Maryland free press., 1866-12-27
VOLUME I.
is work. The sufferer had apparently died il

|
the greatest agony. The bed clothes still evil
denced the struggle between the tyrant and his
victim.
With the assistance of the man servant who
had come to my house, laid him out and put
the room to order.
Twas about to depart whe. the man servent
called me back
mrs. Colebrook would like to see you," he
said, as he showed me to a paror in front of the
room in which the corpse was lying.
She appeared TO be in the deepest distress, and
the family physician was still present using his
best efforts to reduce her to state of calmness
He had succeeded to some extent; and she spoke
TO me with toerabe selfbossession.
''You will make all the arrangements, Mr..
Mortal" !" she said.
'T will, Madam"
''oh, it was terrible ~ groaned she.
"Be calm, Mrs. Colebrook," interposed DR..
Rowne.
81 cannot, Doctor, fee, as though 7 should
become distracted"
"Nav, madam, control YOURSELF" and the
Doctor, who was young and very good looking
tal remark, which have forgotten
"Will you watch him2" she almost gasped,
Looking eagerly at me. .-
"Watch with him 2" asked DR.. Rowns in
surprise.
"Ycs"
at is entirely unnecessary"
''The corpse must have Watchers" she added
moro calmly than sha bod yot
"fhere is no need of them, but"
''l would not have him left alone for all the
world" she sad with kind of convusive
shiver. .....
ono possible harm could bef,ll him."
"But it seems Sc neglectful to desert the body
a, soon as the spirit has fed" i
''But it is entirely a matter ef.choice," ad-
ded
"Couldn't you watch with him, Mr.. Nor
tai
''lf you particularly desire it.'
t'I do could not bear to have his remains
guarded bv mere servant. You will oblige me
very much"
I consented TO the arrangement, and promised
to return at nine o'clock in the evening.
After ordering the coffin for the deceased for
It that time they were not kept on hand to such
m extent as they are now-and attending to my
private affairs again repaired to the Colebrook
mansion.
II WAS customary at the time of which | write
For two persons TO perform the service for which
| was engaged, though watching was then going
rapidly out of fashion; but, rs my business was
wi thn I f,ntI,, % -. .l,s
chamber of DEATH and was even better satisfi ed
to be alone than with company. had brought
IN interesting book from home, and Mrs. Cole
brook had provided very interesting book from
home, and Mrs. Colebrook had provided a very
interesting repast for me in the dining room be-
low, so that looked forward to very COM
Portable night. Thro wing mysefinto the large
roc; sing chair which had been placed there for
my use, I was soon engaged in the entertaining
pages Of nv book. As soon rs the clock struck
arose and examined the corpse, mostening the
face with alcohol, and wiping away the purging
at the mouth.
AT sleven o'clock some one entered the house
and came up stairs. They were the feet of man
and heard him enter the parlor adjoining the
room of death. Though it seemed a rather sim
guar circumstance that man snould e enter the
house at that hour of the night, I thought moth
ing more of it till heard voices engaged in earn
est conversation. In few minutes they grew
louder and more distinct, and l recognized the
voico of Doctor Rowne Perhaps Mrs. Colebrooll
was sick and needed assistance. But he spoke
not in the tones Of his profession. The other
person spoke in whisper; but the doctor spoke
in his n ,tural voice. and seemed to be under no
restraint
The house was still as II tomb, and though
made no effort to hear what was said, the ex-
prcssions "will." ''thrcc witnesses" "thlrtv
days" and Others ola similar nature came very
clearly ana distinctly to my ears. They arous-
ed my curiosity. Who was this DR.. Rowne-
Why was he there at this very unreasonable
hour?
Well it was none ofmy business, and half
a dozen times determined not to concern my
self ahnat it. But it was in vain that tried 10
fasten my mird upon the book again. il had lost
the power TO interest me. | glanced at a door
which opened into the room where the speakers
were. 1t would he mean TO listen, and would
not 10 it. 1t was in the month of May, and tie
weather ives quite chilly. | had neglected TO
bring my extra clothing with me, and began
to feel uncomfortably cold. rose and paced
the room several minutes.
"Both Wills" came very distinctly to my
hearing, in the ungnarded tones of Doctor
Rowne.
paused and looked at the door Apparently
the other person, who, doubted not, was Mrs.
Colebrook speaking, but could hear nothing
| threw myselfinto the chair, and began to shiv-
er with the cold again. On the table lay a
MarScilcs quilt which had been left there by
servant. folded it up and threw it over M,
shoulders. 1t completely enveloped my body,
and l soon felt quite comfortable again.
"Destroy that new will" said Dr. Rowne.
dropped my book, for this looked like foul.
1t occurred TO me that Mr.. Colebrook's poor rela-
tions would have TO suffer for this midnight con-
ference. knew that he had an only sister, who
was an invalid, who was dependent upon his
bounty for subsistence, and my blood boiled
with INDIGNATION as tho urht of hat might be