Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-02-13
cases, up which they proceeded to

cases, up which they proceeded TO
climb.
Madam herself answered the bell.
"Ahp' she said, n world of meaning
in the monosyllable, and stepped aside
to let them enter.
Itwas a small room, gaudy with pa
per flowers and cheap, snowy draper
les, and extremely close and warm.
On sofa near the window lay Mary.
She started up at their entrance, flushed
deeply, and then paled.
"My darling" began her husband,
all his anger melting at the sight of the
beautiful, fragile creature, ''why did
you give us such ftightP l have been
up all night searching for you. Your
mother is almost i'll with worry. You
will come home with me now. viii
you notp'
Barely glancing at him, never meet
ing his eye, Mary retreated to the side
of Madam Olympic. mo-" she an
swered, shaking her head.
"My dear, you really must" went
on her husband, still kindly, but with
determination in his voice. "It is out
of the question that we should leave
you here with this person. 1t is utter
ly unfit for you and you are causing us
all great distress by your absence. l
shall take you home at once"
"No," said Mary again, retreating
still further behind Madam Olympic.
MADAM, 1 must insist on your u.s.
ing your influence" said Major Elphin-
stone.
Pardon" replied Madam, with a
cruel little smile. "I not so inhospeet-
able. l not invite; but if your wife de-
| sire me to make veeset, not say her
no. Influence! Bah! Is'all not exert
noting of the kind, noting"
MARY, put your things on at once.
1 will not endure this" cried her hus-
band, hotly, seizing her hand, as he
spoke, and using some gentle force to
draw her from behind Madam Olympic.
She gave wild shrek. ~ will not!
l will notr' she reiterated, freeing her.
self with a struggle and flying to the
other end of the room. Her eyes were
dilated with an excitement which terri
fed him. Madam Olympic stood by,
remorselessly cool.
"Dat is right" she said, pointing her
finger first at him and then at Mary.
"Go on. Lay your commands. Fright
en-, frighten, till you s'll drive her mad.
l wash my hands of the result. l not
responsible"
The threat was needless. Major Ell
phinstone was so thoroughly alarmed
as to be only anxious to sooth and tenn
porize.
"My darling, don't look sor' he
pleaded. "Did l ever make you do
what you disliked, that you should
seem so frightened of me. You shall
stay here for little while, since you
Heavens name you can," he inter-
rupted himself. "Madam Olympic, l
will leave my wife here for another day,
as she seems to wish it; but remember
l make you responsible for her safety.
The police have their eyes on you. II
harm comes to her, they will know
where to look. Be very careful and
tender of her and will pay"
" ITEMS" interposed Madam. "You
s'll not pay. take noting. Madam
is my veesetor. She come of herself;
she go of herself. 1t are great honor
of me to have lady to veeset me, who
am 'pairson,' as Monsieur did say
"We will settle the question of pay
ment afterward The main thing is
the safety and comfort of my wife.
Remember" he went on sternly, "
will have no conjurings. The po-
lice"
"Ahl Monsieur does me the honor
to threaten me with the police, does
heP'' Kissed Madam. 81 not afraid
l do no wrong. l am respectable. My
house is known, and my-what you cal
profession. | cannot be drag tC
prison because an English lady take
fancy to come to stay wiz me. Tha
are no crime. Sho come of her own ac
cord, as Monsieur knows"
" Mary, how can you bear thi:
woman's insolencoP" cried the excited
husband. But Mary, pale, mute
pressing herself tightly against the fal
wall, made no reply. He was helpless
as he admitted to himself. There was
nothing to do but to go.
." | will come back for you to-mor
row." he declared.
"At pleasure" rejoined Madam
Olympic, TRANQUILITY. MADAM will
consult her own disposition tomorrow
as to-day"
Major Elphinstone did return on the
! morrow; but neither then, nor the mex
, day. nor the day after that could Mary
, be induced to go home. Always the
same scene was repeated-appeal, pro
test, command on his part; denial anC
. shuddering avoidance on hers, deep
ening into wild excitement at any at.
. tempt at coercion. DR.. Boulan went
Mrs. Aske went. All was of no use
She would not listen; she would not re
spond; she would not talk about hel
, baby. All her attention seemed con
centrated upon Madam Olympic, whose
slightest movement she watched will
| the fascinated gaze of bird which
hovers before the jaw of a slow-movine
snake. That it was a fascination
mingled with terror was only too EVIL
| dent; but none the less did it hold it
| victim with spell too potent for re
sistance.
So fortnight passed, three weeks
four, and the situation remained un
} changed. Once and again Maio
Elphinstone was on the point of cut
ting the Gordian knot by the strons
, arm of law, carrying off his wife per
, force, and putting the channel between
her and the evil influence which hel,
! her in thrall; but DR.. Boulan counsele'
/ patience and prevailed.
"She cannot help nor resist" h
said. "If you put the channel between
she will be in the channel before yo1
know. Wait. Be patient. Our hop
, is in Olympic herself She can undo a
, she has done; and she only. 1t are no
, case for strong measures. 1t are yer
; critical, very delicate. You must trea
softly or you lose ALL"
1t was wretched waiting. By tn
1 Doctors advice, they saw Mary bu
2 seldom. Each time she seemed to theI
thinner, paler, more enfeebled and alas
a stronger than ever in her purpose t
remain where she was. Once he
4 mother, seeking, the Quarter 81