The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-30
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.

THE BASIL1Sk.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER Nv.
The temptation to act heroic part
il, 1 conceive. often as strong and -
dangerous - that which prompts
to conduct Of which We
ought to BE- ashamed. At Miss
Beaufoy's derisive question. ''Now
do you believe she is insaneP" my I'm
pulse was to tear to shreds the net
work Of deceit, to defy the malign In
nuencs which poisoned at least two
lives, to vindicate triumphantly. melo-
dramatically, the prosecuted girl g
whom ] felt that my profession.
my love, werc irrevocably plight
Cd. That sad face. whose beauty
seemed mysterioualy enhanced BY the
pallor ofcare, prompted me 70 N in
Simultaneous and bold defiance Of our
enemies. But stronger power than
the impulse Of . snowy pseudo-chivalry
checked mo. To show ny hand would
- to secure my instant dismissal-to
put mo in position which the world
would 80 only to my disadvantage.
Even II I succeeded in proving what I
knew. in substantiating what ! sas-
pected, how could I safeguard that
Sinid and shrinking young life into
which, As I suspected. the iron Of
systematic tyranny and wrong had too
fully entered already Il my worst
suspicious were right, 1t what would
they stop to injure mo, TO silence harp
II were wrong, on what ground could
l ever hope for favor or recognition at
the hands Of her lawful guardiansp
These thoughts, or rather this process
Of thought, kept me fortunately silent.
Mary went slowly away with bent
head. The Basilisk stood with .
curious smile cycling her. I stood
speechless. As Mary reached tho door
she turned, and looked at me. There
was a pitiful, beseeching look in her
eyes which minute before would have
ieqpa:dised everything. The rapid
course of thought had had time to
curb impulse, and that look. which
treasured for ever. only steeled mo to
play the part I recognised ~ necessary
to her safety. to my dearest hopes.
A Mary Fortescue disappeared. the
silence was broken by laugh from
Miss Beaufoy.
"Iou have talent tor getting intt
strange places" she said. "Do yog
know where you are?"
..In the garden, / presume" I re
piled, assuming certain stiffness, ~ I
in resentment Of her merriment.
..Plowitz is so careless, she went on
II suppose ho let you into the study.
Il cannot zee what the objection 4
my presence in tho study can be-
said. ..Dr. Plowitz seemed to find 10,
company helpful, even In the study"
..Plowitx is such : sociabls creature
Ny father thinks it sacred ground, m
it is really wrong Of Plowits to 6
against his wishes"
81 know nothing about It." I al
shortly. Il am not In . position
exercise much discretion = to where
CO."
Il know it." she said, suddenly ~
Stunning her tenderest tone; II know II
Forgive me. Let u got back to th
house."
Saying this she put her arm throug
mine, and. locking her hands togethsl
led mo back through tho house into Ii
drawing-room.
She sat beside mo ON . low, lare
sofa, and presently came round 70 q
subject which was certainly uppsrmel
in my mind.
..Mr. Coplestone," she said. ''ther
are some things one doesn't talk abou
even to very intimate friends, but Wit
you-we-f make IN exception. 10
were deeply shocked, I know. Wit
what you heard about Mary's msnt,
state. You resented it, I think.
She smiled o little here, and IN.
touched my hand. why, do nc
know, but / think you viii 80 no,
that we, who have known her Ill be
life. were right-that you, who hav
taught her music . few weeks, wer
wrong"
This was staggering. Tone, lool
gssture-all were perfect; but, VI
fortunately for her theory, Mary Forts
cue was right I could go svssytkin(
ut il shocking" l said rather hss
tatngly. Ito find oneself for 10 dr'
time facs 70 face with iasaniey. oqpeeia
y II the case Of IN apparently brigi
intellect with which one his bee
brought into close relations SUCH
ours WERE"
Il would say nothing more about it,
she went on in low. melodious v0ict
gazing into the fire; '.but that poe
dear Mary gets such strange notion
into her head. You have heard of som
Of them. She has fancies OF . CIR
hood Of wealth; her father was yer
poor, really. She imagines all sorts {
things about constraint being put upo
her here. She is perfectly free, exceI
when her health compels me to exercis
little authority, a. it does nov
Poor Plowitz, who is such good mar
is indefinitely concerned about it. .
you may imagine"
..Is she fond of Plowitz?" I asket
with q sense of huskiness I tried j
vain to overcome.
"Oh, passionately devoted to him.
raid she, looking 1t me with sparklin
eyes. II sometimes think that hi
prolonged absences have had somethin
to do with unhinging her mind. Sh
il girl of deep feelings. She doe
not show them much. but they arc very
very strong. DR.. Plowitz sprofessions
occupations prevent him being her
often, and she pines when he is away.
Poor girl" ! said. not KNOWN
What TO say.