Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-07-05
THE VICTIM
OF HIS
CLOTHES.
By Toward Fielding and Frederick u. burton.
COPYRIGHT, 1901

CHAPTER vII.-CoNTINUED.
At the thought that Drane would DO
sent, partly on her account, to an island
where there might BIO 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.
"Wherc is that?" asked Bessie, catch
ing at straw.
lit is private asylum uptown" said
Mrs. Bowers, "where they care for mild
but hopeless lunatics. will speak to
the Judge about it."
''Is it better than that awful island?"
at is n shade moro cheerful" Mrs.
Bowers admitted, shutting her lips to-
gethcr firmly.
"Thcn mako tho judge send him
there" cried Bessie. ''Tcll him that l
will give him ton thousand dollars If he
will"
MY dear!' exclaimed Mrs. Bowers,
shocked at the girls ignorance, there
arc only certain number OF judges in
New York, and you don't want them
ALL"
Dranc had observed this conversation,
though he could not hear any OF 1t. One
can not hear any thing in New York
notice court. The testimony OF tear
full innocence given in such places Is
heard only in Heaven; which is just as
we'll. perhaps, for it may get some at
tention up there. However, Drane
knew that Bessie had been pleading for
him; and when Mrs. Bowers approached
the Judge, the prisoner realized that
some amclioration Of hiscondition might
be expected.
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 o re
treat" advisedly, because it certainly
was not an advance upon any thing
hitherto existing in that line OF bust
ness. Its exterior had all the subducd
horror of o fashionable clearinghouse
where nothing thrives but gaunt re-
.spectability. Within it was even worse.
An atmosphere OF references given
and required" especially tho latter,
filled the hall; and through doorway
at the right, could be seen tomb-like
parlor, wherein upon the sarcophagus
of sofa sat tho rigid images Of two an
Client females, evidently patients. They
looked out ut Drane with o cold severity
that made his hair curl.
He had como there in charge OF
court officer, and had not been allowed
to exchange word with Bessie, whom
Mrs. Bowers had dragged away as soon
as the question OF commitment had been
settled. He felt deserted and friend
less, and despite the fact that 1t was
very warm evening, he shivered as he
stood in the hall waiting for Jenkins
of whom tho officer had como In search.
A largo number Of entertaining and
cheerful reflections crowded upon Drane
as he stood in the dimly-lighted hall
Hc wondered, for instance, whether
.straight-iacket would be regarded as an
essential of absolutely correct evening
dress in Mr.. Jenkins retreat He also
had curiosity to know how often, on
IN average, the violent iunatics in the
establishment overpowered their keep
.,ers and slaughtered the less demcnted
inmates. But, deepest and most tmpor'
.tant OF all, was the question OF supper.
for the meal which he had appropriated
An the bath had ceased to give him sat
,isfactory support, and 1t might bea long
time before he had q chance to steal an
other.
Jenkins was slow In coming; and
'Drane got more and more nervous. dc
had ~ unusually strong natural horror
of iunatics. Notthat their presence Il
particularly agreeable to any bOdy-ex
cept Jonkins at 50 much head'-onl
Drane was actually supcrstitious aAo7:l
It. he had q feeling that the germs o.
mania were floating in the air around
ihim,and that he mightbreak CUT with tho
disease Gnyminnte.