Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-02-03

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE LADY OF LINTON.
BY WALTER MORGAN.
CHAPTER XII.

49,
strange scene she had interrupted, devoted
her energies, with her usual good nature, t.
the task of restoring her friend to her ordlna
~ frame of body and mind; but though
Miriam, after little while, came in meas
ure to herself, she appeared so strange ant
disturbed, and spoke in such wandering
way, that Lady Hungerford arrived at th'
conclusion that some sudden shock had affect
ed her reason. Thinking it best to try ane
draw her attention to commonplace subjects
as the hest means of restoring her mind to it
usual level, she affected to ignore anything re
markable in the situation, and began to speak
of a dinner party which she was contempla
ting giving within few days.
81 came to discuss the matter with you, my
dear, because I'll need your assistance in va
rious ways" she said vigorously plying 6
large fan, with which she generally went
armed, because" as she said, "she always
liked plenty of air.
"You see there'll be such quantities of in
vitations to write. III have to ask the whole
parish, as it's in compliment to the minister
You write such a beautiful hand, and
thought you might do half"
"Yes-Oh, yes" replied Miriam, vaguely
not looking as though she comprehended what
had been said to her.
"And l want you to be with me to receive
them when they come. | haven't decided
vet. whether it shall be Wednesday or Thurs
day; of next week, Imean, of course"
Miriam gave no reply. She sat with her
hands casped in her lap, and her gaze fixed
upon the floor.
(which shall it be? What day do you
think would be best! pursued Lady Hun
gerford
"Day? Oh, any day. Ny day Of doom,
it should be" muttered Miriam, wildly. La
dy Hungerford jumped up and walked ner.
vously to window.
This is dreadful" she murmured to her
self. "She is certainly crazy, and I'm afraid
of crazy people. Why didut Mr. Hope stay
to help me, wonder9 And what shall | do
with her? 1t seems inhuman to leave her in
this way with the servants. Where's that
maid of hers gone? III ring and make her
stay here, the lazy thing"
She pulled the bell and servant appear
Ell. "Send Lady Hepburn's woman back
here to me-" she ordered sharply. The maid,
a meek, inefficient creature, was not unwilling
to reuder any necessary service, but was quite
as ignorant as Lady Hungerford what to do
under the circumstances. 1t was plain that
Miriam was not at all herself, and her disor
der seemed to increase as the evening wore
on. 1t was now very late. Lady Hunger.
ford, consulting her watch, found that it was
time for her to be at home but she could
not reconcile it to her conscience to 60 and
leave her friend. She 6dgeted, walked about
impatiently, and finally exclaimed
81 tell you what, Lady Hepburn, I think
you are looking quite i'll tonight, and if
you'll take my advice you'll send for the doc
tor. Isn't DR.. Purdie your physician ??
physician What physician can heal the
soul ?" asked Miriam, with startling empha
sis. "Find me one, and I'll give him all my
lands and money for his fee. Don't talk to
me of physicians. There is not one living
who can do me any good."
"Oh dear this is very sad," sighed Lady
Hungerford. Then she bethought herself of
fresh proposal
"If you have any secret trouble, my dear
anything that you would like to talk to cler-
gyman about-why not send for Mr.. Hope? =?
| dare say he only went off because he fam
cied himself in the way
A look of despair came over Miriam's
face. Don't speak his name" she brokenly
replied. Don't speak his name! Oh misery
and ruin, why involve the good and pure p
Lady Hungerford was more and more mys
tilted, but that something very serious was the
matter, she was firmly convinced, and she
was equally convinced that her friend was in
no condition to be left without some responsi
BILE person to attend to her. She went out
and desired her coachman to drive to DR..
Purdies and briug him Immediately to the
Towers, and on her return to the parlor an
nounced to Lady Hepburn her intention of
remaining with her all night. TO this Miriam
made no reply. She had now risen from the
sofa and was walking in an agitated manner
about the room, talking incoherently to her
SELL Her cheeks burned with vivid crimson.
Her eyes glittered with an unnatural light.
She appeared unconscious of the presence OF
any one, but would now and then stop and
gaze fxedly, as though she saw some object
which riveted her attention, then distractedly
resume her walk. Her air and gestures had
all the appearance Of insanity and by the
time DR.. Purdie arrived, she was in raging
fever.
A terrible night ensued. For some hours
she resisted all attempts to induce her to 60
to bed, and the physician was unwilling to
use force; but becoming exhausted towards
morning she consented to have her dress re-
moved and to lie down. Indeed, passive
attitude had become matter of necessity,
since her trembling and fevered limbs refused
longer to bear her weight Groaning and
hel pless, she lay tossing on her couch, pitia-
BILE object, consumed by torture which
seemed ever present to her confused mind
but the depth of which those who watched
her were far from being able to fathom. The
doctor thought her case very serious, and
spoke of a consultation on the following day
as there danger, do you think % asked
Lady Hungerford
Undoubtedly, your ladyship. have sci
dom seen more severe case Of brain fever
NV patient is evidently suffering under some
violent mental pressure, which has brough
her to this condition. Are you All intimate
friend of Lady Hepburp's?" he added, with
an nquisitive G lance.
"Yes, but don't know any more than yo'
do what has been the cause of her illness,
replied Lady Hungerford. She might hav'
added that the worthy doctors curiosity wa
fully equalled, if not surpassed, by her own
At DR.. Purdie's suggestion, an experienced
sick nurse was teegraphed for, and arrived
the next afternoon from London. Lad.
Hungerford was thus enabled to resi- gn he
charge, and return to her own home He
first care was to rest, which she did for twev
consecutive hours, and her next to pay visit