The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-08-15
BRAINERD'S
RECOVERY.
Being a Complication In a
Love Affair Which Was
Very Embarrassing.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Go&o@o&oaoao&oAoAo@o@o&oS
"Say, isn't this sad about poor
BrainerdT' said Bog Cobb, meeting me
in the hall at the Fishers the night
they gave fancy dress party.
Both Cobb and had been dancing.
and had just left our partners to be re-
freshed in the supper room at the
back. where there was no room for gall
lants to stand behind chairs.
How do you mean, sad?' l asked.
HE seems well enough. In fact, l
was thinking just now that he had
much more color in his face than he
used to before he started for Colorado.
Got back this afternoon, didn't hep
yes. But have you talked to him p
"Only a passing word" 1 said.
"WhyY"
why? Why, because it's a clear
case of paresis," said Cobb, speaking
in grave undertone.
"And the symptoms"
Symptoms enough. He's forgotten
everybody's name almost. Pm aw-
fully sorry for poor Jennie Fisher, 1
must say"
But" said, "Brainerd's been away
from here quite two months, hasn't
he? Well, and he's been having
busy time out there. don't see any
thing so wonderful in his forgetting
few names. Remember, he hasn't
lived here all his life, as you have"
Nonsense, man." Cobb Insisted.
You haven't talked to him. Do you
suppose a man in his senses could for
get the name of the girl he's engaged
tot?
did he forget Jennie Fishers
nameY'
'-Mixed her up with her cousin
Elsie" said Cobb. "And you know
those two girls are not bit alike"
This certainly did seem conclusive
As had always liked Jack Brainerd,
ever since he came to live and to make
money in our city, five years before, it
troubled me good deal to think that
anything SO sad as mental alteration
should come upon him so early in life.
He was not 80, felt sure. And, then,
Jennie Fisher, the girl to whom he was
to be engaged, the daughter
If our hostess that evening, was as
sweet girl as any in our community,
md that Is saying much 1t would be
| terrible stroke Of i'll luck If her life
should be blasted by this affection, all
he more SO at this time, when she must
nave been looking forward with the
zeenest delight to her fiance's return.
While I stood thinking sadly over
what Cobb had been telling me-he
lad left me to go back to the supper
'oom-Mrs. Fisher, in gray silk and jet,
came sweeping through the double
ioors of the room where we had been
iancing.
Il want to talk to you," she said.
The others are eating and drinking.
Come in here"
We went back to the dressing room
Ind sat between a grand piano and a
zig palm that stood in the bay window.
Nov tell me-" she went on. What
lave you noticed about Mr.. BrainerdY'
''This EVENING""
eyes. Or any time since his return
rom Colorado"
But he only reached this city at a
his afternoon, as l understand"
"And you had not seen anything of
lin until you came hereY
NO" said. "And since then have
'nly noticed that he looks rather the
,etter for his trip"
Rather more than a trip, wasn't It?
Two months? But how betterY'
WELL" said, "stronger-better com
'lexion-and then there's a swing and
| way of carrying his shoulders. as if
led been drilling out there. Perhaps
It's just western breeziness.'
"H'm," she said. THAT'S all, is tip
Nothing more than that. l haven't
aid more than passing word to him."
"Oh. you haven't talked to him, then?
Did he know you?"
Il think he did. WhyY'
did he know your
"He seemed to. Come to think Of it,
lie didn't call me by name. But why
10 you aslxY'
Simply because he seems to be ell
her crazy-or intoxicated-to me-"
Impossible" said. "Brainerd
oesn't drink, you know. Mrs. Fisher.
md as for crazy
Well" she interrupted me impa-
iently, che seems to have forgotten
'oor Jennie or forgotten that they
we're engaged. He has attached him
elf all the evening to Elsie"
| tried to smile at Mrs. Fishers anx-
cites and talked commonplace of phi
Osophy to her. teIlilsy her that these
title eccentricities Of lovers should not
re dwelt upon too seriously. IF you
will only give him time" said, you'll
lee that it is some little tiff sprung up
ince he went west. Haven't they been
Constantly. But Jennie herself
eems to take it seriously; otherwise l
care one iota Mr.. Brainerd
nay go to Jericho for all care"
But Mr.. Brainerd seemed not in the
east inclined to go in that direction
ust at that time, for as Mrs. Fisher
poke he walked in from the supper
Dom with Elsie-not Jennie-Fisher on
lis arm. Elsie had a preoccupied look
N her face-in fact, | may say, an en-
look. In one hand she held
| bunch of roses, and she dropped his
Lrm to arrange them-as a pretense-
n vase.
And for what now follows have to
hank that kindly Catania palm that
heltered Mrs. Fisher and myself from
he view Of these loverlike two.
"Sit STILL" / said to Mrs Fisher.
'Eavesdropping is fair In case like
his"
Though evidently not quite sure that
ny casuistry was sound, Mrs. Fisher
allowed herself to be persuaded. Then
We heard a scrap of conversation,
which l am going to try to report as
loosely as my memory will serve:
Elsie-Now, just listen to me for five
Brainerd-I have come a thousand
niles for that very thing and would so
mother thousand for another FIVE min
ties.
She-Be quiet Just tell me, please,
What is the matter with you? You
never used to drink.
Hell do now. Didn't you see me
all that Roman punch a min
tie ago?
She-Mr. Brainerd, If you're not