Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-08-07
BATH, MAINE, THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST = 1s51@

u MY dear ", he began in a nervous un-
settled way, you remember the business that 1
came about, yesterday!' -ae5 ltd "oI.0
Perfectly a3..ig nt '..ed 7ai .'r7d
And do you remember the words used,
as was going out! mean in answer to
what you said about my not being able to
touch this money till after the death Of nv
wife1' -i"''
- Yes, remember them distinctly .rr
My wife has disappeared since yesterday
morning he continued, turning even pale-
than before, now if anything serious should
have happened, YOU know, and you should re-
peat those expressions, they might be laid hold
OF, and don't know what would be the con-
sequence. ! might be suspected of having
murdered her.
Poor fellow I! if had not known the truth,
should have suspected it myself, from his ex-
cessive terror and anxiety. Hewiped the pers-
plration from his face, and sank into a chair.
The sight Of person more frightened than my
self reassnred me. =.
was calmer than had been since the pre-
ceding morning. ir .....su.. --- n-nI e.f
Where did she go1 How was she dress
ed . | inquired, anxious to know all that
could on the subject. ...... ,',. ..... ....,.
Il don't know She told me she was going
out shopping and visiting; but no one saw her
leave the house, and none of the servants know
exactly how she was dressed. When went
home to dinner, the first thing heard was that
she had not returned rH .f
What have you done, Have you sent to
the police and to the hospitals.' .,.......
Yes, and to every friend and tradesman
where she was likely to CALL
You may depend upon it, replied, very
impressively, 'that | will not repeat what YOU
said yesterday. You are right in supposing
that ii might tell against yon very much if she
should be found dead under suspicious circum-
stances.
He talked little longer, aud then went to
renew the search for his wife, How pre-
served selfpossession during this interview |
do not know; SO far from being really calm,
could have knawed the flesh off my bones in
my agony. r..
That night, when the doors were fastened,
and was alone-except for the company of
the dead shut myself up in the closet for
two hours, to ascertain whether she died from
want of air, for distrusted my own knowledge
of the appearance of suffocated persons. The
place was well supplied with air from several
large crevices. My first idea was correct-she
had died from some other cause.
When emerged from the closet, found
that the night was intensely dark, it was rain
ing in torrents, and the thunder and wind roar
ed terrific chorus, passed by the sullen BOOM
ing of the river, then at high tide, and already
swollen by the rain. sat there in the dark
upon the floor, holding the cold, stiff hand of
the dead within my own. | thought dreamily
how often il had welcomed me with its soft
pressure, while her eyes had beemed brightly
into mine, and the full pointing lips had
wreathed into dimples Of delight. Now that
hand that used TO be so plump, so full of warmth
and life, was rigid and cold-those eyes were
glazed and ghostly lips were clammy and hard
Tears came to my relief. l wept as grown
men seldom weep, and with that heart-easng
gush came new idea of escape for her and me.
| was ready to believe at that moment that her
spirit rested upon mine, and inspired the
thought-for it burst upon me suddenly with
conviction that if executed at the instant, it
would be crowned with success. How could
L otherwise have had the temerity to snatch
her up into my arms, carry her down stairs, at
the risk of being encountered by some Of the
other inhabitants of the house ; bear her through
the courts, and, by way that l knew, into the
garden.
The river was running strong and deep
against the wall. pressed one kiss upon her
cold forehead, and threw her into the stream.
Gladly would | have gone with her, and held
her in my heart till death but the impulse was
still on me, and without delay hastened back.
No one saw me, and the beating rain effaced
my footprints. .nHtHn
A few days after, ] saw by the papers, that
her body had been found far down the river.
Two years later her husband married again.
He is stout and ruddy, and laughs as heartily
as ever.
shall die bachelor. l am lean and pale,
and bowed and grey-haired, and the sound Of