Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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-and, when it was finished, bis face was illu- 10 * When shall if be served on the superinten- dent?’ asked Brayton Russell, as they reached the ou'side. “ At once; we will go directly there; I will order out my carriage and we'll drive over in less than half an hour,” It was accordingly so done, Turning into a winding road that led through a small stretch of woods, the gentlemen caught sight of Brandon Asylum. {t was a handsome building of rough, hewn stone, surrounded by pleasant grounds and shade-trees, It was capable of accommodating one hundred and fifty patients and bore the reputation of be- ing an excellent institution. r. Maggiore drove his horse to the massive stone steps in front, and, stepping out, followed by his client, gave bis animal in charge of an aitendant who immediately presented himself. The visitors looked up at the windows, all of which were crossed with strong bars of iron. They could hear a few shouts and cries at in- tervals which showed that among the patients were several who were violent. Everything, however, had a neat and cleanly appearance and this was observable, when the rung the bell, and were ushered through the broad hall with the waxed floor, to the office of the superintendent. They had but afew minutes to wait when Superintendent Auffmordt appeared and greeted them with much effusiveness. After the exchanges of some scant courtesy, Mr. Maggiore served the writ upon the official. CHAPTER XX. AN UNEXPECTED SET-BACK. Dr. Cann AvFrMorDT, Superintendent of Brandon Lunatic Asylum, was a portly man, with a pleasant face and keen gray eye. All three who were in the office while the writ of habeas corpus was being read remained standing. As svon as the superintendent caught the meaning of the legal paper he began smiling, mined by a broad grin. Brayton Russell was angered, for he could not see any justification of levity in such a serious matter, When Lawyer Maggiore had finished reading the document, he carefully refolded it, placed it in bis pocket, and said: ‘| have done my duty.” He then looked at Mr. Auffmordt to hear what remark he had to make, The oflicial, still smiling, made remark: “That is all very well, gentlemen, but there ig a little difficulty in the way of obeying that suramons.” ** What is that?” ot ‘The party named in the writ is not, and never bas been, an inmate of the Brandon Asy- ” ‘* WHAT!” Lawyer and client uttered the exclamation together. ‘hey were astounded. They had never dreamed of such an answer to the writ. Brayton Russell believed the superintendent was falsifying, and was on the point of making some basty remark, when he restrained himself, Tne matter was in the bands of bislawyer. | The indignant lover, therefore, held his peace | and listened to his legal friend. Mr. Maggiore hastily took out his summons ain and looked at the name of the lady. “it is Ethel Langdon,” he said; ‘“‘are you ste, doctor, that you have not made a mis- take?” a He shook his head, still smiling. «There is no mistake; I heard the name dis- tinctly; I repeat there is not now, and never bas been, a person in Brandon Lunatic Asylum by | that name.” | _A Cool Head. in a voice so low and soothing that it might be thought he was addressing one of bis own pa- tients: **f will be pleased to show you through onr institution, from top to bottom; I like all to see its workings.” ‘* We're obliged to you,” replied the lawyer, ‘‘we may avail ourselves of your kindness some other day.” The two visitors saluted the superintendent and passed out. ‘* That's a complete set-back!” exclaimed Rus- sell, after they had entered the carriage and started home, ‘It is a blow directly between the eyes,” was the characteristic comment of the lawyer. ‘*Do you not think it possible he lied to us?” **Of course it is possible for any person to lie, but there is not the slig »test probability that he has done so. Dr. Auffmordt has beld that posi- tion too long not to know the punishment he would receive for contempt of court.” **It follows then that Miss Langdon was not taken to that retreat, when we, or at least I, was absolutely certain of it. A detective whom I employed was just as positive as I.” ‘*The American detective is fallible,” was the somewhat superfluous observation of the law- er. 4 The conversation homeward developed noth- ing as to the future course of the parties. Mr. Maggiore