Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-06-14
CHAPTER III.
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE.

awake echoes there, not because 1t is
fur from the busy center Of the city, for
1t leads directly out Of an important ave-
nue. through which there is much pass
ing, but because ii is not q thoroughfare.
On two sides substantial brick houses
present On uninterrupted front to the
street. On the third side high picketed
fence prevents it from leading over q
solid pile Of masonry, rising only to its
level and known as a sea wall, directly
into the river. Ballavoine place and all
the streets in this vicinity occupy what
is termed made land" for the time
was not long ago when the tide from the
neighboring harbor flowed twice day
over the salt marshes 30 feet below tho
present paved and solid surface There
fore it is that the buildings are all new
and stately, and that only we'll to do
people live here. NO 20 is the last house
on the street next the river. 1t is so near
it indeed that only narrow courtyard
intervenes between the sea wall and its
foundation stones. This house is what is
popularity termed can apartment house"
that is to say, it is let ont in suits,
floor by floor, to different families.
In December, 1854, the name ON the
books of the lessee of this house against
suit No. 8, which comprised the rooms
in the upper story, was Julian Maxey.
In that month of that year and week
after the episode on the cliff road the art
ist was talking with his friend, the
physician, in the large square chamber,
tho last in his series, which he was &C.
customed to call his sitting room. The
great easy chairs and the comfortable
sofa in this apartment seemed to war
rant the appellation. The piano, the nu-
merous rows Of we'll filed bookshelves
and sideboard with decanter on it
somewhat widened the range of posi-
bilities, however, and the presence Of a
bed, shut in with pretty lace curtains,
made the term entirely inadequate to
the subject. 1t was room, in fact, in
which stranger might have spent days
and nights Of profit and amusement
without the necessity Of going out very
frequently for anything pertaining to
luxuries or necessities, bodily or mental
ly. Indian clubs and dumbbells ON shelf
in a corner afforded an opportunity for
indoor exercise; the sideboard was a
treasury of refreshment; there was read
ing enough for years study. The walls
were covered with pictures, and. q half
painted canvas on ON easel near win
dow showed another in the process of
manufacture. There YVES cheerful fire
in an open CRATE. On the center table
was sewing basket, some fancy work,
several uncut magazines and papers, q
cigar case and q reading lamp. From
any point in the room the occupant
could command view of the broad riv-
er and of tho fields and spires on the
farther shore. At this time of year the
fields and hills were white, and the river
was full of ice.
The doctor had just come out Of a
windowless alcovechamber, which might
be separated from the main apartment
by curtains, now prettily looped back.
In the obscurity beyond could be seen a
bed and the face of young woman
q pale face, with large, dark eyes, which
roved about necessarily, as if in quest
of o horror that never came.
How does she seem today?" Julian
Maxey questioned in tone Of deep anx-
iety.
"Just as she has been since we found
her, just as she seems likely to be for
the rest of her days-in q state Of total
eclipse" There was no air Of jocularity
about DR.. Lamar's manner. He was
very much dissatisfied with the situa-
ton, although his concern was Of diff
ferent nature from Maxey's. A,medioal
problem that baffied him always aroused
in him grim antagonism that was far
from humorous.
"You don't mean to tell me you are
beginning to look upon this as hope
less case?" Maxey exclaimed in conster-
nation Whenever Maxey got excited,
his hair promptly exhibited a tendency
to assume an erect attitude, and his neck
tie inevitably became awry. Lamar not
ed that he was now somewhat excited.
II mean to tell you, as I have told
you, that even partial recovery is very
improbable. -
''But you will not say impossible?"
'"They are synonymous terms with
most of us. For my part, am cautious.
There is the one chance in million
that always exists"
Miss Maxey had come into the room
in time to hear this disheartening reply.
She spoke up, with almost hysterical en-
phasis:
"And that one chance will save her.
I believe too much in the justice Of
heaven to think for moment that she
will lie here and die with closed lips.
don't, I can't believe it. AS sure as
there is God or any Providence in
human events, the time will come when
that poor girl will speak and denounce
the inhuman monster who pushed hel
from the roadv'
"You believe in poetic justice, Miss
Maxey. Unfortunately for me, am q
practical physician and obtain my idea
of human events from life and not from
novels. The time may come, it is true,
but to say that it will is to show depth
of confidence in my skill and ability
which hardly possess myself. This gir
certainly cannot recover without med
ical aid, and 1t is utterly beyond my com
prehension, for you may as we'll know
the truth at once, how medical aid caI
reach her. That is how the matter stand
at present. "
"But the present is not the future,
cried Miss Maxey, with warm glow il
her cheeks. Perhaps. in spite Of all he
enthusiasm, she felt it was Lamar sh
spoke to. Nothing can make me beliey
that she will die like this. God woul'
not permit such crime to go unpunish
ed"
without discussing that. my dea