The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-10-07
the baby close to her bosom, burst into

unusual about her. She looked
nervous and excited, and rocked her
chair very fast as she knitted her baby's
carriage blanket, dropping stitch now
and then.
whats the matter, Maggie? Aren't
you well?" he inquired, standing before
the fire and looking down at her.
"Oh, yes-perfectly we'll, she replied
with toss of her head, and dropping
two stitches.
Thompson sat down, and unfolded his
evening paper. Then his wife looked mp
with smile.
''Geing to the theater tonight"
''No; there's nothing much worth see
ing, and you know don't generally care
about it."
''Don't you, indeed? Thought you
liked Romeo and Juliet
''They had that last night. Hamlet
tonight, I believe" said Thompson,
glancing at his paper. would you like
to go?''
81 go? No, indeed!" with another toss,
and dropping three more stitches.
Thompson began to read the report of
the Queen of England's speech to the
parliament. Mrs. Thompson's speech
broke in upon it:
"Was it pleasant at the club" (deep,
sarcastic emphasis on ''club') Tuesday
night?"
"very. Some capital songs and
speeches"
"Oh, no doubt! Some very agreeable
speeches. He, he! And it was cool and
pleasant on the balcony"
"What balcony"
He was looking at her with eyes lit
tie wider than usual; and she thought
she had him now. He might pretend ig-
norance and innocence, but he could not
deceive her again. No, indeed!
What's the price of lilies?" she in
quired, fixing her eyes upon him as
though they had been pair Of skewers
| to pierce his conscience through and
| through.
''Lilies? Ireally don't know"
"Oh, the consummate hypocrite! The
| cold-blooded deceiverr' she thought.
| But she only remarked, sarcastically:
| Ice cream is good.
Thompson turned little pale as he
looked at her. She perceived this, and
gave triumphant hystericaI giggle.
Maggie, my DEAR" said Mr.. Thomp-
son, gently, laying aside his paper, and
| speaking in futtering voice.
"Oh, yes; I'm your dear, am I? Yours
! only.' of course. He, he! Oh, myl He,
he, her
Thompson was white now. He sat for
a moment looking 1ntently at his wife,
then started up and seized his hat and
gloves.
Where are you going?" inquired
Mrs. Thompson, with sudden forced
calmness, while her eyes glittered omin-
ously.
"Only-a -ah-only to step out on little
business matter" he replied
Then he slipped into the nursery,
where the maid was.
Mary" he said, breathlessly, 'go
down stairs and stay with your mistress.
Don't leave her for an instant until my
return. If possible, get her to bed.
She's i'll, and I'm going for doctor"
Mary obeyed. She found her mistress
in the pantry, frantically attiring her
self in an ulster and poke-bonnet with
a veil.
"Lor's ma'amm said Mary, "whereso-
ever are you going this evening by your
| self?"
/ ''Go up stairs and stay with the chill.
drenp' said Mrs. Thompson, i'm.
periously. ST have a little errand to at
tend to-"
"Oh, num-" cried the distressed
Mary, shadn't you better stay in and
lie down, mum, until you get over it?''
"Get over what?' said Mrs. Thomp.
son sharply. as she buttoned up the
ulster on the way to the door.
"Master said you was undisposed,
mum, and that was to watch you and
get you to bed, and that he'd gone for 9
DOCTOR
"Gone for doctor! Oh, the deceitfnl
villain Thought Mrs. Thompson
as she placed her hand on the hall-dool
knob.
But the door was locked and the key
was gone.
"This is too much-too much" she
cried. He knew that I had found it ali
out, and would follow him. And to be
locked up in my own house, and have
my own servants watch over me! I'll
never submit to it--neverl I'll go home
to my darling mother, and never, never
leave her again.
The thought came like an inspiration
and she at once proceeded to act
upon it.
I When Thompson returned, in about
ten minutes, with the family physician
he was met in the hall by the bewildered
Mary. Her mistress was at the top Of
the stairs, looking down upon them and
listening.
"Oh. sir, missus is in stitch a way!
She's picking up all her things and go.
ing to run away, and carry the pre- cious
children along with her.
ST told you SO, doctor, said Thomp
son, with look of agony. "She's en-.
tirely out of her mind. Can nothing be
done for her?'
s'Before see your wife," said the
doctor, deliberately, describe to me al
well as you can how this sudden attack
came on. Have you observed any
symptoms before this evening""
"Never."
.'Has anything occurred during the
day to excite or effect herr"
mot that I know of. At breakfast she
was as well as usual, except-Ah, stay
she was little worried by my not being
able to supply her at once with money
for Spring bonnet and dress.
.Ahr' said the doctor, knowingly
"T 10 such cases in the Midland asylum
Anything else?"
Nothing, except-Yes, there was &
little vexation about letter"
"A letter." said the doctor, looking
interested.
Nothing of importance. I happened
to receive letter, which upon opening
discovered to be intended for quite an