The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-30
A Romance of Lima.
fConcluded.)

Civ wars had passed since the eVentIul
night when Mary had been brought as 0eao
to Astley's door, when walking one day IN the
streets of the city, he met an old friend Wnotn
he had not seen since MS departure if"'n
E,olspd The recognition was mutual, and
Ashley insisted upon his friends returning
9TH him to dinner. The invitation was cor
daily given and willingly accepted, ana
thinking TO surprise Mr.. Holt by the sudden
SIGHT of his wifs's loveliness he said nothing
of his being. married, picturlng 20 nimselt
what his astonishment would be wnen ne sa"
her. .,
Though he had anticipated some evidence
of surprise, he was quite unprepargu ,ot VIC
excess of motion displayed by Mr.. Holt upon
his ;ntroduotion to Mrs. Ashley. The color
Iaft his face for a moment, and then returning
VIOLENTLY dyed it crimson, and the words OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT were stammered out almost
rnin,alliuibly. Recovering his composure by
s,rong effort he offered his arm to Mrs.Ast-
lev to dinner, but she quietly declined IT, lay
inc her hand upon her husbands. during
the whole time of dinner Mr.. Holt scarcely
movsd his eyes from Mary's face, who did
not seem at all distured by his intense gaze,
and took no notice Of her guest beyond what
hospitality demanded.
Astlev's suspicious were excited long before
the meal was ended and his heart took ZEAL
GUS leap as he thought 1t possible that ms
friend was falling in love with his beautiful
wife. He cursed the impulse that had Undue
ed him to bring Holt home with him. and
busilv invented EXCUSES for rlddlng hlihsell
of his guest as soon as was posslDle. -,
Hollis agitation increased TO positive Ill
ness before long, and rising, he asked Ashley
To accompany him to another room. lie was
soarcelv able TO walk and Ashley took him by
the arm and asked if he was Ill.
ssIIIl" he groaued 81 wish l were dead,
He sat down and covered his face with his
hands.
you'll think me fool, Ashley, but the
likeness of your wife to mine has overcome
me-"
s.Are YOU married, then ?" said Ashley
81 did not know.
81 was married eight years ago. / marrl .
ed an English girl with your wite's hair and
ewes. her height too, and with her sweet
voice | brought her over here directly alter
our marriage and we lived the happlest lie
in the world for two years-and then she
died"
Astlev was silent. He could think OF no
words of consolation that would not be MOCK
erv toaman who had lost such wife as
Mary.
"Died," Holt continued, after a pause,
"while | was away from her, | had gone Il
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"
fHow long ago?" asked Ashley, haarsely
A horrible light was breaking IN upon him.
'Six wears. | left Lima the following day
l never even visited her grave, but returned 10
England at once; and now after these years
find YOUR wife so like her III every feature
and every look, that my cid wound has torn
omen afresh, and the intoerable anguish has
made me- cry out in this way"
Ashley started up and laid his nand upon
his friends shoulder with a grasp like a vice
His voice was harsh and dry. and his eyes
bloodsh0t and staring.
ssHolt, for Gods sake let us do nothing
rashlv! Come with me to your wite's grave,
and let US be very sure"
Holt looked up and saw all in Astley's
face.
Speak" he shouted she as my wife,
Tell me how you met her; speak quickly
while | can hear you, for there Is the sound
of a cataract in my ears that deaien4 me-.
And he.fell IN q swoon at Ashley $ t5et
He might have died in it for all Ashley
could do 10 revive him He stood bindly
staring at the pale face, but was incapable OF
so much as holding out hand to him.
Holt came 20 himself before long. and re
ing up, haggard and wild, repeated his de-
mand that Ashley should tell him where ne
had met his wife.
And he did tell him, spared nothing say
ing plainly out that she had been brought II
him by the body-snatchers as q subject; thai
she had lain as dead upon his table fur {
night, sheeted and shrouded like corpse,
..And YOU dared --"burst In Holt, whs
was almost beside himself
II saved her lite" said Ashley, gently; ht
had softened as he thought of that restora
ton "Will you come with me to the grave
that we may be very sure?
''No, no, no." Holt moaned; the fury wal
passing away, and giving place to dull sor
row Il can bear more. 1t Is as certain
more certain than death, that your wife i
mine. God help us!"
Which of the men was the most 30 be PIT
led
There were some moments OF horrible al
lence, in which each heard the beating of hi
heart like heavy drum. Holt spoke again
ASK Edith to come here. Surely she cal
not have forgotten me-"
MARY call her Mary. 1t will only dis
tress her. / give you my word of honor sh
has no memory of anything before tn
trance"
But when he saw the passion in Holt
face he Judged it best for his sake that sh
should come. Since he chose to hear from
her own mouth what he had refused to be
lieve from his friends, he should do so.
She came quickly at the sound of the love
voice, and glided into the room, looking Xix
an angel of peace between two evil spirits.-
She stopped ehort as she caught sight c
Astley's face all drawn and set with the ell
fort to suppress his emotion, and then thre'
her arms around his neck with cry OF Low
and terror,
R,t ho hpr