Jasper's Folly.

""Tis she who is now singing , 'said the doctor , " and yon arc fortunate in your visit , as it is rarely that she sings . Hers is a sad story . She was an operatic singer of great promise , had studied under one of the greatest masters of the art in Italy , and g ifted with a voice that would , in the */ . e » ith of her career , have brought her

fortune ancl renown . " 'Unhappily for her she loved , " nofc wisely , but too well . " The old tale . Attracted by her charms and voice , an Italian Count paid his addresses to her . From all accounts hc was a handsome man of winning manners , aud of an ancient family . As to thc last-mentioned

qualificati & n , that is nothing to be proud of , its the most p lebian of ns can lay claim to have had Father Adam as an ancestor . As the silly insect is drawn irresistibly towards the flame that will injure if nofc consume it , thc signora was first fascinated ; secondly , infatuated ; and lastly , wronged .

'" The dc ' nnitemcnt was dramatic . She met the Count in the streets of Florence who treated her sighs , her tears , and reproaches with callous indifference . He little thought at the outset that he was playing with lire . He went too far , and the end was that he fell , stabbed by the beautiful creature , whose affections hc had won .

and whose reward was to be lig htly cast aside like a soiled glove . She was arrested , aud was kept " in durance for a time , pending the result of the Count's wound . He lingered for some weeks , and then died . The facts of the tragedy were thoroughl y sifted , and she was released after undergoing a light sentence .

"' She came to England in the charge of a female relative . Her mind gradually gave way , ami she became an inmate of my house , but she will never recover her reason . Occasionally she has lucid intervals , and then breaks into song . Hark ! are not those noles ravishing . '

"They were , indeed ! The poor demented woman was singing an Italian viorcean of love and revenge . She appeared to bo pouring out her soul with impassioned abandonment , and identify ing herself with the wronged heroine of the romanzo . "Travers , to-night , forcibly brought back to my recollection the artistic- —yetweird—performance of thc inmate of the asylum .

, "' A very interesting anecdote , ' remarked the elector , 'but ( he cases are not to be considered on thc same lines . The lady ' s wrongs had driven her mad , but Travers , so far as I know , has had no trouble , nor is he , at present , a lit subject for restraint . My diagnosis

is as follows - . —Hc has travelled in hot climates , and may have had a slight touch of sun . There are either matters that may have started the mischief , such as hereditary taint , over-study , and last , but not least , the association with the superstitious priests , witch doctors , and fetish worshippers of Asia aud Africa .

" ' There is au innate lovo for the supernatural in the hearts of the most sceptical , whatever they may say to the contrary . To a romantic and impressionable mind , snch as onr friend the tutor possesses , the love of the occult sciences becomes intensified . From

infancy to manhood those ideas in plastic minds arc encouraged , and the appetite for mystical knowledge gratified by the teachings of those who have sought itispiialion by the perusal of the works of the ancient philosophers and the talented exponents of the Biblical writings . '

"' Under the circumstances , Daley , ' 1 said , ' 1 presume that 1 had better at once remove Ranulp h from Travers ' s care . I cannot disguise from myself that the lad appears fo be thoroughly under the control of his tutor . My son is a high-spirited fellow ; loves tales of adventures and travel ; and as Travers has had au eventful career he burns lo emulate his example . That must iiot be . I do

not desire that Ranulp h should become either a learned prig or a milksop . Neither docs his mother ; but a . s lie i . s our only child we wish him eventually to choose some profession that will keep him within the United Kingdom . There is also another important reason why he should not seek au ail venturous career abroad . He is the heir of Mortimer , and , so far as I know , after my death , the last of the race .

"' Mrs . Mortimer ' s wishes and yours are but natural , asserted the doctor , ' and therefore to previml I ' urlheT trouble , my advice to you both is to remove Ranulp h immediate-ly from the iuteu- ' s care . The boy is bill fifteen , aud by the influence of other associations and change of scene he will soon forget all about his ipumdiim tutor , clever , learned , and fascinating as the gentleman undoubtedly is . ' " •Your advice i . s sound . ' 1 returned , " and 1 will , in a day or two ,

break the news gently t <» Travers . My original intention was to keep fhe boy under his present tutelage fill hc was old enough to go to college . However , after to-night ' s strange exhibition of ei .-i-cn-Irieify on Ihe tutor ' s part , not lo call if by a stronger term , 1 will , when the vacation is over , send Ranulph to Rngbv . If was my

fathers old school , and mine . "Just as I huel finished speaking the storm was renewed . A teri-ilie- peal of thunder startled us all , and the window sashes were shaken by its action . ' ¦•E g ' ad ! ' exclaimed the old Squire , as he tonka huge pinch of ¦ snuff—I may here stale I hat he was one ' of t he : ancient school , who delighted in ' obsolete phrases and customs fast dying mil . — ' Jupiter .

nicthinks has charged Vulcan to forge him a Ihiiudcrboll lodcslrny 'The Folly . ' What , a storm ! Friend Mortimer , I must crave thy hospitality to-night . I cauneil risk my peine hone-s of four-seo re summers on the back * of Firefly tn-nig'hl . Old and seasoned as he i . s iu most things , he plays up mosl devilishly in lhe face nf a storm . Gaels Life ! I shall not forget Ihc scurvy I rick he played me las ! August . I had just left Courllcy ' s place , anil was ambling along

