The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1897-12-23
"RHs rnERRr

ind tapped at the door OF that inner
room In which her husband spent more
hours than she liked TO total. No reply.
Gilbert, dear, don't start" was
whispered fearfully. "He is here again
that Mr.. Mainwaring. What shall"--
Why, he was not scribbling away fe-
verishly. His head had fallen forward
asleep? When she touched him, he
slowly reused TO stare past her with
eyes 20 dilated that she almost shrank.
colbert, don'ti" She was uncon-
sciously on her knees now. "Oh, give it
up. II it's killing you'll I'll work. hus-
bandit
"Ehf Therei was dreaming--my
plot was just coming 10 me. and you
you disturb me soi' he said, putting her
arms away. "n I lose grip OF it this
time. it-it--may mean madnessl Mar
ion. II was sublime Only go away
do?'
He found his pen and started Awed,
apprehension. too. she hung there as
though hesitating whether TO obey or
snatch his precious manuscript away.
Finally she stole out and stood guard at
his door
my husband cannot nee you to-
night"
'oh. very good, mndami Half this
house was furnished with tho ei00 he
coolly borrowed through me--before
knew, Of course Sympathy means for
bearance As you don't want it. I'll sell
him up nowr'
''You-you will notl She ran and
caught his arm. 81 did not know it.
simply say-if you but knew how he
has shaved and triedi Let mo tell you
something. Wait-and his play will be
accepted. Yesi Tonight he has found
his plot--the great idea he has missed
for months Therep'
Found his plot?" He stared incredu-
lousy, appearing TO weigh the chances
BAIL That was to have thrilled crea-
tion long ago will call once again
next week. and them He went out
without finishing 1t.
In sort Of stupor Marion sat down
and waited-waited hour after hour
Then at last Gilbert came cropping out.
one hand pressed to his head, his face
haggard. but ecstatic. Not even her
white and hopeless face struck his at
tenfion.
Done itl"he gasped. "Iwas coming
TO wake you. They-they say that ev-
cry man is capable Of one stroke of gen.
Is. Listen to this-but the room seems
ny, Marion, -
The manuscript fell She realized
something and sprang forward. He had
swayed and then toppled down.
Twelve hours later found him In the
heat OF unmistakable delirium. And the
playi It was lying neglected upon his
study desk. Weeks would pass. the bluff
old doctor said, before his sanity could
return. It meant that the home must
vanish bit by bit--but what Of that?
Night and day she lowered over him.
He had tried and failed. Only to save
his reason Then she would try herself.
In the first excitement she quite for
got Mainwaring. and his last veiied
throat, until, precisely seven days after
his previous visit. the girl informed her
that that gentleman and friend"
wero waiting in the sitting room. Both
frightened and desperate. she went
down as far rs the doorway.
'sHe is ILL.,. abe said, her face study
In supplication. "He knows nothing
perhaps never will again.
''Therei" Mainwaring's teeth snap
ped "What did say? A planned af-
faifI Ny friend here wants his money
or some equivalent. There is the agree
ment stay until ! see your husband.
Marion managed TO get "Then you
must stay" past the lump in her
throat Then she ran back and locked
the bedroom door. /.
They've gone. ma'am, came
through the keyhole at last. They
mumbled away for time. and then
they were suddenly quiet think they
were frightened. They almost orept
out
Marion. sitting back from Gilhert's
wild stare. found temporary relief in
stream Of tears.
Tho first CLEAN of sunshine came at
the end Of three awful weeks Hartley.
physically safe, could cross his bedroom.
Onlg it terrined her to realize that he
was bpt q living automaton, Six weeks.
and The mysterious stupor showed no
signs of lifting. And when he crept
down stairs again ii was only to sit
staring vacantly through the hours
And Christmas was close at hand-dear,
Joyous Ohristmas
Its most strange. said the doctor
ons. day. I've been thinking-what
mild excitemeat would be likely to rouse
hiin?''
"Oh, the thater--the play" she an
swered mecha<lcall
"Then takd him. Here There's
matinee advertised for tomorrow at the
Jollity -some NV and wonderful drama
: to be tried. Thevery thingr'
Gilbert, nevq seeming to wonder