Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-12-08
CHAPTER XXlI.
THE SLEEPER,

CHAPTER MIL.
THE SLEEPER.
1t was n lovely morning in autumn.
walked to the Hall. | entered at the
same gate by which | had entered
first. so many years before. But it
was not Mrs Blakesley that opened it.
l inquired after her. and the woman
told me that she lived at the Hall now,
and took care of Lady Alice. So far,
this was hopeful news.
| went up the same avenue. through
the same wide, grassy places. saw the
same Statute from whose base had aris-
en- the lovely form which soon acame
a part of my existence. Then every
thing looked rich. because | had come
from a poor, grand country. In all
my wander-ngs | lad seen nothing so
rich. Yet now 1t seemed poverty
stricken. That it was autumn could
not account for this; for | had always
found that the sadness of autumn vivi-
fed the poetic sense; and that the col
ors of decay had a pathetic glory more
beautiful than the glory of the most
gorgeous summer with all its flo wers
1t was winter within me-that was the
reason; and l could feel no autumn
around me, because | saw no spring
beyond me. 1t had Jared with my
mind as with the garden in the SEN
sftive Plant. when the lady was dead
l was amazed and troubled at the
stolidity with which l walked UP to
the door, and having rung the bell.
.,,y1.-
past arose in my mind; not one of the
well known objects around looked at
me as claiming a recognition. Yet
when the door was opened, my heart
beat so violently at the thought that
/ might see her, that | could hardly
stammer out my inquiry after Mrs
Blakesley.
| was shown to room. None of
the sensations | had had on first cross
ing the threshold were revived. re-
membered them all: l felt none of
them. Mrs. Blakesley came. She did
not recognize me. 1 told her who
was She stared at me for a moment.
seemed TO see the same face she had
known still glimmeiing through all the
out both her hands, and burst into
tears.
MIR. Campbell" she said. ''you are
changed. But not like her. She's the
same 10 look at; but oh, dearr'
We We're both silent for some time.
At length she resumed:
Come to my room; have been mis-
| followed her to the room Mrs. Will
son used to occupy. She put wine on
the table. told her my story. NV
labors, and my wounds. and my ill
ness, slightly touched as | trust they
were in the course of the tale. yet
moved all her womanly sympathies.
What can l do for you, Mr.. Cahp-
bell?" she said.
Let me see her." l replied.
She hesitated fos a moment.
II dare not, sir. l don't know what
-.s=---.~-,---a- -
raving; and she is SO quiet"
Has she ever raved?"
"Not often since the first week or
two. Now and then, occasionally. for
an hour or so, she would be wild,
wanting to get out. But she gave that
over, altogether; and she has had her
liberty now for q long time. But,
heaven bless her, at the worst she was
always a lady"
And am l to go away without even
seeing her?
Il am very sorry for you, Mr.. Camp
bell"
I felt hurt-foolishly, I confess-and
rese. She put her hand on my arm.
'I'H tell YOU what I'll do, sir. She
always falls asleep in the afternoons
you may see her asleep, if you like
Thank you; thark yOu," l answer
ed. THAT will be much better. When
shall | Gomez
About three O'Clock"
/ went wandering about tile woods
and at three | was again in the house.
keepers room. She came TO me pres
emily. looking rather troubled.
1T is very odd" she began, the mo-
ment she entered, ''but for the first
time l think, for years, she's not for
heI afternoon sleep"
Does she sleep at night?'' l asked.
Like a bairn. But she sleeps a
great deal; and the doctor says that's
what keeps her so quiet. She would
go raving again, he says, if the sleep
did not soothe her poor brain"
Gould you not let me see her when
she is asleep to-nigntf'
Again she hesitated, but presently
replied:-
81 will, sir; but l trust you never to
mention it,"
"Of course l will not"
Come at 10 o'clock, then. You will
find the outer door on this side open.
Go straight to my room"
With renewed thanks | left her, and
once again betaking myself to the
woods. wandered about till night. not
withstanding signs of an approaching
storm. | thus kept within the bounda-
ries of the demesne, and had no occa-
sion to request readmittance at any Of
the gates.
As ten struck on the tower clock,
entered Mrs. Blakesley's room. She
was not there. l sat down. In a few
| minutes she came.
''She is fast asleep" she said. Come
| this way
l followed trembling. She led me TO
| the same room Lady Alice used to oc.
cupy. The door was a little open. She
| pushed it gently, and l followed her
in. The curtains toward the door were
drawn Mrs. Blakesley took me round
| to the other side. There lay the lovely
head, so phantom-like for years, com
ing only in my dreams; filling now
with real presence the eyes that had
longed for it, as in them dwelt an ap.
| petite of sight. l Gained my heart al
| once. which had been almost choking
me with the violence of its palpitation
This is not the face of insanity"
said to myself. 1T is clear as the
morning light AS l stood gazing,
| made no comparisons between the past
and the present, although l was aware
| of some difference-of some measure
| of the unknown fronting me. l was
| filled with the delight of beholding the
| face / loved-full, it seemed to me- of
| mind and womanhood; sleeping-noth
| ing more. | murmured fervent
THANK Godr' and was turning away
| with feeling of great satisfaction for
| all the future, and a strange great hope
beginning to throb In my heart, wheu
| after a little restless motion of her
head on the pillow, her patient lips