The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-01-14

write. She also learned to sew, and
was not unslfillful in such woman 8
craft; but what he taught was learned
quickest, best.
Two years past, and Mary had de-
yeloped SO rapidly that she was much
like other women in knowledge and
Requirements, but she-had no memory
OF anything before her trance. Ashley
told her the whole story and urged
her to try to recall something Of the
time before, but it was in vain, her
memory was gone. And the present
time was so happy that they cared lit
tie for the past. She was something
belonging entirely to him, even her
Il life she owed to his care. and loved
him so intensely. there being no onein
world whom she knew or loved beside,
that he could not fail to be happy; and
the mystery Of the bond between them
enhanced it's charm.
They were married, and still she
lived IN the same privacy as before;
her husband and his love suiliced for
everything, and she shrank from en-
tering world Of which she knew
nothing
Astley's acquaiutances had long ago
decided that if he was not mad, he was
st least eccentric enough to make his
society undesirable, and had fallen of,
one by one, leaving him none but a
profession. He had the reputation Of
being skillfnl, and his practice was
large one; his spare hours were devo-
ted To bis home, which was his heaven.
Two more years passed, years of
perfect happiness. Mary differed now
III nothing from other women save from
that blank existence Of more than TWEEN
ty years. Her memory Of that time
never returned. She lived entirely
within doors; Ashley had one evening
| taken her for walk, and the unaccus-
toned sights and sounds of the streets
had terrified her 30 much that he new
or repeated the experiment.
| Al times longing TO introduce his
beautiful wife to his old friends and
relatives in England was very strong,
bnt the difficulties OF explanation, or
| of deceit, which it would involve, COM
bined with her extreme aversion TO the
project, always prevailed. and the idea
was dismissed as il the thing was i'm
possible.
| Six years had passed since the event
fui night when Mary had been brought
as dead TO Astley's door. when wallling
one day III the streets OF tho city, he
| had met mn old friend whom he had
not seen since his departure from Eng
I
and Ashley insisted upon his friend :
returning with him to dinner. The
invitation VAS cordially given and
willingly accepted, and thinking to
surprise Ar. Holt by the sudden sight
of his wife's loycliness, he said nothing
Of his being married, picturing to him
self what his astonishment would be
| when he saw her.
/ Though he had anticipated some ev-
idence Of surprise, ho was quite unpre-
pared for the excess of emotion dis
played by Mr.. Holt upon his introduc-
ton 10 Mrs. Ashley, The color left
his face for moment and then return
ing violently dyed it crimson, and the
words of acknowledgement were STAN
mered out almost unintelligibly. Re-
covering his composure by a strong ef.
fort, he offered his arm to to lead Mrs.
Ashley to dinner, but she quietly dc.
clined it, laying her hand upon hel
husbands. During the whole time oi
dinner Mr.. Holt scarcely moved hi.
eyes from Mary's face, who did moi
seem at all disturbed by bis 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 jealous leap as he though
it possible that his friend was falling
. in love with his beautiful wife. HI
cursed the impulses that had induced
, him to bring Holt home with him, ant
: busily invented excuses for riddins
) himself of his guest as soon as posi-
! BILE.
, Holts agitation increased to positiy,
} illness before long, and rising, he ask
' ed Ashley to accompany him to anoth
; er room He was scarcely able t,
walk, and Ashley took him by the ara
: and asked him if he were i'll.
III T. he groaned. "I wish I wer
e dead"
, He sat down and covered his fac
with his hands.
g "You will think mo n fool, Ashley
: but the likeness of your wife to min
f has overcome me.
+ / was married eight years ago.
n married an English girl with you
e wife's hair and eyes her height, toe
o and with her sweet voice. / brougl
It her over here directly after our MAJ
It riage, and we lived the happiest life i
: the world for two years and then sh
d died"
{, Ashley was silent. He could thin
q of no works of consolation that woul
g not be mockery to q man who Ia
d lost such wife as Mary.
eel "Died," Holt continued, after
) pause, "while l was away from her.
q / had gone three-days journey, lea
q ing her in perfect health, and return
r ed to find that she had died suddenl
le Immediately after my departure, al
ze was already buried"
il How long agoP" asked Astle
q. hoarsely. A horrible light was brea
y ing in upon him.
IS ssSix years. / left Lima the follo'
m ing day. I never even visited b
i, grave, but returned to England
lg once; and now, after these years,
find your wife SO like her in every fe
30 ture that my old wound isstorn aires
id and intolerable anguish has made I
4 1