The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-02-14
VOL. XXVI.-NO. 15.

turally-is what you have told me about
the flowers. Now, think that when YOU
opened the door 4 current of air, especially
il one of the windows was up, might ex-
plain the sound you heard.
"a window was open" returned Mr..
Adrian, 'but you surely give me credit for
the ability to distinguish between the sound
of rush of wind and human sigh -
"At all events, suggested the Vicar in
a notifying tone, might not an air blow
ing from the window account for the dis
turbance of the flowers p
"No, was the curt reply; and then Mr..
Adrian continued: 81 know the differ
ence between wind-scattered flowers and
flowers that have been tenderly handled,
and perchance caressed p Mr.. Charlton
glanced at the speaker furtively and again
bent his eyes upon the floor He was ST.
lent, but his hosts words had evidently i'm
pressed him deeply.
"What is your opinion regarding what 1
have told you p asked Mr.. Adrian. "My
reason for taking you into my confidence
was that | might ask your advice.
You are imposing difficult and some
what delicate task upon me" replied the
Vicar.
'Give me your candid opinion" said
Mr.. Adrian; Il start tomorrow on my
search for the lady who has thus myster-
iously manifested herself. Do you think
that my difficulty in finding her will be
great ?''
For our old friendships sake, no less
than because think it my duty, I shall
tell you what think, even at the risk of
offending you"
"That is what wish; and do not fear
that I shall take offence, provided you tell
me the truth
every good. You must pardon me,
then, if l tell you that believe you to be
laboring under an hallucination, which is
doubtless due not only to your solitary
mode of life but to the momentous step
which you lately have been contemplating
and which has naturally been occupying
much Of your thoughts
"In other words, observed Mr.. Adrian
coolly, ''you think that | am not perfectly
sane
'Not precisely that" said the Vicar,
Withdrawing his eyes from his host and
once more fixing them on the floor; lyon
misapprehend my meaning. On general
matters | am confident that you are as sane
as ! am, but you must excuse me for think
ing that on one point refer to the fair
sex-you are at present, perhaps, Just a
little-not so sensible, might say, as could
be wished.
Mr.. Adrian inclined his head and smiled
sardon;cally; but the Vicar was not looking
at him, and proceeded;
''You have asked my advice, and you
shall have it. No harm has occurred yet,
but such fancies as those you have narrat-
ed to me, in my opinion, indicate some
degree of weakness in the constitution, and
one hallucnation, understand, often leads
to another. So, ere the matter goes any
further, | strongly recommend you to con-
suit some eminent specialist, who will
doubtless benefit you by his advice.
'In other words, you advise me to 90 to
mad Doctor
"Not exactly that. But there are GER
tain physicians who have devoted their
lives to mental ailments and peculiarities,
and you might derive benefit. from their
advice and treatment"
"May | ask if you have noticed any
other peculiarities besides that to which
you have already alluded ?"
The Vicar glanced involu ntarily at the
wig, and then replied in hesitating fash
ion
II have observed nothing unconnected
with the matter which is at present so
greatly concerning you which could posi-
bly, call for any remark,
81 am obliged to you, and TO prove that
1 have taken in good part what you have
said l intend to follow your advice l
told you that l intended to leave here to-
morrow, and I shall now go straight to
Paris and consult DIR. Lionnet
Mr. Charlton thought that this announce
ment was only an additional proof of his
patrons eccentricily, for why, he asked
himself, should Mr. Adrian go to Paris,
seeing that there were several eminent
specialists close at hand in London?
OF course it cannot be pleasant thing
to converse with one who has the impress
sion that your mind is affected, as little
that is said in these circumstances is likely
to influence the hearer favorably. So Mr..
Adrian, who was never saner in his life,
under the plea of his early departure ON
the morrow gave his guest hint that he
would like him to leave, and Mr.. Charlton
accordingly went home at an unusually
early hour.
Next day Mr.. Adrian carried out the
intention which he had stated to Mr..
Charlton, and after spending several hours
in town he left for Paris by the night
mail He had appeared to ac4aiesce sesy
readily in the Wears suggestion, but the
reasons which had prompted him to. &c to
Paris were quite unconnected with Mr..
Charlton's opinions. Mr.. Adrian knew