The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-23
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.

A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER XIV.
A PROOF OF INSANITY.
A week went by. and no Mary For
tescue appeared. The daily reports OF |
her health were anything but alarming.
ret, as her absence continued, grew
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
and was always gay and
The proposed transfer
Of my care as instructor to Miss Beau
foy took effect, inasmuch as she regu-
larry called upon me for lessons. But
little instruction was done, In fact !
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 tire
other side of her character-of the
strange and compromising sights which
had witnessed. of the monstrous asper-
sion of Mary Fortescue's sanity. and
her cruel indifference to the happiness
Of 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. Tho 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 fierceness and scorn at the
mention of her cousins name, especial
" 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 l 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. | was play
ing a difficult part-a part Of extreme
self repression, and was daily moro
and more consumed with anxiety a. to
the welfare of Mary.
AT last my doubts and fears were
destined to be, in some measure, re-
lieved.
One day, about q week after Mary
Fortescue's illness had reduced our
party to four. MIR. 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-
I sincerely wished she would ask
me to 60 with them. The
sight Of the busy life Of thu
outside world would just then have
been very refreshing. So much did
feel this, that l was on the verge d
asking if they would mind my joining
them, when the thought Of the tar i
would be upon me to restrain all Sign
of eager qualification and curiosity o
beholdiDg once moro the wonderful
pageant life, checked and withhelt
me. It would never do to jeopardiz'
my position in this strange household
just now.
You won't come, then. professor
said Miss Beaufoy, referring evidentl.
to . previous conversation.
MY dear Miss Beaufoy. " said Plowitz
smiling largely. ''gallantry and valo
should 90 hand-in-hand. Discretion
as you say. is the better part OF valor
Let discretion be the the better par
of gallantry too if refuse"
''Our friend Plowitz," said Beaufoy
rather Jelly. lis, think, far moro dis
tinguished by valor and gallantry
than by discretion. Pray do not try t.
overcome his scruples.
IF you find it dull alone, remember
l have warned you'll" said Miss Bean
toy.
Il can At least amuse myself in thl
park, said Plowitz, and Mr.. Cople
stone will perhaps help me to re,
through the hours of your absence. .
There were meaning smiles on their
faces which showed significance in
their words. What they said might
very well have alluded to any little
social or domestic mystery, and
to such they no doubt thought
should attribute 1t. suddenly fell
very glad that was not to be out Of
the way that afternoon.
''Giulia will be back early. II ! am
not said Mr.. Beaufoy. Then, lower.
ing his voice, and CHANGING quickly a
me: Don't forget discretion"
All said Plowitz, throwing out
his hands and struggling his shoulders,
'.you are miracle OF prudence! And
IL do not believe in MIRACLES
AT last they were gone. and l wa
enjoying-if enjoying it could be called
"A period of solitary and anxious con
eideration.
Invent up the staircase in perturboc
frame Of mind. Solid and massive tC
all appearance, 1t was hard to believe
thai hal. few days before, seen il
silently and easily revolye. returned
to tho library ami pondered on the
mysteries by which was surrounded
Yet, of all the puzzling and agitatinf
surroundings of the situation, thl
marked friendliness of the Basilisk wa!
On the whole, the least desirable, ant
The most perplexing.
Suddenly Plowitz burst into tn
room.
"Ah, Mr.. Coplestone," he said. "yo,
are more accustomed to solitude thai
/. You do not find it overwhelming
1h?'
Il am accustomed to it." was all
said.
You are more of philosopher thai
!. 1t is most distressing to me.
have been working alone. and I an
Hretched,"