The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-25

She began 70 geStloulate 70 me- anu
gathered that she wanted me 10 test my
speed In running by flying to the stables
no matter who might chase me-and get
ting the carriage somehow.
But shook my head. I could not leave
these defenseless women without man
apiece to protect them. .s-.
l saw Mabel, with pale face and trem-
bling air, led of by the young man. The
elderly gentleman gave his arm to Anthea,
remarking as he did SO, II am a courtly
old gentleman''--and,a as far as I could
make out afterward, his Authorization was
that he was Sir Charles Grandson.
The pale, ladylike girl who had been
l0unging In basket chair, with her legs
crossed and cigarette between her lips,
turned to Tapson. II vote you and draw
the kitchen garden" she said.
They moved of, and the fat lady and l
were left alone in the summer house. !
had hardly planned how to reach the sta
blas when the entire structure-I speak
Of the fat lady's flgure-began to incline
toward me, and the next moment found
that flower crowned, youthful looking
bonnet was reposing on my shoulder, and
the fat lady was sleeping peacefully.
II can't help It," called out to Anthea,
who gave me cold look as she passed
with the elderly gentleman. Anthea APP
peared to have accepted the trying situa-
ton with considerable amount Of COM
poslIre A mere man, although lunatic,
failed to inspire her with terror. She had
theory, she said, that most men. were
rather mad, and that those who were shut
up were not really much worse than many
who wandered at large.
watched them till they came to a rose
bed, when saw the elderly gentleman
pluck one. of DIR. Perks most cherished
blooms and present 1t to Anthea, bowling
low and placing his hands upon his heart.
Madam" heard him say, "take this
poor bloom shade Of DR.. Perks-"and
If for one hour it serves to remind you Of
the stern old warrior who gave 1t to you,
let that DO his reward"
"Oh, thank you, Sir Charles, said An
thea, and she took the rose and pressed it
to her lips before she fastened it in the
front of her frock. = -
Shehumored him wonderfully we'll.
The fat lady awoke, and said, without
moments hesitation: II haven't been
asleep. Where's babyP"
Here" said the young man, and he
and Mabel came into the summer house.
ooh, MIR. Wells" said Mabel, "don't
you think If we were all to be very firm
we might get away nowP There are An
thea and-and Sir Charles Grandson
celia, hal" said the young MANI, and /
think the other two are in the garden. Do
please find them and let us go home"
She was nearly crying and looked very
white. So, leaving her, with some misgiy-
ings, went to the garden to collect the
rest of the party.
Here 1 found my unfortunate friend
Tapson a prisoner on the top of a high gar
den wall
The pale girl, 1t appears, bad first Of all
made him fill his pockets with pears and
iplums, and had then induced him to
mount ladder and sit on the wall She
herself had followed and sat with her feet
on the ladder, making it impossible for
Tapson to descend except at the risk Of
breaking his neck
When came upon them In the garden,
the feeble girl was still eating pears and
swinging her feet against the ladder.
"You must let Tapson come down now"
l said, In kind, firm voice. "We are 60
ing home"
held the ladder till she had descended,
and Tapson following quickly, we all
walked up to the house together Here we
found the carriage waiting, and our leave
taking was wonderfully successful.
Anthea said, II dom t think any Of you
need tell Augustus whatit was like" And
we swore secrecy.
But the next day we had hardly finished
luncheon when DR.. Perks drove up in his
phaeton, and by his side sat the wild eyed
young man, looking wilder eyed than
ever.
Mabel became quite hysterical. Don't
let him inl DON'T let him imp she cried.
81 believe I'm half engaged to him. Oh,
please say we are not at home"
And then, of course, Augustus had to
hear all about it.
II don't think Perks had any right to
place you in such position" he said.
"And he certainly has no right to bring
his patients over here. I'll call and speak
to Perks about this tomorrow.
Our worst fears were realized when, the
next day, we saw him ride back, looking
most strange. His neckcloth was loosened
his eyes were full Of tears and his face was
exactly the color of ripe tomato.
"My own darling Augustus, what is the
matterf" cried Anthea.
II have been threatened with apoplexy,"
replied Augustus.
"oh, Augustus! Howl What happen
edP"
II rode to the ill fated spot" replied
Augustus, land was slowly approaching
the house, when whom should I meet
walking in the drive but that conceited
old ass, Colonel BlakeF
II asked him what sort Of patients DR..
Perks had at present, and he told me that
all the patients had gone and that DR..
Perks had given up his private asylum
work and only
"Go on" said Tapson, in hoarse whis-
per.
Augustus looked at no one, which was
noble of Augustus
-"and he only has his own friends to
stay with him now"
"He told me that there is certain Mrs
Lawrence staying there now with her son
IA poet, believe-who Is Familiarity call
ed Baby. The poet quotes his own verse
upon all occasions, am told. There Ia
another guest-Miss Langford, an heiress
staying in the house; great catch, Col
onel Blake said, and sportswoman to
boot"
"And-and who else2' asked Anthea,
with white lips and voice that shook.
"No one but Colonel Blake himself"
said Augustus.
But" said I, II solemnly declare to
you, Augustus, that they all seemed to
think that soda water wires grow on
grass bank, and every one Of them was
trying to find them"
II believe" said Augustus softly, "that
our old friend DR.. Perks is in the habit Of
illuminating that bank at night some
times. He hangs little lights on to wires
fixed in the grass; but the grass grew too
long, SO his friends said they would find
the wires and put them somewhere else.
There was to be quite grand illumina-
ton, with, 1 understand, cold supper
afterward.
"Cold potato pie" murmured Tapson.
The silence that followed was so great
that we could hear Augustus eyelids NOV
ing as he blinked at the sun.--Pall Mall
Magazine
AGO0d Present.
Just at ths time it would make some
door family happy and keep them warm