The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-03-31

grounds to the building, and Helen
4 VAS to encounter melancholy sight.
- she went along the serpentine path,
H ! procession came toward her. There
& must have been a hundred men in it
/ and they moved slowly and most of
them walked with bowed heads. Their
feet appeared to press the earth
7 heavily. At first Helen thought it
nust be a funera. procession, 6ut q
4 noment later she perceived that it
wss something more distressing. It
~ the walk Of those who had sur
yivsd their own death. In other
words, it was body of insane pa
TENTS, exercising the bodies that held
their perished min ds. Helen shrank
aside and stood fascinated while they
passed her. Some of them looked at
hsr curiously, or with lack luster gaze,
q wistfully. A Sudden appreciation
sof her own yout b and health and
sanity came over her, and made her
~ the more pitiful toward these un-
3oRtunates.
The procession had passed, and she
sas about resuming her way to the
Aospitsl when one of the men quilted
~ ranks and walked hurriedly toward
Aef. None of the rest look ed around.
The attendants had not noticed his
eesertion, and his steps on the sward
ado no sound. He came with
rapid, gliding step toward Helen,
slowing his teeth in a broad smile.
Helen decided that however imperti-
nsnt his intentions might be, at least
= vas in good humor. This was con-
soling, but it did not keep her hands
nom turning cold with nervous dread.
AZ he approached he lifted his hat
With courtly air. 1t was evident that
40 poor wretch had once been a gen.
usnan. but even the most gentlemanly
@ lunatics was not q companion to |
Moose, and Helen moved behind a |
y. Lilac bush. She felt that she was
1Aita and that her eyes were wide
lsestched, but she tried not to show
"a alarm. Confidence, she had always
eeard, was needed in dealing with the
1s.eane. The man moved more eau.
IAeasly and fixed an undertaking gaze
A1on Helen.
Madam, said the man, in q par
aaesy auiet voice, "it is pleasant
Sthing in the words suggested
eesnsin I Hamlet to Helen, aud she
sncnght herself Of an experiment.
y would soon determine whether or
the man had CLEAN of reason,
e it9" she asked, turning her eyes
me sky. "What, indeed, I thought
Axas raining!'
" man had a look in his face akin
Ply. perhaps You are right" he
y nsd gently. ut may be raining.
not always possible for me to tell
.sept when I see people carrying
Sack smbrellas."
0snsory nerves are quite obtuse,"
y ssaensht Helen. II have heard that
u q common with degenerates. The {
49, moved . little nearer, and Helen /,
nsered 10 60 still further around the {
g push. He stopped still, and thew I
80 each other over the low shrnE. {
What on agreeable looking crea. ,
ae was. with his soft brown ewes. 6
cng, delicate face, and his high q
He looked as if he might have :
Intended for poet. Probably he !
$.. oeen, but had gone one step i
ner. Helen had not read Lom- t
- Tor nothing. i
go you ever write poetry?" she =
- With genuine curiosity.
- man blushed. Helen had not
s.sd luuatic would blush
shse ! find fitting subject" he p
~ And what should YOU con. 4
sssr,. : hitting subject?" !,
IS Hny-you!" The words came ont .,
u oslvsly. They did not seem to ba
Tor compliment. The man
pathetically. It seemed as if y
sese tears in his eyes. Helen /.
~ = i be were . child: d