Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-04-07

to dinner at noon and to remember not
TO cross the Johnsons' pasture, where
rattlesnakes had been seen recently.
Barbara went briskly toward the
woods with a feeling that on such a
day it was indeed good to be alive.
Well down the road she passed the
great arched gateway of the sanltari-
um, and, looking up the steep drive
way, she could see the buildings perch
ed on the hill. She had not been down
this road for ten years, but she sud
denly remembered, with n little thrill
of pity for its inmates, that the red
brick building on the extreme left was
the insane pavilion.
She took the little footpath which
led across the lower end of the sani-
tarium grounds and into the pine
woods. She found a place where giant
pines lowered many feet skyward and
the ground was covered thickly with
pine needles. Here she sat down and
listened for a time TO the tinkle of
tiny brook hard by and the signing Of
the breeze through the pine tops. She
had just opened the little red volume
when the cracking of n twig warned
her of some ones approach She look
ed up. Before her, hat in hand, stood
a handsome. well groomed young man,
who. regarded her with a steadiness OF
gaze decidedly disconcerting. As she
looked up he bowed gravely
Good morning, Princess Louise" he
said in n cheerful voice. Really de-
lightful morning, isn't itP'
Barbara's mouth curved scornfully.
Then, all at once, the truth flashed up
on her. This man before her was
strayed inmate of the insane pavilion.
Her eyes opened wide in alarm and
made her doubly charming-at least so
thought the young man with a keen
sense of pity.
"Charming spot here he went on
easily. Let me congratulate you on
your choice"
Barbara's heart was beating wildly.
The man might be dangerous and she
was at his mercy. She remembered
she had heard somewhere II was best
and safest to humor lunatiCs. SO,
smothering a desire to scream, she
faced the intruder with as much com
posure as She could summon.
Il should very much like to sit down
here with you" he was saying. 1t
isn't every one, you know, who is
favored with a morning interview with
Henry ""
"Oh, yes" Barbara said brenthIessly.
do sit down. | shall be very glad to
have you sit down with me- Indeed,
Pm awfully-awfully pleased to have
you sit down"
He seated himself with a smile which
In a sane person would have betokened
unlimited patience.
"And what is Princess Louise doing
this morning?" he asked.
"Tm-I was reading n book on birds,
Mr.. Henry w." she said.
He glanced at her quizZically. do
you mind if | feel your pulse, your
highnessE" he asked quite humbly.
"Oh, no, indeed not" she assured
him, at the same time extending her
wrist to him. He pulled out his watch
and took her wrist lightly in his hand.
Presently he dropped it and returned
the watch to his pocket.
"Ah, thank you" he said as he drew
a tablet from his pocket and began
writin" rapidly on one Of the pages
with a rencl He laid the tablet aside,
and as il lay on the ground near her
Barbara read in the round, full hand
on the page:
"Janet TOlman.
"June IL fuckers Grove. Eyes un-
usually dslatcd. Conversation rational.
Pulse So"
And now, Princess Louise" the
young man was saying, Il think we'd
better seek the banquet hall"
lie rose and slipped the tablet and
pencil into his pocket
"I'm-it's very comfortable here" she
said, and then as forlorn hope she
added. but don't Jet me detain you"
"But really | insist" he said, with
well bred GruneSs.
Barbara dared no longer hesitate.
Henry w" assisted her to her feet,
and as she gained them he slipped her
arm through his own. She felt his
arm pinuing hers firmly against his
side and realized that opposition was
useless. Together they started through
the grove and Barbara was surprised
to find they took the path leading to the
sanitarlum They gained the grounds
and started up the hin toward the
buildings, Henry "" meantime con
versing pleasantly and Barbara an
swcring him as best she could. She
breathed more freely now, for she was
sure they would soon encounter an at.
tendant. who would relieve her Of her
dangerous escort
They had nearly gained the summit
of the hill when an attendant In white