The mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1863-1943, 1864-12-17

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never returned. She lived entirely within
doors; Ashley had one evening taken her
for q walk, aud the unaccustomed sights
and sounds Of the streets had terrified her
so much that he never repeated the ex.
pertinent.
At times a longing TO introduce his
beautiful wife to his old friends and rela-
tives in England was very strong, but the
difficulties Of explanation, or of deceit,
which it would involve, combined with
her extreme aversion to the project, al
ways prevailed, and the idea was dismiss
ed, as the thing was impossible.
Six years had passed since the eventful
night when Mary had been brought as.
dead to Astley's door, when walking one
day in the streets Of the city, he met an
old friend whom he had not seen since
his departure from England. The recog-
milton was mutual, and Ashley insisted
upon his friends returning with him to
dinner. The invitation was cordially Civ
en- and willingly accepted, and thinking
to surprise Mr.. Holt by the sudden sight
of his wife's loveliness, he said nothing Of
his being married, picturirg to himself
what his astonshmcnt would be when he
saw her.
Though he had anticipated some evil
dence of surprise, he was quite unprepar-
ed for the excess Of emotion displayed by
Mr.. Holt upon his introduction to Mrs
Ashley. The color left his face for mo-
ment, and then returning violently dyed
it crimson, and the words of acknowledge
ment were Stammered out almost unintel-
ligibly. Recovering his composure oy q
strong effort he offered his arm to lead
Mrs. Ashley to dinner, but she quietly de-
clined it, laying her hand upon her hus-
bands. During the whole time Of dinner
Mr.. Holt scarcely moved his eyes from
Mary's face, who did not seem at all dis
turbed by his intense gaze, and took NO
notice of her guest beyond what hospital
ity demanded.
Ashley suspicious were excited long be-
fore the meal was ended, and his heart
took jealous leap as he thought it pos
sible that his friend was falling in love
with his beautiful wife. He cursed the
impulse that had induced him to bring
Holt home with him, and busily invented
excuses for Kidding himself Of his guest a.
soon as was possible.
Holt's agitation increased to positive
illness before long, and rising, he asked
Ashley to accompany him to anothe
room. He was scarcely able to walk ,anC
Ashley took him by the arm and asked i
he were i'll.
'Illr he groancd. Il wish were dead
lie sat down and covered lis face witt
his hands.
You'll think me a fool, Ashley, but tn
likeness Of your wife to mine has over
come me-
Are you married, then p said Ashley
4 did not know
Il was married eight years ago. mar
ricd an English girl with your wife's hal
and eyes; her height, too, and with he
sweet voice. brought her over here di
rectly after our marriage, and we liveC
the happieSt life in the world for two year
and then she died.
Ashley was silent. He could think O
no words Of consolation that would not b.
a motkery 10 a man who had lost such
wife as Mary.
Died Holt continued, after a pause
while | was away from her. had gon,
a three days journey, leaving her in per
feet health, and returned to find tha
she had died suddenly Immediately aftel
my departure, and was already buried
How long ago. asked Ashley, hoarse
ly. \ horrible light was breaking in up
on him.
| six years. left Lima the following
day. Incvcr even visited her grave, bu
returned to England at once and now
after these years find your wife so lik,
her in every feature and every look, tina
my old wound is torn open alresh, ant
the intolerablc anguish has made me crI
out in the way
Ashley started up and laid his hand up
on his friends should with grasp like /
vice. His voice was harsh and dry, and
his eyes were bloodshot and staring.
Holt, for Gods sake let US do nothing
rashly! Come with me to your wife:
grave, and let US be very sure
Holt looked up and saw all in Astley's
face.
Speak, he shouted; She is my wife
Tell me how you met her speak quickly
while can hear you, for there is til,
sound Of cataract in my ears that deaf
ems me
And he fell in swoon at Astley's feet
lie might have died in it for all Astley
could do to revive him. lie stood blindly
staring at the pale face, but was ;ncapa
bls of so much as holding out hand tc
| him.
Holt came to himself before long, nnd
rising up hagSard and wild, repeated his
demand that Ashley should tell him where
he had met his wife.
And he did tell him, spared nothing
saying plainly out that she had been
brought to him by the body-snatchers as
subject; that she had lain as dead upon
his table for night, sheeted and shroud.
ed like corpse.
'And you dared burst in Holt
who was almost beside himself.
Il saved her life, said Ashley, gently
he had softened as re thought of that res
toration. will you come with me to the
grave, that we may be very sure?'
NO, no, no. Holt moaned; the fury
was passing away, and giving place to Q
dull sorrow.
Il can bear no more. It is as certain
more certain than death, that your wife is
mine. God help us!'
Which Of the men was the most to bG
pitied?
There were some moments of horrible
silence, in which each heard the beating
of his heart like heavy drum. Holt
spoke again.
ASK, Edith to come here. Surely she
cannot have forgotten me-
Mary-I call her Mary. 1t will only
distress her. Igive you my word Of hon
or she has no memory of anything before
the trance
But when he saw the passion in Holt''