The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-08
A QUESTION OF SANITY.
Falling in Love with an Inmate OF
MadhOuse.


for Longvue by the sea.
was completely run down, having
applied myself too closely to business.
Although l had made several hundred
thousands in lucky ventures on change
my nervous system was injured, and
the money did not give me much
pleasure.
After trying several physicians with
out relief | concluded to run over to
Longvue.
There was an excellent sanitarium
there which was quite renowned for
its cures.
The moment saw the place liked
| It, and felt convinced that 1 would
| leave it well man. The sanitarium
was a large. handsome building, sur
rounded by beautiful grounds. The
front yard was full of bright flowers
| and shrubs, which gave a cheerful
| aspect to the place. And from the win
dows the bright blue sea, peaceful and
calm, or full of angry pillows, as its
mood might be, could be plainly seen.
| had not been at Longvue month
when l began to improve wonderfully.
| The air was bracing. there was no ex'
| element, and the attendants were very
skillful.
In this peaceful atmosphere my over
worked nerves became invigorated and
life became pleasant again.
At the end Of two months | was com.
pletely cured, but l fingered, for Long
vue was more to my liking than a gay
resort The sea had astrong attraction
for me, and took daily walks on the
beach. At first half mile in ope
direction was enough to satisfy me.
would wander along until I found a
sheltered nook, and lie there dreamily,
looking at the waters for hours.
Zone day, it was the first of August
remember the date perfectly, as ii
began new era in my life-I started
out for the beach early in the morning.
Feeling unusually vigorous, L walked
farther than ever before and rounded 2
point l had never passed beyond. To
nv surprise 1 beheld a large building,
something similar in architecture to
the sanitarium. Never having heard OF
such a place / was naturally curious to
find out something about it. 1t was
not far off, and | walked on until the
entrance gates were reached. Then
discovered that the windows were all
barred, and concluded it must be an
asylum for the insane.
/ had never had desire to visit such
a place before, but my idle fancy babe
me open the gates and enter the
grounds AS l touched the gates
found them locked and l shook them
until bell, fastened on the inside,
rang loudly.
An elderly man appeared, turned the
key in the lock, and looked at me. /
asked if visitors were admitted. He
motioned me in with courtly wave of
his hand, and babe me enter. l said I
did not wish to see any hopelessly in
sane or violent patients.
The janitor directed me to door in
the west side of the building, saying
that the patients / would see in the
main sitting-room We're all quiet and
harmless.
Entering the room indicated, I
glanced around rather uneasily A
number of women were sitting quietly
in their chairs, looking toward the end
of the room Good pictures were on
the walls, flowers and papers on the
tables. AT the far end of the room
stood a grand piano Some one was
playing a few soft notes as l entered
had not noticed the musician until
my glance fell on she piano. Then I
started in surprise as my eyes beheld
the loveliest woman had ever seen.
A cloud of golden hair was caught up
aud coiled on the top of perfectly
shaped little head. Her neck, slightly
revealed by the cut of the dainty blue
gown she wore, was as white and firm
as alabaster. Her figure, though
slight. was exquisitely nodded, and her
every movement betrayed grace.
l could not see her face, as her back
was turned to me. AS | stood gazing
at her, waiting impatiently for her to
turn toward me, she struck the keys
little louder and began to sing.
listened entranced. for the notes that
came were sweeter than larl's song.
/ had heard the great Patti and most of
the worlds renowned singers, but the
voice of this unknown girl moved me
as none had ever before.
There was such a pathos thrilling
through the notes OF the glorious voice
that tears IN hidden rose to nv eyes.
AS l brushed them away, half ashamed
of nv emotion, an elderly woman sit
ting in the middle of the room called
out: Enough, Miss Sibyl," and the
music &c ased-
Then the singer turned and / saw
her face A face as pure and lovely as
the greatest artist could desire a.
Madonna model. was revealed 20 my
gaze The contour of her face was
Grecian. The great brown eyes held
in their depths an expression of sad
ness The straight nose, the lips firm
but sweet. the softly rounded chin, be
trayed the refinement of their owner.
When 1t comes TO love, man i
strange being. he may be months
trying 70 decide whether he really
loves a woman or not, or the divine
passion may come upon him suddenly,
flooding his whole being with its in
Jensits.
il The waves, gently tapping against
the shore, made an accompaniment e
the song of JOY my heart was singing
When I reached the gates and the
lean old usher admitted me, l gazed
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