Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-24

Till hope has fed, amend too late.
~. II. KNrtz.
THE BASIL1SK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER XIV.
APRooF OF INSANITY.
Aweek went by, and no Mary For
tescue appeared. The daily reports of
her health were anything but alarming,
yet, as her absence continued, ] grew
seriously anxious, and imagined that
all kinds of pressure were being
brought to bear upon her to bend her
to the suit of the odious Plowitz.
He bore her absence with perfect
equanimity, and was always gay and
entertaining. The proposed transfer
of my care as instructor to Miss Beau
toy took effect, inasmuch as she regu-
larry called upon me for lessons. But
little instruction was done, In fact I
was not competent to teach her. The
absence of her cousin had great effect
on her manner. She was soft, and
gentle, and fascinating, and it was
only by continual remembrance of tie
other side of her character-of the
strange and compromising sig hts which
1had witnessed. of the monstrous asper-
sion of Mary Fortescue's sanity, and
her cruel indifference to the happiness
Of q defenseless girl-that was bile
to steel myself against the temptation
of falling into the vein Of almost ten
derness which she had adopted, and
compromising my future useful
ness to the sweet girl whose lot was
cast in such hard places. Any pointed
reference to Mary always brought out
the hateful side of Miss Beaufoy's char
acter. The curt and harsher tone
would have shown how distasteful the
subject was, but she did not know that
could also see how the imperial lowell
ness of a gracious woman changed
into cruel ferceness and scorn at the
mention of her coasin's name, especial
ly when one evening turned to the
subject of Mary's supposed mental de-
lusions, and strenuously opposed the
idea of her want of intellectual balance.
For whole day Miss Beaufoy relapsed
into her coolest vein, and did not
know what harm my advocacy might
have caused to the innocent object OF
my defense.
The tension of the situation was be-
coming too much for me. I was play
ing difficult part-a part of extreme
self repression, and was daily more
and more consumed with anxiety as to
the welfare of Mary.
At last my doubts and fears were
destined to be, in some measure, re.
lieved.
One day, about week after Mary
Fortescue's illness had reduced our
party to four, Mr.. Beaufoy announced
his intention of going to London after
luncheon. Miss Beaufoy was to &C
company him. She very graciously
asked if they could do anything for me.
l sincerely wished she would ask
me to 60 With tn, them. The
outside world would Just then have
been very refreshing. So much did
feel this, that l was on the verge Of
asking if they would mind my joining
them, when the thought of the tax il
would be upon me to restrain all signs
of eager qualification and curiosity al
beh0lding once moro tho wonderful
pageant life, checked and withheld
me. Itwould never do to jeopardize
my position in this strange household
just now.
''You won't come, then, professore'
said Miss Beaufoy, referring evidently
to previous conversation.
my dear Miss BeaufoY." said Plowitz
smiling largely, "gallantry and valo1
should 20 hand-in-hand. Discretion,
as you say, is the better part of valor
Let discretion be the the better part
of gsllantry too if I refuse"
"Our friend Plowitz," said Beaufoy
rather icily, sis, think, far moro dis.
tinguished by valor and gallantry
than by discretion. Pray do not try to
overcome his scruples. -
IF you find it dull alone, remember
I have warned your said Miss Beau
foy:
Il Can at least amuse myself in thu
park" said Plowitz, and Mr.. Cople
stone will perhaps help me to gel
through the hours of your absence"
There were meaning smiles on thei1
faces which showed significance In
their words. What they said might
very well have alluded to any little
social or domestic mystery. anc
to such they no doubt thought
should attribute it. I suddenly fell
very glad, that 1 was not to be out o.
the way that afternoon.
"Giulia will be back early, If l an
not" said Mr.. Beaufoy. Then, lower
ing his voice, and glancing quickly al
me: Don't forget discretion.
"Ah," said Plowitz, throwing out
his hands and struggling his shoulders,
''you are miracle of prudence! And
III do not believe in miracles.''
At last they were gone, and I was
enjoying-if enjoying it could be called
Ia period of solitary and anxious con-
sideration.
invent up the staircase in perturbsd
frame of mind. Solid and massive to
all appearance, it was hard to believe
that had, few days before, seen it
silently and easily revolve. > returned
to the library ana pondered on the
mysteries by which I was surrounded.
Yet, of all the pulling and agitating
surroundings of the situation, the
marked friendliness of the Basilisk was
on the whole, the least desirable, and
the most perplexing.
Suddenly Plowits burst into the
room.
''Ah, Mr.. Coplestone," he said, "you
are more accustomed to solitude than
I. You do, not find it overwhelming,
ehP'' 49,.
II am accustomed In It. - UNA all