The Shasta courier., 1865-02-11

ing violently dyed it crimson, and the words
OF acknowledgements were stammered out nj.
most unintelligibiy. Recovering his com.
posure by strong effort he offered his arm
to lead Mrs. Ashley to dinner. but she quiet
ly declined 1t, laying her hand upon her hus
band 8. During the whole time of Dime,
Mr.. Holt scarcely moved his eyes from Mary.
face, who did not seem at all disturbed by
his intense gaze. and took no notice of hel
guest beyond what hospitality demanded.
Astley's suspicious were excited long be
fore the meal was ended, and bis heart took
jealous leap as he thought it possible thai
has friend was falling in love with his beau
hful wife. He cursed the impulse that had
induced him to bring Holt home with him
and tu lily invented excuses for rdding him
self of his guest as soon as was possible.
Holt's agitation increased to positive i'll
ness before long, and rising, he asked Astle,
to accompany him to another room. He wal
scarcely able to walk, and Ashley took hin
by the arm and asked if he were i'll.
"Ill!" he groaned. Il wish were dead. ;
He sat down and covered his face with his
hands.
You'll think me fool, Ashley, but thu
likeness of your wife to mine has overcome
me-"
" Are you married, then ?" said Astley
" did not know"
:" was married eight years ago. mar.
ried an English girl with your wife's hail
and eyes; her height too, and with her sweet
voice. l brought her over here directly af
ter our marriage, and we lived the happiest
III fo,,4 IN
died"
Ashley was silent. He could think of no
words of consolation that would not be a
mockery to man who had lost such wife
as Mary.
Died" Holt continued. after a pause
"while was away from her. l had gone a
three days journey, leaving her in perfect
health, and | returned to find that she had
died suddenly Immediately after my depart
ure, and was already buried"
How long ago?' asked Astley hoarsely
A horrible light was breaking in upon him.
:: Six years l left Lima the following
day. | never even visited her grave, but re
turned to England at once; and now, afteI
these years | find your wife so like her il
every feature and every look, that my ole
wound is torn open afresh, end the intolera
bic anguish has made me cry out in thi;
way"
Ashley started up and laid his hand upon
his'friend' shoulder with a grasp like a vice
His voice was harsh and dry, and his eyes
were blood shot and staring.
Z" Holt, for God's sake let US do nothing
rashly Come with me to your wife S grave
and let US be very sure'
Holt looked up and saw all in Astley's face
L ba . 81 IT,
me how you met her; speak quickly while
l can hear you, for there is the sound of a
cataract in my ears that deafens me ~
And be fell in q swoon at Astley' s feet He
might have died in it for all Ashley could do
to revive him. He stood bin.lly staring at
the pale face. but was incapable of so much
as holding out a hand TO him
Holt came to himself before long, and ris.
ing up haggard ard Wild repeated his de.
maud that Ashley should tolF him where he
had met his wife.
81 And he did tell him, spared nothing; saw.
ing plainly out that she had been brought to
him by the body snatchers as subject that
she had lain rs dead upon his table for
night, sheeted and shrouded like a cornse.
And you dared-' burst in Holt. who
was almost beside himself.
II saved her lfe," said Ashley. gently
he had softened as he thought of that restor
alton. "Will you come with me to the grave,
that we may be very sure?''
b" NO, no, no. Holt moaned the fury was
passing away, and giving place to dull sor
more thar de lth, that your wife is mine God
help us ]"
Which of the men was the most to be
pitied?
There were some moments of horrible sill
ence, in which each heard the beating of his
heart like heavy drum. Holt spoke again.
:" Ask Edith to come here. Surely she can
not have forgotten me-"
distress her. | give you my word of honor
trance"
But when he saw the passion in Hollis face
he!udged it best for his sake that she should
come. Since he chose to hear from her own
mouth what he had refused to believe from
his friends, be should do so.
She came quickly at the sound of the loved
voice, and glided into the room, looking like
an angel of peace between two evil spirits
She stopped short as she caught sight Of Ast-
ley's face all drawn and set with the effort to
suppress DIS emotiOn, ana tnen Threw ner
arms round 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 anything in your
life before you awoke from your trance in
in this house?'
~ do not" she said " remember moth
ing. | have said so many times"
g Swear it, cried Holt.
" swear it." she said, +" by my husband
Richard Ashley"
Poor Holt He threw himself at her feet,
clasping her knees, and crying passionately: :
"Oh, Edith ! have you forstten me. your
husband, David Holt? Oh, my darling, you
must remember me, and how happy we were
for those short two years y
But she broke from his grasp. and threw
herself into Ashley arms, crying out: +" Send
him away What does he mean? Send
him away" She was pale and trembling
with terror.
" Let her CO." shouted Holt. 6 or by"
The oath was interrupted by Ashley.
;. Holt God knows will try to do what is
right, and for her sake ask you to be calm.'
He placed her in chair, where she sat weep
ing for very fright and went on.
~" You shall say all you can to bring the
past to her memory, and if she can remem-
Der you in the faintest degree | win give up
my claim to yours. But if she does not-oh,
TT r TT