The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-08-31
CHAPTER x.
The stricken Deer.

e.. CHAPTER X.
The stricken Deer.
Mrs. Martin scarcely knew whether
to be grateful or the reverse at the an
guarded words which had fallen from
the lips of her daughters. The surpris-
ing change in Robert had startled her
as much as it had amazed her.
How great was the change? she asked
herself. How was his recollection in
regard to recent events? Was his
memory clear in regard to the hints
and suggestions she had Of late been
making to him? And II SO. what might
the result be? He would look upon her
as little better than his brothers MUIR
derer, for, most surely, she had repeat
eddy urged him to commit that murder
by inflaming his insane anger against
Philip.
Her heart turned cold as she asked
herself these questions. To betray her
true feelings to an unreasoning lunatic
was a very different affair to finding
her wicked heart laid bare to the UNI
d~erstanding Of q sane man, and that
man her own brother, and h only be.
ing for whom she had some lingering
respect and awe left in her worldly,
cruel nature.
She qrailed beneath his steady, quiet
glance as she turned to meet it. when
the door had closed after Bertha and
Lefty. But she saw nothing in his face
to indicate that he regarded her either
with horror or contempt, and, in the
fbriefest words, she told him of all that
had occurred since that morning.
Robert Grayson was distressed be-
yond expression at the story Of his
brothers. tragic death. He pressed his
hands to his temples and seemed hardly
able to endure The shocking tidings;
but Mrs. Martins keen eye perceived at
once that it was a true and natural
grief that agitated him, and not, as h
almost wished, the frenzy of d return
ing madness. /!
"And now," she FASTENED to add, "tell
me why you We're not at the church,
Robert, and also
She paused. uncertain how to pro-
coed; but her brother completed the
sentence for her.
"Also, how I seem to have regained
my reason, which must have been
astray these many years." he continued,
in a sad tone. THAT is what you would
wish to say, Kate, but that you fear to
wound my feelings. Don't be alarmed,
dear; hat you will never do, and !
know it. But how to explain the change
that has occurred In my condition, is
beyond my power, Kate. This much I
know, and no more: I seem to have
awakened from a nightmare too horri-
.ry- o. I~4Yr 1a.,Vp pppnnv, t. must hoN.A
been insanity or delirium, and 1t must
have continued for ~years-for long, long
years--for I find myself an old man
But the cause of 1t I know not, n I
don't want to know. I rave a half real
but terrible recollection Of great hate
against Philip, but why I do not know.
For long years back my memory seems
n blank. The first thing that comes
clearly to me, is hearing. some time ago,
that Philip was about to be married.
That news filled me with rage end.an-
ger; but why it should nave done SO I
cannot tell.
IT remember being 80 wildly excited
chat I could not sleep, and that night i
took g large dose Of laudanum to end
my misery. / think. But 1t did not kill
me. Perhaps my diseased brain re-
quired it. Anyway, when I awoke, I
felt a sense Of quiet and peace, that Was
as delightful as 1t vas new and strange.
Every night since I have been in he
habit of taking opium in some form.
Perhaps 1t is the right medicine for my
malady. Certainly 1t has acted as such,
for what would have killed e sane or
well man has apparently quieted n
cured my poor, crazy brain.
This morning ] had-or thought I