The herald., 1895-02-22

| has driven me to madness. She re-
covers when she gets husband, and
becomes a model queen of the nursery
ever Afterwards. But | shall always be
the same. 1t is you and your class who
are responsible for this; you must die. !"
With the last word ringing on his lips,
Wanless flew at me and bore me to the
ground. Strong as | was, | was power
less in his grasp, for the madman pos
sessed the strength of a dozen beings at
that moment. | could feel his hot breath
upon my face as he bent over me. "Tou
are one of the fends who have robbed me
of my reason" he hissed. 'You are one
of the successful hacks who dress up old
tales, and try to galvanize paralytic
corpses into life until the gibbering dead
faces mock us to insanity. Once deemed
the world to be fresh and bright; but the
weary monotony of the novels | craved
for made me what | am. Make the most
of your time-you will never leave this
room alive. As duty to my fellow suf-
ferers, | am going to rid the world of one
scribbling fiend tonight"
| tried to expostulate, but the words
died ON my lips. Wanless bent over me
and gripped my throat with convulsive
force. The strength of despair came back
to me as | realized that we were in that
solitary place alone, and that my life de-
pended upon my own efforts. We rolled
over and over, but Wanless was always
PEELED him to relinquish his grip; the
sudden rush of air 10 my lungs caused me
to feel sick and dizzy. But the contest
was bound to end in one way, for as |
became weaker, my antagonist gathered
fresh vigor
1T is useless he cried trium phantly.
you have got to die.
| knew it, but ! would not despair.
And then, as l commenced to fail, there
came sound welcome as voice from
heaven-the sound of Bellamy's step in
the hall. He tried the door only to find
it fast; he shouted, and in response came
a feeble gurgle from me. Beliamy wasted
no further time; something told him that
he had arrived in time to prevent terri
bic tragedy. As Bellamy's whole weight
broke in the door, Wanless gave me a
squeeze that caused the countless stars to
dance and flicker before by eyes. Then
sleep, peaceful and childlike.
When | came to myself again, ! was in
bed. The windows were open to the
breeze a glorious sun was shining, and
Bellamy stood respectfully before me. On
the whole, l felt little the worse for my
adventure.
81 am extremely sorry for what has hap
pened, sir, Bellamy said politely. The
people here know nothing, and | shall
esteem it personal favor if you will pre-
serve our secret. | ought, perhaps, to
have told you sir -
but what on earth is the matter with
Mr.. Wanless?' | asked.
"Well, sir, - Bellamy said deferentially,
my masters name is not Wanless at all.
He is Mr.. Cultshaw, the critic and essay
list, who used to be reader to Messrs.
Gilley, the great publishers. OF course
YOU know him by name, sir. Two years
ago the gentleman had brain-fever from
overworl and he's never been the same
since. If he has three glasses of wine he's
quite mad. Usually he is harmless
enough, but when excited, he has a per-
fectly morbid hatred OF magazine writer's.
He attributes his malady to reading the
same class of story with what he calls the
same motif over and over again. He did
not know you by sight and, indeed, mis-
took your name but you he holds in
especial detestation, sir. He would have
killed you if he could.
81 quite believe that, Bellamy, replied
grimly. But you may trust me to say
nothing about what has happened. How
is your patiene?"
Perfectly well this morning, and with
out notion what took place last night
But on the whole, sir, | would respect
fully beg to suggest that you do not meet
again. | don't suppose that you are spec
tally attached to the place, and as it tagrees
with my poor master"
''Say no more Bellamy," | replied. 81
will get away today. | came out for quiet
and rest, and not for midnight advent
ures. And there's a f10 note for you,
Bellamy, with my most grateful thanks. "