The citizen., 1896-10-02
..Yes. l have to go to Milwaukee in

J1e
.Why do you have to go there"
I'm going up to see about deal in
lumber. l may buy some hardwood
lumber up there"
"How much?" she asked.
"Well. she's linguistic enough"
thought he, but he was tolerant ani
answered.: "Oh. perhaps 100000 feet.
"Oh. 100000 feet! Won't that be
nice? hope you'll get it,"
Melton was Ia ther amused at her in
terest in his affairs. lie began to ques-
tion her.
will you remain here long?" he
asked.
mo. I'm going to leave in few days
and go to New York. l have an uncle
there, and l expect to take trip with
him on a yacht
Melton repressed smile at the ref
erence to the uncle" and the yacht
He resolved to investigate further. He
had heard that patients were always
willing to talk of their delusions.
Il notice that you are wearing an en-
gagement ring" said he. $50 you are
to be married, are you?''
For moment she appeared startled
and then laughed heartily.
'Pm 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 ghoul TO have fun with
the delusions OF an unfortunate girl.
He had detected the maniacal tone in
her laugh.
"Oh, no." said he. hastily. Il con
gratulate YOU"
She laughed again.
''If l remain here I'll have her vio
lent" thought he. So he excused him
self and hurried over to rejoin 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 disordered
brain.
No longer ago than last week Melton
was at luncheon in a 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 Melton
to himself. Il wonder she remembers
anything that happened. If she does
remember, it will be mighty embarrass-
ing if she happens to recognize me-"
Then he asked himslf 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 introduc-
tions. 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 "Oh!"
and then blushed furiously. He was
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 a story"
''No, mol" exclaimed the young
woman.
But, Mr.. Lucas, who had come into the
restaurant to keep his appointment
with the woman, seized Melton by the
arm and led him over to the other table.
"Mary," said he to the elderly woman,
"this is Mr.. Melton, who came out with
Lowry that night. Melton, I'm going to
tell you this: You've met Miss Cald-
WELL"
The girls face was one fiery blush,
and she seemed ready to cry.
"Well, sir" said the superintendent,
without pity. "She met me that evening
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"
It'll never speak to you again." said
Miss Caldwell, decisively.
".And, by the way" continued MIR.
Lucas, "she says you asked her if she
was engaged"
"Really, / must apologize" said Mel
ton. great light breaking in upon
him. 81 wouldn't have talked that way
only thought-well. you didn't say
! supposed she was one"
"What!" exclaimed the girl.
Mr.. Lucas roared and poor Melton COL
lapsed. Then there was general un-
derstanding. They insisted that he take
luncheon with them and he did SO, de-
voting the entire time to labored ex-
nlanation.-Chicago Record.