The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-05

But to show apprehension would have
been fatal, so faced him boldly and ex
claimed "HelIo, Matthew'S what are you
doing here? Why are you not in the
airing grounds with the OthersY"
He turned wild and flashing eye up
on me, and glared like wild beast Then
he howled out, rather than said: "Let
me out of thisp'
"What do you meang replied, re-
solving, if possible, to gain time, and
trusting that an orderly might pass and
relieve me from the terrible dilemma in
| which / stood.
LET me outP' ne repeated. 81 have
been too long in this vile place. ] want
to rejOin my regiment, to see my poor
old mother and Mary, my sweetheart.
Why am here? | am not mad like
the others. God knows that, so do you
But if am kept much longer | shall be
stark-staring mad. Let me out, sayw
He was now boiling over with frenzy.
Still | kept my ground. Matthews" !
said. IL know that you are not mad, so
listen a moment. How can get you
out? | am not the head doct tor can't
act without his orders Your removal
has been recommended by him. I'll go
and consult him now"
No, you won't, indeed"
"Well, | can't release you. 1t would
be as much as my commission is worth
to eonnive at your escape. / should be
tried by cOurt-martial and cashiered, if
not worse. That you must be aware oil"
"Thats no matter to me. Pli make
you See this p He opened the loose
gray pea. jacket he wore, and, to my hor-
ror, took from within it round paving.
stone of some pounds in weight, such as
the courtyard of the building was paved
with. How he had managed to obtain
and to secrete it was another mystery.
A cold perspiratiOn broke out upon
me. My life seemed to be hanging by the
slenderest of threads. had no means of
defense. The rules prevented my taking
walking stick and man to man the maniac
was taller and stronger than l.
The soldier raised the stone in his uplift
ed hands and held il over my head, which
was protected only by my regulation for
age cap. expected every instant that
should be crushed beneath il, but still the
man seemed irresolute to strike. Then,
while, Damocles-Ike the missile hung
above me, sudden idea flashed across
my mind: What if / try to dodge himw
Put down that stonel" | cried out.
"Let me out, then p he answered.
Put down that stone, and | will. But
first declare that you will tell no one
who did it or how it was DONE"
doctor, | swearp Ana then, to my in
applicable relief, he lowered his raised
hands.
looked round once again, really to
spy if any official was in sight; but in
such a sly, covert way as to make Mat
thews believe that feared an eavesdrop-
per-
do you know the locality outside the
barracks"
eyes. / was stationed here some years
ago with my regiment"
"Well, the door" (pointing to one
which was close to us)"leads down a very
short passage to another exit opening on
to the Denes."
He was now all ears-every nerve
strained TO hear what | had to tell him.
Here, take this key" | put into his
stretchedo hand one that | happened
to have in my pocket; forget to what IL
belonged, but knew that it would fit no
lock inside the asylum. He grasped it
eagerly, and at the same time dashed the
paving-stOne on the floor.
"What then, sir?' he asked, in less ex-
cited tones.
"This. With my pass.key shall let
you int the passage. Crepe your way
for a yard or two Down, feel for the lock
of the outer door, open it with this key
and-escape."
"You will tell no one that / am gone
take no steps to have me caught? Re
member this: If am brought back I'll
murder you"
Matthews! if you escape by the
method | have pointed out no one shall
know it,
You are the soldiers friend?' be re-
piled. 'Let me shake hands with you,
sir"
did not feel happy when found my
palm wrung within his, but | quickly
opened the door alluded to, and without
the least shadow of suspicion he entered
Immediately. Onoe he was fairy in, /
pulled j: 70 with bang which shook the
very walls. BE was inclosed in bath.
room.
The strain of excitement over, reaction
came on. / felt sick and faint, and knew
no more until / saw one of the officials
and my servant stepping over me. The
former, going his rounds, had found me
| lying on the floor; and as soon as came to
my senses told them what had happened
and steps we're taken to have Matthews so
watched that in future paving stones
would never again be in his possession.
took care also never again to perambulate
Che asylum without my orderly escort.
Leg Music and Heart Music.