The Newtown bee., 1879-10-15

A WET DAY.

1t was a hopeless wet day, and party
of young people, staying at large place
in the country, looked Enthusiastically
bored as they stood about in the hall
after luncheon.
Frank Egerton, the eldest son of the
house, turned from window in disgust.
"What can we dop" he asked, in an
exaggerated tone of dispair. miss
Brook, what must you think of our ci-
matep"
Cant we rise superior to weather,
and strike out new idea?" interrupted
Miss Egerton.
81 have thought of something for TO-
night" he answered. "There's dance
at the Dunstone Asylum. An invitation
| came for us some days ago." Various
exclamations of horror broke from the
young ladies as he continued: "We can
dance with each other if we don't like
the inmates. You will Gomez" he adoed,
in lower voice, turning to Miss Brook.
She hesitated.
Il don't know. never did sucn n
thing before"
You will probably dance with much
saner people than you have done else
where, and I believe they have a capital
floor"
at seems so sad," she said. "And
must we dance with the patientsp"
mot unless you like; but believe
numbers of them seem quite sane, and
that you would never find out any differ
ence. The one | know is poor fellow
" no was at school with me, who fancies
he's the Emperor of China, and has the
widest ideas on the subject-quite in
correct for the character; but T. if he is
humored he is managed with perfect
ease"
"What is his real name, if it is not
wrong to askP"
"Stapylton. I know nothing of his
family, or how he went off his head. In
fact I have not seen him for years; but
the doctor told NE about him, finding l
used to know him, and of this new fancy
of his. -...-.
Mrs. Egerton, crossing the hall at this
moment, was eagerly seized upon by her
the plan, and few hours later found
them entering the ballroom at the Dun
stone Asylum. ~s&~ @-~a- -a-.. a~a
Violet felt horribly frightened at first,
but waltz with Frank Egerton re-
stored her courage, and she looked round
her with interest. --. ...-.. - g.
"Do you see that poor man." Frank
c1yoI Low OF in
toward us with the doctor? / suppose
they could not get him to come sooner;
but how terribly sad he looks! What
cruelty to bring him!' E.s
He was tall, striking looking man,
and Violet continued to watch him
when Frank left her to dance with some
one else While the doctor moved on
he remained standing, half concealed by
curtain. watching the dancers with
look of agony.
He seemed so miserably out Of place
Violet felt full of pity, and wondered if
she daresspeak to him. He caught her
eye and smiled, such a sad, pititul smile
that all her tear vanished. "
"You are alone?" she said.
"Yes," he answered; adding, sudden
ly, "My poor child, do you want me to
dance with you?"
Nothing as further from Violet's
thoughts; but she was afraid of annoy
ing him. ss
AS you wish, "she said; but tell me
first who you are" hoping from his an
swer to find some guide for her future
conduct. aaa
my nameis Stapylton," he answered,
gently. = as
THE Emperor of China!" she ex-
claimed, involuntarily, and then feared
what might happen; but he only said:
Am Ip just as you please. Will
you sit down here till the nextsquare
beginsp I never waltz
"That is something to be thankful
for" thought Violet, as she obediently
took the offered chair.
Mr.. Hunter, neighbor of the Eyer
tons, who never failed to visit these
dances, lad returned home with some
friends the day before, and at breakfast
announced his intention of going, as.
usual, to the dance ,.t the Duns: one
Asylum.
He was surprised when one of his
guests started at the name, and eagerly
asked if it was near.
Ten miles; but why do you want to
know, Stapyltonp'
sI'll tell you afterward," was the an
swer; and as soon as they were alone
he told him a younger brother of his had
had sunstroke in India, which, in addi-
tion to other troubles, had completely