Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-08
PROLOGUE.

"Yes; that's exactly what do mean.
There's no alternative"
"Well, but she's Just as mad as when
she FIRST came into the asylum" ex
claimed the FIRST speaker, Mrs Boyle,
the matron Of the female side OF Wads-
worth lunatic asylum.
ayes: know that as we'll as you
do" returned DIR. Bailey; but here's
The order from the commissioners fof
her release, and we've neither the right
TO question II nor the power to detain
the woman"
But she's not 1T TO be at large.
She's understanding more or
nothing less" cried the matron, indig-
nantly.
THAT may be-" answered the doc.
toi, dryly. but the commissioners
can't be expected TO set up the ques.
zion Of patients sanity against rule
OF red-tape. What has happened Is
this: The certificate on which this
woman, Lucy Howell has been
brought In is invalid; the new certii.
cate was to have been here, and hash I
come; consequently she will have to be
set at liberty"
"what II she kills the first person
she meets2"
$50 much the worse for the first per
sop and the commissioners, replied
the doctor, with u short cynical laugh.
"But NO blame can be attached 20 us"
"But DR.. Accring declares that hers
Is subtle form Of mania that Is abso-
lutely 'ncurable. She has all the fan
cies Of murderess, and all the
crotchets OF mndwoman, hidden away
under her. gentle ways and soft
speech"
swell, We can't help that. She'll
have TO go, and we may as well tell her
ut once"
Then there'll be murder done be-
fore she comes back, and come back
she certainly will" said the matron,
ms she left the room 10 fetch the woman
OF whom the two had been speaking.
She returned in few minutes bring
ing with her tall, handsome woman
Of about four or Ave and twenty, whose
finely developed figure was rather set
dff than concealed by the somber dress
which she wore.
When the doctor spoke her name she
a low. clear and rather sweet voice;
"You want me, sir?"
rYeG; sent for you TO tell you you
are 20 be discharged from here"
IL am glad you see ut last that I'm
not mad" was the reply, calmly spoken
and with confident smile.
~ did not say saw that" answered
the doctor, dryly.
well. so long MS somebody sees II,
aud am liberated, | am satisfied. !
ought never TO have been brought
here"
"You will now be able TO do what
you wish 10 do, Miss Howell" said the
matron, interchanging rapid glance
with the doctor.
In an instant light flashed into the
womnns eyes as she looked up and
cried. with touch Of eager passion;
Eyes, III" hut, catching the eX-
preston ON the others faces. she
stopped as suddenly, and changed her
tone with her look, adding: "Ycs, |
shall he glad to be at liberty again"
The change In her manner had been
startling In its abruptness; and in the
moment of excitement she had looked
dangerous enough To suggest hidden
depths of intense passion.
"When shall you try and seek out tn,
people who are following you about
with knives" asked the mntron ugain
"rhat dark, good looking Young vii
lain, who was your lover and deceived
you. that you told me about?'
hut this time the reference tn hel
craze had no rousing effect She hn,
obtained complete sclf-mastcry and an
swered quietly;
II am sorry have nude such mis-
takes. suppose that, being In plnc,
like this, where everyone has fancics
frightened myself But, now nn
going away, ! shall leave them"
Where are you going?" asked III,
doctor, disrcgarding her gesture.
Lucy Howell thought for u moment
hesitating in her reply, and then sh
said
Where | came from, sir Mireley.
what are your
"A silk weaver" said the woman.
"There are no sheds at Mirelcy," r,
turned the doctor, quickly and SUI
piciously
II am not bound to go back TO wea'
ing. am ~" was the reply, flashed bac
in half anger; and then in u niue
milder tone she added. II shall want
rest, sir, after the life here; besides,
have friends at Mireley, and the
will want me-"
well, you are TO 60 out at tv
o'clock this afternoon, and the mt
who brought you here will come 4
you at that time. You had better
ready"
'vlhalk you, sir said the wo,nn
Without looking again nt the dnct'
sha turned ard left the room, follow,
by the matron.
"She seems sensible enough. Mr.
lIoyle," he said, when the latter =
turned. But, sensible or not sen'
BILE, she has 10 CO."
"Oh, she's as sensible as am, and
precious sight more cunning. iiut
murder don't come of this busins
well, it'll be marvel to me-,
CHAPTER l.
THE PROPOSAL
"Mihs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
A dark, pretty girl, dressed in blaC
who stood leaning upon gate just
side the mill village OF Wulkd
Bridge. startel aud turned round, II
a slight flush showed for moment
her features, rs she heard her nal
,hus spoken.
"Mr. Gorringcw
ibid startlc you out OF plea s.;
reverieP' asked the man. hut II
zoo great u pleasure 20 lnd You ole