Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-14
fair young girl crazyr

AAiSS OpHCIld, CEitu size, NOW
ever came you here? Come away
directly. miss. or FL call the doctor"
The girl shrugged her shoulders im-
patiently.
Il am not afraid of the DOCTOR" said
she. He is always kind to me. Be-
sides, he knows that his position as
court physician depends entirely upon
my good word with the King
Come away. miss, dear" coaxcd
the woman. You must get to bed
early. you know, or you won't be fresh
when he comes. as may be he'll do to-
morrow morning"
THAT is true said the girl, her
dark sleepy eyes lighting up. Yes,
Hester yes; | will come"
And kissing her hand to Martha,
with u gay gesture of farewell, she
skipped away after the maid.
Martha followed her to the door,
and there. pacing up and down the
wide passage, by the light of sus
pended lamp. was Silyer-haired
woman. with large wax doll in her
arms. over which she bent her head
making an inarticulate cooling sound
as she walked.
who is that?" she asked of the
woman who was leading the passive
"Opheia" away.
It's Mrs. Jessup. Poor thiug!" she
added in an undertone. 'she thinks
that's her baby as died and was buried
thirteen good year ago. There comes
the doctor now"
As DR.. Campington entered Martha
Fairfield confronted him with a pale
face.
Sir" said she wildly. '.what placs
is this you have brought me TOP A
mad-house?"
He sat quietly down. beckoulng her
to an opposite chair with an air of
quiet authority that she found it i'm
possible to resist.
You are quite right" said he. 1T
is what the world calls madhouse, but
we, who are wiser in the history OF
mortal and mental diseases, term it
Sanitary Retreat"
But you have deceived me. You
advertised for companion to an in
valid"
Have we not many invalids herep"
DIR. Campin gton asked, with smile
81 put it to your own reason and good
sense how many answers we should
get to an advertisement worded thus:
'Wanted-A keeper in a madhouse.'
Now. Miss Fairfield, see protest aud
refusal in your eyes. But take time to
reflect. Your duties will be light,
merely the supervision and companion.
ship of the two or three refined and
delicate inyalid> who can not be in
trusted to the coarse and uncutured
attention Of menials-yOur salary
double what was mentioned in the adj
vertsement. [ will await your decision
tomorrow morning in this apartment.
Betsy" to the little maid who had
brought the tea. show Miss Fairfield
to her ROOM"
Aud in "a large and airy apartment,
with easements which overlooked the
mountain slopes, Martha Fairfield sat
down to decide.
There was something in DR.. Cam
pingtons calm eye aud calmer words
that treasured her-the '.MadhOuse"
seeming no longer to possess terror in
her sight.
I'VE have outgrown the supersti-
tious age of the world" she told her.
prided myself ca my strength of mind.
/ have-a mission-$300 year. With
that sum | could give dear mamma
even Injuries. Yes | will stay!"
We'll. which is it to he-yes or nor
DR.. CampingtOn asked on the morrow,
when Martha met him. with clear.
violet eyes and looks of quiet resolve
Yes"
II thought so. In fact, l knew it"
he said laughing. For l am rather
a physiognomist in my way, aed |
read your face yesterday"
And Martha STAYED at Campiegton
Hall; but she never wrote to her
mother that she was in a-madhouse!
At the end of the quarter DR.. Cam
pington paid her f75.
We'll" said he, have you found it
very hard work?"
Martha smilingly shook her head.
On the contrary" said she, II like
it. Ophelia is one of the sweetest girls
and best companions ever knew when
she can forget her one delusion;
and -
Yes" said DR.. Campington, and
they all like you. So do l."
Martha smiled and colored DIR.
Campington watched her face intently
Miss Fairfield, " said he, you have
never asked me what nearly every one
else does-why | dc not marryP"
Because, said Martha, Il can inn
agine the reason. Your standard is
high-you never yet have met the
woman to realize it."
You are wrong. then, Martha"
said he. Il have met her. She stands
before me now. Martha, | may as
well confess the truth have allowed
myself to fall in love with you, hard
headed, hard-hearted man of medicine
though l am. Win YOU become my
wife?" And Martha Fairfield answer
ed, Yes; l will"
Gracious. graceful and gentle she
presides over Campington Hall, the
sweetest and happiest of young wives,
proud in her husbands marvellous
power of doing good; proud in her
mothers happiness; still prouder Of
her own success in soothing the Jared
natures of those in whose minds rea-
son sits unsteadily. Il used to long
for a mission" Martha says. Il have
found it now"
Bridges.