San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-10-31

DiJltub, IlO Sellu w Out udN, 50
soon as l can get her nerves under
control. Let her feel the restraint of
the place as little as possible, and we
shall soon return her to her patroness a
we'll woman"
The apartments occupied by Mrs.
Green were in a wing running north
from the main building. The windows
of this part of the structure faced east
and opened on a well kept lawn running
the whole length of the wing. The
lawn was separated from the street by
high brick wall. In the center of the
lawn was fountain surrounded by
flowers and growing plants and vines.
East OF the fountain was an iron gate
opening on the street. The gate was
composed of perpendicular iron bars set
sOidly in metal cross beams, and per-
mitted full view of the lawn and the
fountain from the walk outside. This
gate was invariably kept locked, and no
one save llyself had access to tine key.
The lawn was reached from the wing by
means of an ordinary door in direct
line with the fountain and the gate.
This door was also kept locked except in
rare instances, when the patients were
allowed to use the lawn, under the
watchtul eyes of the attendants, for
promeEading purposes.
Mrs. Green had full permission to walk
in this quiet place whenever sle desire!
She spent y great deal Of her time at the
fountain and at the gate. At first she
frequertcd the place only in the day
time. Then she complained of being
unable to sleep in her bed, and asked the
special privilege Of evening promenades
on the lawn. My private room over
looked the lawn. recalled my instruc-
tions regarding Mrs. Green. | granted
her request. From that time on every
pleasant evening found Mrs. Green by
the fountain or by the gate.
Mrs. Clark MelTille was a frequent
visitor at the asylum. 1t was her Gus
tom to come alone, but one day gentle
man, whom she introduced as. her son,
came with her. Prom the windows of
my apartment we saw Mrs. Green on
the lawn and proceeded there at once.
Once there | left the party of three
standing by the fountain, and went to a
room on the first floor of the wing to at
tend to some detail the nature of which
have now forgotten. From the win
dows of this room | saw Mr.. Melville
and Mrs. Caroline Green walking up and
down the graveled path which bordered
the lawn. At the end of few turns
they stopped at the gate and stood gaz-
ing into the street.
could not hear their words. They
were evidently not intended for other
ears than their own. But actions some
times convey stronger impressions than
words. i knew in an instant that she
was asking for something he declined to
grant. knew it from his stubborn and
defiant attitude. | knew it from her
manner-at times threatening, at times
beseeching.
While stood at the window, forming
my own conclusions as to the meaning of
what 1 saw, Mrs Clark Melville APP
preached the spot where l stood and
pointed significantly to the two figures
by the gate.
you see how it is" she said, with
worried look on her kind old face. For
weeks Mrs Green has seemed contented
only in the presence of my son, and yet
she is always worse after being in has
company. Does she talk about him to
the servants here?"
| assured her that she did not
well, was the reply, she may come
to that in time. If she does, do not fail
to let me know. Perhaps it is wrong to
allow them to talk together alone.
RiChard!'
At the sound of his mothers voice Mr..
Melville turned from the gate and from
his companion and started up the
straight walk leading to the wing door
by way of the fountain. Mrs. Green
followed, laying her hand on his arm
when her excited talk failed to stop him.
What she was saying seemed to inter
est him.
He hesitated an instant, and then, with
Mrs. Green again at his side, turned
into the walk which bordered the lawn.
Mrs Clark Melville saw the move
ment and appeared distressed by it.
For an instant she seemed resolved to
advance along the walk for the purpose
of meeting the lettering couple, and stop
ping by her own presence any private
conversation they might be engaged in.
The next moment she turned in the OPP
posite direction and entered the build
ing. For the next three minutes heard
her walking impatiently up and down
= 1,p,,,la1 fl,a
the west.
In order for the couple to reach the
wing door by the route they had taken,
it became necessary for them to pass