The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-10-11

so tender-hearted that he often deceived

so tender-hearted that he often deceived
those who did not know him.
1t was second nature with him, and,
while torturing the poor souls committed
to his fiendish care, he was wont to apol-
ogize to them because the red-hot iron
was so cold, the end of the lash worn off
triAe, the thumb screws aged and all
such cold-blooded attempts at ferocious
wit.
Patients conflded to his care were
never expected to see tho outside world
again.
True, there were many mad persons
under his roof, but it is extremely doubt
full whether there was ever an insane per-
son brought to him.
Horrible as it may seem, the doctor had
all sorts Of terrible contrivance5 for maxi
ing people mad, and often nothing more
was needed than shutting them in dark
dungeon, allowing cold water to fall on
their heads, or TICKLING the bare soles or
their feet an hour each day until the SIM
mind to collapse.
This was the wretch who stood before
the two women and suavely begged their
pardon for their having witnessed such q
spectacle.
"My men have generally to deal with
such desperate madmen that they dare
not give one half chance for fear Of
their lives. They know, also, that this
woman Is desperate. character. Perhaps
they have gone little too far, but better
that than that she should have been
struck upon the hea :, which is the way
we often have to deal with them.
"But Nora Warner is not mad BY
what right do you drag her away from
here?" demanded Carol, recovering her
voice when she found she had at least
polished scoundrcl to deal with.
The doctor laughed.
'You are no judge Of that, miss.
Learned men have so decided. These
insane creatures could often deceive the
devil himself - begging your pardon.
They have deceived me fully three weeks
at time, but in tho fourth, at the full Of
the moon, they proved themselves as
mad as March hares. I would stake
something that this one now has been
gaining your sympathy by relating long
rigmarole about a cruel husband. There,
can see by your face that it is the
truth. She tells every one that, when In
truth she has the best Of husbands, who
provides her princely home and all the
comforts Of life. But must tear my
self away, ladies'. There is my card. If
ever you should wish place OF retire.
ment for some poor demented relative
who Is better there than in tho world, re-
member yours sincerely, Timothy Grim,
M. D."
He turned to his men and gave them
some hurried orders, upon which they
picked up tho senseless form Of Nora
Warner and strode away.
The affable doctor lifted his hat to the
ladies, and Carol responded by tearing
his card in halves and hurting it from
her, which was plain way Of showing
her dislike of the doctor, who smiled in
his grim way as he strobe away, mutter-
ing:
Evidently the young beauty was not
much smitten with the personal charms
of DR.. Grim. would give something to
have her under my care for few
months"
Had she known what the mad-house
doctor was wishing just then, Carol Rich
mond would have shuddered.
She and her mother went in again, and
the door was barred.
The young gin was lost again in a new
whirl of amazement and nameless horror.
Was Nora Warner really insane, as the
doctor had said2 Somehow or other she
could not believe 1t, even though many
things seemed to point that way.
Even if Roger Darrell were ignorant of
the cruel, heartless manner in which his
wife was treated, would that lessen his
responsibility in any way2
He must surely have been aware of tho
nature of the place in which she had
been put, and even simple mind ou ght
to be able to read the character Of the
villainous mad-house doctor.
She thought on for hours.
Neither OF them seemed to think of
noiso in the unoccupied part Of the
ruined mill reached their ears.
A few minutes later, while they stood
listening, in dread suspense, and half
suspecting that the insane asylum doc
tor had returned to bear them away to
his den of infamy, so as to hide all evil
dence of his iniquity, the widow drew
Carol to the window.
There they could plainly see a man
walking rapidly away from the mill.
What had he been doing there? Once he
turned and looked back, but they hac no
light in the room, and, besides, his
attention seemed directed toward the
main part Of the old mill.
Carol recognized Capt. Grant, and her
heart beat rapidly as she wondered
whether he sought her.
Whatever mysterious errand brought
the duelist Captain to the mill at that
strange hour, he had no idea how close
he had been to his missing bride.