The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-07-23
THE VICTIM
OF HIS
CLOTHES.
Dy Toward Fielding and Frederick Z. Barton.
[CoPYRIGHT, 1901
ard Fielding and Frederick Z. Burton.
CHAPTER VII.-CoNTINUED.

At the thought that Drane would be
sent, partly on her account, to an island
where there might be neither pudding
nor tea, Bessie developed symptoms OF
hysteria which touched Mrs. Bowers
heart.
Perhaps could get him committed
TO jenkins Retreat" she said, relenting.
where is that?" asked Bessie, catch
Ing at straw.
"lt Is private asylum uptown" said
Mrs. Bowers, ''where thoy care for mild
but hopeless lunatics. | will speak 70
the Judge about II"
''ls it better than that awful island?
at Is q Shade moro cheerful" Mrs.
Bowers admitted, ,hutting her lips to-
gCther frmly.
"Then make tho Judge send him
there" cried Bessie. Tell him that |
will give him ten thousand dollars IL he
will"
"My dcar!'' exclaimed Mrs. Bowers,
shocked at tho girls ignorance, "thero
arc only certain number Of judges in
New York, and you don't want them
all"
Drane had observed this conversation,
though he could not hear any oft. One
can not hear any thing in New York
police court. Tho testimony OF tear
full innocence given in such places is
heard only in Heaven; which is Just as
we'll, perhaps, for 1t may get some at
tention up there. However,, Drane
knew that Bessie had bcen pleading for
him; and when Mrs Bowers approached
the Judge, the prisoner realized that
some amolioration OF hisconditlon might
beexpected.
Mrs. Bowers talked earnestly with tho
magistrate, and with such good effect
that Drane was consigned to jenkins
Retreat till his friends from Kansas
City should arrive. As for tho tramp,
he went TO be fed-to certain extent.
Mr.. jenkins called his asylum ire
treat" advisedly, because 1t certainly
was not an advance upon any thing
hitherto existing In that line OF bust
ness. Its exterior had all tho subdued
horror Of fashionable clearinghouse
where nothing thrivcs but gaunt re-
spectability. Withini II was even worse.
An atmosphere OF references given
and required" especially tho latter,
filled the hall: and through q doorway
at the right, could bo soon tomb-like
parlor, wherein upon the sarcophagus
OF sofa sat the rigid images OF two an
cient females, evidently patients. They
looked out at Drano with cold severity
that made his hair curl.
lie had come there In charge OF O
court officer. and had not been allowed
TO exchange word with Bessie, whom
Mrs. Bowers had dragged away as soon
rs the question OF commitment had been
settled. llo felt deserted and friend
loss, and despite tho fact that 1t was q
very warm evening, he shivered as he
stood in the hall waiting for Jenkins,
OF whom the officer had gone in search.
A large number Of entertaining and
cheerful reflections crowded upon Drane
as he stood in the dimly-lighted hall.
He wondered, for instance, whether q
straight-jacket would be regarded as an
essential OF absolutely correct evening
dress in Mr.. Jenkins retreat lie also
had curiosity TO know how often, on
an average, the violent lunaties in tho
establthment overpowered their keep
ers and slaughtered the less demented
inmates. But, deepest and most impor-
tant OF all, was the question OF supper,
for the meal which he had appropriated
in tho bath had ceased TO give him sat
isfactory support, and II might be long
time before he had chance TO steal an
other.
jenkins was slow in coming; and
Dranc got more and more nervous. Ho
had an unusually strong natural horror
Of lunatics. Not that their presence Is
particularly agreeable 10 any body-ex-
cept Jenkins at 30 much head-but
Drane was actually superstitious about
II. He had feeling that the germs OF
mania were floating in the air around
him, and that he might break out with the
disease any minute.
he wondered ut being left thus alone.
A man who had boon judicislly decided
10 be crazy should have q keeper. Then
he perceived in the shadow OF the door
. large, ungainly man who seemed 10 bo
on watch. He stood In kind OF niche,
and had thus escaped Drane's observa-
tion when he entered. This mans eye
70 glared upon him out Of the darkness
that Drane's nerves began 10 dance In .
manner that threatened to At him very
quickly for permanent occupancy Of the
retreat He felt that he must escape
from that. mans observation or relieve
the oppressive silence bVIa howl. l4
He compromised the matter by stop
ping into the parlor, Atthis, both tho
ancient and pnfortunstc lsdies assumed
an air Of modest reserve which wns
quite frightfpl to sec. Presently one Of
them drew out her handkerchief and be-
gan to weep softly, but with evident do
termination 70 do the subject full jus
tice before she got through.
Madame, said Drans, gently, III