Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-05

the death of his child and the insanity o
his wife if this insanity was not to be
long continuance?
| After a consultation with Lew and Kat
Barker, Mr. Hollister resolved to della.
action until the physicians could make
definite statement IN regard to Molly s men
tai condition. In all cases of sudden loss o
reason there is more hope of cure thai
when the mental alienation is due to
gradual unfxing of the mind. Hence ,
DELAY of several days, possibly seVera
weeks, was determined upon.
Rhe first definite report Of the physician
was to the effect that Molly's insanity woult
be likely to take the form of a mild anc
/ gentle melancholy. Every remembrance o.
Il her terrible misfortune had faded from hel
mind. Her eyes were fearless, her gazt
| duIl and listless. She seemed to see moth
| ing. She was no longer of this world. Hel
! life was mere physical existence.
Such was the condition OF Mrs Alla1re
during the first month following the accl
dent. The question now arose whether II
was exnedient to place her in private hos
| pital where she could have special treat
| ment. Mr.. Hollister took this view of the
matter. and it would have been done had
| NOT Lew Barker intervened with another
| proposition.
Seeking out Mr.. Hollister in his private
office Lew Barker thus addressed him: '1t
| seems to be agreed now that Molly's insan-
ity is not of a dangerous character, calling
for her confinement, and since she has no
other family excepting us we ask that she
be confded to our care. Molly was de-
votedly attached to my wife, and who
knows, perhaps Kate's supervision of her
NAV be productive of better results than
that of total strangers. Should any symp-
toms of a critical nature show themselves it
wouId be time enough then to take the
necessary steps. Don't you think SO, Mr..
Hollister?"
There was certain hesitation in the
manner of the honest skipper as he made
renIv. for there existed but little sympathy
between him and Lew Barker, although he
knew nothing at this time Of the mans en-
tangled affairs and had no ground to suspect
his honesty.
"Since you are willing to assume this re-
sponsibility," replied MIR. Hollister, u
don't see any objection, Mr.. Barker, to
Molly's being entrusted to the care OF her
cousin, whose devotion cannot for moment
be called into question"
"a devotion" added Lew Barker, (Which
will never be found wanting"
But as the man uttered these words the
listener caught that cold, unpleasant, mat
ter.of. fact impression which Barker found it
impossible to rid himself Of
"Your proposition does you credit" re-
sumed Mr.. Hollister. However, one thing
occurs to me. 1 question whether your
house in Fleet street, situated as it is in the
centre of the noisy commercial quarter,
would present conditions favorable for poor
Molly's recovery. What she needs is per-
feet quiet, pure air"
:sAnd, therefore," interrupted Barker,
Sour intention is to remove her to Prospect
Cottage and to take up our residence with
her. She is accustomed to this villa, and
the sight of objects familiar to her may ex-
ercise salutory influence upon her mind.
Mr.. Hollister, we must leave undone moth
ing that might i'll any way tend to have
wholesome effect upon the mind of our un-
fortunate relative"
A kindly feeling had evidently prompted
this reply. But why was it that the words
of this man seemed powerless to inspire
confidence? However, his proposition un-
der the circumstances called for immediate
acceptance, and Mr.. Hollister could not do
less than express his thanks to Barker, adj
ding that John would be profoundly CRATE
full to him.
On April q Mrs. Allaire was removed to
Prospect Cottage, where Kate and Lew
Barker took up their residence that same