Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-12-17

parture from England. The recognition
was mutual, and Asley insisted upon his
friends returning with him to dinner
The invitation was cordially given and
willingly accepted, and thinking to sur.
prise Mr.. Holt by the sudden sight of his
wife's loveiness, he said nothing Of his
being married, pictured to himself what
his astonshment would be when be saw
her.
Though be had anticipated some evi
dence of surprise, he was quite unprepar-
ed for the excess of emotion displayed by
Mr.. Holt upon his introduction to Mrs.
Asley. The color left Li- face for a mo.
ment, and then returning violently, dyed
it crimson, and the words of aoknowledg-
ment were stammered out almost unintil
ligibly. Recovering his composure by a
strong effort, he offered his arm to lead
Mrs. Ashley to dinner, but she quietly de-
clined it, laying her hand upon hcr hus-
hands During the whole time of dinner
Mr.. Holt scarcely moved his eyes from
Marys face, who dill not seem at all dis
turbed by his Intense gaze. and took No
notice of her guest beyond what hospitali.
ty demanded.
Astley's suspicious were excited long
before the meal was ended, and his heart
took jealous leap as he thought it posi-
BILE that his friend was falling in love with
his beautiful wife. He nursed the i'm
pulse that had induced him to bring Holt
home with him, and buisily invented ex-
cuses for riddin. himself of his guest as
soon as possible.
Holt's agitation increased to positive
illness before long, and rising, he asked
Ashley to rccompany him to another room
He was scarce y able TO walk, and Astley
took him by the arm and asked if he were
ill.
"Ill !" he groaned. 81 wish I wal
dead ~
He sat down and covered his face will
his hands.
You'll think me fool; Ashley ,bnt tn,
likeness of your wife 10 mine has overcom,
me-"
. "Are you married, then :" said Ashley
, 81 did not know
81 was married eight years ago. mar
ried an English girl with your wife's hal
: and eyes; her height, too, and with he
r sweet voice. brougct her over here di
, rectly after our marriage, and we live'
the happiest life in the world for two yrs
5 and then she died.
Ashley was silent. He could think c
: no words Of consolation that would not b
G mockery to man who had Lost sue
= a wife as Mary.
: "Died," Holt continued, after pause
r "while was away from her. had gon
d a three day journey, leaving her in pei
t feet health, and retHrned to find that sh
;. had died suddenly Immediately after m
It departure, and was already buried"
s "How long ago p asked Ashley, hoars
!, ly. A horrible light was breaking in npc
d him.
e "Six years. left Lima the followiu
}. day. never even visited her grave, b.
y returned to England at once; and nov
n after these years l find my wife SO like hi
in every feature and every look, that m
d old wound is torn open atresh, and Il
S. intolerable anguish has made me cry o
:; in this way.
h Ashley started up and laid his hant
,e upon his friends shoulder with grasp Iii
OF vice. His voice was harsh anG dry,a
to his eyes were bloodshot and staring.
ID "Holt, for Gods sake let US do nothi
ut rashly Come with me to your wife
u grave, and let us be very sure"
ee Holt looked up and saw all in Astley
re face.
a. "Spcak," he shouted; she is nay viii
Tell me how you met her speak quick
be while can hear you, for there is the sou
cd of cataract in my ears that deaisns me
We And he fell in swoon at Astley's fe
an He might have died in it for all Asst
ne could do to revive him. He stood blind
h. staring at the pale face, but was incapa'
an of SO much as holding out hand to hir
Cd Holt came to him before long, aud r
RI ing up haggard and wild, repeated bis
ed mand that Ashley should tell him VIII,
he had met his wife.
ais And he did tell him, sparing nothil
a. saying plainly out that she had been br
he to him by the body-snatchers as a su
il, ject that she had lain as dead upon
er table for night, sheeted and sbroud
Us like corpse.
os sand Won dared" burst ip III,