Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-19

into n phase which he was pleased to
call plantomania, and not little de-
LIGHTED was he to receive telegram
from his brother-in-law, who had been
for some time absent, saying that " he
is coming home as fast as ship and rail
way can bring him, and that he may be
expected any day"
He will perhaps be able to throw
some light he thinks, on this extra
ordinary infatuation of Winnie's, not
only for Watching and tending her
plants, but for locking them up and
thinking about them ceaselessly.'
But Captain Verschoyle is not more
able to account for his sisters peculiar
mania than is her perplexed husband,
and after many conversations between
them on the subject and much confabu-
lation they agree to consult the family
doctor. DIR. Jones, however, laughs at
their surmises and pooh-poohs their
fears.
He has known Winnie since she was
baby; he'll guarantee his reputation
that there is nothing mad about her.
SO he says; but when he comes to see
her, at her husbands suggestion, the
panied, anxious expression of her face,
once so bright and smiling, the restraint
of her manner, once so lively and
gay, staggers even the belief Of the
faithful old Hippocrates. What can it
possibly mean?
Look here, Mrs. Winifrcd" h al
always called her Mrs. Winifred since
she married." look here, Mrs. Winifred,
l believe the odor Of these flowers is
making you look thin and wan. shall
tell your husband to have them all
carried away and that little ugly conserv-
atory pulled down.
No, DIR. Jones, no. wish to heaven
that it had never been built, but to take
it down would be worse than death to
me-"
Il do not understand said he,
watching her keenly as he spoke.
No, perhaps not; but plants are
such a worry; they always die when you
want them to flower am very sorry
I asked for them. was SO much
happier before had them
The doctor was nonplusscd and began
to think, with her husband and brother
that the worry these flowers occasioned
her must be the result Of n weak mind
To his repeated suggestion, however,
that II they were troublesome to her the
wiser course would be 70 get nd Of them,
she persistcntly offered the most deter
mined opposition.
Altogether, Winifred's conservatory
was a puzzle to these three mems heads,
the like Of which they had never
previously been called on to solve. She
was perfectly sane, perfectly coherent,
perfectly wise on every subject, except
about these carcfullv-tended plants.
What course, then, remained to those
who were interested in her. save to
imagine she was afflicted with mono.
mania?
In the first week in May there was a
splendid ball given 10y Lady Olive
Farnham. The Moretons were there;
and Winifred, in a pale pink crepe,
which Arnold had insisted on ordering
from Paris for the occasion. was sur
rounded by admirers; in fact, she was
on the straight path for becoming q
fashionable beauty state Of affairs TO
which Arnold would especially have
objected, had he not been in the frame
of mind to hail with Joy any event which
would make Winnie forget to devote
herself to that hateful conservatory.
She seemed to be enjoying herself to
the very utmost; and Arnold felt quiet
happy.
While she was standing talking to
distinguished French diplomat the
color suddenly forsook her cheeks, and
she looked as IL she was going to faint,
Arnold, who had been watching her at
little distance, was at her side in a
moment.
"My dearest Winnie, what is the
matter 2 he exclaimed.
"Oh, Arnold, the Wodchonses-how
dreadful
He looked round, but he saw no one:
heard nothing that could give him any
clew to her meaning.
Would you like to go home p he
asked.
Eyes, please"
He took her downstairs and called
for the carriage. II was not till they
were seated in it that she told him that
while abe was talking to NJ. dc Norman.