Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1884-06-05

SnauOW OF Il ncaNy curtain, Wncn he
entered the room where | was and
walked quickly across to the landing,
closing this last door after him and
locking it. Thus | found myself also
a prisoner. heard his footstcp de-
scend the stairs and then the sound
died slowly away.
For few moments stood puzzled
as TO what course should pursue. ]
knew it would be useless 10 attempt to
force the massive lock, or when morn
ing came TO try to attract the outer
world; for, rs have said, the rooms
were strongly built and situated in the
very heart of the west wing, and the
few windows which had of yore let in
the light of heaven to them had been
filled up with strong masonry. was
aroused from my thoughts by Il sob
from the occupant Of the next chamber.
Going up to the door which Stephen
had closed after him knocked and
then entered, My tap had evidently
not been heard, for found the grace
full form seated in Il chair, in I'M atti.
tudG which betokcncd despair, her
arms upon the table, her head leaning
forward and her beautiful diShcvclled
hair falling in waving folds about her.
Madam
| had walked up to her and placed
my hand upon her shoulder.
"Oh!' And she turned towards me her
pale, fearful, horrOr-strikcn face, then
shrank away in fear "Who are YOU.
Pray do not hurt me. know | am
helpless
Ii was some time before could con.
vince her that | was really Il friend
for so long had she been buried in
these rooms that her mind had be.
come almost unhingrd. and her sense
of perception bluntcd. BY degrees,
however, made her understand whc
| was, and how had come there; and
then, in answer TO my question,
CLEANED the history of her captivity.
When my brother married her she
was handsome Young girl Of eighteen
and he was ycrging ON the period OF
middle age. For three months after
their marriage he had been kind and
attentive all. in fact, that wife coult
desire of her husband. Just ut the enc
Of that time, however, he discovered
accidentally several letters, which hac
been written by her, before her mar.
riagc, to Il former lover; and for som,
days afterwards he was moody, icalou,
and strange in his conduct, One nigh
he entered her room with that fixed
frcnzicd, wicked look upon his fac,
which she had never seen there before
but which had marfcd his features il
all her interviews with him since. an,
directed her by signs to follow him, ;
mandate which in her terror She real
lily Obcycd. He conducted her to ;
gloomy chamber, lighted only by
small oil-lamp, and then left her. lock
ing the door behind HIM At intervals
for some weeks afterwards. he visitc,
her, bringing food and clothing will
him; but always coming in the night
and hearing himself in silent
changed, puculiar manner. At lengtl
he led her back again to her own suit
of apartments Chose in which ha,
discovered hcr), where during her ab
scncc all the windows had been bull
up, thus cutting off communication
with the outer world. Here he hat
visited her almost every night since
bringing her the ncCcSSarics of life
coming like an apparition and going Il
he came.
II think those foolish letters q
mine she said, in conclusion, "writ
ten before had learned to love m
husband, have turned his brain.
was warned before married him tina
he was affected by the peculiar malad
of Slecp-walking, and that when mdc
its influence he not only lost complct
control of his reason, but also SCENE
to live Il double life. When awake h
was generous, frank and good; bu
when in somnambulant state. | wa
told, he was moroSc, Jealous. wicked
in Il word, insane; and that in his wax
ing hours he had no recollection {
what took place or what he did whc
in this latter state.
Fortunately | found | had my pow
der-Ilask in my pocket, and thus wa
able TO set myself and my unfortunat
brothers wife at liberty, by cXplodin
the locks.
| took my protcgce to the rector!
where the rector, who was an old co
lcgc friend of mine, was not Il littI
} surprised to receive such visitors ut 5
early IN hour.
Before returning to Stanley Hous
| rode on the rcctor's cob to my brotl
err doctor, who lived about three milo
away, and consulted him upo
Stephens sad condition lie told N
: that he was quite aware of the facts
the case, but that he had not for
moment thought the malady couI
have been capable of working so muC
; mischief.
, He suggested that in all probabilit
crisis in the disease would now |
reached, brought about by the mcnt
shock which the discovery Of the c
, cape of the captive would give who
| next the somnambulist visited the we
: wing. The result of this crises Won
either leave him hopeless maniac ,
, completely cure him
. At the doctors request arranged
D meet him the same night at II o'clocI
a in order to watch my brothers NOV
c mcnts. | then rode back to the 70
f., tory, and from there proceeded at ont
| to Stanley House.
t After resting in my room for sho
I while, | came downstairs, and -four
$ Stephen more cheerful and genial tn;
/ usual, all unconscious, poor fellow,
Q the fate hanging over him.
Il At night my brother retired TO re
n at his usual time, and | went out in
the grounds to meet the doctor, ahO
Il an hour and n half afterwards. VIII
l | met him we proceeded to the We
i wing together, to watch the effect
G the shock of discovery upon the ?
VI tient. AS soon us we reached {
y door saw that Stephen had been /
l. fore us, for the door was aiar. Will
n heart that beat fast with my fears,
/ hurried into the house, and was abo
c to run upstairs when | STUN oled oy
y some obstacle at the bottom. I
doctor, who was following closel
q carried dark-lantcrn and its liz
d soon revealed to us the bleeding fol
Q of my unhappy brother.
IS "He is dead" the doctor said, risi
!, from his knees after making u has
Y examination of the body. "ln
d frenzy he must have dashed hims
IS down the stairs. Poor fellow '