The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-07-24


Reba sang diyincly and was as chatty
and pleasant as If she never had CON
templated suicide. Once noticed that
she looked at me, but for moment
only, with that sad, piteous expression
that | observed when we first met. "My
white tuft of hair again." thought q
l was very sleepy and retired early.
When bade father and daughter good
night in the parlor, was surprised to
see her come forward and offer her
hand. Instantly l felt note and my
fingers quickly closed upon it. Its con-
tents were as strange and mysterious as
the writer: ist '
My NEW FRIEND AND CoUsIN:-If
the case is finished tomorrow, meet me
at midnight near the old fountain.
desire to impart my plans to you. /
have prayed for some strong friend like
YOU. REBA.
Her ''plans," imagined, were the
rambling fancies of diseased mind. |
resolved to humor her, because l felt
sure ;hat she would do herself harm if
| disturbed any of her ideas. My i'll
tention had been to remain a month,
but now my great desire was to finish
the case and leave. My sleep was full
of sweet dreams about this beautiful
girl, and | arose refreshed. The deacon
and | had early breakfast alone, and
hurried to the court house. There were
few witnesses to examine, and by noon
the PLAINTIFFS lawyer addressed the jury
for three wearisome hours. / knew the
jurors were farmers and wanted to get
home by sundown, so / spoke five min
utes, saying that l did not desire to
keep them away from their families, and
that had such a clear case that to ar
que for hours self-eyident fact to them
would be an insult to their intelligence.
In a few minutes the jury decided
against the plaintiff and mulcted him
for costs and damages. My uncle was
disappointed because had made such
short speech, but when the decision was
rendered his satisfaction knew no
bounds. On the way to his house he
slapped me on the back and said that he
had something to impart to me the next
day. He declared that it would be
surprise.
My anxiety was to get away, for /
knew that if remained much longer |
would be slave to the caprice of a crazy
woman. Hence paid little attention
to what my uncle was saying.
After dinner took long walk and
returned to my room. read until near
midnight and then quietly slipped down
the stairs and reached the rusty old
fountain. A slight breeze was stirring
and waited the fragrant odor of flowers
upon its current. The moon was far
down and the Pleiades were holding |
carnival of brightness overhead. | had
heard that the moon affected the insane, |
so | stood within the deep shadows of
tree.
How noble in my uncle to watch over
this girl and keep her from going to an
asylum" l said in thought. l turned, |
and at my side, dressed in a black tray
cling habit, with a valice in her left |
hand, stood Reba. Her face was pale
and her eyes looked as if she had been
weeping. She spoke first:
"My plan Is simply this: l wish to
fly to the city with YOU"
1t took my breath away. 1t was some
minutes before l could answer. "She is
as crazy as March hare mentally
uttered; $50 I'll humor her."
"Hes, we will fly to the city, but not
to night Tomorrow I'll get uncle's
permission for you to accompany me-"
"Oh, no; he'll never consent for you
to so anywhere with me. He thinks you
are"
She stopped and looked down. l
urged her to finish the sentence.
That you are afflicted; that you are
a mOnomaniac.
And pray what do you think?" /
asked.
IL think you are just the same as ]
am. At first thought you might be af-
ficted, but have no such idea now.''
Well, this was a revelation. The girl
had thought l was insane. The deacon
had evidently told her so because ]
ectured on evolution.
The next thing / expected her to say
was that she wished to fly to the city
md marry me, so resolved to rush on
late and discover her full plan.
"What do you intend to do in the
'ity?" l asked
Il am studying to be an actress, but
NY father will meyer consent. lie took
ne away from school because lie heard .
was inclined to such profession" !
Then you are not crazy?" l almost
houted.
/ saw it all, the suicide scene was act I
ng. d
You are not crazy on religion, are /
ou?' she asked naiyely as a response.
Il am mad with love-" | answered. 1
by that old rusty fountain two crazy
'eople vowed eternal fidelity, and the {
anne old, old story was repeated. q
Ny uncle, the next day, gave us his c
lessing, and said that after | had won b
hat case he resolved to make me his
eir. b
forgave his peculiar way of express t
nG Reba's desire to become an actress, t
nd frequently write TO him that some
aillictions" are blessing in disguise. c
The Denver, Col, Academy of o
lusic was burned. u
"A severe hurricane on the Florida
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