Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-06


mind,
l managed once or twice to get him to
talk about himself, and gave him my opln-
ion of his character and temperament I'm
ishing with eulogium upon his self-com-
mand, instances of which / had seen on
more than one occasion in our rambles to-
gether. "My dear fellow, replied he, "you
have now touched a very weak spot in my
nature. In the days Of my youth, as
Father William remarks, was notorious
for the violence Of my temper, which used
to seize me like a whirlwind and whisk me
away 1 scarcely knew whittier. Nothing
but a certain development of the rational
faculty and devotion to patient work at my
microscope has enabled me to gain enough
Belf-control 10 be tolersbly certain Of myself
under at least ordinary provocation.
Whether I should still stand firm under
extraordinary provocation, heaven only
knowsP'
This conversation disturbed me greatly.
The man was, without doubt, too generous
and lofty of mind to commit deliberate
wrong, but by his own admission, be mad
passionate nature which, like vicious
horse, might at any moment bolt with his
rider and bring disaster either upon himself
or another. What other? Might it not be
on the woman of my dream-the woman OF
his choice-which was one and the same In
my mind?
Again 1 debated in my mind whether l
should warn this girl and tell her my dream,
and again 1 shrank from meddling with
other peoples affairs; and lol while hesl-
tated fate sealed the match, and was called
upon to act as "best man" to my friend.
This constituted ME ''the friend Of the fam
ilv," and l was a constant visitor at their
house at Barnes.
1t was about six months after their mar
riage that an event occurred which awoke
within me once more the horror OF my
dream.
had dined with Hennell and bis wife,
and he and had strolled into the garden to
smoke our cigars.
"Come and have q look at the stables,
old fellow" said Hennell, leading the way
in that direction.
As we approached the building we could
see a light burning in one of the stables
and could hear hubbub, as if one OF the
horses were careering about the stable.
Hennell and 1 ran to the window, through
which we could see groom striking one OF
the horses viciously about the legs with the
handle of a stable fork The mare (Which
it appears was Hennell's iaYorite hack)
seemed almost mad with fear and excite
ment.
turned to Hennell and the sight of his
face appalled, me, so full of evil passion was
it. Without a word, he rushed to the stable
door, threw it open, and seizing heavy
hunting crop with his right hand and the
groom's throat with his lett, he ralned on
his body shower of blows which curdled
my blood to see. At last l sprang forward
and seized the whip from behind him as he
- For f,r+ hlnuS and hpInU m "
sci tolerably athletic, L managed to relax
his grasp of the groom, who fell all OF a
heap in the corner.
Hennell'S ewes turned to mine, and the
fire in them faded into haunted look. He
shook like a leaf as he stammered forth
broken apologies for mis- violence.
"She is my tavorite mare, Studholme, gen.
tie as a child; and the brute struck her with
that thing while she could neither retaliate
nor fy."
"All right, old fellow, daresay he de-
deserved what he has got, replied, "but
do you 60 into the house and leave him to
me-"
mo; am a greater fool than hei have
given way to passion such as no doubt in
fiueuced him, and have less e1cuse-God
help mel" and he turned and left the stables,
with his hands covering his face.
1 helped the groom to RISE and saw him
safely into the servants quarters, where he
would no doubt be attended to by his fel-
lows; and 1 then sought Hennell in the
drawing room. He was not there; but Mrs.
Hennell sat there, some embroidery in her
hands. and a placid smile Oh her face.
"Well. have you finished your cigars; but
where is Frank?"
Again that dream forced itself before me-
pictured to myself Henneli grasping the
groom's throat, while 10000 devils looked
out from his eyes, and / thought, Had it
been her throat and no one near to save
herr'
Why should 1 not warn her as to her hus-
bands temper and either tell her my dream
or at least beseech her to guard against
arousing his passion?
] trembled with excitement, but 1 strove
to be calm, and, taking her hand in mine,
had just begun my task of telling her of
what had just passed in the stables when the
door opened and Hennell entered.
1,was in SO nervous a state that / have no
doubt l looked altogether confused, and
Mrs Hennell herself was agitated by nv
manner and my opening words, begging her
to listen calmly to what was about to say.
Hennell looked keenlY at both of us, but
said no word, and, after a little forced con-
versation between myself and Mrs. Hennell,
/ begged to be excused and retired to nv
room, as was staying with them for the
night
retired to my room, but not to rest. 1
was too excited TO think of sleep, so drew
an easy chair in front of the fire which
burned briskly in the CRATE, and sat down
to ponder over the events OF the day. / bad
had long ride with Hennell during the
afternoon, as special holiday, and l was
Il III - - IL
the warth and comfort OF the room, asserted
her rights, and l soon fell asleep. How
long slept do not know. but long enough
to dream again the dream of year ago, and
once more | suffered the agony OF seeing the
man seize the woman by the throat, but this
time he suddenly cast her from him, and she
lell heavily upon the floor. l heard the
sound of her fall, and sprang up, wide
awake and an irresistible impulse moved
me to seize the lamp and rush to the land
ing.
There was met face to face by Hennell,
and, merciful heavenl what face was his!
1t seemed to wear the stamp of years of
agony.
For Gods sake come with me, Studholme
my wife is diving or dead!' were his words
as ne led me into his bedroom.
There, on the floor in front of her toilet
table, lay his wife in her dressing gown,
which was open at the breast, and her raven
tresses fell in all their glory over her bosom.
l lneit beside her and laid my hand on
her heart. Thank heaven, it still beat
though her face and lips were ashy pale
AS bent low to see if she breathed, 1 saw
bv the light of the toilet candles three dis
tIneg finger marks upon her snow-white
throat. 1t was all true, then-he had tried
to strangle her.
Hennel himself stood in front of the fire
in dazed condition, twning his fingers to-
getEer like Il puzzled child. In a harsh
voice 1 bade him get some brady, and