Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-01-07
A QUESTION OF SANITY.

Although had made several hundred
thousands in lucky ventures on Change.
gay nervous system was injured, and
she 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
fhere which was quite renowned for its
cures.
The moment | saw the place liked it,
and felt convinced that | would leave it
a we'll man. The sanitarium was a
large, handsome building, surrounded
10y beautiful grounds The front yard
was full of bright flowers and shrubs,
which gave cheerful aspect to the
place. And from the windows the
bright blue sea, peaceful and calm, or
fall of angry pillows, as its mood might
Toe, could be plainly seen.
had not been at Longvue a month
When | began TO improve wonderfully.
che air was bracing, there was no ex-
element and the attendants were very
sGillful.
In this peaceful atmosphere my over
worked nerves became invigorated and
life became pleasant again
At the end of two months | was com
lletely cured, but [ fingered, for Long
vGe was more to my liking than q gay
resort. The sea had strong attraction
t2c me, and | took daily walks on the
{paach At first half-mile in one direc-
tion was enough to satisfy me. ] would
wander along until | found a sheltered
nook, and lie there dreamily looking at
the waters for hours.
One dav, it was the first of August
remember the date perfectly, as it be-
,sasl a new era in nv life-I started out
Ger the beach early in the morning.
Feeling unusually vigorous, l walked
feather than ever before and rounded
point / had never passed beyond. To
ray surprise [ beheld large building
something similar in architecture to the
,sanitarium. Never having heard of such
aE place, | was naturally curious to find
e3e.t something about it. 1t was not far
of, 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 lad desire to visit such
"a place before, but my idle fancy babe
grounds AS | touched the gates [
tound them locked and | 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. | said l
did not want to see any hopelessly in
sane or violent patients.
The janitor directed me to door in
fhn ci1n of thn hri1Iirc
that the patients | would see in the
fuain sitting-roOm were all quiet and
harmless.
Entering the room indicated, [
glanced around rather uneasily. A
Number of women were sitting quietly
dn their CHARS looking toward the end
of the room. Good pictures were on
the walls, flowers and papers on the
cables. At the far end of the room
Ealaying a few soft notes as entered. [
EIad not noticed the musician until my
glance fell on the piano. Then | started
rn surprise as my eyes beheld the love-
Eiest woman [ had ever seen.
a cloud of golden hair was caught up
~&nd coiled on the top of perfectly
shaped little head. Her neck, slightly
revealed by the cut of the dainty blue
gown that she wore, was as white and
firm as a labaster. Her figure, though
slight, was eXquisitely moulded, and
i could not see her face, as her back
was turned to me. AS l stood gazing at
f3tar, waiting impatiently for her to turn
toward me. she struck the keys a little
louder and began to sing. | listened
entranced, for the notes that came were
xs-weeter than lark's song. | had
heard the great Patti and most of the
worlds great singers, but the voice of
this unknown girl moved me as none
had ever before.
There was such pathos thrilling
Through the notes of the glorious voice
Gilat tears unbdden rose to my eyes.
As | brushed them away, half ashamed
qof my emotion, an elderly woman, sit
sing in the middle ofthe room, called
out, Enough, Miss Sibyl,' and the
Nnusic ceased.
Then the singer turned and saw her
9ace. A face as pure and lovely as the
greatest artist could desire as madonna
model was revealed to my gaze. The
contour of her face was Grecian. The
great brown eyes held in their depths
AN expression of sadness The straight
nose, the lips firm but sweet. the softly
rounded chin betrayed the refinement
of their owner.
When it comes to love man is a
strange being. He may be months try
Vng to decide whether he really loves a
woman or not, or the divine passion
unav come upon him suddenly, flooding
his whole being with its intensity.
AS looked at this golden-haired girl
two feelings awoke in my breast.
gifted her-young. beautiful and accom-
niished, doomed to spend her life. or
waart of it at least, in an asylum for the
Ensane. loved her-not because "pity
Ts akin to love-" nor only because other
aoeauty, but because could not tell
why. l only knew that loved her with
ssly whole heart.
The patients began to move here and
Taere around the room. some regarding
eMe with curious looks. Seeing me
standing there, Sibyl-I already dared
scall her that IN my heart-approached
nne. Shn smiled, and the smile lifted
the sadness from her face, and babe me
Y L y,.>&I