Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22
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Miss Lawlor'sp' His face grew crimson.
Where is Miss Lawlor going without my
| permission?'
The man surveyed him with some sur
prise Mrs. Richardson told her to
leave. She went TO the station a few
| minutes ago. and James is coming now with
the light wagon for the trunk
! Very we'll" said John Richardson. Have
the trunk put In the wagon and l will
| drive it in myself"
| You. Mr.. Richardson
| L gave my order, srv' he Numbered
and the man, unable to believe his ears.
| Twenty minutes later Miss Lawlor looked
| up with start of surprise as a man ap-
preached her, and smothered an ejacula-
Il understand you're discharged" he
Il am" she answered quietly. Il have
| mad Tor some time the choice of being dis
| charged by Mrs Richardson or being dis
| missed by you"
| II see,'' he said. Going home, suppose?
I To Brierly?'
| Yes"
| He turned and walked down to the track.
! The train was visible in the distance; there
was not much time to lose. He walked
| back again.
Alice Lawlor," he said vehemently, you
I! are the only human being who has given
! me an hours companionship in fourteen
years, and you were paid for it. I'm not
going to stand this any longer VIII you
| marry me?'
The last words were brought out in
crescendo that might have been heard for
some distance If there had been any one
within hearing. He waited in suspense.
| There was no answer.
| "Alice."
Eyes filled with sudden tears looked up
at him.
Il have admired and felt sorry for you
! for years., she said.
Twenty years rolled away for both OF
them. He Strengthened proudly.
| Alice, he said. you're mighty
pretty woman"
The compliment brought bushes, even to
Come, Alice" he said cheerfully.
! Wen have little preliminary celebra-
| ton this morning, and then l guess your
trunk will get home all right and by
| shorter route"
| AS Ethelberta Richardson sailed out
| upon the piazza after luncheon-also after
| a lively interview with her husband-fol-
lowed by group of laughing young people
| she nearly lost her poise.
| Ladies'" said John Richardson bowling
very low. land gentlemen bow
| my wife,
The tableau that followed is not to be
| described. There were glances and inane
| congratulations, and the group melted
| away. Ethelberta went to see her husband.
She was not woman to be outwitted.
Internationally serene, the newly married
( couple wandered about the grounds with
| eyes opened to their beauty for the first
| time; he rowed her a long way on the river
| ana returned SO toned Dy the exercise
| that he felt like boy. After dinner and
| cigar on the veranda in her company he
walked down to the rivers edge to watch
the sailing moon. sweet contentment in his
heart. Suddenly the almost unknown in
| terest of proprietorship possessed him.
Guess I'll walk about the place." he
said, "and see II everything's all right
AS he turned a hand fell upon his Shout
der and he was confronted by three men
| in uniform.
Good evening, Mr.. Richardson"
| Good evening, gentlemen" he answered
will you come with US. Mr.. Richard
SOM" asked the foremost Of them. I'VE
| have something important to see you about
| and don't want to talk here. We have a
carriage just outside the gate and if you
will drive a short way with us talk
privately, and no one will know the diff
ference"
| Very much mystifed he assented with
| the stipulation that they would not detain
| him long, and In few minutes they were
| driving in an open double seated carriage
! at spanking speed. The conversation was
aimless. Mr.. Richardson glanced at his
| watch.
he said. Has any one at my house COM
pable of it. What is it?'
They glanced significantly at each other.
"A little more patience, Mr. Richardson
He frowned. IT have no time to waste.
Mrs. Richardson will be wondering what
| has become Of me-"
That's all right r SAID a. . huriy ofncer In
"Confound you. sir! What do you mean?"
| roared the wrathy bridegroom. whats all
right? Calling me out Of my house for
moonlight drive? II you have no business.
thiS?"
He started to his feet, but strong arms
held him back.
whoa, there. he cried to the driver;
| but the horses sped on. He began to fight
nladly, but what chance had one against
three? At last, painting, sweating, trem-
bling with rage, he was pulled out OF the
carriage before police station bodily car
ried through the adjoining detention hos
pital and locked within CELL
BAD case" one Of the officers said, as
they marched away, having done their
duty. Erich old fellow paresis; no hope
for him. They say he's running the estate
and ran away with hired girl this morn
ing"
Two days John Richardson passed alone,
days in which he had to exercise care to
prevent actually going insane; days when
he wanted to beat his head against the
walls and swear and rage; but the purpose
of revenge kept him dark and still. He soon
found it futile to try to interest his keepers.
They responded to him gruff1y or not at all.
He gave up hoping that Alice would come.
On the third day he had a visit from his
son.
"Awfully sorry about this. father; but
we're going to see that you have the best OF
care. InlS is no place, TOT you 1--WE re not
going to keep you here); but, as Etheiberta
said, home is no place for you, either, be-
cause there is no one to look after you. She
was going to come with me-awfully sorry,
but she couldn't get away from SO many
people,"
ITS just as well she didn't come" he re-
piled; land it's just as well you re remain
ing on the outside Of those bars"
The conversation soon came to the point.
His moodiness, eccentricity, etc, had been
the subject of comment for some time. The
marriage was the convincing proof Of mad
ness and unfitness to take care of himself
OF course, they were not going to keep him
in exactly this confinement, could not with
out the law; but as soon as possible a COM
, mission of insanity experts would examine
his mind and the court, when the matter
was brought up, would decide accordingly.
1t was not safe for him any longer to go
about unrestrained