The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-12-23

lac loved The best.
The storm vihou, ragged with fury I'LL the
old building shook again. The night was so
dreadful, aud the hou SO late, that the village
surgeon requested To be allowed to sleep NJ the
mansion house, his horse moreover being -x.
haus;cd by the rapid pace at which he had rid
den, lay painting in the stable unablc To move.
The house keeper, notwithstanding her agi,a.
,ion and the mullifoim duties which the eeca-
sion required, WAS no, unmindfu of the hos
ptality which her late master had held sacred
as religions creed. AMI ordered refreshments
and chamber 10 be prepared
IL WAS then when the house WAS partially
quictrd when the body had been removed To
that room which in lie De Courcy had oceu-
pied, aud most oi the servants had retired 10
rest that the old Butler came to enquire hs,
had been the cause Of his masters sudden
death The Surgeon could not tell. he
had seen the old Squire few days previous !;
hs was then in declining health. but there
were no symptoms which could Indicate in any
way the near approach OF dissolution. lie had
not been sent for during the intervening days.
and had even heard that his patient was oou-
vaiesceut.
The Butler colroboraled the last statement I:
his master that day had taken an airing in his
carriage. having gone with his daughter to
witness neighboring hunting field Nay
more, during the carly part Of the evening he
had been in excellent spirits, and there Was no,
Que in the house who did not hope that he
was 40 longer an Invalid.
The Surgeon become more Interested ia the
na,ter, aud closely examined the Butler on thc
symptoms which he had observed IN his master
before his death. The servant answered all.
aud perceiyng the deep attention OF his listener,
described what he bad seen with minulcocss.
The medical mao became gradually more and
more absorbed in thought, aud abruptly ash cd
Il any one had been with his master during the
evening The Butler ausv cred No one but
his daughter
Next morning, before any of TIE domesics
lcxcept those who had sat up with the body }
the chamber where it lay. ilcwas proceeding
to examine i, more infinitely, and to iuteirogaic
The attendants, when long narrow door III the
gothic .aInscotng slowly opened. and Maria
de Courcy entered. She was pale as marble.
aud her dark though dmmed eyes looked as il
sleep had boeu stranger to them. Approach
Jog the Sur .cou. who regarded her with look
of moHenlary embarrassment, she demanded
IN = voice which rcmbIed with III subdued
anger by what authority he busted himself d.
bout one who was now beyond the reach OF
mortal AID
Your respected fi,hcr,' srammered the
Surgeon. died so suddenly -p1rdon me, but
my ~ish-rerhaps my duty as medical man
prompts me to ascertain If possible the real ma.
ture OF his malady.'
lie is dead = replied Maria in 4 mourpfpl
tone. My fathers illness, whaleger ii was
shall b. no subject Tor the idle curiosity OF
those who canvass it to crafty themselses.-
You were sent for to aid the lIvng-yonr bus
mess does not lie with the dead
Alr Hartley bowed.
Ny house is at your diaposal,' continued
the nov orphan daughter Of DsCourcy my
servants will obey you. ] wish not to offend
one Tor whom my father entertained regard
bui rhs chamber, sir, trust your Oon feelings
III forgive me Tor calling sacred. desire no
stranger TO iouudc here. Pardon me that !
say sony melancholy situation mud he my
excuse
The Surgeon stood before the youne tieircss
Ike a culprit. lie was sbashed, even ovcraw-
cd but the dark thoughts which bad been
aroused IN his mind were not eHiingnlsbed.-
He mui,ered a confused apology for having in
Iruded. aud ieh the room.
The day Of the funeral drew near. The
Stewart, VINO superin,cndod the arrangements
had hastened them. Tho prond lirireS' had
SO ordered il: Tor whispers had spread abroad.
Tae Coroner was even appealed to; he reius'
ed to listen to the appeal and the last male
descendant Of the line Of D-Courcy WIS laid
10 the resting place OF his fslhers.
But rumors increased. The friends Of the
family became iucensrd. and unknown to the
tIeiress, the body. at their request, was ex-
humed and cxsmined by medical men. Poison
was lound 10 the stomach those Who had been
lnslrameniaI in procuring tho di.inte,men, oi
the corpse were stauled-sod not a tes regret.
ted their precipiiaocy.
The Coroner nov eouid no lonser refuse 10
hold an inquest :--serEants we're examined -
the case became darker; the jury consisting
chiefly OF the tenants of the deceased. returned
a rautious We eydirt but the Dublic mind was