The Shasta courier., 1866-08-25

with company. had brought an interesting
book from home, and Mrs Colebrook had
provided very interesting repast for me in
the dining room below, so that l looked for
ward to very comfortable night. Throwing
myself into the. large rocking chair which had
been placed there for my use, | was soon
absorbed in reading my book As often as
the clock struck | arose and examined the
corpse, mostened the face with alcohol, and
wiped away the purging at the mouth
& AT eleven O'Clock some one entered the
house and came up stairs. They were the
feet OF man, and l heard him enter the
parlor adjoining the room of death. Though
1T seemed rather singular circumstance that
a man should enter the house at that time of
night, l thought nothing more of it till l
heard voices engaged in earnestconversation
In few minutes they grew louder and more
distinct, and | recognized the voice of DR..
Rowne. Perhaps Mrs. Colebrook was sick
and needed his assistance. But he spoke not
In the tones of his profession. The other
person spoke in whisper but the doctor
spoke in his natural voice, and seemed to be
under no restraint.
The house was as still as a tomb, and
though made no effort to hear what was
said, the expressions "will," ''three wit
nessess, thirty days" and others of a
similar character, came distinctly to my ears
They aroused my curiosity. Who was this
Dr. Rowne? Why was he there at.that un-
reasonable hour?
Well, it was none of my business, and half
dozen times | determined not to concern
myself about it. But it was in vain that l
tried to fasten my mind upon the book again.
1T had lost the power to interest me.
glanced at door which opened into the room
where the speakers were. 1t would be mean
to listen. and | would not do it. 1t was the
month of May, and the weather was quite
chilly. l had neglected to bring any extra
clothing with me, and | began to feel uncom-
fortably cold. | rose and paced the room
several minutes.
8 Both Wills" came to my hearing, in the
unguarded tones of DR.. Rowne
paused and looked at the door, Appa.
rently the other person, who doubted not
was Mrs. Colebrook speaking, but l could
hear nothing. l threw myself on the chair
and began to shiver with cold again. On a
table lay clean Marsailles quilt, which had
been left there by servant, and in the alb
sence of anything better, | unfolded it and
threw it over my shoulders. 1t completely
enveloped my body, and felt quite comfort
able again.
:. Destroy the new will" said DR.. Rowne.
l dropped my book, for this looked like foul
play. 1t occurred to me that Mr.. Cole
brooks poor relations would have to suffer for
this midnight conference. | knew that he
had an only sister, an invalid, hodepended
upon his bounty for subsistence, and my
blood boiled with indignation as l thought of
what might be the result of this midnight
interview.
l arose from my chair and went to the
door
That the end will justify the means l do
not think is sound logic, but whore poor,
suffering, dependent woman was in danger of
being cast upon the tender mercies of cold
world, l was content to be blamed for the
meanness of eavesdropping, if thereby could
prevent so foul wrong.
Before did it, | could not but recall the
reputed character of Mrs. Colebrook. With
out believing much of the gossip that had
been circulated concerning her, could easily
arrive at the conclusion that she had been the
bane of her husbands happiness.
| had been personally acquainted with him
who now lay cold in death before me. so that
was not obliged to guess at the facts in the
case. My own observation, though | moved
in an humber sphere than hers, was sufi.
cient to assure me that all was not right. |
placed my ear at the keyhole.
When we are married."
- Hush" said Mrs Colebrook
They spoke in whispers then. and l could
distinguish nothing more. Need | have
heard m IRE?
Woman-angel or devil.
Was it she who had wept great tears in my
presence, who had trembled in agony of grief
before me, now calmly plotting with ber par
amour. bargaining away the affections which
should have fingered like weeping angel
over the couch of him who was not vet buried
out of sight? Was it she who had groaned
in bitterness at her bereavement now schem-
ing to rob her sister of her bounty?
90, woman, false as fair !" Yet she was
not woman she was demon
The clock struck twelve, and turned from
my reflections to attend to the corpse. The
alcohol which had been pros ided to wet the
face was all used, and | needed further
supply. Taking the dish in my hand, went
to the door with the intention of calling upon
Mrs Colehrook for it.
First rapping on the door, so as not TO sur
prise them, opened it and stepped into the
room.
q need little more alcohol, Mrs. Cole
brook" began.
She rose from her chair, and with one long
and most unearthly shrek, she fell upon the
floor.
DIR. Rowne's knees smote each other, and
he shrank back to the farthest corner of the
room.
Who are you?'' he gasped.
Of course l was very much surprised at
this singular reception. Long familiarity
with the dead had made me so Indifferent TO
those breads and fears, which disturb macy
persons, that / had little consideration for
nervousness on this subject. :,
g Who are you?" groaned the DOCTOR MS
teeth chattering with terror.
Then it flashed upon my. mind Una. .ne
quilt which enveloped my body was the cause
of the mischief l was involuntariiy person
atinp the ghost of the deceased Mr. Coie-
brook. and | do not wonder that the guilty
wife and the more wretched accompilce was
terrified. when at midnight stalked into the
room.
| had pinned the counterpane around my
nack 40 that nothing could be seen OF me but
was ghostly specter, coming. how y,
awful in that hour when conscience stings
to curse her for the base treachery sne was