was of the opinion that Mr. Langdon had really sent his niece to Europe, employing means which deceived the detective. ‘*How could your wonderfully sagacious friend tell whether ‘Mrs. Jones and Daughter,’ on the register, stands for those persons or whether for Mrs. Fitzgibbons and her off- spring?” ‘‘Hecan’t tell; I believe Ethel is out on the ocean this very hour,” was the desperate excla- mation of the lover; ‘‘and V’il follow her to the ends of the earth.” Brayton Russell hastened back to Ardville ready for any wild scheme, ‘* Everything goes wrong,” he muttered sav- agely. ‘*Orson Oxx ought to be at command. Confound bim! he said he felt as though his ser- vices would be needed and yet he don’t think the time will come for several days; what sort of a fellow is he? how does he know when the time will come? He tells me to telegraph bim at the Metropoliten, but who shall say when and where it will reach him?” Nevertheless and all the same Orson Oxx at that moment was almast within the sound of Brayton Russell’s voice. And the detective was getting in his work in an exccedingly effective manner. CHAPTER XXI. THE QUEEN UF THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS, ONE autumn evening, not long ago, Ethel Langdon, an enchanting young lady, was at her home with her uncle, She was in the en- joyment of high health and her mental powers were remarkably bright. The sky wore a radiant hue to her and all the future was glow- ing with bope and bappiness. Vithin the succeeding twelve hours she was lodged in a Junatic asylum! : The why and wherefore of this extraordinary outrage has already been outlined to tne reader. Algol Langdon, otherwise known as the Winking Demon, believed himself in a peculiar and dangerous situation. None knew better | than hethat if his niece married before reach- ing her majority, be would be a ruined man. If the marriage could be prevented or deferred until after that time, he would be left in the possession of immense wealth and luxury. And, as the only means of obstructing the mar- riage, he had the charming lady consigned to a lunatic asylum, which act he took care to have done in legal form; that was necessary for his own future safety. And, also, it was the easiest course to take, oO a ——— ———eeEeEeEeFSFSeeSeSeFeEeeEeEeFeF LBD LLL LLL LT Ct ttt t — } —— ness, from which sbe did not rally for many hours, though faint opium-like fancies contin- bg struggled tiurough her tortured brain, hen at last she came to herself it was broad davlighe. The clear autumn sun was shining bright- y: She looked about her and found she was lying on a couch in a moderate-sized apart- ment, It was neatly furnished with carpet, double bed, bureau, mirrors and all conveniences of modern life. Looking across the room she observed that the windows were crossed by strong bars of iron. She knew she was in a lunatic asylum. Raising her head, she became sensible of a dull heavy feeling, which she was well aware was the result of the drug from which she was suffering. ‘* How dare my uncle dosuch a thing as this?” she muttered, assuming a sitting position and pressing ber bands to ber forebead, “* They dare do anything.” The words were spoken in a sharp, feminine voice and startled Ethel, who turned her head quickly to learn whence they came. She had not noticed until that moment, that there was another person in the room. A lady who appeared several years older than herself, was sitting motionless in a corner, read- ing a volume. Her face was bright and pleasing, and her dark eyes especially bad a keen, wide-awake appearance, which wonld have impressed any one, As the gaze of the two ladies met, the one who had been reading asked: ‘‘ What is your name, please?” ** Ethel Langdon.” * That’s a pretty name; Ethel, Ethel, Ethel— I like that.” ** Yes, I am fond of it,” said our heroine with a smile, for sbe was in doubt whether this lady was of sound mind or not; “will you tell me yours, if you please?” ‘*Hannsab Hahlo, bow do you like it?” “It. is a good, plain English name; how long bave you been in the asylum?” ** Four years, which is just four years longer than they had any right to place me here,” Hannah rose, picked up her chair and set it down beside the lounge on which Ethel was mre ‘‘What made them bring you here?’ asked the older occupant, stroking the luxuriant hair of Ethel with evident admiration. ‘‘T was sent bere by an enemy to get me eut of the way.” ‘You don't look to me as though your mind