The Washington times., 1909-08-18
b.
R. K. THOMPSON

Henry, I know that she was scared
when L told her that unless she let her
brothers know that she was in this
country, and with US. 1 would write and
tell them
Well" I asked, what do you think
is the trouble with her"
j don't know she answered, And
that's what worries me. II only
knew
Perhaps" I Interrupted, perhaps
she does feel the grief at her father s
death so greatly that it has unbalanced
her mind. -
Henry
My wife sprang to her feet.
You don t-don't think she's crazy,
do your she gasped. She's taking
care of the children-if she's insane,
good gracious
Calm yourself. my dear" I soothed
her. There's nothing to be alarmed
over only said perhaps she is slightly
disturbed IN her upper story through
sorrow at her fathers demise. I'm not
by any means sure Of IT."
But If she's crazy
It's a harmless form of insanity,
then, / treasured her. And the chill
dren are perfectly safe with her. She
adores them. "
My wife leaned on the table breath
ing quickly.
"But-it's dangerous she stammered.
It's dangerous TO have her near them
when she's this-this way. If she's a
maniac she may have desperate mo-
"Nonsenser I sooffed. Nonsense,
my deari'
She turned impatiently from me-
Sh, it's all very we'll for you to say
nonsense. nonsense she cried. But
think of the children. Chloe-and Ron
aid, now that he's just at the most i'm
pressionable age
why. Patriciar I stopped her ANY
one would think TO hear you going on
this way that an insanity board had
already sat in the case of Lizzie and
turned in an unanimous opinion of in
durable madness. II was only a sug-
geStion on my part-1ust a silly posi-
bility of what might be wrong with the
girl, / don't believe for a moment
that it is true"
We'll / do" snapped my wife. Now
that l think OF some Of the things she S
done-saiC-and consider them in the
light Of her possible npadness-''
oh you're absurd l laughed.
mo, I'm noti" she cried. You don't
know the things that 1 do about Lizzie 5
wen, what. for exampleT' I ques-
Did 1 ever tell you what I iIscov-
cred in her trunlt?" she asked in a
No. what?"
I found both the pillow cases, the
sheets, and blanket from her berth on
the steamer all folded up in the bot
tom of her box. Besides, the detach-
able brass valves of the radiator And
the soap dish, nickel towelrack, and
six towels.
i stared.
.'All in her trunk?'' I asked, for want
OF something better to say.
Everything packed in it." my wife
replied. What do you think of that?"
80 fnra
there must be some reasonable expla-
nation OF how she came by ali the
junk. Did you ask herr"
Without finding out a single, soli-
tary thing l wanted to know" she
nodded I tell you, when she doesn't
want 10 talk, you can't make her"
There was pause.
1T never worried re before" said
my wife at length, 20 find all that
stun In her box But now. in view Of
what you say about her insanity
i didn't say size was insane" I
broke Ia quickly. What do l know
about her mental talance2 ! merely
said she might be; J really don't think
she's any crazier than you or /"
But think how queer IL Is that she
should keep silent on the subject Of her
home, she insisted rs there any
reason why she shoIld not be glad to
talk TO me about it2 Why, sc are
really friends OF hers. We inew her
NilEu size was only a my AiLile girl
and she nursed Ronald when he was a
baby. Yet she won't answer a single
question I ask her about KOhlburg-
Urgher."
"Weu." I rose, Cont let II worry
you any longer Wait until she gets
acclimated; she'll talk then. I'm sure
And ia the meantime, remember that
she's living up 10 expectations in
the care Of the kidlets. And that's
about all you can expect Of any nurse
girl. anyway
Ny wife called after ne as I left tho
front door.
Don't forget TO see Jack Rogers to-
day and tell him about tonight"
THE card partyy 1 called back II
wont forget TO invite him. You've at
tended TO the others?"
YES. They're all coming. Remember,
I'm leaving the inviting OF the Rogers
TO you"