The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-12-24
CALLED BACK.
A wen-Told Story Of Continuous
and Absorbing Interest.
BY HUGH CONWAY
CHAPTER VIII.
CALLED BACK.


Iwrite this chapter with great re-
luctanco- II 1 could make my tale
connected and complete without it, /
should prefer to say nothing about the
events it records. If some Of my expe-
riences have been strange ones, all save
these can be explained; but these never
will, never can be explained to my salts
faction.
Pauline awoke, and, as Isaw her eyes,
4 shuddered as il a freezing wind had
passed over me. 1t was not madness
saw in them, neither was It sense. They
were dilated TO the utmost extent; they
were fixed and immovable, yet knew
they saw absolutely nothing; that their
nerves conveyed no impression to the
brain. All my wild hopes that reason
would return at the expiration OF her
fainting fit. were at an end. 1t was
clear that she had passed into state
far more pitiable than her former one.
spoke to her called her by name;
but she took no notice Of my words.
She seemed 10 be unaware OF my pres
,ence. She looked ever, with strange
fixed eyes in one direction.
Suddenly she rose, and, before Icould
interpose TO prevent her, passed out OF
the room. l followed her. She went
swiftly down the stairs, and | saw she
was making for the front door. Her
hand was on the latch when | came up
to her and again called her by name;
entreaing, even commanding her to
return. No sound of my voice seemed
TO reach her ears. In her critical state,
for so felt it TO be, / shrank from re-
straining her by force, thinking it would
be better TO leave her free to go ss she
listed; Of course accompanying her 20
guard her against evil.
l caught up my hat and large cloak,
both of which were hanging in the hall;
the latter l wrapped around her as she
walked, and managed to draw the hood
over her head. She made no resistance
TO this, but she let me do it without q
word 10 show that she noticed the action.
Then, with me at her side, she walked
straight on.
She went at swift but uniform pace,
as one who had certain destination in
Wow. She turned her eyes neither Ia
the left nor to the right-neither Mp MOI
down. Not once during that walk did see
them move, not once did | see an eyelid
quiyer. Although my sleeve was touch
ing hers, / am certain she had nc
thought or knowledge Of my presence.
made no further attempt to check
her progress. She was not wandering
about in an aimless manner. Some.
thing, knew not what, was guiding OF
impelling her steps 10 some set purpose.
Something in her disordcred brain wa:
arging her to reach some spot as quickly
~ possible. / dreaded the conse
quenocs Of restraining her from 80 do
ing. Even If it was but an exaggerated
case Of sleep-walking ltwould be unwis,
TO wake her. Far better to follow hel
until the fit ended
She passed out Of Walpole street, and
without moments hesitation, turned
at right angles and went along the
straight broad road. Along this road
for moro than half mile she led me,
then, turning sharply round, walked
half way through another street; ther
she stopped before house.
AN ordinary three-story house Of the
usual London type. A house differing
very little from my own and thousands
of others, except that, by the light o.
the street lamp, | could SEQ II looked
III cared for and neglected. The win,
dow-panes were dusty, and in one Of
them was bill stating that this dc
sirable residence was to let, furnished
Imarveled as TO what strange freak
OF mind could have led Pauline TO thi'
untenanted house. Had any ono she
had known In former days lived herel
IL SO, 1t was, perhaps, hopeful sigr
That some awakened memory had In
duoed her 10 direct her unwitting steps
70 q place associated with her earlier
days. Very anxioas, and even much
excited, 1 waited to see what course she
would now take.
She went straight up TO the door ant
laid her hand upon II, as though she
expected Il would yield TO her touch
Then, for the first time, she seemed tc
3 hesitate and grow tronbled. / f3
'Paaline, dearest" I said, '1et us gt