Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-07-24
He had deluded himself with the thought

lie had deluded himself with the tnOugnC
that it was pity, professional interest, even
curiosity, that drew him again and again
to the summer-house, where he was sure to
meet a warm if shy welcome, and where
the hours flew by in utter content.
But so simple matter as the reading of
a poem had opened his eyes to the truth.
It had become quite common thing for
him to read scraps ofneWspaper intelligence,
little bits from one of the books on the table,
or a selection from favOrite work he
brought with him, while Bessie seWed or
knitted and listened to him.
And on this particular July day he had
read little love-poem nestled in the cor
ner of a newspaper. 1t was not a wonder
full production of genius, but it was pretty
and tender.
Looking up, Fred saw pair of blushing si
cheeks, downcast eyes, trembling fingers,
and his heart stood still.
He read the truth in flash. He loved
the lovely cir! nefore 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 infirmity that had caused this beau
tiful young creature to be sent to an asy-
lum?
Would she forget him, ,or-dreadful posi-
bility! would the whole reason give way
II ne QeSerteQ ner!
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 affiiction he put
aside for the present.
He was man, and he could bear his trou-
BILE manfully. That he loved, where his
love must die, was, in 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 res
olution: He must see DR.. Atkinson make
clear confession and have his opinion of the
danger to be anticipated.
ssHe knows where the weakness I have
to discover lies" Fred thought, ''and he
can tell me whether it is safest to break off
my visits suddenly or gradually"
It was not an easy matter to catch DIR. At
kinson, or, having caught him, to secure
hisattention, out something in Fred's trou-
bled face aroused his friends anxiety, and
he turned his back for the time upon his
manifold duties and shut himself in his pri-
vate 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 threw himself back
in his chair, and broke into roar of laugh
ter.
''Oh," Fred said, "it is funny is it ? do
not see it in that light. Even if this poor
girl is insane -"
"Stop !" interrupted his friend "don't
get angry, my dear fellow. You really love
her, you say"
But Fred was too angry to answer.
"And she loves you-at least, you think
so-and you want to know if it is durable
case, and-Well, will not torment you any
more. Your charmer, Fred, is not a patient,
nor, as far as I know, a lunatic. "
Fred gave long sigh, but only looked his
eager questions.
"She is my sister, Bessie Atkinson, who
has had long winter of illness from ty-
phoid fever, and is paying me visit. [
thought she was quite safe from intrusion
in that summer-house, as the attendants
have orders to keep the patients away from
you have been prowling around so long,
perhaps you had better come now and be
introduced in FORM"
zone moment, viii. I have been pup
py, it seems, in taking her love for granted; !;
but if have won it?"
''I am her eldest brother, and her father
died years ago. I am quite sure that what
/ approve, my mother will sanction, and
you must know nothing could please me
better than to know Bessie has lover 1 es-
TEEN so highly as do you ~
"And you will not tell her-will you, my
awful mistake ?"
"I can't promise. I'll try to keep the Sc
cret, but" and the doctor roared again,
"The idea ofBess as raging lunatic! Well,
there, won't tell her, at all events, until
you have told her something far more inter-
esting."
And he kept his word so Loyalty that Bes-
sic Atkinson had been Bessie Read more
than year before she knew that her hus-
band had ever considered heran interesting
patient in lunatic asylum.