The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-11-21

Der taking to Milo Camille IN Frencntown
Three years ago my father was alive, and
we were happy. prosperous family. Colo
mel Collins, who had been living alternately
in France and America, Q sort OF an ad-
venturous life, came to our house in Day
ton, o., where father was at the time known
as one Of the wealthiest merchants in the
city. felt peculiar distrust Of the man
from the first moment saw him. but father
and mother, on the contrary, seemed fasci-
mated with him.
my mother, like myself, felt an instinct
i've repugnance toward her countryman.
He so ingratiated himself into the good
graces of my father that somehow never
knew-in few weeks he had complete con-
troll over his business affairs My poor
brother, falling into the snares set for him,
was led TO the gaming table, which brought
about, among other sins, forgeries that in
few months ruined our family. | can not
enter into the full details and horror Of the
few months that followed.
"To add to them, no sooner had Colonel
Collins gained complete control over the
destinies of every member of our family,
tudl lily anu WHY plOlcGtoT,
Before his death Colonel Collins proposed
matrimony to me, and, knowing that we
could not live happily together, refused
his offer.
"With mother and nv little afflicted
brother | left our home in Dayton, and
come West to my aunt Nile. Camille, in
Frenchtown. We were very proud, and re-
solved to keep our degrading misfortunes
to ourselves. My older brother remained
behind, hoping to save something for us out
Of the wreck of our once handsome fortune,
though mother and had in our own names
property, the income Of which would be
ample for our wants. We little dreamed
that in coming to Frenchtown we were near
ing the rendezvou of the man whom We
dreaded above all others. Aunt Lucille was
glad to receive US, and offered us u home
with herself as long as we would accept 1t.
intended teaching music, or securing
position as governess, and we thought we
could once more be happy. Ny little deaf
brother never seemed so happy as he was
with my aunt, who dotted on him.
Zone night there came knock at tho
door, and my brother, wild-eyed and hag-
gard, was admitted. He had only time to
explain that he was charged with forging a
check on Colonel Collins and was now ily-
ing from the vengeance of the law, when
the door opened and Colonel Collins him
self entered. Tortured by fears and har-
raised by man who was scarce less than
demon, my poor brother was seized with
commissions, and for days his life was
despaired of. Colonel Collins informed me
that unless l became his wife my brother,
regardless Of condition, should be dragged
to prison. This would kill both him and my
mother, and frightened, Mortified and un-
conscious Of the awful step was taking
without consulting any one, | consented.
dared not appeal to an officer to protect
me from this man; for, believing my brother
to be a criminal officers Of the law were
men most to be dreaded.
IL have but faint recollection of my
marrage-just as if it was frightful
dream. When came to realize that | was
his-almost soul and body--I resolved that
| would make him as good a wife as could
without loving him, and determined to pro-
tect my family. He had us secretly
conveyed to the stone house on the hill.
| There we have lived, he holding as a con-
slant menace over mo the destruction OF my
mother and insane brother, who are inmates
| of that house. While do not love my hus-
| band, and was forced into marriage with
| him, yet as God is my witness have made
him as good wife as he would let me, and
shall live and die loyal to my marriage
vows. He wanted mother and to assign
over to him the property we hold in our own
names, but this we refused to do, deter
| ,,,;, 20 for mn, a ut hpo har
He few into such rage at our diobedience
that we feared he would do my little dumb
brother some harm, or send him away where
we should never see him again. It was then
that !, for that child's sake, dared make the
visit to you aud enlist your sympathies In
him, as you remember. You may think II
unwomanly, immodest, but if you could re-
alize what was at stake you would overlook
the imprudence Of the act At my aunts the
little boy was among loving friends, while
at the old stone house on the hill he was no,
only miserable but In constant danger Of
being taken away from us, where we should
never see him again."
"Mrs. Collins, your conduct on that coca
ing censure," assured Allen, 'but why d.
you live with such Q monstcrl The law viii
give you divorce"
ram Catholic" she answered, sane
neither does my religion or my conscience
approve Of divorces. No, sir, my littl,
brother is safe from his prosecutions, m,
insane brother can not live long and mothe
and viii endure rough usage and impr,scn
ment until death shall release Us from bon
dagc. She will not leave me, for she think
my burden would b doublSd n she was no
here to share II. Ipromised, although undo
duress, to live with him until death do u
part, and viii keep that promise"
Aliens head was bowed upon his hand
At last, with troubled sigh, no askedi
"what is his motive for this strange con
duct, 10 he IN outlaw, ~ has bee
oharged"
mo, sir; he 10 . strange man, law-sbidin
In the common acceptAtion Of the term, bu
sclfwilled, cumming aad unscrupulous in To
accomplishment of h:a 5aaigns. In his cold
selfish way he love. me, but his is love I
blight rather than LESS. His extravaganc
, has frequently pccuniariy embarrassed hin
|, and it is at such times that he does nc
scruple at any means TO try to force trol
mother and our property"
"What are those strange sights an
sounds seen and heard at the stone hous
on the hilll'
mo doubt the reports Of them have bee
, greatly magnifed by persons believing tn
place haunted The lights are made by
, peculiar magic lantern with which my il
sane brother some times amuses himsel
His shrieks and laughter, which has drive
so many horror-strlcken away, are but tf
|, rawlings of a mailman. You know all, Nj
Gray" she said, rising st is not prope
, that remain longer. Regrets that we ha
, not met sooner are useless-it is useles
for ~ to think of each other at all. Allo
| 40 thanl, ,-o,, To- do yvhaf vnu dii