The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-12-23

"lM GOING TO CHUCK HER DOWN."
During our drive to Gaulby hazarded
a few remarks, with view to ascertain.
ing what sort of party there was col
lected at the Hall, but got nothing de-
finite out of him, He was quite unlike
his old self, and came to the conclusion
that he must be i'll. As we drove up the
avenue leaned out the window to gaze
at the fine old mansion, and it struck me
at once as looking cold and uninvting,
while the grounds were certainly very
much neglected. Something seemed
wror G all round, and began to feel al
most sorry had come. We overlook
Mrs. Hallston at the hall door, Just re-
turned from walk. She was as gracious
and as pleasant as she had ever been to
me, but far cied that could detect in
her manner and appearance something
of the i'll being which seemed to exist
around her.
We all three entered together, and the
moment we passed through the door
felt convinced that my expectations of
jolly Christmas party were doomed to dis
appointment. There we're no decorations
about, only one doleful looking servant
and apparently nothing stirring. felt
sure something was wrong, but at any
rate consoled myself with the reflection
that l had lost little by coming, as it had
been choice between here aud the
hotel. But, all the same, 1 did not feel
particularly cheerful as I followed the
dolelul looking servant upstairs, along
wide corridors, across passages, upstairs
again, and then down long corridor,
until ut last we reached my room in the
west wing.
My surnises were correct. When !
descended, after prolonged and careful
toilette, my host was lounging about in
a shooting jacket aud he and his wife
were the only occupants of the room. /
was the only guest.
''I've something very serious to say to
you, Neillson," he said slowly (Neilson
is my name). ''I'm going to make q
contfdant of you, il may, old man."
Ibowed my head and listened.
"You haven't noticed anything par
ticular about my wife, don't suppose,
have youG" he asked, with a searching
glance.
l a limited had thought her strangely
silent, and apparently having some
anxiety weighing upon her mind.
He laughed, a short unpleasant laugh,
and leaned over to me confdentially.
81 rely upon your discretion, you
know, Neillson. l wouldn't have it
known for the world; but my wife is
mad"
'Mad ~ slared at him incredulonsly.
"Yes, mad, " he repeated impatiently.
sit was the sun in India last year that
did the mischief. She would expose
herself TO it. The doctor whom / have
consulted advised me to send her toa
private asylum, but haven't the heart
to do it. She's perfectly harmless, you
know; but, of course, it's an awful trial
to me-"
l stammered out an expression Of sym.
pathy. To tell the truth, i scarcely knew
what TO say. l was bewildered at this
painful explanation of the gloom which
reigned over the house. Presently Fred
closed his eyes and left me to digest this
strange and unweleome piece of news.
l am naturally somewhat selfish, and be-
fore very long my sympathy was diverted
u some measure from my host to my
self. 1t occurred to me tina; it was by
no means a pleasant prospect to be a
guest in house the mistress OF which
was mad. 1t was not altogether kind of
Fred to invite me, thought, under the
| ntr with
tion of his wifes state. l began to feel
quite AT injured man. was quite tired
of my own company, and Fred was fast
asleep. So opened tine door softly and
made my way down to the hall. AS
passed an open door Mrs. Hallaton ap-
| peared and beckoned me iu. | had no
alternative but to obey her invitation.
"Mr. Neillson," she said, in an agi-
tated tone, "as you are going to stop
here for a day or two, there is some.
thing connected with this household
which you ought to know. Has my
husband told you anythingl"
bowed and told her gravely that
knew all, and that she had my profound
est sympathy.
|
"Perhaps you are surprised that l
should ask whether Fred had told YOU"
she said, turning little away from me.
"It seems 5 range, doesn't it, that one
should be mad aud be conscious Of il
1t only comes on in fits, aud they are
terrible.
She shuddered, aud so, to tell -the
truth, did /.
"Such phase of madness is probably
not incurable,"I ventured to suggest
timidly.
"Incurable! of course it is not incur
able, )" she answered, vehemently.
l edged little toward the door. /
had no experience in talking with luna
tics, aud felt anything but comfortable
in my present position. Mrs. Hallaton
was beginning to look very excited and
dangerous.
"Oi course if you are frightened, Mr..
Neillson," she said little contemptuous-
ly, "you can leave US whenever you
please. These fits do not come on often,
but they are anything but pleasant