The times., 1899-08-06
A MethodicaI Madness.
And she hurried away

be termed the indefinite sciences have been
ssrely neglected-are unrecognizd But for
some hundreds of self-confessed fakirs and
an array of fanciful writer's few would
know Of the existence of such psychologi-
cal conditions as are now universally cred
tied and described, If not understood. The
grudging of half holidays is fatal TO the
development of this side of nations
learning.
Acknowledging the possibility of such in
fiuences as have been proven TO exist, IS
there any reason for denying others of
which nothing has been taught? Certain
ly not, while all alike sound as though
l-established and well based.
No man who thinks can refuse belief in
the marvellous power OF exterior circum-
stances. Having got this far, he has but
to delve a bit deeper that he may reach
such theories and facts as will convince
him that, amid proper surroundings and
influences. human beings can cease TO be
come masters of themselves. Mark Twain,
often more than half serious, announces
that "a full, round moon and a stretch OF
shadowed water will cause the breaking OF
years resolutions" After relating in
verse the words his maid had uttered on
the previous night, a celebrated poet
muses.. Il wonder if her love stands the
sunlight" Johanna Staadt, princess of
ldSNlndiluS LIDS AIilleu d lctC
about a man on whom certain smells had
such effect as induced murder.
Nor is the recognition of this unseen
force confined TO fiction A famous Ger
man philosopher has departed from his
regular line of thought TO concede that
particular emotions may be induced by
particular suggestion. Music Will bring
sentiment and ambition, rich colors prompt
heaviness and sensuality, harsh noises
sarry TO go into the matter more deeply :
In whom has not the rustic of silk or
starched lace raised latent passion? Does
not discord cause physical pain in some?
But ours is a work-a-day Western life
and the profession of law is most skeptical
of all professions. A jury is probably even
now congratulating Itself upon the exer-
else OF clemency in the case of Arthur Dali
Ton, for whom, upon determining on a yer
diet of guilty, it recommended mercy.
This charity seems the more remarkable
when one considers that the plea of in
sanity offered was unquestionably an alb
surd one.
Nest singular was the fact that from
boyhood Arthur Dalton had been subject
to the irresistible influence of a queer mu-
sical chord Because OF its tyranny over
him he had learned to play. Rambling
ever in search OF those notes which would
produce the effect he found them si-
multaneous touch upon the keys A, C, f,
and g in the naturals with the sounding
OF the octave L in the bass combined to
make the force. And the effect-the eff
feet was a desire TO kill
Arthur Dalton was an actor; man of
extreme sensibiiity. OF finely Temperament
tai instincts, OF delicately nervous organ
ism. Frequently moody and almost sui
len. 10 the fullest extremes, keenIy alive to
such irifiing authority as that OF a change
in weather, he had never possessed the will
TO defy the sway of this odd Something
When mere child he had first heard the
chord He had been romping with a pet
dog when his mother had struck those
strings upon a harp and his long fingers
had closed like a vice about the brute's
throat Though a weak lad, the grip had
been Of marvellous tightness and he had
watched-watchsd with eager pleasure
while the animal had become first limp
and then rigid: had died Then he had
gone TO his room and Wept
Later on dread of the combination had
entered his life until he came to avoid all
places wherein he was apt TO hear music
OF any scrt. More and more sensitive and
odd he became. But the sound was only
once repeated Then ne had felt stronger
and better than usual The theatre Or
chestFa produced Jhe notes and they drift
ed behind the curtain. His hands only
closed fast, his teeth only bit through his
lip his eyes only became bloodshot and
haggard. He did not appear that evening
or fer the rest Of the week and his dread
grew into a mania.
There was a charming little house on
Long Island In which Arthur Dalton spent
his summers with wife and friend And
as time passed on both wife and friend he
tTayed his trust. Such romances are al
ways open books, and all who knew tho
trio knew the scandal. Only the husband
did not know. because husbands cannot
read the same language read by other folk.
and interpreters do not volunteer Those
who might have interpreted for the actor
only pitied him for not having found out.
and wondered when he would find out.
During all one season on the road he dis
covered nothing and the three came back
to Long Island.
Quite before his very eyes the romance
between Arthur Dalton's wife and his
friend proceeded. The actor was fond of
books, and was wearing himself to a
nervous shadow by his close comradeship
with them. He cared for no other society
hardly for that of the woman whom he
/ loved-and wished for quiet. When that
woman suggested a great ball he was an
cry; when she persisted he was hurt; when
she prepared ne was worried. BY the ar
rival of the gala night he had wrought
/ himself to q silent insanity Dressed as a
/ host should dress, he roamed about the
place during the dance, his lips and fingers
moving. OF this the witnesses told in
] court.
But the evening was a pleasant one.
After two hours Of social duties Mrs Dal-
/ ton wandered into the conservatory and
there met her lover The spot was seciud-
/ ed. Only two girls passed and marveled
/ that Arthur Dalton did not find out. -
Just before midnight the host grew weary
/ OF the scene before him. The guests wers
/ enjoying themselves unaided. He took 10
/ his room a commentary upon Shakesperean
reading and q notebook But the music
annoyed him there Two expressions OF
the author seemed absurd. He sought the
/ advice OF his friend upon them. In the
conservatory the three came together
Arthur Dalton did not seem to think IT re-
markabie that his wife should be present,
and no loud words We're passed.
In one Of Lola's songs in "Cavalleria
Rusticana" there is q sequence of charm
ing notes-those who love Mascagni make
them chords And the chord struck second
is composed Of a. c, F. and in the nat
urals. with the octave F in the bass.
Outside OF the ballroom the dancers
were resting and the orchestra was pay
ing "Cayalleria Rusiicana" Within the
while his nervous fingers picked the collar
of his friends coat. When the chord
sounded all the pent-up madness In him
broke loose. The worry and work and en-
thusiasm of weeks reached their climax
Without warning the actor threw himself
upon his friend. His powerful fngers en-
circled that friends throat and forced his
head back. hoarse, rumbling sound
came from the mans open lips. which had
turned ashen. Arthur Dalton was painting