The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-03-13

basket, ner DOCKS, knitting, or sketch
book, her cushions and footstool. J
'.The doctor. said [ must be in the
open air as much as possible, y she told
Fred one day, land as no one seems to
care much for this summer-house, I
have appropriated it. Sometimes 1
have visitors,' and her face saddened,
''the poor patients here, you know,
but they DO not like the quiet. and soon
leave me to myself
She never classed herself with her
companions, Fred noticed, often speak"
ing pityingly of those more heavily af-
fiicted. But this phase of mental de-
fusion was very common. " snsisis.
/ But Fred had not, when July closed,
found out the delusion of the sweet
little girl he called ''Miss Bessie"
She had gained perfect health in the
two months of quiet and open air; but
while her eyes had lost their weary ex-
preston, they never stared or wan
dercd, but were always steadily tram
quill, or lighted only by the animation
natural to interesting conversation.
In these two months Fred had scarce
| ly seen DR.. Atkinson. His superior in
office, DR.. Hare, had gone away for
being added to the building. With
the entire care of the house and the
patients, the direction of the workmen,
the work of selecting furniture, carpets
and other necessaries for the new
building, the resident physician had
scarcely moment to call his own,
and Fred frequently did not see him
at all during his visit. ;s
4 TIL hot Il
ly woke to the appalling conviction
that he was deeply in love with the in
mate of lunatic asylum.
He had deruded himself with the
thought that it was pity, professional
interest, even curiosity, that drew him
again and again to the summer-house,
where he was sure to meet warm, if
shy welcome, and where the hours
flew by in utter content.
But SO simple matter as the read
ing of q poem had opened his eyes to
the truth. 'Ht@
It had become quite common thing
for him to read scraps of newspaper in
telligence, little bits from one of the
I books on the table, or selection from
favorite work he brought with him,
while Bessie sewed or knitted and
listened to him. =s4 s
And on this particular July day he
had read a little love-poem nestled in
the corner of u newspaper. 1t was not
a wonderful production of genius, but
it was pretty and tender. s-'
Looking up, Fred saw a pair of
blushing cheeks, downcast eyes, tremb-
ling fingers, and his heart stood still.
He read the truth in flash. He
loved the lovely girl before him, and
she-alas! she returned his love.
His first feeling was one of keen self
reproach. What if he had added to
the mental intirmity that had caused
this beautiful young creature to be
sent to an asylum?
Would she forget him, or-dreadfpl
possibility!-would the whole reason
give way if he deserted her?
He scarcely knew how he reached
home; but once there he sat down and
looked the situation squarely in the
face.
His own share of the affliction he put
aside for the present
He was a man, and he could bear his
trouble manfully. That he loved,
where his love must die, was, in q
great measure, his own fault and folly;
but that he had won a pure sweet heart,
only to wound it, caused him bitter
pain and regret.
Long meditation brought him to one
resolution: He must see DR.. Atkinson,
make clear confession, and have his
opinion of the danger to be anticipated.
He knows where the weakness l
have to discover lies," Fred thought,
land he can tell me whether it is safest
to break off my. visits suddenly or
gradually"
1t was not an easy matter to catch
DR.. Atkinson, OF, having caught him,
to secure his attention, but something
in Fred's troubled face aroused his
friends anxiety, and he turned his
back for the time upon his manifold
duties and shut himself in his private
Office with Fred.
At first he listened gravely enough,
but as Fred proceeded his face became
more and more amused, until, to the
CONSERVATION of the penitent speaker,
he throw himself back in his chair, and
broke into roar of laughter.
"Oh," Fred said, sit is funny, is it?
DO not see it in that light. Even if
this poor girl is insane"
''Stopn' interrupted his friend; ''don' t
get angry, my dear fellow. You really
love her, you say?"
But Fred was too angry to answer.
s'And she loves you-at least, yor
think so-and you want to know if il
is a durable case, and - Well,
will not torment you any more. Youl
cnarmer, Fred, is not q patient, nor, az
far as l know, u lunatic."
Fred gave a long sigh, but only
looked his eager questions.
''She is my sister, Bessie Atkinson
who has had a long winter of illness
from typhoid fever, and is paying mi
visit | thought she was quite safe
from intrusion in that summer-house
as the attendants have orders to keel
the patients away from there, and
did not think of you. But since yol
have been prowling around so long
perhaps you had better come now ant
be introduced in form"
Zone moment, Will. | have been s
puppy, it seems. in taking her love fol
granted; but if have won it?'
IL am her eldest brother, and he
father died years ago. | am quite sur
that what | approve, my mother will
sanction, and you must know nothin!
, could please me better than to know
Bessie has lover | esteem so highl,
as do your
''And-you will not tell her-wil
you, my awful mistakeP'
Il can't promise, I'll try to keel
the secret. but and the doctor roaret
again, 1.-The idea of Bess as ragin;
'lnnatic! Well, there. l won't tell her
f at all events, until you have told he
something far more interesting.
} And he kept his word SO Loyalty tina
, Bessie Atkinson had been Bessie ReaC
more than year before she knew tha
| her husband had ever considered he
, an interesting patient in lunatic asy
t lum.
Senator Colquitt, of Georgia, is hall
and hearty man, and has many per