Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-30

| VOLeu 10 MS nome winch was MS nedV'
en-.
Two more years passed, years Of
most perfect happiness. Mary differ.
ed now in nothing from other women
save for that blank existence of more
than twenty years. He memory Of
that time never returned. She lived
entirely within doors. Ashley had
one evening taken her for walk, and
the unaccustomed sights and sounds
of the streets had terrified her SC
much that he never repeated the ex'
pertinent.
At times longing to introduce bis
beautiful wife to his old friends and
relatives in England was very strong
but the difficulties Of explaining, or of
deceit, which it would involve, com
bined with her extreme aversion to the
project, always prevailed, and the idea
was dismissed as if the thing was i'm
possible.
Six years had passed since the ev'
entful night when Mary had been bro't
as dead to Astley's door, when walk
ing one day il the street of the city
he had met an old friend whom he had
not seen since his departure from
England. The recognition was mutu
Land Ashley insisted upon his friends
returning with him to dinner. The
invitation was cordially given and
willingly accepted, and thinking to
surprise Mr.. Holt by the sudden sight
Of his wifes loveliness, be said moth.
ing Of his being married, picturing to
himself what his astonishment would
be when he saw her.
Though he had anticipated some
evidence of surprise, he was quite IN
prepared for the excess of emotion
displayed by Mr.. Holt upon his intro
duction to Mrs. Ashley, The color
left his face for a moment and then
returning violently dyed it crimson,
and the words of acknowledgment
were Stammered out almost unintelli-
gibly. Recovering his composure by
a strong effort, he offered his arm to
lead Mrs. Ashley to dinner, but she
quietly declined it, laying her hand
upon her husbands. During the
whole time of dinner Mr.. Holt scarce
ly moved his eyes from Mary's face,
who did not seem at all disturbed by
his intense gaze and took no notice
of her guest beyond what hospitality
demanded.
Astley's suspicious were excited
long before the meal was ended, and
his heart took a Jealous leap as he
thought it possible that his friend was
falling in love with his beautiful wife.
He cursed the impulse that had indu.
ced him to bring Holt home with him
and busily invented excuses for rid.
ding himself of his guest as soon as
possible.
Holt's agitation increased to posi-
tive illness before long, and rising he
asked Ashley to accompany him to an
other room. He was scarcely able tc
walk, and Ashley took him by the arm
and asked him if he were i'll.
'Illr he groaned. Il wish l were
dead
He sat down and covered his face
with his hands.
You will think me fool, Ashley
but the likeness of your wife to mine
has overcome me. | was married
eight years ago. | married an Eng
lish girl with your wife's hair and ewes
her height, too, and with her swee
voice. | brought her over here di
rectly after our marriage, and we livet
the happiest life in the world for two
yearS-and then she died
Ashley was silent; he could thiHI
of no words of consolation that woulC
not be a mockery to a man who haC
lost such wife as Mary.
Died. Holt continued, after pause
while | was away from her. | haC
gone a three days journey, leaving
her in perfect health, and I returned
to find that she had died suddenly i'm
mediately after my departure and wa
already buried
How long ago?' asked Ashley
hoarsely. A horrible light was break
ing in upon him.
Six years. Ileft Lima the follow
ing day. | never even visited he
grave, but returned to England a
once; and now after these years | fin,
your wife SO like her in every wa
that the old wound is torn open afresf
: and intolerable anguish has made N
} cry out in this way
: Ashley started up and laid his han
: upon his friends shoulder with gras
2 like a vice. His voice was harsh an
dry, and his eyes were bloodshot an
Y staring.
$ Holt, for Gods sake, let us d
l nothing rashly! Come with me t
your wife's grave, and let US be sure
J. Holt looked up and saw all in As
ley's face.
e Speak, he shouted, she is my wife
d tell me how you met her, speak quicl
|. ly while can hear you, for there
/. the sound of cataracti in my ears ths
= deafens me!
n And he fell in a swoon at Astley
It feet.
t. He might have died in it for a
o Ashley could revive him. He stoo
d blindly staring at the pale face, bu
o was incapable of so much as holdir
d out hand to him.
IA Holt came to himself before lon
ut and rising up haggard and wild, r
peated his demand that Ashley shou
ID tell him where he had met his wife.
IS And he did tell him, sparing not
re ing; saying plainly out that she hs
10 been brought to him by the boo
e. snatchers as subject; that she hs
ID lain as dead upon his table for a nigt
70 sheeted and shrouded like corpse.
n. And you dared'-burst in Ho
e. who was almost beside himself.
ID 4 saved her life,' said Ashley, ger
~ ly; he had softened as he thought
er that restoration. will you con
ID with me to the grave that we may
le very sure
e, No, no, no, Holt moaned; the
:. ru ura : no ccinr q u-ou o. I'd .-ir;ne. IL ~