The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-02

was good. My friend in Paris, in whose
house he was living, wrote me an en-
cOuraging report There had been no re-
turn of his symptoms, and he had been
most tractable and docile. In fact, there
appeared then to be no necessity for the
slightest restraint on his actions:
why didn't you let me know this?"
Il feared to raise false hopes"
But now, something must be done
his not coming back personally. VIII you
not communicate with your friend in
Paris?'
He is not in Paris; he is over here on
a visit to me"
But while he has been absent, who has
had care of my SOM"
fidence. An old fellow who with his wife
takes care of the house. The old fellow is
a former keeper of one of the Paris asy-
lums, and can be thoroughly relied on.
But my friend is returning to Paris at
once. / will go with him and see your
son myself If-as ! hope-he is now in
good mental health, it may be possible to
allow him to come home under certain
conditions The attendant, this old fell
low, can come with him; You yoursen
can go back to Tempecombe to meet him,
and between us we may manage matters
so that at least he can enter into possess
sion of the estates and title in the ordi-
nary way, without the world having any
suspicion of the true state of affairs. In
a fortnight from this l will let you know
my decision, whatever it is
DR. Swanson left, and a day or two
later started for Paris with the French
| doctor to meet the new earl The inquest
| on the late earl, after being adjourned
| twice, was concluded, and a verdict OF
! wilful- murder against some person or per-
sons unkQnWn was returned, the coroner
and the jury expressing their sympathy
| with the young earl and his widowed
| mother in the terrible calamity which
| had befalen them.
! And month later the young earl came
! quietly to England. it was understood from
| India. His mother was at the house to
| receive him, and under the tragic circum-
! stances of his return there was no WEI
come by the tenantry. At the earnest
request of the family there was no in
| trusion on their privacy. All that was
| known in the neighborhood was that the
! young earl, accompanied by an elderly
French servant, had returned from his
! travels.
The young earls mental health had I'M
| dounbtedly improved. DR. Swanson, af-
| ter repeated visits. was more than salts
| fled. Only-and this he impressed upon
| the widowed countess-it was necessary
/ that he should be constantly kept from
anything likely ITO excite him or cause
him annoyance. He must be practically
a prisoner. under the constant surveii-
! lance of his French attendant.
The mother pleaded that her son was
sane-that in all things his mind was clear
and unclouded. He had taken a keen in
terest in the business affairs which had
been brought before him in connection
with the property, and the family solicitor
who had submitted the necessary docu-
ments to him, and obtained his signature
had not had the slightest suspicion that
one time been dangerous lunatic. When
ne had been cautioned that under no cir
CumStances was he to refer to the terri
BILE manner in which the late earl had
come by his death, he had expressed sur
prise, but it had been explained to him
that the young man was of a highly ner-
Vous temperament, and there was a fear
that the sudden revelation of such trag-
edy might affect his health. The family
had not communicated the truth to the
heir, and fortunately he had not seen the
English papers, which at the time con-
tanned an account of the catastrophe But
gradually precautions were relaxed The
young earl, who had accepted his enfOrc-
ed secluson without murmur, learning
that it was his mothers wish that for
a year at least after his fathers death
he should abstain from all society, was
pronounced by the doctor to be-so far as
he could judge-paSt any danger of a re-
lapse. And so ii was arranged that when
combe should once more be thrown open.
and the young earl should take his place
in society
But Just previous to the expiration of
the year the old Frenchman was taken
seriously i'll. He asked the local doctor
ger, and the doctor hesitated. Tell me
honestly" said the old man. because if
! there is danger-if you think this illness
may prove fatal want to let my wife
know. She would not come to England
with me to live, but if she knows / am
dying she viii come"
Il don't say you are dying-you may re-
cover hope you will-but you may send
for your wife"
That is enough replied the French
man. II understand"
When the doctor had gone the countess
came to the sick mans room. He asked