Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-11-30
NEW SERIES-VOL. V.-NO. %.

grave, and let US be sure.'
Holt looked up and saw all ia 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
the sonnd Ola catgrac. in my ears that
deafens me !"
Aud he fell III swoon at Astley's feet.
lie might have died in it for all Asst,
ley could do to revive him. He stood
b!lndly staring at the pale face, but he
was incapable Of so much as holding out
hand 10 him.
Holt came to himself before long, and
rising up haggard AID wild, repeated his
demand that Ashley should Tell him where
he met his wife.
And he did tell him, sparlng moth, say
ing plainly out that she had been brought
to him by the body-snatcher as n subject :
that she had lain as dead upon his table
for night, sheeted and shrouded like a
corpse.
".Aud you dared" burst in Holt,
who was almost beside himself.
al saved her life," said Ashley, gently :;
he had soitened as he thought Of that
restoration. "Will you come with me to
the grave, that we may be sure ?"
"No, no, nc" Holt moaned; the fury
was passing away, and giving place to a
dull sorrow. 81 can bear no more. 1t is
as certain, more certain than death, that
your wife is mine. God help u.s."
Which Of the men was most 10 be Pit.
led
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 call her Mary. II will only
distress her. give you my word of hon
or she has no memory of anything before
the trance" f...
But when he saw the passion in Holt's
face he judged j. best for his sake that
she should come. Since he chose to hear
from her own mouth what be had refused
so - - ~" Glands he should do
She cano quickly at the sound Of the
loved voice, and gided into tho room,
looking like an angle of peace between
two evil spirits She stopped short as she
caught sight Of Astley's face all drawn
and set with the effort 10 suppress his
emotion, and then threw her arms around
his neck with cry Of love and terror.
But he unwound her arms, and for the
first time drew back from her embrace.
"Mary, my love-" Hollis eyes flashed
fire at the tender words and tones, tell
me, tell Mr.. Holt, if you remember any
thing in your life before you awoko from
your trance in this houseH
II do not" she said, 81 remember
nothing have said so many times
Swear it, )" cried Holt.
81 swear it, she said, ''by my husband,
Richard Ashley"
Poor Holt He threw himself ut her
feet, olasping her knees, and crying pass
ionately:
"oh, Edith have you forgotten me,
your husband, David Holt2 IN, my
darling, you must remember me, and
how happy we were for that short two
years :"
But she broke from bis grasp, and
dhrew herself into Astley's arms, crying
out:
"Send him away Wha. does he
mean H-Send him away - She was pale
and trembling with terror
Let her 60" shouted Holt, cor by
The oath was interrupted by Ashley.
Tlolt, God know. will try 10 do what
is right, and for her sake | ask you to be
calm" He placed her in chair, where
she sat weeping for fright, and went on.
"You shall say all you can to bring the
past TO her memory, and if she can re-
member you in the iaintest degree, will
6 i've up my claim to yours. But ii she
does not--oh, Holt, saved her life u
The struggle was an awful one, and shook
him like the wind shakes reed.
"You tell hor," said Holt, bitterly
perhaps she will believe what you say
AT any rate, she will listen to it."
1t was hard 10 begin the cruel task
yet for her sake he undertook il, bi
voice trembling, though he tried with al
his will to steady it,
MARY, love. lislS.' You know ihs
you must have lived more than twent!
years before you was bought here tina
night"
~ do not know" she :aid II canno
remember"
"But it must hnve been so, for you were
| a woman them