is effected in the least,” said Hannah sy mpathiz- ingly; “I don't believe it is any more than roine.” Ethel looked searchingly in the face of the young woman; she saw no evidence of an im- paired mind there. ‘* She, too, is the victim of persecution,” was the conclusion of Echel, who took the hand of the lady in her own. **No, my friend, | was placed here by bad men, because they wanted me out of the way.” ‘‘It was thesame with me. My father was determined | should marry a man double my age—a man whom | abominated. I was engag- ed to a noble young person who died. My heart was buried with bim, and I told father so; but he would not yield. When I had tried prayers and entreaties, I put my foot down and told him I would die before I would consent to be- come the wife of sucha Caliban, You behold the consequence,” The heart of Etbel was touched. Had not she an effianced lover, and could she not appreciate the infinite sorrow and woe that must bave wrung that poor heart when tho b°- loved of her soul was placed away in the grave? **T cannot understand bow it is a person is al- a RA RE iter ere 6s v ht ber here under He gave Doctors Bell and Thompson fifty : he an SE en ca ceatee Russel. | Avie: apiece for their certificate that Miss | lowed to put another in the asylum like this,” 4 ae The superintendent again shook his head. | Ethel Langdon was of unsound mind. He | said Hannab, ‘when the mind of one party is as i: 3 »* You say this lady was sent to the asylum | agreed to pay each of them one hundred dollars sound as that of the other.’ pee within the past two days?” more, after she had been safely placed in an in- ‘Nor dol. I was drugged when I was LP ae - Both gentlemen nodded to signify that such | stitution for the insane. He pledged himself brought here. Were you present? a was the fact. further to give each five bundied dollars apiece ‘*Of course; it was nearly daylight, and I was aa ‘The last patient we received was ten days | should she be kept there until she reached the | up and dressed when the matron knocked on fig and it was not a lady, either. Our institu- | age of twenty-one years. the door. I opened it and she and the euperin- ey tion is crowded,” Thus be made it quite an obj ct for these | tendent were supporting you, one on each arm, yn ‘‘ Have you refused any within a week?” practitioners to carry out his wishes in every + Wbat did they do with me?” | aa oskeclind Wh RO a bch ot ESky. = PAS way, "aod pated cine Ra Regret rime Pad zed ji f of his hey did so to the extent of their ability. 0 Say, & > ) ; 1 ae ! Beg poe, Ree Bee RE ae Of the long night-ride, the maiden retained | superintendent went out and the matron and I rex ean it be possible he is telling the truth?’ | only a dim recollection, like that of some grisly | removed your outer clothing. Your face was ly was the question which these looks plainly | phantasm of the brain. bathed, your splendid hair dressed and every- | ie ise asked. She had resisted and fought with all the des- | thing possible was done for you. ; om And the reply of Mr. Maggiore was as mani- | perstion at her command, but it was of no ‘*T am very grateful to you for your kindness, Peo fest on his countenance without his opening his | avail against two powerful men. and am glad that I Lave you for a rcom mate. - : The drug which was forcibly applied to her ‘*But I have a secret to tell you,” suddenly ee Ee Tis is too serious a matter for him to at- | nostrils on a handkerchief gradually robbed ber | whispered Hannah, leaning forward and look- = tempt deception; he must make return to this | of her senses. . ing sharply into the face of Ethel; ‘* promise me Noor writ that it may be traversed, and, if be does so But there were moments during that long, you will not tell it. a | ete untruthfuily, the consequences wi!l be anything | dreadful ride, when she partly awakened to a “Of course I will guard it sacredly. | hes but agreeable to bim.” sense of her awful position. I gave you my name as Hannah Hahlo, but ky Dr. Auffmordt read the doubt in their facer,; Then it was she would c out and struggle that is not who I am. . Naka tat” but bis dignity would not permit him to notice | to free herself from the iron grasp of her Gh oc aah 4 ere you then? 3 enemies. , : cz tke Oe smile had not departed yet, and he said Finally she sunk into a state of unconscicus- “I have given you my promise,” bas r’ Y +4 " * P _ ’ . * : > ae : Petes et ges | per seh Gomilecboo <s.cOmy,