Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-29

little moment, but for my part should not
choose one who possessed them for friead
without due trial and searching proof.
At this time the English public were much
interested in an important will case which
was now being tried. The reversion to q
vast sum Of money depended upon the tesla
tors sanity or insanity. Like most other
people, We duly discussed the matter.
suppose, from some OF my remarks my
companion understood that ! was a doctor.
He asked me Q good many technical Ques-
tons, and l described several curious cases
of mania which had come under my no ice.
He seemed greatly interested in the subject
"You must sometimes find it hard to say
where sanity ends and insanity begins," hs
said, thoughtfully.
"Yes. The boundary line Is in some In
stances hard to define To give in such q
dubious case an opinion which would satisfy
myself should want to have known the pa-
tient at the time he was considered quite
sane"
ITO mark the differencer'
Exactly. And to know the bent Of the
character. For instance, there is q friend
of mine. He was perfectly sane when Last
/ saw him, but for all know he may have
made great progress the other way in the
interval"
4uou, WlluOut IucuUlOuANS udIuc1S OnleS OF
places, described Carriston's peculiar dis
position to my intelligent listener. He heard
me with rapt interest
"You predict he will 60 madF he said
Certainly not Unless anything unfore.
seen arises he will probably live and die as
sane as you or l."
why did you fear for him, thenF'
"For this reason: I think that any sud-
den emotion-violent grief, for instance
any unexpected AMI crushing blow, mi hit
at once disturb the balance Of his mind Let
his life run on in an even groove, and all
will be well with him."
My companion was silent for . few mo-
ments.
ibid you mention your friends nameF" he
asked
1 laughed. doctors never give names
when they quote cases"
At the next station my companion left the
train. He babe me a polite adieu. and
thanked me fer the pleasure my conversaJ.o on
had given him. After wondering what sta
ton in life be occupied dismissed him from
my mind, as one VINO had crossed my path
for short time and would probably never
cross it again
Although did not see Charles Carriston
| Ireceived several letters from him during
| the course of the year. He hal not forgot
ten our undertaking to pass my next holiday
| together. Early in the autumn, Just as l
was beginning to long with a passionate
longing for open air and blu, skies, letter
came from Carriston. He was now, he said.
roughing it in the Western Highlands He
reminded ME of last years promis, Could
| l get away from work now7 Would I Join
hint If | did not care 70 visit Scotland,
would 1 suggest some other place where he
could join me? Still, the scenery by wnich
he was now surrounded was superb, AMI
the accommodation he had secured, if not
luxuf. Gus, fairy comfortable. He thought
we could not do better. A postscript to his
letter asked me to address him as Cscil
Carr, not Charles Carriston. He had q rea-
son for changing his name-a foolish reason,
should no doubt call it, When we met he
would let me know it
This letter at once decided me to accept
his invitation. In weeks time my ar
rangements for leave of alb ence were COM
plete, and was speeding northwari in the
highest spirits, and well equipped with
everything necessary for my favcrite hoi-
day pursuit. l looked forward with the
greatest pleasure to again meeting Carris-
ton. found him at Cal lendar waiting for
me. The coach did not follow the route we
were obliged to take in order to reach the
somewhat unfreqentsd part of the country
In which our tent was pitched, so my friend
had secured the services Of a primitive
vehicle and strong, shaggy pony to bear
ne the remainder of the journey.
So soon as our first hearty greetings were
over, l proceeded to as certain how the last
year had treated Carriston. / was both
delighted and astonished at the great change
for the better which had taken place in his
manner no less than his appearance. He
| looked far rObnCf. ho caor,aI hap
brighter-altogether more like ordinary hui
manity. Not only rad he greeted me with
almost boisterous gee, but during our drive
through the wonderful scenery he was in
the gayest spirits and full of fun and anec-
dote. l congratulated him heartily upon
the marked Improvement in his health both
mentally and physically.
"Yes, l am much better, he said. II fol-
lowed part of your advice-gave up mop
ing, tried constant change of scene, inter-
ested myself in many more things. l am
quite different man"
No superna ural visitatonsf' l asked,
anxious to learn that his cure in that direc-
ton was complete.
His face fell He hestatei a second b.
fore answering
"No-not now" he said. thought against
the strange feeling, and believe have got rid
OF it-at least hope So"
said no more on the subject. Carriston
plunged into series of vivid and mimetic
descriptions of the varieties of Scotch char
acter which he had met with during his
stay. he depicted his experiences so anus
ingly that l laughed heartily for many q
mile.
But why the change in your namer' l
asked. when he paused for a moment In his
merry talk.
He blushed, and looked rather ashamed
Il scarcely like to tell you; you will think
my reason so absurdn
Never mind. don't judge you by the
ordinary standard"
well, the fact is, nv cousin is also in
Scotland. / feared if gave nv true name
| At the hotel at which / stayed on nv way
here he might by chance see it, and look me
up in these wild regions"
well. and what if be didf'
II can't tell you. I hate to know l feel
like it. But have always, PERHAPS without
cause, been afraid of him-and this place is
horribly lonely"
NOW that understood the manning of his
words | thought the boy must be joking; but
the grave look on his face showed he was
never farther from merriment
why, Carriston," cried, ssyou are norzi-
lively ridiculous about your cousin. You
can't think the man wants to murder Won
Il don't know what think. am saving
things to you which ought not to say; but
every time meet him feel he hates me.
and wishes me out Of the world"
I