The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-10-13

about twenty eight. who excited my
interest Her face wore "high cast Of
thought" expression. and 1t seemed to
me as | gazed upon it that sympathet-
ically she was capable Of taking in the
whole world. | Joined her and invited
her to dance. She accepted, and l fan
cied she did so fearing she would hurt
my feelings If she declined. After the
dance we took seats together.
"You have a nice place here" re-
marked.
"Yes. When did you come? I have
not seen you here before"
II came up this afternoon"
Eyes" she went ON. I'VE think 1t
very nice place. I'm much pleased with
It." Then she added. more to herself
than to me, "in spite of the cost above
the contract"
"You seem to know all about it."
$50 should. l built It,"
"Indeed" | said aloud. Then to my
self, "At last | have found one whose
weakness is apparent"
How much did you put into itF" I
asked after a pause in order to draw
her out.
at cost hundred thousand The
contract called for ninety thousand"
"Are you very rich?'
II have enough to make many people
happy"
"How much are you worthT
about a million"
| was surprised at the moderate esti-
mate she put ON her possessions.
what is your occupation in lifeT
she asked me presently.
I informed her that / was scientist,
and when she asked me what investi-
cations | was then engaged In ! con-
fessed that was struggling with the
problem of producing conditions sim
liar to or the same as life.
What success have you hadT she
asked
~ think | have produced the life
principle of the lowest order of plants
She drew sigh and, rising. said
with great kindliness: ~ must leave
you now. | have great deal to do.
The responsibility of this affair rests
wholly on me"
I took her into supper and, having
provided for her refreshment, conclud-
ed / would go on to the piazza and
smoke. While looking for a match l
heard voices in the next room.
az tell you he's as sane as you or L.
"How can man be sane who Is try
ing to reproduce life?"
The voices were those of DR.. Fisher
and the lady who had told me she had
built the asylum. AT her reply Fisher
chuckled. THAT'S good-mighty good
insane because he's trying to repro
duce life. You women will be the
death of me- Why. don't you know
there are scientists trying to do that
very thing?"
81 don't care if they are They are
as crazy as this one.'
While listened sudden succession
Of thoughts struck my brain as shots
from rapid fire guns. The patient had
thought me insane. | had thought her
insane.
VERY WE'LL" continued the lady. IF
he is sane he is certainly not gentle
man. He asked me how much this
place cost me and how wealthy am"
This was too much. l could endure
1t no longer. l rushed into the room
where they were and stood facing
them, my cheeks burning.
Billy" said the doctor, you've been
making a guy of yourself. Let me In
troduce you to Miss Merton. to whose
munificence We are indebted for this
institution. You have taken her for
mild case, and she considers you an In
durable. | confess that of the two she
is the nearer right. A man with as
wild scientific notions as you should be
Gagged"
II humbly crave Miss Merton's par
don," | said abjectly. II should never
have presumed to ask her the questions
| did had not
Considered her as crazy as yourself
You do her injustice. She is remark
ably sane. The only evidence of insan-
ity she has ever displayed was when
she said yours was such an interesting
case. No case is interesting that Is in
durable"
Miss Merton blushed slightly and
apologized for her estimate of me.
gave up my smoke. and she and / went
back among the patients. and ! found
that she knew every one of them and
abe especial failing q each Theirs
are all harmless delusions,' she said.
whereas /. searcher for the causes
of life. you consider incurable."
"At any rate you are not dangerous"
she renlied. "and my curiosity has
been excited by the bare mention of
your attempt. You must come and see
me and tell me about it,"
And | did Miss Merton has now the
same mania az myself.