The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-12-25

is so good to all the-people here. isn't
Bhe?' EE
Eyes. indeed. She's very consider.
ate. "
Melton now understood the situation
This girl did not know that she was in
an asylum. They had told her that she
was visitor.
'lt'sanice place to come for visit"
said he. ~ came out here with friend
of mine, a gentleman named Lowry. l
live in Chicago"
"Oh, yes. Well, I'm sure you'll like
it out here"
Pm sorry can't stay longer. I'm
going back to town tonight ON the late
train"
"Going away tonight"
"Yes, have to go to Milwaukee in
the morning"
"Why do You have to so thereH'
"I'm going up to see about deal in
lumber. Imay buy some hardwood lum-
Der up there"
"How much?" she asked.
"Well, she's inquisitive enough"
thought he, but he was tolerant and an
swered, "Oh, perhaps 1000, 900 feet"
"Oh, 100000 feetl Won't that be
nice? hope you'll get it." '
Melton was rather amused at her in
terest in his affairs He began to ques-
ton her.
"Will you remain here long?" he
asked
mo, Pm going to leave in few days
and go to New York. have an uncle
there, and expect to take trip with
him on yacht.
Melton repressed smile at the refer
ences to the "uncle" and the yacht"
He resolved to investigate further. He
had heard that patients were always
willing to talk Of their delusions.
II notice that you are wearing an
engagement ring" said he. $50 you
are to be married, are youp'
For q moment she appeared startled
and then she laughed heartily.
"I'm engaged to one of the incest fell
lows in the world" said she. You're
not jealous, are your
This was more than Melton had bar
gained for. He had been impelled by
the curiosity Of the student, but he was
not enough of a ghoul TO have fun with
the decisions of an unfortunate girl.
he had detected the maniacal tone in
her laugh.
"Oh, no." said he hastily. ~ con-
graduate you"
She laughed again.
"If remain here, I'll have her vic.
lent, thought he. So he excused him
self and hurried over to rejCin Lowry.
AS they rode to the city on the late
train Melton told Lowry that the most
interesting patient he had met was
girl who thought she was only visitor
at the asylum, and who expected to go
to New York and ride on yacht, and
who, saddest of all, wore an engage
ment ring and really believed she was
soon to be married to some nice young
man who existed only in her disorder
ed brain. . ... lo
No longer ago than last week Melton
was at luncheon in quiet restaurant.
He looked up from the bill of fare and
saw at the next table-the asylum girl
She was radiantly attired and was
chatting gayly with an elderly woman.
"By George, she's cured" said Mel
ton to himself. II wonder If she re-
members anything that happened. II
she does remember. it will be mighty
embarrassing If she happens to recognize
me-"
Then he asked himself whether it
would be proper to speak to her in case
she recognized him. He knew the So
ciety rule as to ballroom introductions,
but he had never learned what was
good form in the case Of asylum intro
auctions If he spoke to her, he would
have to refer to their former meeting.
That would be painful to both Of them.
Suddenly the pretty girl looked TO-
ward him and gave startled "Ohl"
and then blushed furiously. He was
recognized. He simply stared at the bill
of fare to hide his confusion.
The voice Of Superintendent Lucas
aroused him.
"This is Mr.. Melton, isn't it! Come
over here. / want TO tell you story T"
"No, no" exclaimed the young wom-
an.
But Mr.. Lucas, who had come into
the restaurant to keep his appointment
with the women, seized Melton by the
arm and led him over to the other ia
BILE.
MARY" said he to the elderly wom-
an, "this is Mr.. Melton, who came out
with Lowry that night Melton, I'm
going to tell you this. You've met Miss
Caldwell. "
The girls face was one fiery blush.
and she seemed ready to cry.
"Well, sir, T" said the superintendent
without pity, "she met me that even
ing you were out there and told me that
the most interesting patient she had
met was that Mr. Melton. She said you
} seemed to be all right until you started
to talk about lumber"
"I'll never speak to you again, said
Miss Caldwell decisively.
''And, by the way" continued Mr.
Lucas, "she says you asked her if she
was engaged. -
REALLY must apologize, said Mel