The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-07-09
A NOVEL IN A
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 10th year, had
been making Il large income. over
work had. however. told upon him,
and he was suddenly seized, while In
the company OF some friends, with
acute homlcidal 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 lac was so ferocious rs to de-
mnnd constant care and supervision,
and OF course, as result, had to be de-
tanned In the asylum.
In his saner intervals no man could
have desired plcasanter companion.
and II 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 Il
unique character that give It Just as
he told II me. At its conclusion,
wrought up to pitch of fury, he made
determined attack on me, and | near
ly paid for my tale with my life, being
only rescued with difficulty by the at
tendants.
81 was what the world would call
successful man, and on my fortieth
birthday reckoned was making over
e., 600 Il year. I had always been a
lonely man and had never had the least
inclination toward female society, con-
tentlng myself with my work and my
books. One day, however. l had to
walt upon an old gentleman who had
recently come to our town for the pur-
pose of drawing up his will. When
this was done | was introduced to his
daughter, girl about 20. Ethel Mill
kin was not what might have been
called 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 II
was n desperate fact. | win not bore
you with her description; suffice II to
say that. trembling. 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 II might, | would mar
~ Miss Mllllkin. 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.
so decided to win her respect first.
II took time over II and quietly inter-
ested myself In her pet projects. sub
scrlbed to her sick fund. lent her books.
and was OF use to her In many ways.
Already she regarded me as very
dear friend. and. have no doubt.
would soon have learned TO love me.
zone night | was TO take her and her
sister to the theatcr 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 70.
/ We went ms arranged and | 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
ent OF mine. Sir Edward Berkeley. In
the next stall To ours. was Obliged
TO introduce him and had the mortlfica-
ton OF seeing that Miss Millikln had
made an impression on him. What
chance had against young. wealthy
and handsome MANI And with Jealous
eyes already saw the Chateau d'Es-
payne OF love- that | had so carefully
reared. In ruins.
ION our return from the play Rerk-
ley Insisted on accompanying us to Mr..
Mlllikln's house and was introduced
by me to him.
The acquaintance rlpened into
friendship, and friendship into love.
which | was powerless TO prevent; and
one day Berkeley burst into my office
In great state OF excitement and ask
ed me to congratulate him.
Me, of all menl How l managed
with lmpotent rage at my heart 10 keen
smooth and smiling face do not
know; but. to add to the bitter irony
OF the situation. | had TO receive in
structlons to draw up my successful
rivals marriage settlements. could
have checrfully murdered him as he sat
In his chair SO bright and cheerful,
with the happiness OF youth glowing
In his face. Suddenly his face twitch.
ed. and he hastily put up his hand to
his brow.
what Is III" eagerly asked. hop.
Ing he might be going to be III.