Will you step into my study, madam?" he said to Mrs.
Linton, bowing courteously.

Linton's wife ran into the room which the doctor pointed toward as his
study.

Linton waited. He moved softly about the room looking at the photographs
of Greek ruins which adorned the walls. He stopped finally before a
large picture of the Gate of Hadrian. He travelled once more into his
dream country. His fancy painted in the figures of men and women who had
passed through that gate. He had forgotten his fear of the blotting out
of his mind that could conjure these glowing colours. He had forgotten
himself.

From this dream he was recalled to the present by a hand being placed
gently upon his arm. He half turned and saw the doctor regarding him
with sympathetic eyes.

"Come, my dear sir, come into my study," said the doctor. "I have asked
your wife to await us here." Linton then turned fully toward the centre
of the room and found that his wife was seated quietly by a table.
Doctor Redmond bowed low to Mrs. Linton as he passed her, and Linton
waved his hand, smiled, and said, "Only a moment, dear." She did not
reply. The door closed behind them.

"Be seated, my dear sir," said the doctor, drawing forward a chair, "be
seated. I want to say something to you, but you must drink this first."
He handed Linton a small glass of brandy.

Linton sat down, took the glass mechanically, and gulped the brandy in
one great swallow. The doctor stood by the mantel and said slowly, "I
rejoice to say to you, sir, that I have never met a man more sound
mentally than yourself"--

Linton half started from his chair.

"Stop!" said the doctor, "I have not yet finished--but it is my painful
duty to tell you the truth--It is your WIFE WHO IS MAD! MAD AS A
HATTER!"

A DESERTION.

The yellow gas-light that came with an effect of difficulty through the
dust-stained windows on either side of the door, gave strange hues to
the faces and forms of the three women who stood gabbling in the
hall-way of the tenement. They made rapid gestures, and in the
background their enormous shadows mingled in terrific conflict.

"Aye, she ain't so good as he thinks she is, I'll bet. He can watch over
'er an' take care of 'er all he pleases, but when she wants t' fool 'im,
she'll fool 'im. An' how does he know she ain't foolin' 'im now?"

"Oh, he thinks he's keepin' 'er from goin' t' th' bad, he does. Oh, yes.
He ses she's too purty t' let run round alone. Too