The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-10

at Violet, wondering if it was she, her
apparent forwardness in addressing an
unknown stranger confirmed the idea 0f
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. .-'"f . j@s'5 &c.. ..'.z.- ~. -. 8 .
They sat together for few moments
in silence, till Violet, finding 1t unbeara-
BILE, growing more and more nervous, and
trying to suit her conversation to him,
said: az, 49, q. .~..
"Is it long since you were in Gilman,
~ never was there in my lhe,' was the
startling answer, while Violet felt right
ened as he added confusedly, Eat least,
meant don't know" And he thought
in his turn, "Poor girl, I forgot I was the
Chinese Emperor. How on earth
can I keep the character2" =! a. "a
Violet hurrledly went on: &
"0f course. I understand. suppose
you knew DR.. Smith before, and IRE pay
ing him a visit?"
Major Stapylton shuddered.
"What! She thinks 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 we'll, and to her surprise
and delight found her Emperor capable
of a rational conversation. She had sell
young, and had not yet get over her
shyness with strangers, but why need she
be shy with poor lunatlcs 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, tined with mingled
kindness and curio sity to encourage her
almost unconscious revelations of char
acter.
"Have you been here long9" he at last
ventured to ask.
"About an hour, think" ske answer
ed, not understanding. 49,.
I'm the ball; but I mean how long
have you been at Dunstone2'
20, what shall I do! he thinks am
mad, too!' 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-
versed.
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 low voice:
will you come, or do you prefer stay
ing here7"
~ would rather stay here, thanks; but
please ask Mrs. Egerton If she minds"
"Certainly; but I 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 seat in tie carriage
| opposite to her, and began to reproach
her tor the way in which she spent he1
evening.
II am sorry if it was wrong" she an.
swered, simply; "but the poor man seem
ed to enjoy talking to me; and thought
it would be cruel to 20 away. Do you
know, he is your friend, the Mr.. Stapyl.
ton you told me of, Emperor of China. u
us hea I asked one Of the attendants,
and he told me he was not there. How
stupid! I should like to have spoken to
him, poor fellow. I did not recognize
him; but I 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 1 was
mad, also9
Full OF admiration for his evident abll.
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 Mr.. 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 20.
ing among complete strangers.
The next morning he visited the asy.
lum, and had 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 aw kward.
ly began his inquiries about the Young
lady of the night before "One of your
worst cases, you said"
"Oh, yes" he answered, $50 you talked
to herr She is very i'll this morning
poor thing, and / think cannot live
long" - a'a > =
Major Stapylton felt 1t impossible to
make any request to see her, or even to
ask any more questions about her, only