The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-01
raptured gaze when ] opened it. There
she stood with her eyes calmly fixed on

TdptuTcu gaze WHch oPonou ~
she stood with her eyes calmly fixed on
mine. 4, f ai ''.N
"You are safe dearest!" murmured.
She didnot rebuke me for calling her so,
and, emboldened by her silence took her
hand TO lead her from her narrow prison.
She moved forwards and fell into my arms
a corpse.
cannot we'll recall what followed.
only know that tried every means for her
restoration to life; but alas without sue.
cess. OF one thing was firmly convinc-
ed-she had not died from suffocation.
Ihad once seen the body of man who
was killed by the falling in Of mouth OF
a pit. recollected his swollen and pur-
ple face, and his lax, warm limbs. She
was pale, rigid, cold. The tumult Of her
emotions must have killed her the moment
the door closed upon her. 2 ."''' "..
By some means ! kept my secret from
the knowledge Of Watson and every one
else. All that night strove to bring her
to consciousness.
Then formed the project Of shutting
her up in the closet, locking up the cham
bers and going abroad for twenty years.
But that idea was rejected as quickly as
formed, for it would be hardly possible that
the presence of dead body in the house
should not be discovered before that time.
Next, | thought Of setting fire to the place,
burning all my books and papers, making
funeral pile OF them; thus running myself
and save the secret. But that thought, too,
was dismissed 1t might cause loss OF
life and property to many innocent people,
and would be a bungling proceeding alter
all; as, if the fire was discovered early
policemen. firemen, mob, all would break
, in, and finding her there, all would be lost
for it was more to save her reputation
than my life, that was striving and plot
r ting
, In the meantime, | was prey to the
most painful anxiety, was sure that by
, that time she must have been missed and
J sought for. Perhaps she had been seen to
, enter my chambers. Every step that
&. heard, | feared might be that OF police.
I man.
e In the morning stranger called on bu-
siness. This Of course was nothing ex-
| traordinary; but when he was gone felt
;. that he was detective officer, and had
!: come as spy. thurst few clothes in
}. to carpet bag. intending TO escape to
France. caug ght up box OF matches, to
Y set the place on fire. grasped razor
r and looked eagerly on its keen edge, as
the surest and swiltest way of ending my
:. misery. But then all these would leave
her to the jests Of the world and my own
v sufferings were nothing in comparison.
v AT this distance of time. can look back
impartially and calmly upon that day; and
d can solemnly declare, that | would rath'
g er have been hanged for numbering her,
r. than to have allowed breath to sully hel
o fair fame.
}. had Just laid down the razor, when q
hurried step crossed the ante-room. II
v was her husband.
e Now thought |, all is lost. She was
seen to enter here, and he has come to re-
/. claim her.
is "My dear -" he began, in nerv'
}. Gus unsettled way, "you remember the bu
siness that came about yesterday"
= "Perectly:"
!. "And do you remember the words uset
d as was going! Imean in answer to wha
you said about my not being able to toucl
Is this money until after the death ofmy wife!
II "Yes-I remember them distinctly"
d replied.
st "My wife has disappeared since yester
m day morning." he continued, turning ever
= paier than before, "and if anything serious
tn should have happened, you know. and yo'
" should repeat any of those expressions
3. they might be lsid hold Of, and don't know
ry what might be the consequence. Nigh
e. be suspected Of having murdered her."
it Poor fellow; if had not known the trutl
| should have suspected it myself, from hi
a excessive terror and anxiety. He wipe
to the perspiration from his face, and sun
al. into chair. The sight of person NOR
on frightened than myself reassured me.
no was calmer than had been since the pre-
m. ceding morning .u .aa. ..a
iy "Where did she 60? how was she dress
ad ed?' | inquired, anxious to know all
be could on the subject. ao a..4l5. ..
w, going out shopping and visiting; but n
,er one saw her leave the house, and none
a the servants know exactly how she wa
.- dressed. When ! went home to Dime
m. the first thing | heard was that she had nj
nd. returned"
nd "What have you done? Have you sci
I've to the police and to the hospitals2"
his "Yes, and to every friend and trade
rs. man where she was likely to call"
lis. "You may depend upon it," replie
vas very impressively, "that ! will not repe
what you said yesterday. You are rig
ust in supposing that it might tell against ye
nix: very much il she should be found dei
ave under suspicious circumstances"
uld He talked little longer, and then we
asst. TO renew the search for his wife. How
.6a preserved selEpossession during this i
Kew terview, do not know; so far from bell
- | II I L., a.. IA