The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-04

the work of selecting furniture, carpets
and other necessaries for the new
building, the resident physician had
scarcely a moment TO call his own,
and Fred frequently did not see him
at all during his visit
1t was in July that DR.. Read sudden
ly woke to the appalling conviction
that he was deeply in love with the in
mate of a lunatic asylum.
He had deluded himself with the
thought that it was pity, professional
interest, even curiosity, that drew him
again and again to the sllmmer-house,
1 where he was sure to meet warm, if
I shy welcome. and where the hours
i flew by in utter content.
But so simple a matter as the read
ing Of a poem had opened his eyes to
the truth.
1t had become quite a common thing
/ for him to read scraps of newspaper in
telligence, little bits from one of the
books on the table, or selection from
a 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 loYe-poem nestled in
the corner of a newspaper. 1t was not
a wonderful production of genius, but
it was pretty and tender.
Looking up, Fred saw a pair of
blushing checks, downcast eyes, tremb-
ling fingers, and his heart stood still
He read the truth in a flash. He
loved the lovely girl before him, and
she-alasi 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 beautiful young creature to be
sent to an asylum
Would she forget him. or-dreadful
possibilityi---woIild the whole reason
give way if he deserted herP
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 man, and he could bear his
trouble manfully. That he loved,
where his love must die, was, in
great measure, his own fault and folly;
but that he had won pure sweet heart,
only to weuad 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 I
have to discover lies, - Fred thought,
''and he can tell me whether it is safest
to break off my visits suddenly or
gradually. !"
1t was not an easy matter to catch
DIR. Atkinson, OF, having caught him,
10 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 AMI shut himself in his private
cflice 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 laughter
'.Oh,'' Fred said, lit is funny, is ftp |
/ do not see il in that light. Even if |
this poor girl is insane
''Stopr' Interrupted his friend; ''don't
get angry, nv dear fellow. You really
love her, you say?o
But Fred was too angry to answer.
s.And she loves you-at least, YOU
think so-and you want to know il II
is a durable case, and --- Well,
will not torment you any more. Your
charmer, Fred, is not patient, nor, as
FAR as know, a lunatic"
Fred gave 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 me
q visit. thought she was quite safe
from intrusion in that summer-house,
rs the attendants have orders to keep
he patients away from there, and
lid not think of you But since you
nave been providing around so long,
perhaps you had better come now and
30 introduced ia form.
zone moment, Will. have been a
puppy, it seems. in taking her love for
but if / have won it?''
Il am her eldest brother, and her
ather died years ago. am quite sure
hat what | approve, my mother will
anction, and you rnnst know nothing
.ould please me better than to know
Bessie has lover esteem so highly
IS do your
'.And-you will not tell her-will
-ou, my awful mistaken
Il can't promise. I'll try to keep
he secret, but" and the doctor roared
gain, ''the idea of Bess as raging
unatic! Well, there. won't tell her.
t all events, until you have told her
omething far more interesting
And he kept his word SO Loyalty that
Bessie Atkinson had been Bessie Read
nore than year before she knew that
er husband had ever considered her
n interesting patient in lunatic asy-
am.