Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-12-31
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER XIV.

The temptation to act heroic part
is, conceive, often as strong and as
dangerous as 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.
huence which poisoned at least two
lives, to indicate triumphantly, melo-
dramatically, the prosecuted girl to
whom I felt that my protection,
my love, were irrevocably plight
ed. That sad face, whose beauty
seemed mysteriously enhanced by the
pallor ofcarc, prompted me to an in
Simultaneous and bold defiance of our
enemies. But stronger power than
the impulse of snowy pseudo-chivalry
checked me. To show my hand would
be to secure my instant dismissal-to
put me in position which the world
would see only to my disadvantage.
Even if I succeeded in proving what 1
knew, in substantiating what I sus-
pected, how could l safeguard that
timid and shrinking young life into
which, as I suspected, the iron of
systematic tyranny and wrong had too
fully entered already If my worst
suspicious were right, at what would
they stop to injure me, to silence herP
If were wrong, on what ground could
I ever hope for favor 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 q
curious smile cycling her. I stood
speeches.. AS Mary reached the door
she turned, and looked at mo. There
was pitiful, besecching look in her
eyes which minute before would have
jeopa:dised everything. Tho rapid
course of thought had had time to
curb impulse, and that look, which I
treasured for ever, only stceled me to
play the part I recognised a. necessary
to her safety, to my dearest hopes.
As Mary Fortesoue disappeared, the
silence was broken by . laugh from
Miss Beaufoy.
S"1ou have talent tor getting into
strange Places" she said ':Do you
know where you areP''
I'm the garden, I presume" I re-
Piled, assuming certain stiffness, g Il
In resentment of her merriment.
"Plowitz IL 80 careless, "she went on.
III suppose he let you into the study"
IL cannot see what the objection to
my presence in the study can be-"
said. "Dr. Plowitz seemed to find my
company helpful, even in the study"
"Plowitz is such sociable creature.
My father thinks it sacred ground, and
1t is really wrong of Plowitz to 60
against his wishes"
IL know nothing about it," said
shortly. II am not in a position to
exercise much discretion as to where I
Co."
Il know it," che said, suddenly as
suming her tenderest tone; II know it..
Forgive me. Let US get back to the
house."
Saying this she put her arm through
mine, and, locking her hands together,
led me back through the house into the
drawing-room.
She sat beside me on q low, large
sofa, and presently came round to the
subject which was certainly uppermost
In my mind.
Mr.. Coplestone," she said, ''there
are some things one doesn't talk about
even to very intimate friends, but with
you-we-1 make an exception. You
were deeply shocked, I know, with
what you heard about Mary's mental
state. You resented it, I think. 81
She smiled little here, and jus,
touched my hand. why, do not
know, but I think you will see now
that we, who have known her all hel
life, were right-that you, who have
taught her music q few weeks, were
wrong"
This was staggering. Tone. look
gesture-all were perfect; but, un'
fortunately for her theory, Mary Fortes'
cue was ri ght, I could see everything
1T is Shocking" l said rather hest
tatingly, Ito find oneself for the first
time face to face with insanity, especial
ly in the case of an apparently bright
intellect with which one has beer
brought into close relations such as
ours WERE"
Il would say nothing moro about it, "
she went on in a low, melodious voice,
gazing into the fire; ''but that poor
dear Mary gets such strange notions
into her head. You have heard Of some
of them. She has fancies of girl
hood of wealth; her father was very
poor, really. She imagines all sorts OF
things about constraint being put upon
her here. She is perfectly free, except
when her health compels me to exercise
little authority, as it does now.
Poor Plowitz, who is such good man,
is indefinitely concerned about it, as
You may imagine"
Ills she fond of Plowitz?' l asked,
with sense of huskiness tried in
vain to overcome.
'.Oh, passionateH devoted to him"
raid she, looking at me with sparkling
eyes. Il sometimes think that his
prolonged absences have had something
to do with Infringing her mind. She
is girl of deep feelings. She does
not show them much, but they are very,
very strong. DR.. Plowitz' professional
occupations prevent him being here
often, and she pines when he is away"
"Poor grill" 7 said, not knowing
what to say.
'Buthe has a goSdscheme in his head,
she said. His annt and cousins ive
.s2 ~ $3.50 >&