Jasper's Folly.

to minister to my last behests . Of my introduction and courtship ot sweet Ethel Courtney , who became my wife and the mother of my only son , I will nofc ' dwell upon . Suffice it to say that there were not ' two happier beings in the world than we who set out on life ' s pilgrimage together on that rosy morn when the church had made

us one . "Peacefully tho years glided by , no untoward incident arose to mar the happiness of our ' lives or to darken the horizon of our bliss . Our beautiful bov , the only pledge of attachment that Providence had vouchsafed unto us grew apace . With increasing years the charms of his mind developed and equalled those of his

body . He was our sole care , our solace and our joy . We were fortunate enough in securing for him a tutor of great merit and under his fostering care young Raniilp h became for his years a prodigy of learning . Nature had bountifully endowed him with rich gifts of understanding . The seeds were there , they germinated , and with the assistance of cultured aid arrived at maturity .

" Michael Travers , the boy ' s tntor , had a fine personality . In stature he was tall with a well knit frame , his face was oval with features cleanly cut , his forehead was broa d and massive , and he had most brilliant eyes . How can I describe them Y—They were large , expressive and g lowing . Normally thoy wercus gentle as a gazelle ' s , but in periods of excitement or temper they would flash

and g litter like those of a tiger . He was always an enigma to me . He was recommended , to mc by an old college chum , and I was at our introduction greatly impressed by his appearance . He was very reserved in manner anil reticent as to his antecedents . I could only g lean that he had travelled a great deal in the East , and that he was a book-worm . He was a man who never courted society , although

greatly in request at social functions . "Apart from the graces of his person and mind , he was a musician and vocalist of great merit . He had translated some ancient Oriental poems and set them to music . To hear him sing them to his own accompaniment was most impressive . As I write I can see

him now , and the rich tones ot his voice seem to ring in my ears . " On the evening of the day before the first great calamity befell me , he was after inducement prevailed on to perform and was particularly brilliant in a musical display . The season was summer , —a

sultry night in July , and the hour about 9 o ' clock . We had had a few friends to dinner , and whilst the men were lingering over their cafe and the ladies with their tea , Ranulp h unpromp ted asked his tutor to sing . I may state that the boy was of an impressionable nature and Travers was his idol .

"lie then went lo the piano ami J -MVC saeh an oxipiisile Insti'iniitnial anil voL-al ilisplay as 1 had never heanl hefore . " "' Not to-nig ht , not to-night , ' was the reply , ' ! am feeling far from well ; the night is oppressive ' , and I have : one of my dark fits upon me . A . s you know J have beei omad in many Ian Is , have foregathered with the savage denizens of the prairie and the forest .

I have also communed with the fanatical fakiis ami priests of India , and thc superstitious dervishes of Arabia . 'J hey have , 1 may tell you , an almost childish terror when nature ' s moods are sullen and terrible . It is true that Ihe thunder storms in their latitudes are terrific and devastating to a elegree . and their effects are well calculated to inspire fear . Wc , in these islands have severe tempests

Jasper's Folly.

but they arc mere April showers compared with the awful elemental disturbances in tho far East . 1 have been in the company of natives on occasions when to all appearances the days and nights would pass placidl y by . However in a few shorfc hours everything would change . The manner and speech of the men I was with would change also . . Shadow would take thc place of sunlight . Their vivacity . and good humour would disappear and be succeeded by moroseness anel fierceness . '

"What has all this to do with my request , sir '* . ' somewhat hastily and petulantly interposed my son . ' Wc are not in India ; we apprehend to-ni ght no tornado nor other trouble . ' But I do , ' quietly returned the tutor , aud his eyes flashed ominously . 'I told yon thafc I had one of my black fits upon me—We are on the eve of a great storm—Wait and see ! However as you wish it I will accede to your request . ' He then went to the

piano and gave such an exquisite instrumental and vocal display as I had never heard before , nor have I since . The words of the recitative and song were in English but the theme was Oriental . The prelude was in the nature of a dirge , solemn and impressive . This was succeeded by a lament , wild and pathetic to a degree . The singer , with excellent taste , would lower his voice almost to a whisper . Then the notes would gradually increase in volume , aud in the crescendo passages would ring with startling power .

