Daily camera., 1901-05-09
A Grim Comedy
"XNoN'T you give us some of your
w acting this evening, dear Mrs.
Sterling?

Sterling?
The time was four p. IN. Through
the window we could see the raiI
sweeping over the lawn, as il hac
never ceased to do the last As hours
and my guests lounged about the big
uncomfortable hall in various stage.
of cnnui.
''Oh, yes. Please act for u.s." came
in chorus from all parts of the hall
And young Charlie Fleetwood excited
IL sprang mp and offered To improvist
temporary stage il | would consent
to perform on il.
| would not make any rash prom
iscs, being doubtful. indeed. whether
NV somewhat limited repertory in
cludcd anything that would serve as 4
monologuc. And the subject was still
under discussion when tea was
hrough; in. and with its fragrant pres,
snce carried our thoughts away from
things theatrical to the more impor'
;aut matter of satisfying the cravings
of physical nature.
Over the sodden lawn. battling with
the wind and rain, half dozen eager
looking men advanced and s,eered
straight for the entrance porch.
We watched their progress in mild
surprise. and then suddenly my curios'
ty was whetted by recognizing the
ioremoS, Of the six as one of the keep
ers at the big lunatic asylum which
stands. grim and silent, about league
from Winston Lodge.
This mln-a burly. hard faced York
hall. after knocking. and asked TO see
Mr.. Sterling. Ny husband lazily rose
and went with him tn the door.
The keeper Immediately commenced
to talk To him in loud. excited voice
so loud, in fact, that We could not
avoid oycrhearing part of what he
said And that had the effect of throw
ing my guests into something like a
panic. for the keeper spoke of u luna
tic who had escaped from the asylum
that morning after nearly numbering
an attendant. The lunatic was still
at large. and had been seen. not halt
an hour ago, lurking in plantation
near our house.
II was with rather grave face that
nv husband returned to us. But hs
spoke some words to ailay our alarm
Nothing To be frightened about. He
would soon be caught. They were no"
securing the country side in search OF
him.
But nevertheless il was some time
before the more nervous members oi
our circle quite recovered their equa
nimity, and when the time came for re
tiring to dress FOR dinner that lunatiS
was still the leading topic Of converse
ton.
well. have you prepared your pro
gramme for tonight, Mrs. Sterling?
Charlie Fleetwood asked when we met
in the dining-room.
Don't ask questions." I answered
Let 1t be a pleasant surprise for you
Afterward both question and an
swer proved to have strange signifi
canoe.
II.
We were sitting in the drawing
room after dinner. Felix was talking
to the blonde widow about curiou.
book of heraldry he had been reading
He said he would show her the volume
in question, and rose to go to the Ii
brary to fetch it.
Now, Winston Lodge, which we have
been accustomed to take each yeal
for the shooting season, consists of ar
imposing central pile, with two lonl
wings extending east and west. Th'
house was too big for our require
ments; consequently we only occupied
/ the center and the west wing. But i
was into the east wing that my hus
band had now gone. the library being
| situated there.
He had scarcely left the room wheI
/ recollected that the book he wanted
was not in the library at all, and, tt
save him the futile task OF looking fol
! IL, | ran after him.
/ crossed the hall and plunged dowI
the narrow. oak-paneled corridor
leading to the east wing. My course
was unillnmined, save for the din
moonlight that penetrated the mul
lioned windows, but ! knew my wa,
well enough. and marched along with
out hesitation.
/ passed through the lofty picture
gallery with its rows Of Old-worl'
faces and grim guardian suits o
armor. Ont into second passage
went-a low, tortuous passage, yer
dark, and smelling of musty tapestr.
Suddenly, as | was cropping my wa
along, l saw a slight movement
front of me, and there, but few fee
away, stood a gray, silent human fl
ure.
Felix, is that your said. And
won't be positive that there was ne
the suspicion Of quiver in my voic
There came no answer to the que
tion, and the figure commenced
glide away down the passage.
Without waiting to get thorough,
frightened l followed it, quickenir
my pace little. The mysterio,
form did the same.
Along and along we went. twistir
and turning among the labyrinth I
passages, and then at last, comir
round h half-open door-the door I
the library, where my husband was.
l darted forward, feeling qui
brave, now that | was in the vicini
of Felix. But l was too late. III
form glided into the room, silent
closing the door, and heard the X
turning in the lock.
stood there for moment or two
puzzled, doubtful, alarmed. All
once there rushed upon me horrib
presentiment of impending doom, al
with it wild, irresistible desire