Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-30

diately after the battle, he said. Oth-
ers have not confirmed this assertion.
His name is among the list Of returned
killed. But it cannot be true--no, mol
Mary took the paper mechanically.
Her senses seemed benumbed by what
he had told her.
Whence came this paperY' she asked.
1t contained seeds from our London
gardener, and has been in our cottage
five weeks; unluckily, | never looked at
it until to-day"
Trembling in every limb, Mary looked
at the paper, and saw, among the list
of returned killed, the name of Frank
Chockleyl The paper dropped from her
nerveless fingers to the floor. Seriously
alarmed, her father took her in his arms,
carried her to her chamber, and laid her
upon the bed She was perfectly rigid,
and her hands were as cold as ice. Leav-
ing her to the care of Margery, Glaston-
bury fastened to procure the assistance
of the village doctor.
He soon returned with Doctor Matt
land, an old practitioner, and of high
repute in the village. But Mary's case
baffled his skill. She lay in death-like
trance, and all the restoratiyes he applied
failed to restore her to animation. He
advised that they should leave her as she
was, and said the trance would probably
end in gentle slumber, from which she
would awaken in the morning without
experiencing any injury. In such case
nature was more powerful than art.
Glastonbury invited the doctor to take
glass of spirits with him, and they re-
turned to the sitting room. Mary S
chamber was at the end of the cottage
and there was a balcony to it overhang-
ing the water and almost on level with
it when the sluice gates were closed, as
they were. au
The moon had risen and lighted up
the river as its waters rushed through, or
shot over into, the Devil-Holle. The
spray, mingling with the moonbeams,
gave the appearance of faint lights, or
Will-o' the-wisps, as the superstitious
called them, Pickering over the water.
A boat came gliding down the stream,
impelled by a single rover. 1t was
Frank Chockley, on his way to visit his
love--for the report of his death was a
mistake. He had only just time to take
one glance through the white dimity cur
tains, and then away. He remembered
that when the church clock struck twelve,
it was the custom to unlock the water
above the sluice-gates, and the sudden
whirlpool would draw the boat into the
Devil-Holle He reached the balcony,
and secured his boat Not a soul APP
peared to be stirring, for where he was,
he could not see the lights in the sitting
room. The Iack-o' lanterns around the
abyss of the Hall danced merrily. He
had to be cautious as he stepped upon
the balcony, for it was old and crazy,
and he was afraid that it might knock
down some of the hower-pots, and alarm
Mary. He peeped at the window, and
thought he saw her form upon the bed
The window was open, and he de-
termined to have one glimpse at her while
she was asleep, if it was only to laugh at
her afterwards. 0a
AS he drew aside the curtain the noon
beams fell full on Mary face. He shiv-
cred apprehensively as he saw how pale
she was. He stepped cautiously in
through the window and advanced to the
bedside 1t must be the moonlight that
made her look 80 deathly, he thought.
He leaned over her, and whispered ten
derly in her ear Mary, Maryl" bat the
pale lips gave back no answer to the
loved voice. He took her hand, and
found it icy cold.
"Oh GodW he cried, She's dead"
And, with deep groan, he sank into
chair by the bedside.
That cry and groan reached the in
mates of the sitting-room, and quite
startled them.
p "Itwas the voice of Frank ChockleyW
exclaimed Mr.. Glastonbury: GOOD
heaven, should it really bel Who's
there p
Don't alarm yourself" Frank an
swered, from the chamber. 1t is Frank
Chockley."
"Alivel let me be certain of that.
Where are you"
"Here, sir, here replied Frank, as
he came into the sittingroom. " But my
poor MaryW
'Alas 1 fear the tidings of your death
has killed her. 1t was in the newspa-
per"
81 heard so, but / wrote twice"
"She never received your letters"
"Oh, agony" moaned Frank, utterly
prostrated. rfr E.E4
He sank into chair by the table,
The doctor had another patient He
began considerably to mix him glass
of spirits and water 1t wasa medicine
he had great faith in.
And now strange scene took place
in Mary's chamber The voice of
her lover had passed like electricity
through her frame. She arose from the
bed, but her senses were still entranced
she was in kind of somnambulic
state. rreen
Franks voice" she murmured; only
listen, father-hes here at last. How
well he looks in his new regimentals.
Yes, Frank, we will walk by the river
side. But / cannot find my bonnet;
never mind, will go without it.
She walked into the balcony.
Why did you come by the back |
stair2" she continued; you know
they are not safe. Well, on your arm,
anywhere"
She stepped into the boat, and sank |
down once more into deep slumber. |
The boat, inseeurely fastened, got loose,
and foated out into the stream. At this
moment the village church bell tolled
the hour of twelve, and the fioodgates
were opened.
Her father and Frank, hearing her
steps rushed into her chamber, and out
upon the balcony, too late to save, but
in time to witness her fate. The pent up
waters burst forth in torrents, and foam
ing into the river below, overwhelmed
the boat and its living freight in the
vortex Of the Devil Hollel