" However , it was the second part that fairl y electrified ns . We sat as if we were spell-bound . The singer ' s voice and manner became impassioned . The theme was one of jealousy and revenge . The artiste , for' Travers was one to his fingers' tips , appeared to throw his whole soul into his work , his mobile features became a study . You saw alternatel y mirrored in his handsome countenance the effects of grief , anger , fear and despair .

" The whole performance was weirdly powerful , and we all gave a sigh of relief when the exposition , fascinating though it was , ended . The mental tension was too great . The executant appeared to be strangely agitated , and showed signs of exhaustion . " Strange to relate , the evening , hitherto fine though close , suddenl y changed ; a great darkness overshadowed us , and a terrific

storm ensued . M y first action was to close the casement and to draw down the blinds , as the lightning appeared to be dangerously near our vicinity . The ladies of the company were all discomposed , and one of thom fainted . To add to our discomfiture , Travers arose from his chair , glared at every one of as in turn , gave utterance to a wild cry , and darted from the room .

" Mr . Daley , onr doctor , who was present , glanccdat me , shrugged his shoulders significantly , tapped his forehead , and whispered to me : " ' Inci pient brain mischief , and worse trouble to come in the near future ' " The ladies and young Ranulph having retired , I suggested to my guests that wc had better retire to the smoking room and court composure by an indulgence in tobacco . My proposal was well approved . The storm was still raging , but the thunder had abated .

"My companions that night were Doctor Daley , Ambrose Courtley , a Justice of the Peace , and old Stephen Broxton . who had been , ere infirmities overtook him , a noted fox hunter , When wo were comfortably seated and supplied with cigars and brandy , I turned to the doctor and said :

"' Daley , you made a private communication to mc just now iu the dm wing-room . Have you any objection to my speaking about the matter before my guests Y ' " 'Not in the least , ' he promptl y replied . " ' Well , my friends , ' I commenced , ' you shall share my confidence . You both remember that after Travers had finished his wonderful

musical effort , the storm commenced , and he left the room in a most dramatic yet discourteous manner . He had no sooner closed the door than Daley , who was sitting by me , whispered in my ear , "Incipient brain mischief , and worse trouble to como in the near future . " Notwithstanding the confusion that prevailed consequent upon the storm , and the indisposition of Miss Maxwell , I was struck , not only by the

communication , but by the tone of the speaker . I have always regarded Travers as being eccentric , but J have every reason to believe thafc his kindness and services a . s tutor to Kanul ph have been of an exceptional character . The boy ' s passion for knowledge has been encouraged in every way , and his mother and myself have wilnessed with delight the progress that he has made . It will

concern us both when wc have to terminate Travers ' s engagement consequent upon Ranul p h ' s entering upon a college career . Travers has been with us nearly seven years , but it is the first time that he has behaved so strangely . He has many times in the past entertained us by his great musical gifts , but to-night hc has surpassed all previous efforts , a veritable lour de force . I have never heard anything approaching it . '

" I have , ' remarked Courtley , ' but it was the effort of un insane person . In my capacity as a justice 1 had to visit some years ago a private asylum , auel found that everything was carried out in a perfectl y humane and legal manner . Having completed my satisfactory inspection , I was about in hike leave of the priueipni of the place' , when my departure was arrested by a How of melod y as beautiful as it was impressive . ' " Who is the singer Y " I asked '

"' One ol" the patients , ' was the reply . 'Did you not notice a young woman in the North Ward , who was sitting near a window and weeping r ' "' I did , ' I replied , ' and was struck b y her beauty and her pathetic expression . She appeared lei me to present the grandeur of woe , as artists love to limn on the features of Niobe , Hermione , Hero , anil other types of feminine grief . '