The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-07-01

My brother Henry wrote me that he
was going to bring his friend out to
I our couLtry place FOR the week end.
He's Jim dandy, Edith, wrote
Henry. "and I'm bringing him out pur-
poeely to introduce him to you
About mile from our place was the
state insane asylum Its proximity
was a great disadvantage III that ]
was in constant dread lest some maniac
should escape, come to our house and
murder us ali. An escaped Iunatic had
once come there when no one but a
maid was In the house and had fright
ened her out Of her senses.
About o'clock one afternoon when
was Just ready to 20 downstairs and
out ON to the piazza there came ring
at the telephone. answered the call
myself II was from the asylum and
was an inquiry as to whether we had
seen or heard Of one Of the inmates
who had left the grounds and gone in
our direction. He had passed out with
suit case in his hand, telling lie gate
Keeper that he had been discharged
and was going home. He was one OF
the most dangerous patients "a the In
stitution
l replied that we had seen nothing
OF him and sincerely hoped we would
not. Then / went out on the piazza
and tried to think Of something else
But | was unable to fix my thoughts
on anything save a madman coming
dowr on us. Every man who passed
on the road short distance from
where i sat looked to ME like raving
maniac. Finally | saw man coming
carrying a suit case. My heart went
right up into my throat l muttered
a silent prayer that he might pass the
gate. He did not He stopped and
looked up at our house. He's the es-
capped patient ! moaned. He's de-
liberating whether he'll come here or go
on farther Heavens, he's coming In
There was no man in the house, and
/ simply must meet him ] sat per.
fectIy still while he came up the walk,
my heart wildly beating. had read
stories Of persons turning away insane
persons by GOODNESS and strategy. but
l didn't find any GOODNESS IN myself
and. as for strategy. ! was incapable
Of carrying on even an ordinary con
versation with the man. BY the time
he reached the piazza ] saw wild
/ eyed creature with fiery red hair and
4 atmospheric disturbances similar to
heat waves emanating from his fin
ger ends. Indeed. had ! looked at
him through dancing water or an i'm
perfect window pane he couldn't have
appeared more terrible He said some
\ thing 10 me- but | had no idea what
Y ii was, except that it was question.
go on" | said "oh. go on They're
after you just had a telephone from
them asking il we had seen you As
yo4 value your freedom, gov'
He stood looking at me. Was he go
ing to spring upon me or would he
with that cunning often to be found
in persons OF his kind attempt to out
! wit me 80 that he could effect an en-
trance into the house and murder us
all without our being able to call for
help?
"You can't come I'M" continued ex-
titedly. "Oh. go onl Don't stop a
moment You'll be captured. Please
60"
The man turned and without word,
retraced his steps. maintained my
position until l had seen him out OF
the gate, then staggered into the
house, sank on lounge, and that's
the last knew till saw the maid
sprinkling my face with water.
Ashamed Of my weakness. | soor
arose and by keeping smelling salts
continually at my nostrils managed e
get upstairs to my room In the course
Of an hour the maid knocked at my
door and said my brother had come
l was surprised at this, for he hat
written that be would be with Us OF
Saturday afternoon, and it was now
Friday. / was so ashamed Of my terrol
at the approach Of the lunatic-Henrl
had no respect for my timidity tina
fts9lNtu huh ~ say HAe eAAA6 ~D~@
It. With the smelling salts in M
hand. went down into the LIVING
room
Oh. my goodness gracious! Am
mad. or are my eyes askew2 There
beside Henry, stands the maniac.
what the dickens did you mean
Edith. by treating Mr.. Trask as vol
did awhile agog ! missed the train
and he came on without me. only t
be turned away BY you. Were yol
crazyg"
"N-n-o. b-but thought he was"
Henry was very angry. hut his frien'
soothingly said that doubtless had al
explanation / gave it. A sickly smii
gradually overspread the features 0
both the men. and. as for me- l ra
up to my room and locked the door, an
they didn't get me out Of 1t till tn
next morning. When came down t
breakfast Henry and Mr. Trask wer
waiting for me. Henry, who was sti
mortified at my reception OF his frient
said by way Of introduction. just as
we hadn't met before:
Edith, this Is Mr. Trask, whom