The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-02-08

delighted In tho thought that tho vic.
Tins he saw vanish before his eyes were
like something wiped out by sweep of
tho hand To see or hear them again
would bo to this notion. He preferred
the subtlor way and to take advantage
OF old Mother James characteristics, so
he caught one of tho pigeons Tho has
always been able to lure birds into his
hands,, and tying the ring around tho
neck of the bird with blade of grass
plucked up from the highway he let 1t
fly and SO was rid Of the baublo which
to Mother James eyes, of course, was u
direct gift from tho heavens through
which the bird had flown before light
ing on her doorstep.
Wondcrfull" l exclaimed, almost
overwhelmed with humiliation, but
preserving brave front. what invon.
tion and what audacity-tho audacity
of man totally irresponsible for his
deeds. was it not?" asked "Thoro is
no doubt, is there, about his being an
absolute maniac?"
"No, madam. " What u relief l felt
at that word "Sinco we entrapped him
yesterday and he found himself fully
discovered he has lost all grip upon
himself and filled the room wc put him
in with the unmistakable rawlings vi
madman. 1t was through these learned
the facts about the ring and the pigeon.
drew deep breath. We were stand
ing in the sight of several men, and
their presence there seemed intolerable
Unoonsciously l began to walk away
Unconsciously Mr.. Gryco followed me.
At the end of several PAGES we both
stopped. We were no longer visible to
the crowd, and l felt could speak tho
words / had been burning to say ever
since l saw the nature of Mr.. Trohm OK
posed.
"Mr. Gryce," said /, flushing scar
let-which l hero solemnly declare is
something which has not happened to
me before i'll years and if / can help it
shall never happen to me again-"I am
interested in this which you say be-
cause yesterday, here in tho open road,
Mr.. Trohm proposed to me, and'-
"You did not accept it?'
"No. What do you think am made
of, Mr.. Gryce? l did not accept him,
butt made the refusal gentle one,
and-this is not easy work, Mr..
Gryce," l interrupted myself to say
with suitable grimness-"the same
thing took place between mo and Dea.
con Spear, and to him gave response
such as thought his presumption war
ranted. The discrimination does not
argue we'll for my acumen, Mr.. Gryce.
You see, want no credit that do not
deserve. Perhaps you cannot understand
that, but it is part of my nature.
Madam, said he, and l must own
thought his conduct perfect for the
nonce 'had l not been as completely
deceived as yourself l might find words
Of criticism for this possibly unprofes-
sional partiality. But when an old hand
like myself can listen to the insinua-
tions of q maniac and repose, as / must
say l did repose, more or less confidence
in the statements he chose to make me,
and which We're true enough as regard
ed plain fact, but wickedly false and
preposterously wrong as regards their
suggestion, | can have no words of
blame for woman who, whatever her
understanding and whatever her expe-
rience, necessarily has seen less of hu
man nature and it's incalculable sur
prises. AS to the more delicate matter
you have been good enough to confide to
me, madam, have but one remark to
make. With such an example of wom-
anhood suddenly brought to their notice
in such wild as this, how could you
eXDeCt them sane or insane tO do other
wise than they did? I know many a
worthy man who would like to follow
their example," And with bow that
left me speechless Mr.. Gryce laid his
hand on his heart and softly withdrew.
THE END.