Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-10-08

her openness, and profoundly sorry for
her awful misfortune, tried from
mingled kindness and curiosity to en-
her almost unconscious revela-
lions OF character. "Have you been
here long?" he at last ventured to ask.
"About an hour ago, l think" she
not understanding.
"In the ballroom; but mean how
long have you been at DunstoneT"
ooh, what shall I do! he thinks am
mad tool" she thought; but her look of
terror warned Major Stapylton he was
on dangerous ground.
beg your pardon" he said, "I had
no right to ask. Tell me more of your
visit to Italy" And plunging. into
mutual Roman recollections, they were
again delighted with the rational way in
which each conversed.
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:
Do you prefer staying here.
CT 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 that Miss Brook was perfectly
happy, talking to very good-looking
lunatic.
Mrs. Egerton, not knowing what was
the usual etiquette at lunatic asylums,
left her undisturbed, and she and Major
Stapylton had another hour of delight.
full talk till Mr.. Hunter came to look for
him, when Violet seized the opportunity
to escape. Mrs. Egerton leaving soon
afterwards, 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 had spent
the evening.
"I am sorry it was wrong" she an
swered simply; "but the poor man
seemed to enjoy talking to me, and 1
thought it would be cruel to 60 away.
Do you know he is your friend, the Mr..
Stapylton you told me of, the Emperor
of Gilman"
els he? I asked one of the attend
ants, and he told me he was not there.
How stupid! ] should like to have
spoken to the poor fellow. did not
recognize him; but see it is the same
face, but oler and altered in expression.
He used to be very clever and popular"
"He is delightful" Viole t said.
Then, ashamed of such strong praise,
added, "Of course [ only say SO because
he is mad. Do you know he thought l
was mad also!"
ia sure sign he was" Frank muttered
to himself. "But how do you really
get on?"
60, beautifully. He was quite ra-
tional, and the pity he evidently felt for
me was quite touching"
Full of admiration for his evident
abilities, charmed with his manner and
plying his misfortune, Violet for the
next twenty-fcur 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 next
day when he returned to see his brother. |
Mr.. Hunter told him he had accepted
an invitation from Mrs. Edgerton to
dine with her and bring his friends; and
Major Stapylton felt bored by the pros
pect of going among complete strangers.
"Have they large a partyp' he
asked, for the sake of saying something.
"The house is quite full, 1 believe.
[ knew you would not care to dance, so
did not introduce you to any one. Miss
Egerton is very nice girl, and she said
she had very pretty friend with her, a
Miss Brook; but she could not see her
when she spoke to me-"
MAJOR Stapylton felt perfectly indif-
ferent to Miss Brook and Miss Egerton,
and went up stairs only longing for the |
time when he could return to Dunstone.
The morning came at last, and he had
a most satisfactory interview with his
brother; and was afterwards assured by
DR.. Smith that he felt certain of his
speedy and complete recovery.
Then Major Stapylton rather awk-
wardly began his inquiries about the
young lady of the night before. "One
Of our worst cases, you said"
go yes" he answered. $50 you
talked to her? She is very III this morn
ing, poor thing, and I think cannot live
long"
Major Stapylton felt it impossible to
make any request to her, OF even to ask
more questions about her, only ventur-
ing to say, "She seemed in the most
perfect health last night
Excitement does great deal in some
cases; but I feel sure she will not last
through the winter.''
Major Stapylton's pre-cccupation and
sadness IN his return soon attracted Mr..
Hunters attention, and he expressed his
fear that his brother must be worse.
Ono, no; much better; sure to be all
right soon, Smith said. The fact is,
Hunter, you may think me an ass, but
[ can't get that girl out of my head I
told you of last night. So young and
and I should have thought
SO we'll; and I hear now she cannot live
through the winter"
Mr.. Hunter did not answer, as his
opinion of Major Stapylton was much
what he had expected, and the latter,
disguised at his want of sympathy, saun-
tered about by himself for the rest of the
day, thinking of the unfortunate un-
known, and hating the prospect of din
ing out.