The Somerset reporter., 1900-05-24

how sensible many of them are and
how good also. | don't suppose that
poor old rightful king ever had an I'M
old thing and Is always bringing me
flowers. He's devoted to me-"
Aren't any of the lunatics violent
sometimes" inquired the young man.
"Oh, none on this side of the build
ing. They are harmless. Dangerous
rases are kept in a separate wing. You
can just see the roof over the trees.
or course I'm never allowed to go
there"
How terrible II all seemsr the Cir
ton girl said as they entered the last
long avenue which led them to the
hillside beyond.
The sun began to make ready to slip
behind the hill. and it was now what
the Tennysnn student called blow,
Jugle, blow" time. hey arrived at
the stile. They turned to look back
down the long and leafy avenue
through which they had come. 1t was
all lrradiated with the long, level glow
of the sunset A tiny black figure at
the far end, which seemed to be NOV
ing toward them, gave the scene just
that little necessary note of human
contrast which made 1t perfect
They said good night, and the Girton
girl strolled away into the purpling
shadows. where she was destined to
hear what she had never suspected
that love Is, after all. the only higher
mathematics worth the attention OF
girl with soft hands and wavy hair.
Miss Bremmil walked slowly back.
thinking placidly of their little ro-
nance. Suddenly she heard footsteps
at her side. Some one had come out
from the trees and WAS pacing with
her She turned hurredly toward the
sound. man was walking by her
with peculiarly gliding springy step.
He was very tall. with dark and rath-
er sinister face. He was dressed In
the uniform of the asylum, only with
one difference-on his head he wore
yellow cap and round his arm was
broad band of yellow cloth.
She shrank back with sick terror
flowing round and round her heart like
Icy water. The man was one of the
dangerous" cases. and she was alone
with him at nightfall. too far away to
scream for aid. She was paralyzed
with fear, Suddenly he turned on her
with swift snarl. like treacherous
animal He caught her by the arms
and carried her to the nearest tree,
leaning her against it.
I've wanted something like this for
Il long time" he said. She observed he
had the voice and accents of gentle
man He took Il long strip of cloth
from his pocket and made her fast to
the trunk of the fir tree with It,
He drew table knife from his peck
ct. The avenue was now almost dark
AS he came up TO her a sound OF
singing came from among the trees,
foolish, hayward singing, in a broad
Worcestershire accent. They dlstin-
guished the words.
II be the rightful king
OF England merry England"
Early in the afternoon the rightful
king had been digging in a plantation
of larches. He had left his spade and
was now coming to fetch it.
Miss Bremmil heard the voice and
gave one cry for help. The knife was
dangerously near her The rightful
king came stumbling up. He saw the
girl tied to the tree and the man with
the knife. He flung himself upon the
mailman with great cry of pity and
anger.
They rolled over and over on the
ground, struggling fiercely. but at last
the old man was mastered. He was no
match for the others demoniac
strength. The girl saw the knife rise
and fall. and then the air was suddenly
full Of whistles and red dancing lights
There were crowds of people pressing
round her and she tainted in h,r ia
TIERS arms.
The body of the rightful king lay
upon the sward. There was nothing
poetic about il. In death ii was even
more foolish than In life
Poor old rightful king" said one Of
the keepers 'IIe died for missy.
Who'd have thought it! He's gone
from his Kingdom now"
This is his coronation day" said the
chaplain gently.-Manly About Poo
pie.