Of the night before. "One of your
| worst cases, you said.'
ooh, yes,' he answered, $50 you talked
to her? She is very i'll this morning.
poor thing, and I think cannot live
long"
Major Stapylton felt 1t impossible to
make any request to see her, or even to
ask any more questions about her, only
venturing to say, "She seemed to be in
the most perfect health last night"
Excitement does great deal in some
| caSas Init fapl surn sho will MT 1;,o