The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-08-07
CHAPTER XVIII,


Il seemed as if pr Pcele had some ink
ling in his mind of the fact that the even
ing visit of bis young coliea que was #
deeper import than usual. After one
glance at Armathvaite's face ne turned
his own away from the lamplight and be-
gan his accustomed questions about the
days work in hurried and nervous man
ner.
Il am afraid I am going TO open a sub
ject which distresses you, sir said
Frank But | have come. as | think
you foresaw that should do. 70 point
in my knowledge of certain cases within
your practice, when my remaining iGnor-
ance becomes insupportable, and my mind
is continually tortured and even distracted
in my work by the thought of certain hide
Gus wrongs the object at which | can
only guess at. You remember the words
you used TO me when | first came, con
corning secrets which | was 10 learn if
decided to remain here. | do not wish 10
force your confidence, sir; but ! shall be
grateful to you if You will at least let ne
tell you what | have found out for my
self, and advise me as to my future con
luct in the natter
Il advise you"' said the old man sol
cmnly and bitterly. Il tell you, Arma-
thwaite, it was my inability to move in
any direction in this matter which broke
me down, and made me take refuge be
tween these four walls from evils could
not witness and could not cure Are you
anxious. knowing SO much as you do, to
draw back from the post"
ION the contrary" answered Anna
thwate. fervently, Il have conceived
rio CI r | ,rl,t
here for tho express purpose Of releasing
Alma Crosmont from the unhappy cir
cumstances in which she is placed. End
| can honestly say il is the object l have
s : present more st heart than anything in
the world nr. Peelo. Won must surely
agree with mo that her mind is in dan
ger. You have influence with Crosnont:
he is anxious to retain vour good opinion
Can Won not induce him to send his wife
away for time
Or. Peele looked at tho youn man with
solemn. plaintive earnestness. and shook
his head
"No.' said he: ''to save her would no 10
put Aphra in danger. and | am bound by
oath to her father 10 stand by her al ali
costs"
To stand by Lady kildonan:"
yes"
And the danger for har-what is tina, g
An. 1t is a secret which nobody in the
world knows except herself and me-"
Her husband. Doesn't he know
doesn't he suspect IT,
NO. You shall learn it in good tirle:
but we will take the other story first
AIma's.' He paused. arranging he ma
terinl Of his narrative in his mind. Then
J.
He told now. twenty-five years ago. !hr
house where Ned CroSmont and his wife
lived was private unatic asylum. kept
by relation Of his. a doctor of reputa-
ton and ability. Here Annals father.
musician. had been sent by his wife's par
ents. He had gone mad over writing an
opera called Psyche" He was also
possessed Of mesmeric powers. which he
had exercise! over his wife until she lost
all conrru. over her own Will.
The MAD musician remained in the asy-
un until his Wife's parents fetched him
ont again. when they thought she was go
ing to die 1t was near the birth Of her
child. Il lost sight Of him, continued
Dr. feele. for some years and when |
lid see him again. poor fellow. ne was in
rapid decline. and had by that tire
worked and worried himself into a state
4 good deal nearer lunacy than any he had
passed through when in the asylum. HIS
wife was dead; he was in very bad cir
eumstances. Bur he had a tiny girl. born.
so be told me, while her mother was in a
mesmerlc trance: in her name. Alma.
perceived I connection with that OF the
heroine Of the famous opera. md in her
eyes liked 10 fancy-and so. | am sure
dId her father that | saw something Of
the look We had imagined in the ideal
Psyche. Al any rate. l was deeply inter
ested in the little creature; and when her
father. 4 lew weeks later. was on his
/ death bed. willingly undertook 70 become
ner guardian. She grew M. and the ten
dercv 70 dre7 m-1eSS seemei 70 die out =
Ter as she advanced towards woranhooi.
made her study AZ the South KenslnCron
AT Schools u develop her marked taste
Tor drawing l wanted % take her home
but my wife would not hear Of tit
would interfere with Miles prospects;
of course good old Mile was not con
suited. ! was determined 70 have my
dear new child near me. however. and
hit upon the idea Of marrying her 10
I young Ned Crosmont. an honest. good
/ hearted fellow. As | thought, WHO only
wanted a nice wife 10 make him steady
down int as good husband as ? girl
could Wish :3s,"