Jasper's Folly.

towards home when a storm arose . At thc first flash of lightning the beast bolted , stumbled , said its prayers , and cleverly shot mc into the pond by Four Acre Copse . Fortunatel y I fell into about three feet of mud , and suffered no harm other than an unsought for

ill-smelling mud-bath . Had the brute thrown me a little farther ou the career of one who has negotiated many a stiff fence and gate , nnd been in afc the death eif many a gallant fox , would have found his own quietus inglorioasly in a gravel-pit . '

'" jiy the way , Mortimer , ' said Courtley , ' speaking of "Thc Folly , " and its tradition , I suppose that you and your forebears have treated the matter lightly ? ' " ' Indeed , we have not , ' 1 returned . ' The tower has always been religiousl y looked after , and periodically overhauled for repairs .

To-morrow I shall personall y examine it ' to see if the storm has injured it in any way . In these peaceful times I apprehend no danger from "human will , " but superstition apart the "tempest's power " is not to be despised . It is a matter of history , thafc so recently as my father ' s time the tower might have come to grief by

human machinations . Hc took the side of the unpopular candidate for the Count y representation , addressed meetings on his behalf . My father was naturally choleric , and a martyr ' to the gout . His utterances therefore were somewhat of an acrimonious and exasperating character . Rumour said that in revenge a plot was in progress to undermine " Jasper ' s Foll y " with gunpowder and blow ifc

to atoms . Anyway my father scented danger , and during the election , and for some time after , until party feeling had died out , a posse of keepers took ifc by turns to patrol tiie park day aud night . The Mortimers are not alone hi their superstitious reverence for an inanimate object . The Musgraves , of Eden Hall , iu Cumberland , for generations , have carefull y preserved , under lock and key , a glass goblet or cup , to which is attached the following legend :

" When ' er this cup shall break or fall , Farewell the luck of Eden Hall . " "At this juncture the Squire , who was a thorough bonrivant , suggested that eve retiring wc should discuss somo brandy punch which he offered to brew provided the necessary ingredients wero forthcoming . Having complied with his request , we passed an hour

in agreeable conversation . We were about retiring for the night , when a low knock was heard at thc door . " ' Come in , ' 1 saiel . " To our surprise thc intruder proved to be Travers . But what a contrast he presented to his bearing when he left the drawingroom . His face bore a smiling look , thc eyes had lost thc wild glare , and the whole appearance of the man was calm and collected .

" ' Mr . Mortimer and gentlemen , pray , pardon my intrusion , ' he said , tlu : accents of his voice being delightfully modulated . ' I felt that I could not retire to rest without apologising for my strange and uiigentlenianl y behaviour . To me my action appears more than incomprehensible . As 1 told llanul ph , I now tell you , with all

sincerity , that I did not feel well in the early part of the evening , and when lightning is iu the air my head becomes strangely affected . Music also , instead of acting as a sedative b y distracting my thoughts , always adds fuel to the mental ( lame . It was for that reason that I at lirst declined to exhibit my poor powers . If 1 alarmed

Mrs . Mortimer antl the other ladies I am trul y sorry , and will carry my repentance fo thciii to-morrow , and will throw myself npon their generosity for a parelou or patientl y submit to their censure . ' " The doctor glanced strangely af me , and carelessl y saiel * . ** ' Mr . Travers , when abroad elid you ever suffer from sunstroke Y '

"' Never , sir , firmly answered the tutor , and his voice lost ' its softness . It may have been my fancy , but I thought that his brilliant eyes shone for a moment with a baneful light . " ' Were you ever thrown from a horse Y ' continued Daley . " ' No , ' returned Travers .

' Have you ever lallen Irom the effects of an accident or by a wilful blow from some one Y ' "Again there came a negative . " " So far as you know , ' persisteel thc medico , ' were your progenitors free from brain trouble Y ' ¦

••Doctor Daley , why question me thus ! ' ' ' and the tones of the veiicc betrayed irritation . ' I can answer for the nieiitiil soundness of my father and mother , but as 1 . eliel not see the world ' s li ght during the lifetimes of my paternal and maternal grandparents , I cannot gratify your curiosity as to their respective mental conditions . '

'" Mr . Travers . quickl y said the doctor , ' J um sorry if my motives have been misunderstood , and J tender an apology , "foil voluntarily told us of your symptoms , and as a medical man I sought to glean , for- your ultimate benefit , information that mi ght enable me to account for voiir condition of mind , '

" The countenance of the tutor at once cleared , and the conversation took anot her I urn .

"Travers was an excellent raconteur . His stories of travel and adventure were related in a maimer most delightful to hear . His reminiscences were related not in the ordinary I'ominon-plaee way , bul with dramatic intensity , in addition to bis other gifts he was a

bora uclor , and would have won laurels on the stage . The evening that had i : oiiinii'iii-eil so gloomily ended most agreeably . Nature , also , siuileel . The storm clouds sailed away , and a beautiful moon bathed every ! hiiij' in a soft li- > -hl .

"Alas' . I . little thonght when at , the stroke of midnight I bade my guests and Travers " good ni ght , ' lhat it was destined to be niy lasi happy one . I ' pon reaching my room I found that my wife hud