The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-10-19
geleet gturp.
A BEWILDERING ACQUAINTANCE.


dances; and the graceful French and
| Spanish walters, and the italian tarantel-
la, and the Scotch Highland fling, and
the stately Virginia reel, and an Indian
war dance, but never before had he wit
messed the revels of Terpsichore among
inmates of lunatic asylum.
It was large, brilliantly illuminated
hall; the floor was perfectly waxed, the
music exhilarating, and the nurses and
invited guests made violent efforts to rem
der the occasion a happy one. But there
was woeful lack of the gaiety and CLAM
our so inseparably connected with such
festivities. Half the poor, crazed souls
sat against the wall looking indifferently at
the gyrations of those upon the floor. Oc
casionally there would be weird burst of
laughter, but they were quiet for the most
part.
Farrant was particularly attracted by a
girl who sat across the room opposite his
stand against the door. She was pretty
young girl, with delicate, oval face and
Madonna softness of expression in her
deep blue eyes and sensitive mouth.
II wonder if she's insane, said Far
rant to himself. Nothing wild about
her; rather melancholy face, however. A
nurse was leaning against the back of her
chair moment ago, so suppose she must
be patient By heaven, it monstrous
The Fates must have tangled their threads
somehow, or they would never have spun
destiny SO horrible for such an apothe-
osis of lovely womanhood T.
But Farrant had jumped to conclusions
too hastily; the Fates had by no means
allotted so malignant destiny to Edith
Monroe, the girl in question. Like him
self, she was guest.
Her eyes, travelling pitifully around the
room, fell upon Farrant, whose position
was little insulated from the other guests.
''Look at that poor fellow by the door,
she said to lady seated next to her.
''Do you think he is patient?' p asked
the lady.
''Oh, yes, | know he is, said Edith
positively. II saw DIR. Jackson bring
him in, and the Doctor keeps his eye on
him, and speaks to him now and then.
How respondent he looks He's hand
some, isn't he? And young; not more
than thirty, should think. How tragic
it is r And Edith sweet blue eyes sad
dened
81 believe | will go over and ask him
to dance with me- There can't be any
l
danger, or he wouldn't be allowed to
come, said she, impulsively.
She crossed the room and stood before
Farrant.
'Do you waltz p she asked gently,
her color rising little.
II shall be delighted if you will give
me the pleasure of dancing with you,
said Farrant promptly and cordially.
'TIe could not have replied with more
graciousness if he had been sane, thought
Edith.
Mentally Farrant said "My surmise
is correct; of course if her mind were all
right she wouldn't ask man she has not
been introduced to, to dance. 1t has been
good while, he reflected, 'fsince
tripped the light fantastic, but | suppose
[ am enough in trim to waltz with crazy
girl r
Edith was a perfect dancer, light and
graceful, so they got along very well.
ri am so glad my friend brought me
this evening, said Farrant to her.
eyes, so am l. DR.. Jackson is the
friend you allude to, isn't he? He it so
talented; we are all very proud Of him, >
said Edith
Farrant answered abstractedly; he was
thinking 'Confound Jackson, | believe
she's in love with him He will cure
her, and orange blossoms, best man, ETC.. !,
will follow jackson was always in luck. y
'sDo you come to these affairs often ? ;
he asked aloud
ssNo, this is the first have ever at
tended 1 have often wanted to come,
but have always been disappointed.
mot allowed, | suppose, muttered
Farrant below his breath
eAnd you, do you come often p The
question slipped out, and Edith half-re-
GREETED it, fearing to touch sensitive
point
''Oh, l am only on a flying visit 1
don t live here, l came on business, and to
see jackson, who is an old friend
elbow deceitful these maniacs arel AS
if | didn't know he was an inmate =
thought Edith.
They glided around two or three more
times, and then, the music changing for
the lancers, they promenaded slowly up and
down the long hail. Farrant paused at a
door, which opened upon the moonlit garden
outside, and which looked very enhancing
contrasted with the heat and glare of the
ballroom.
He was totally unprepared for the effect
his simple suggest to stroll about outside
produced. A frightened look leaped into
Edith eyes, and she faltered nervously
1.-THE devil OF course she doesn' t
dare to leave the room without her keep
er r thought Farrant vexedly.
CATER all, we had better not We
would probably be missed, said he hasti-
ly And Edith gave relieved sigh; not
for fortune would she have trusted her
self in the garden with IA lunatic
Farrant cast about for a safe topic of
conversation. His gaze CHANGING to fall
upon the slim, ungloyed hand which rested
upon his arm, was arrested by ring which
circled her finger A brilliant crimson
light shot from the heart of the gems
which surrounded by diamonds, was set
in heavy dull gold band The stone was
curiously engraved jacinth. Farran,
admired it, and Edith explained the origin
of the jewel.
ct is said to have been one of the
precious stones pludered from the magnif
cent shrine at Cologne, which contains the
relics of the Magi The way my father
came into possession of it was curious.
And Edith related the incident.
The ring proved an open sesame to an
animated conversation upon jewels and
legends.
''He is the most interesting maniac |
ever heard of p was Edith mental COM
ment after they separated. Farrant ar
rived at an even more complimentary con-
clusion in regard to her
Through a sense of duty, he plunged
into the whirl of attempted gaiety.