River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-23
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TODAY.
CHAPTER XIV.
A PROOF OF INSANITY.

A PROOF OF INSANITY.
A week went by. and no Mary For
sescUe appeared. The daily reports Of
aer 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 10 bend her
70 the suit Of the odious Plowitz.
He bore her absence with perfect
squanimity, and was always gay and
entertaining The proposed transfer
/ Of my care as instructor to Miss Beau
toy took effect, inasmuch as she regu-
larly called upon me for lessons. But
little instruction was done, In fact l
was no: competent TO teach her. The
absence Of her cousin had a great effect
IN 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 sights which
had witnessed. of the monstrous asper-
sion Of Mary Fortcscue's sanity, and
T Der cruel Indifference to the happiness
Of defenseless girl-that / was bic
70 steel myself against the temptation
Of falling into the vein Of almost ten
+ 5ernoss which She had adopted. and
compromising my future useful
ness to the sweet girl whose lot was
+ east in such hard places. Any pointed
. reference to Mary always brought out
+ the hateful side of Miss Beaufoy's char
acter. The curt aud 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 gracious woman changed
into cruel ferCeuesS and Scorn at the
ucI f1l of her coaSin 5 name. especial
IL w.el one evening / turned 10 the
subject % Mary supposed mental de-
.u- a.>. aad s-Tcnugusly opposed the
id ol Her want st intellectual balance.
f For 3 whole 5av Miss Bcaufoy relapsed
into agr coolest vein, and l did not
know what harm my advocacy might
have caused 10 the innocent object of
my defense.
The tension Of the situation was be-
couiu- loo much for me. | was play
mga assu't part-a part Of extreme
self I-' .e>s5On, and was daily more
aud more consumed with anxiety as TO
the Welfare Of Mary.
A. last my doubts and fears were
+ destined TO be. in some measure, re-
liev,i
One 5ay. abont a week after Mary
+ For Seues illness had reduced our
party 90 four, Mr. BtaUfoy announced
his Intention OF going 10 London after
lULea. la. Miss Beaufoy was TO ac-
com p.av him. Size very graciouslY
asked # they could DO anything for me.
l sincerely wished she would ask
me 10 go with them. The
sight Of tie busy life of the
outside world would just then have
been very refreshing. So much did l
feel this. that / was on the verge of
asking if they would mind my joining
them, when the thought of the tax it
would be upon me To- restrain all signs
Of eager qualification and curiosity at
beholding once more the wonderful
pageant life, checked and withheld
me. Il would never 10 to jeOpardiZe
my position in this strange household
Just now.
.'Iou won't come, then, professors"
said Miss BgaUfoy, referring evidently
20 previous conversation.
"Nlydear Miss Beaufoy. said PlOwitz,
smiling largely. ..gaIIantrv and valOr
should - hand-in-hand. Discretion,
rs sou say, is the better part Of valor.
Let discretion be the the better part
of galiantry too if | refuse"
Oar friend Plowitz," said Beaufoy
rather iciiy. .'is. think, far more dis
tinguished by ya,or and gallantry
than by discretion. Pray do not try to
overcome bis scruples.'
eff You find il dull alone, remember
| have warned your said Miss Beau
foy.
i can at least amuse myself in the
park, said Plowitz, and Mr.. COple-
stone will perhaps help me TO get
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
- 81.
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