Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-03

very little IMAGINATION. lis surprise
kent him silent for several minutes after
Mr.. Adrian finished speaking. The
Wears eyes were bent upon the floor
and no seemed to avoid looking at hls
host.
At last he said "The only tangible
matter YOU have relsted-l mean the
only thing which may not he accounted
for naturaly-is what you have told mo
about the flowers. Now, think that
when You opened the door n current OF
Dir, especially If one of the windows was
ND. might explain tho sound you heart. "
ga window Was open, returned Mr.
Adrian. "but you surely give me credit
for the ability 10 distinguish between the
sounl OF a rush Of VIVID and a human
sigh
AT all events" suggested the Vicar
in a modifying tone. "might not sn air
blowing from the window account for
the disturbance Of the iio@ers
ono" was the curt reply and then
Mr.. Adrian continued 81 know the
difference between vind-scattered flow
ers and flowers that have been tenderly
handled. and pcrchance caresscd !. Mr..
Charlton glanced ut the speaker furtive-
" aud again bent his eyes upon the
floor. He was silent, but his hosts
words had evidently impressed him
deeply.
"What is yonr opinion regarding what
] have told you - asked Mr.. Adrian.
"My reason for taking you into my
confidence was that | might ask your
advice"
lyon are imposing a difficult and
somewhat delicate task upon me, re-
piled the Vicar.
"Giye me your candid opinion said
Mr.. Adrian {" start tomorrow on my
search for the lady who has thus mys-
teriousIy manifested herself. 70 you
think that my difficulty in finding her
will be great "
For our old friendships sake, no
lees than because think it my duty, |
shall tell you what think, even at the
risk Of offending YOU.
"That is what wish; and do not
fear that shall take offence, provided
you tell me the truth. -
Every good You must pardon me,
then, if tel you that believe you to
/ be laboring under an hallucinatlon.
which is doubtless due not only to your
solitary mode Of life but 70 the moment
GUS step which You lately have been con
tempating, and which has naturally
been occupying much OF your thoughts ~
"In other words observed Mr..
Adrian coolly, you think that am
not perfectly sane.
Not precisely that" said the Vicar,
Withdrawing his eyes from his host and
once more fixing them on the floor !,
lyon Iasapprehend my meaning. On
general matters AIN confident That you
arc as saoe as am, but YOU must ex-
cuse me for thinking that on one point
| refer to the fair sex-you are at pres
ent, perhaps, Just a little-not SO sensl-
be. ] might say. as could be wishe 4.
Mr.. Adrian inclined his head and
smiled sardoniCally; but the Vicar was
not looking at him, and proceeded
"You have asked my advice, and yea
shall have it. No harm las occurred
vet. but such fancies as those you have
narrated TO me- in my opinion, indicate
some degree Of weakness in the cOnstitu-
ton. and one hallucination, ! under
stand, often leads TO another SO, ere
the matter goes any further. ! strongly
recommend You TO consult some eminent
specialist. who will doubtless boneiityou
by his advice. W
Gin other words, you advise me to 80
to a mad Doctor
" Not exactly that But there ore
certain physicians who have devoted
their lives TO mental ailments and pecu-
hsrities, and you might derive benefit
from their advice and treatment.
MAY / ask if you have noticed my
other peculiauties besides that TO which
you have already allnded ?"
The Vicar glanced Involuntary at tho
wig. and then replied IN hesitahng
fashion
- have observed nothing nnconnected
with the matter which is at present so
greatly concerning youvhich could pos
slbly call for any remark.
II an obliged 20 You, and TO prove
that have taken IN cool part what you
have said intend to follow your advice.
| told You that intended TO leave this
tomorrow, and shall now 60 straight
10 Paris and consult Or. Lionnet.
Mr.. Charlton thought that this an
nouncement was only an additional proof
of his patrons eccentricity, for why,
he asked himself, should Mr. Adrian go
to Paris, seeing that there were several
eminent specialists close at hand in Lon
don?
Of course 1t cannot be pleasant
thing t. converse with one who has the
impression that your mind is affected as
h.tle that is said in these circumstances
is likely to influence the nearer favora-
bly. So Nh adrian, who was never
saner in his life, under the plea Of his
early departure on the morrow gave his
Cuost hint that that he would like him
TO leave, and Mr. Charlton accordingly
wen. homo At au unusually early hour
Next day Mr. Adrian carried out the
intention which he had stated to Mr.
Charlton, and after spending several
hours in town he left for Paris 10y the
night mail. He had appeared TO ac-
quiesce very readily in the Wears sug-
gestion, but the reasons which had
prompted him to go u Paris were quite
unconnected with Mr. ChartOn's Opin-
IONS Mr.. Adrian knew that the cele-
brsted French physician had carried his
researches INTO many strange chan
nels connected with the human mind,
SO he hoped that DIR. Lionnet
might at least be able TO furnish
him with some explanation Of the
phenomena that had been manifested 10
himself, if not TO provide him with some
clue that would all him IN his search.
Another cause even more potent than
the other that brought Mr.. Adrian to
Paris was the TACT that the scenes with
which his dreams had faniliarized him
had apparently been located IN france,
and 1t was in that country he believed
he would find tho object OF his affec-
tons.
PART ~.
Mr.. Adrian was an accomplished lin
gust, and had no difficulty in explain
ing his case TO the great physician IN
fluent and idiomatlc French. The Doc
TOW bovever who knew a little English