The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-06

woman without reason. An inter-
esting study of chiaru-usctiro, where
the Ideal stibtlety ofthe maniac stood
out intensely against the british,
tinimaginatiSe stolidity of the keeper.
Often His rough voice, like the below
ing of a bull, frightened her, but she
listened to him with her adorable
smile, and only when he turned his
eyes away did that strange express
sion leap into her face, that greedy,
jealous light burn in the eyes which,
stealthily, she raised to the ragged
clumps of hair which lay upon his
temples. Once he surprised the
glance. He laughed loudly, derisive-
". He had not altogether forgot
ten the May Bug.
"Ahal'' he laughed, "dost seek thy
TREASURED Oh! OH the fool! the idiot!
the lunatic! Oh! / have it! Here!"
tapping his forehead suggestively,
and blinking his blue china eyes,
''here! | keep it safelyE
The girl a. sudden uncontrolla-
BILE movement as if she would spring
upon him, andthe strangelook deepen
ed in her eyes-the look ofpassionate
desire now mingled with rage and
hatred of the man who kept from her
what she coveted. The keeper was
enchanted at the success of his pleas
antry. Still laughing, herose, stretch
ed his legs comfortably, and lounged
over to the window. Outside the
court lay flooded in the sunlight, a
gray fowl minced across the tagging,
pecking at the tufts of grass which
forced themselves between the stones
ofthe walk. The flowers in the square
garden plot in the centre Of the court
gave up their sweetness languidly to
the caresses of the warm air. The
keeper gazed stolidly through the
grating. His hard little eyes rested
unblinkingly on great metal ball
on which the dazzling sunlightsported
bravely.
Softly she came-softly, lightly!
With cheeks afiame with the strength
OF her desire! With cleaning sap
phire eyes! With quivering nostrils
and parted lips through which the
breath fiuttered TREMENDOUSLY! Softly
she came, with her 1.-THE young body
swaying, and her little, trembling
hands before her! In an instant her
dainty fingers had twisted herself in
the mans rough hair, jerked the
CREATED head backward, and began
a furious scratching in the grizzled
mon over the temple. The keeper
flung himself around with an impre-
cation and sent the woman spinning
against the wall.
"Insolencep' he roared, rushing
upon her. .'DOst thou dare, indeed?
In the name of reason-ofwhich thou
knowest naught-take this-and
this!''
| He struck her q crushing blowwith
his clinched fist. She snothered a
cry and crouched, still with that dan
gerous look in her eyes-crouehed as
if to spring at his great brutal
throat.
'.Have care!,' he muttered;
threateningly rushing upon her
again. Slowly her expressioncha
ed. The corners of her pretty mouth
| tremb.ed. She put out one delicate
hand with depre 'ating gesture.
She smiled-at first family. Then,
with more assurance, and moving
gently forward, she looked up, shyly,
into his scowling face as one who
would imp!ore forgiveness. 1t was
the cunning of the maniac, but it
touched the vanity of the keeper.
How ready she was to confess his
power! How eager to sue his pardon!
He was Modified.
"There" said he, mo more of thy
stupid tricks, fool!" And lie went
| away.
The summer waned. No 30 SEEM
ed dull and sombre. She slept little,
! grew weak and thin, and, from out
, the pallor of her face, her great blue
eyes shone unnaturally. She was silent
| for long hours at a time. She no longer
talked of the lost May Bug. She
| looked like a student who seeks to
solve great problems, and who loses
his health and strength inlong vigils.
She left her bed at night and strange
! sounds were heard in her cell.
"She sleeps too; warm, perhaps, y
said the keeper: "giSe her cooling
shower!''
And this merry fellow babe them
hold her under the icy douche until
she fell chilled and exhausted to the
ground. This occurred twice. After
that there were no more nocturnal
disturbances. The keeper chuckled.
II know their tricks" said he.
The girl became very quiet and cir
cumspect. She began to manifest in
terest in objects about her. She was
strangely observart and occupied
herself for hours in examining the
scanty appointments of her cell.
Once the keeper fancied he saw her
fumbling with the bars Of her grated
window. lie went in and examined
the place. He found nothing wrong.
She watched him with stealthy eyes.
When he turned she spoke to him
pleasantly. She was always gay
with now. The brave man never de-
tected q false note in the clear. c1ys-
tai tones of herlaughter-his ear, like
his eve. made no fine dis. motions.
After this episode, however, she was
more prudent and gave no cause
for suspicion. She was thoughtful
OH very thoughtful at times-preoc.
cupied but patient, good-tempered
and obedient Soon she began to
talk nationally, and answered all
questions with sense and Judgment.
One day, i'm the late Fall. the keeper
summoned the doctor.
'sIf Monsieur the Doctor would
call and see No. 80, who seems quite
recovered"
| Monsieur the Doctor called. But
Monsieur the doctor, was, as it hap
pened, an old and skillful practition
er, who for many years had studied
every form of insanity under the
light of his own interests. Monsieur
the Doctor had no intention ofspeed
lily Kidding the asylum ofany patient
who materially increased his income
"H'm!" said the doctor, wait q
while longer! 1t is best to bt
nrudenti'