Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-06-12

"You predict he will go madY he said.
Certainly not Unless anything unfore-
seen arises he will probably live and die as
sane as you or l."
"Why'do you fear for him, then%'
For this reason. i think that any sudden
cmotiOn-yiolent grief for nstance-any mn
expected and crushing downright at once
disturb the balance of his mind. Let his life
run on in an even groove, and all will be well
with him."
My companion was silent for few mo-
ments.
Did you mention your friends nameP' he
asked.
1 laughed. Doctors never give names
when they quote cases"
At the next station my companion left the
train. He babe me polite adieu, and thank
ed me for the pleasure my conversation had
given him. After wondering what station in
life he occupied L dismissed him from my
mind, as one who had crossed my path for
short time and would probably never GROSS it
again.
Although did not see Charles Carrston L
received several letters from him during the
course OF the year. He had not forgotten
our undertaking to pass my next holiday to-
gether. Early in the autumn, just as was
beginning to long with passionate longing
for open air and blue skies, letter came
from CarristOn. He was now, he said, rcagE-
ing it in the Western Highlands. He remind
ed me OF last years promise. Could 1 get
away from work now? Would join him?
II did not care to visit Scotland, would /
suggest some other place where he could Join
me? Still, the scenery by which he was now
surrounded was superb and the accommoda-
ton he had secured, if not luxurious, fairly
comfortable. He thought we could not do
better. A postscript 10 his letter asked me 10
address him as Cecil Carr, not Charles Carris-
ton. He had reason for changing his name
"a foolish reason l should no doubt call It.
When we met he would let me know it.
This letter at once decided me TO accept his
invitation. In O. weeks time MY arrange
ments for leave of absence were complete,
and was speeding northward in the highest
spirits and well equipped with everything
necessary for my favOrite holiday pursuit. 1
looked forward with the greatest pleasure to
again meeting CarTiston. l found him at
Calendar waiting for me. The coach did
not follow the route we were obliged TO take
in order to reach the somewhat unfrequented
part of the country in which our tent was
pitched so my friend had secured the services
pony to bear us the remainder of the journey.
So soon as our first hearty greetings were
over proceeded 10 ascertain hoT the last
year had treated Carriston. was both de-
lighted and astonished at the great change
for the better which had taken place in his
manner no less than his appearance. He
looked far more robust; he seemed happier,
brighter-altogether more like ordinary hui
manity. Not only mad he greeted me with
almost boisterous glee but during our drive
through the wonderful scenery he was in the
gayest of spirits and full of fun and anecdOte.
l congratulated him heartily upon the mark
ell improvement in his health, both mentally
and physically.
"Yes, am much better" he said. II fol-
lowed part of your advice-gave up mop
ing, tried constant change of scene, interest
ed myself in many more things am quite
different man."
mo supernatural visitatiOns?' / asked,
anxious % learn that his cure in that direc-
ton was complete.
His face fell. lie hesitated second be-
| fore answering.
"No-not now," he said. ~ fought against
the strange feeling, and believe have got
rid of it-at least hope so"
said no more on the subject. Carriston
plunged into series of vivid and mimetic
descriptions of the varieties of Scotch char
acter which he had met with during his stay.
He depicted his experiences so amusingly
that laughed heartily for many mile.
but why the change In your name%' 1
| asked, when be paused for moment in his
merry talk.
He blushed, and looked rather ashamed.
81 scarcely like to tell you; you will think
my reason so absurd"
"Never mind. don't judge You by the
ordinary standard"
"Wel, the fact is, my cousin is also in
Scotland feared If gave my true name
at the hotel at which / stayed on my way
here, he might pe:chance see it, and look ME
up in these wild regions"
"Well, and what if he did?"
~ can't tell you. / hate 10 know / feel
like it. But have always, perhaps without
cause, been afraid of him-and this place is
horribly lonely"
Now that understood the meaning of his
words, / thought the boy must be joking; but
the grave look on his face showed he was
never further from merrimcnt.
''Why, Carriston," cried, "you are posi-
lively ridiculous about your cousin. You
can't think the man wants TO murder YOU"
things to you which 1 ought not to say; but
every time meet him / feel he hates me,
and wishes me out of the world"
Between wishing and doing there is a
great difference. daresay all this is fancy
on your part"
"Perhaps so. Any way, Cecil Carr is as
good name up here as Charles Carriston, so
please humor my whiin and say no more
about it."
AS it made no difference to me what name
he chose to call himself | dropped the sub
ject / knew of old that some of his strange
preiudices were proof against anything I
could do to remove them.
At last we reached our temporary abode.
1t was substantial, low-built house, owned
and inhabited by thrifty middle-aged Wild
ow, who, although well-to-do so far as the
simple ideas of her neighbors went, was new
ertheless always willing TO add to her re-
sources by accommodating such stray tourists
as wished to bury themselves for day or two
in solitude, or artists who, like ourselves,
preferred TO enjoy the beauties of Nature
undlsturbed by the usual ebbing and flowing
stream of sightseers.
AS CaTriston asserted, the accommodation,
II homely, was good enough for two single
men; the fare was plentiful, and our rooms
-. %