The Washington times., 1894-08-26

She shrank and covered before me. cover
asked, Have you not consulted your broth
ers?'
''No, no: I could not do that. All. you
don't know the past. You cannot under
stand.
My suspicious were coming back. and I
said with slight sneer, Perhaps you have
thought il better TO cUnade in Cecil's rea-
tive-his cousin, Mr.. Amory Rhodes.
She started. AMI looked up at me, but was
only of guard tor an instant. Recovering
herself quickly. she answered. with much
dignity. That would have been the most cor
rect course 10 take. bat have not required
TO tell him. He knows. and he would help
metf he could. But there are circum-
stances which make it make it impossible
for-Mr. Rhodes to move in the matter He
must not; he can't. | will not let him"
An idea came to ne Just then; and seem
Ing 10 fall in with her wishes. / said. If you
could secre;e me IL the studio some night
might see and judge for myself OF Cecil's con-
dition."
Might that not be dangerous?" she said
as if frightened on my account yet with d
over her face as she added. There are cup
boards III the room-large closets crowded
with lumber with little window panes in the
doors. | could shut you into one OF these
where you would be safe. | could take the
key out of the door, to insure your safety
but Cecil would never think OF going to a
cupboard he does not use He used it for
his photogra phing. but since he tired of that
he seldom opens its door. But if it should
ful moods when you are watching, what
then. doctor?"
II could try again, I said.
And, doctor, Tiff you are convinced on
the subject. as 1 am. what would be the right
thing to do!'
Il cannot say. tell you honestly that do
not believe Cecil is in the smallest degree
wrong mentally; but there are things which
will drive a man to act as if he were insane.
However, you have told me your fears on his
account. and told them as a loving, anxious
wife would tell his medical adviser. l will
comply with your wishes. as have said and
the result must guide your and my future ac-
ton
fattered myself that she had not learned
from my words or manner that I knew of
poor Cecils suspicious regarding her and
felt sure that my plan (for as she thought)
confirming her opinion. should help me to
protect my friend from an sinister design on
her part. if she had one
She told me that Harrington was to dine
out on Friday (this was Wednesday, and we
arranged that l should come to the house
that evening and be shut into the cupboard
before he returned. AS 1 walked away
could scarcely refrain from laughing. as tie
picture of myself acting the skeleton in the
cupboard presented itself to my mind.
l had taken part in good many domestic
tragedies and comedies, but in nothing quite
so peculiar as this, and | wondered what
would be the end of it: but l said to myself.
Madame wants to mix poor Cecil's friend
and doctor in the mess as if he supported her
views but she will find her mistake
When l got home l carefully recorded in
my diary all that had taken place on the
three occasions which | have mentioned
here, and l added to the account of it all my
unatered opinion that Harrington was per-
fectly sane, and that 1 had suggested the
plan of hiding myself in his room because |
believed by so doing l should be enabled to
prove his wife's theory incorrect. and not as
she expected, that l should become a witness
on her side. BY that time l was fully per-
suaded of her wickedness yet l found myself
haunted by her pensiye face and sorrowful
voice. and L often found myself thinking
"How can believe this of the devoted wife
have seen so fond and anxious during that
tedious illness? How can l credit such a tale
OF so sweet and fair a woman? How can
understand that a couple so attached Seem
ingly) few weeks ago have become so Bit
terly and sinfully estranged?"