Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-29
CHATTER X.
The stricken Deer.

Mrs. Martin scarcely knew whether
guarded words which had fallen from
the lips OF her daughters. The surpris-
ing change in Robert a startled her
as much as it had amazed her.
How great was the charge? she asked
herself. How was his recollection in
regard to recent events? Was his
memory clear In regard to the hints
n suggestions she had OF late been
making to him? And IL 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 infaming his insane anger against
Philip.
Ter heart turned cold as she asked
herself these questions. To betray her
true feelings to an -unreasoning lunati
was a very different affair to finding
her wicked heart laid bare TO the UNI
Outstanding of q sane man, and tina
man her own brother. and the only be
ing for whom she had some lingering
respect and awe left In her worldly,
cruel nature.
She quailed beneath his steady, quiet
glance as she turned to meet Il. whea
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 h
briefest words, h told him OF all that
had occurred siaca tina 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 IL was a true and natural
grief that agitated him. and not, as she
almost wished, the frenzy of a return
Ing madness.
And now" she fastened to add. 'tell
me why you were not at the church,
Robert. n 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; that you will never do, and /
know IL. But how TO explain the change
hat has occurred in my condition. is
beyond my power, Kate. This much /
know, and no more: 1 seem 20 have
awakened from a nightmare too horri-
BILE TO look back upon. 1t must have
been insanity or delirium, and IL must
have continued for years-for long, long
~years-for j hnd myself an old man.
But the cause Of IL / know not, and I
don't want TO know. | have a half real
but terrible recollection of great hato
against Philip, but why / do not know.
For long years back my memoir seems
a blank. The first thing that comes
clearly to me is hearing, some time ago,
hat Philip was about TO be married.
That news filled me with rage and an
ger; but why ii should have done so /
cannot tell.
Il remember being so wildly excited
that ] could not sleep, and that night 1
took 2 large dose Of laudanum to end
my misery. I think. But it did not kill
me. Perhaps my diseased brain re-
CURED il. Anyway, when i awoke. L
felt a sense OF quiet and peace. that was
as delightful as IL was new and strange.
Every night since have been in the
habit of taking opium in some form.
Perhaps 1t is the right medicine for my
malady. Certainly IL has acted as such,
for what YOU have killed & sane or
well man has apparently quieted and
cured my poor, crazy brain.
This morning I had-or thought /
had-a recurrence OF the old excitement.
/ too what I thought was a small dose
OF the laudanum to quiet my nerves,
and then i lay down TO rest for a few
minutes. i must have taken a larger
dose than / supposed. j went off into
q profound sleep. and knew no more
until / awoke. a little while ago."
Mrs. Martin listened, with every ap.
pearance or intense interest. and when
Robert concluded, her exclamation.
"Extraordinary-mcst extraordinary
was spoken with the utmost sincerity.
1T is. indeed. dear Kate. But. thank
God, 1t is also a happy and welcome
miyacle-for such 1 almost think IL.
And now i must try M make good use
OF the reason which HEAVIER has granted
me-" And. rising, he went toward the
door as he spoke.
Where are you going, Robert?' Mrs.
Martin exclaimed.
II am going to Philips house. That
is the right place for me at present.
And all the energy / possess shall be
turned 10 one effort--that of discover.
ing the monster who has caused his
death. Say nothing to dissuade me.