The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-11-13
1t was customary at the time of which |

business was with the dead, was pertectl'
at home in the chamber Of death, and wa
even better satisfied to he alone than witt
company I had brought an interestin!
book from home, and Mrs. Colebrook hat
provided a very interesting repast for me II
tle dining room below. so that looked for
ward to very comfortable night Trowins
myself into large rocking chair, which ha(
been placed there for my use, was soon en-
gagged in the entertaining pages of my book
As often as the clock struck Iarose and ex
amined the corpse, moistening the face with
alcohol, and wiping 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 heard him enter a par
lor adjoining the room of death. Though
/ it seemed rather singular circumstance that
a man should enter the house at that time OF
night. [ thought nothing more of it till
heard voices engaged in earnest conversation
In a 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
in his natural voice, and seemed to be under
no restraint i
| The house was still as the tomb, and
though made no effort to hear what was
said, the expressions fwill, .'three witness
es," "thirty days." and others of a similar
character came distinctly to my ear. They
aroused my curiosity. Who was this DR.:
Rowne Why was he here at this unsea-
sonable hour ss
Well, it was none of my business, and a
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 !;
it had lost the power to interestme. Iglanced
at the door which opened into the room
where the speakers were. It was the month
of May, and the weather was quite chilly
had neglected to bring any extra clothing
with me, and began to feel uncom, ortably
cold. / rose and paced the room several
s'Both wills" came to my hearing in the
unguarded tones Of DR.. Rowne.
paused and looked at the door. Appa-
rently the othe person, who [ doubted not
was Mrs. Coleorook, was speaking buo heard
nothing. threw myself into the chair and
beg toshiver wit. cold again. On the ta-
Bile lay clean Marseilles quilt, which had
been left there by a servant, and, in the alb
sence Of ything better, | unfolded it and
threw it over my 81 oulders. 1t completely
enveloped my body, and felt quite comfor
table again.
ssDestroy the new will" said DR.. Rowne.
| dropped my book, for this looked like
foul play. 1t occurred to me that Mr.. Cole
crooks poor relations would have to suffer
for this midnight conference | knew that
he had an only sister, an invalid, who was de-
pendent upon his bounty for subsistence, and
my blood boiled with indignation as / thought
of what might be the result Of this mid
night interview.
[ arose from my chair and went to the
door That the end will justify the means l
do not think is sound logic, 3ut where poor,
sui ring, dependent woman was in danger Of
be- 1g cast upon the tender mercies Of a cold
world, was content to be blamed for the
meanness Of eavesdropping, if thereby l
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 east
| ly arrive at the conclusion that she had been
the bane Of her husbands happiness.
1 had been personally acquainted with him
who now lay cold in death before me, so that
| [ was obliged to guess at the facts in the case
| NY own observation, though moved in an
humber sphere than she, was sufficient to
assure me Il Lac all was not right. 1 placed
my ear to the keyhole.
! "When we are married.
ssE ash, )" id Mrs. Colebrook.
They spoke in whispers then, and 1 could
distinguish nothing more Need I have
heard more?"
"Woman, angel or devil.
| Was it she who had wept great tears in my
presence, WHO had trcmbled in the agony OF
grief before me, now calmly plotting with
the paramour, bargaining away the affections
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 scheming to rob her sister and orphan of
their bounty?
ooh, woman false as fair Yet she is not
wollan she is a deamon!'
| The clock struck twelve, and turned from
my reflections to attend to the corpse The
alcohol which had been provided to wet the
face was all used, and | needed a further sup
ply. Taking the dish in my hand, I went
to the door with the intention Of calling Mrs.
Colebrook for it.
| First rapping on the door not to surprise
them, opened it and stepped into the room.
II need little more alcohol Mrs. Cole
| brook, :" began.
She rose from her chair, and with one long
and most uneaithly shrek, fell upon the
| floor.
CDR. Rowne's knees smote each other. and
he snrank back to the furthest corner of the
room.
"Who are you?" he gasped.
Of course [ was very much surprised at
this singular reception. Long familiarity
with the dead had msde me SO Indifferent to
those breads and fears which disturb many
persons, that had little consideration for
nervousness on this subject.
"Who are your" groaned the doctor, his
teeth chattering with terror.
Then it flashed upon my mind that the
guilt which enveloped my body was the cause