Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-10-08
A RAINY DAY.
Its Consequences.

It was a hopelessly wet day, and a
party of young people, staying at large
place in the country, looked unmistak-
ably bored as they stood about in the
hall after luncheon.
Frank Egerton, the eldest son of the
house, turned from window in disgust.
"There's not the faintest chance of its
clearing, SO we may as well give up
shooting this afternoon. What can we
do?" he asked, in an exaggerated tone
of despair. "Miss Brook, what must
you think of our climate?"
Cant we rise superior to weather,
and strike out an new idea?" interrupted
Miss Egerton.
81 have thought of something for to-
night" he answered. "There's dance
at the Dunstone asylum. An invita-
ton came to us some days ago." Vari-
Gus explanations Of horror broke from
The young ladies as he continued, eve
can dance with each other if we don't
like the inmates. You will come" he
added in lower voice, turning to Miss
Brook.
She hesitated.
81 don't know. I never did such a
thing BEFORE"
"You will probably dance with much
saner people than you have done else
where, and l believe they have q capital
floor"
at seems SO sad," she said, Does any
one go?"
cold Mr.. Hunter, our nearest neigh
Dor, always makes makes q point of 60
ing on principle, and takes any one that
will go. I have not heard Of him lately,
and don't know if he has people staying
with him; but we are large party our
selves"
"You may think me coward; but is
it safe?" and Violet Brook raised her
bewithcing eyes appealingly.
'Of course; or how could you think |
should suggest it? I have never been
at their parties myself; but they have
lots of them, as they say they do the
patients so much good, and have never
is full of doctors and keepers
"And must We dance with the pa
tients?''
"Not unless you like; but I believe
numbers of them seem quite sane, and
that you would never find out any diff
ference. The only one I know is poor
fellow that was at Elton with me, who
fancies he is the Emperor of China and
has the widest ideas on the subject
quite incorrect for the character; but If
he is humored he is managed with per-
feet ease"
"What is his real name, if it is not
wrong to ssk?"
Stapylton. I know nothing of his
family, or how he went out Of his head.
In fact | have not seen him for years
but the doctor told me about him, find
ing [ 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
son, and rather reluctantly consented to
the plan.
Is it really safe?" Violet Brook
whispered to her.
Quite. Our doctor has often begged
me to go; he says these parties do SO
much good; but Frank never expressed
any wish to go BEFORE" she answered,
with not unusual maternal blindness, in
rather puzzled voice. IF we do co.
she added, turning to the rest of the
party, I do hope you will all behave
we'll"
"Why, mother!" exclaimed Frank,
you talk as if we were children going
to our first Christmas tree. Even If we
wished to do wrong, | think we should
all be too much afraid.
Yes, indeed" she answered. I" ]
hope you will all, especially you young
ladies, humor them. You do not know
what might happen if you were to excite
or annoy them in the slightest degree
Every one promised to be careful, and
few hours later found them entering
the ballroom at the Dunstone asylum
Violet felt horribly frightened at nrst
but waltz with Frank Egerton restored
her courage, and she looked round her
with interest.
"Do you see that poor man." Frank
asked her, in a low voice, Just coming
toward US with the DOCTOR ] suppose
they could not get him to come sooner
but how terribly sad he looksI What
cruelty to bring himl"
He was tall, striking-looking man,
snd 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