River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-30
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER Nv.

pulse was to tea, % shreds the net
work Of deceit. to Gesy the malign in
fuence which poisoned at least two
lives. to vindicate triumphantly. melo-
dramatically. the prosecuted girl to
whom l felt that my protection,
my love. were i-eyocably plight
ed. That sad face, whose beauty
seemed mysteriously enhanced by the
paIlor Ofcare. prompted me to an in
Simultaneous aud bold defiance of our
enemies. But a stronger power than
the impulse Of a snowy pseudo-chivalry
checked me To show NY hand would
be to secure my instant dismissal-tO
put me i'm "a position which the world
would see only To nv disadvantage.
Even if ! succeeded in proving what
knew. I'm sub>tautiating what | sus-
pected. how could | safeguard that
tilBli and shrinking Young life into
which. as I suspected, the iron of
systematic tyranny ana wrong had too
fully entered already? If my worst
suS. iri0.l- were right. at what would
thrs stop 20 injure me. to silence her?
If were, wrong. on what ground could
I ever home for favor or recognition at
the hands of her lawful guardians?
TEe-t thoughts. or rather this process
OF Thought Kept me fortunately silent.
Mary went slowly away with bent
head The Basili>k stood with a
curious smile eyeing her | stood
spelcEie~s. \ Mary reached the door
she turned. and looked at me. There
was v.Iiful. baSceching look in her
eve which minute before would have
jeoparJi~ed everything. The rapid
cour-e of Thought had nad time to
curb iIa-uiSe. 1ad that look, which l
treasured far .grr. only stceled me to
play tile part ] rero-nised as necessary
To Ter -ai.-t. t. uy dearest hopes.
A. Nrre Earte~cue disappeared, the
silence 0a- broken by laugh from
NI-- E.a ioy.
zion have talent for getting into
Straa-, places, She said. do you
know where YOU arc2
..Iu the garden. I presume l re-
piled. aSsumiuga certain stiffness, as If
in resentment If her merriment-
.P.uwi.z J.. % careless, she went on.
u suppose he let vuu into the study
Il cannot see what the objection to
nv presence i'm the stsdy can be,
said .Dr Plowitz seemed to find my
company helpful, even IN the study"
..pluwitz Is such a S1ciahle creature
~ father thinks it sacred ground. and
It j. really wrong Of PIowitz to 20
against his wishes
i know nothing about it, / said
,hortiv. Il am not In "a position to
exercise much discretion Is to where |
-.
Il know it. she said. suddenly as
Stunning her tenderc-t tone; Il know it.
Forgive me. Let Us get back to the
house"
Saving this She put her arm through
mine. and, locking her hands together,
led me back through the house into the
drgwiug-room.
She sat beside me on a low, large
sofa. and presently came round to the
subject which was certainly uppermost
in my mind
Mr.. Coplcstone." she said, there
are some things one doesn't talk about
even to very intimate friends, but with
you've make an exception. You
re deeply shocked. | know, with
what Won heard aiout MJry's mental
state You resented it, l think.
She smiled little here, and Just
touc cd my hand why. | do not
know. but I think YOU will see now
that we. who have known her all her
lie. were riglt-that YOU, who have
taught her music a few weeks. were
wrong
Thi- was staggering. Tone, look.
gestUle-all were perfect; but, I'M
fortunately for her theory. Mary Fortes-
cue was right. could see everything.
1T Is shocking / said rather hest
tatiuylv. Ito find oneself for the irsy
time face 20 face with insanity, especial
u in the case Of an apparently bright
Intellect with which one has been
Hraa-Ir iut0 close relations such as
ours were,
Il would sav nothing more about it, "
she went on IN a low. melodious voice,
.aEiur into the fire. .'but that poor
#rtr Marx gets such strange notions
N.taatA AfN INV q meat u "a cOAAAC
e chem. She has faucies of a girl
11ai If wealth. her father was very
.aar. really. She inagines all sorts Of
things about eon>traiut being put upon
her here. She i perfectly free. except
Saeu her health compels me 10 exercise
little authority, Is it does now.
Poor PioWirz. Who l. such a good man,
i indefinitely concerned about il, as
you may imagine.
Il, ~ho fond If Plowitz?" | asked.
with sense Of hL>kinc>s l tried in
vain TO overcome.
..Oh. ra>>ionateIv devoted 10 him.
said she. looking NJ me with sparkling
ewes Il sometimes think that his
prolonged absences have had something
% 10 with infringing her mind. She
: cir. If deep feelings. She does
not show thFu uIch. bat they are very,
very ~troug- r F.9Witz professional
occupations prevent him being here
often. a- .u,- when he i away.
..Pnor I Said. lot showing
Bt l.- -all-cbeme in his head,
she -Es- -II., aunt aud cousins live
.er iErea..-. aad W- are tuaSiug 81
~guas- s.r If s.a-m, where She can be
much uere 81 liz society ii TIMES
Ia5- t.irLy ~ia--argi me- Ny face
must hse -haya m, le#tfg>.
..luH -.,.- ~.-as-,.v affected. - said
she critically
II Shall .a-. ms Fr".
..1ou cau smother
"A man rs mv erH, lion does not