Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-05-21
A NOVEL IN A
T. NUTSHELL.

NUTSHELL.
No one brought into casual contact
with Edward Flint would have sus-
pected that he was Of unsound mind.
None the less he was one Of the most
dangerous lunatics that l had in the
x asylum.
He had been an exceptionally able
lawyer. and, up to his 4Oth year, had
been. making a large income. Over
work had. however. told upon him,
and he was suddenly seized. while in
the company Of some friends. with
acute homicidal mania. He had been
with me for four years, and, on the
average, had an attack OF mania every
six or seven weeks. During his period
Of lunacy he was SO ferocious as to de-
mand constant care and supervision.
and Of course, us result, had to be de-
tanned in the asylum.
In his saner intervals no man could
have desired a pleasanter companion.
and 1t was my constant habit to spend
half an hour or SO day In his con-
genial company. One day, just before
his periodical attack, he told me the
following story, which Is of such
unique character that give it just as
he told 1t me. At its conclusion,
wrought up to pitch of fury, he made
Z determined attack on ME, and near
~ paid for my tale with my life, being
only rescued with difficulty by the at
tendants.
II was what the world would call
successful man. and on my fortieth
birthday reckoned was making over
$4,000 q year. had always been
lonely man and had never had the least
inclination toward female society. con-
tenting myself with myYwork and my
books. One day. however. had to
walt upon an old gentleman who had
recently come to our town for the pur-
pose Of drawing up his will. When
daughter, u girl about 20. Ethel Milli-
kin was not what might have been
called q beauty; still, knew at once
that had met my fate. To you, doctor.
married young and happily. 1t may
sound ridiculous for middle-aged
man to be talking of love. yet to me it
was a desperate fact. l will not bore
you with her description; suffice 1t to
say that. trembling. l took my leave
and went back to my Office. There
thought long and deeply over this new
phase In my life. and finally resolved
that, cost what 1t might. would mar
~ Miss Millikih, and that II couldn't
no one else should.
1T was clearly absurd for me to at
tempt to win her love in the usual way.
the disparity In our years was SO great.
20 decided to win her respect first.
II took time over 1t and quietly inter-
ested myself in her pet projects. SUBJ
scribed to her sick fund. lent her books,
and was of use to her In many ways.
Already she regarded me as a very
dear friend. and. l have no doubt,
would soon have learned to love me.
Zone night l was to take her and her
sister to the theater and had booked
three stalls. At the last minute. how
ever. to my secret joy, her sister had a
bad headache and was unable to 20.
We went MS arranged and l decided to
put my fortunes to the touch during
the performance. On our arrival the
theater was crowded and. to my in
tense annoyance, found a young eli.
emit Of mine. Sir Edward Berkeley, In
the next stall to ours. / was Obliged
to introduce him and had the mortifica-
ton Of seeing that Miss Millikin had
made an impression ON him. What |
chance had against a young, wealthy |
and handsome man? And with jealous
eyes l already saw the Chateau d'Es-
payne Of love, that I had 90 carefully |
reared, In ruins.
"On our return from the play Berk- |
ley insisted on accompanying Us to Mr.. |
Millikin's house and was introduced |
by me to him. I
The Acquaintance ripened into
friendship, and friendship into love.
which l was powerless to prevent; and |
one day Berkeley burst into my ONCE
In great state of excitement and ask
ed me to congratulate him! |
"Me. Of all men! How I managed |
with impotent rage at my heart to keep
, smooth and smiling face do not
know: but. to add to the bitter irony |
II the situation. l had to receive In /
to draw up my successful
rivars marriage settlements. I could
have cheerfully murdered him as he sat
IN his chair so bright and cheerful,
with the happiness Of youth glowing
n his face. Suddenly his face witch
ID. and he hastily put up his hand to
1is brow. .li" .r tia
what Is IT." eagerly asked, hop
ng he might be going to be IL