The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-29

untold.
1t was 4 little inconsistent that while
Mr.. Wexford was sinking into the grave
through m armchair in ono room, the
heretofore anxious wife OF Mr.. Wexford
should suddenly neglect her duty, and
receive tho loving visit Of n strange
gentleman in another room close by.
l say it was n little strange and incon-
sistent, although I am perfectly aware
Of the fact that inconsistency is the
April shower which plays constantly
on the springing virtues of lovely
woman.
The strange gentleman deliberately
kissed Mrs. Wexford, and otherwise
comforted her, so that in short time
she dried her tears, and curved her
pretty little mouth into smile.
Audacity is n characteristic OF the
military profession. By way OF illus
tralion I will mention q fact.
The imprudent scoundrel in the next
room was none other than tho military
The dying man grew gradully more
feeble. The servants crept about tho
house stealthily, and whispered to each
other like conspirators. DIR. Pillogus
divided his attention between the
watch in his hand and the patient in the
armchair. Mrs. Wexford had not been
in the room for q couple Of hours.
"Where is Harriet2" asked the sick
man.
A servant returned with m answer.
His mistress was in tho next room re-
ceiying yisitor-a gentleman.
"She might bo better employed" F"
growled the doctor.
Mr.. Wellor1 was Of the same opinion.
A sick man is jealous Of his privileges.
He remarked to the servant that he
did not wish to see any yisitor-only hi
wife.
The servant fumbled about tho room
for few minutes. and then said (confi,
dentially to sidc.board) that lc did
not think the stranger wished to ointvude
on the privacy OF Mr.. Welford-layinp
particular emphasis on the Mist,yr.
Patients never miss word that They
arc not wanted to hear. Mr.. Welford
caught the insinuation Of the domestic
and remembered 1t.
"The indelicacy OF some people" re,
marked the doctor, sententiously, i'iq
only equaled by the heartlessness oil
others.' He had studied the sentence,
"James," said the sick man, "desirt
your mistress to come here. Ihave but
a few minutes to live, and her absence
grieves NO."
The servant delivered tho message
and returned with q mouth full OF the
following sentences:
"oh, II you please, Sir, missus says,
MS the orde,al's too much for her, aud il
you wouldn't mind, she wsuld like, as
her nerves bad, to remain where she is,
and suffer her affection NIL alone" The
domestic then punctuated himself oul
OF the door.
"rhis is very extraordinary" said the
doctor. "Let me recommend you tc
compose yourself"
At this moment n strongly. y.defned
burst Of laughter broke through the
stiffness. 1t was composed OF little
chattering peal, and regular guflaw.
"Surely that cannot be my wife!"
II strongly suspect it is though, and
her. visitor. Compose yourself, my dear
sir ; the rites OF hospitality, you know,
must be observed even in the house OF
death.
The patient indulged in a feeble look
Of impotence, the first sensation he had
known for years. he mistook 1t for q
spasm Of death.
Doctor Pillogus improved his oppor.
tunity. First he reminded Mr.. We'll
ford that he had but a few more minutes
to liye-perhaps with n view Of cheer.
ing him; then he dwelt on the mani
fold duties OF dying man, not only
with regard to the world he is going to,
but to that he is leaving. Then he re.
fered incidentally to Mrs. Wexford, and
her bereayed condition, winding up
with the remark, somewhat
petulantly expressed, that "She should
be here, guests or no guests"
The patient indorsed this sentiment
with look Of intelligent appreciation.
He also groaned q am thus minute to
display my complete mastery OF the
human passions).
A moment later there was another
cheerful response from the adjoining
room. II was n more guilty laugh thnn
the first one, and quickly subsided into
q giggle.
/ will speak to Mrs. Wexford.
II she has not the delicacy or inclina.
tion to be here, she shoulda ut least have
the good taste to remain quiet.'
The patient really looked as though
he saw the force ofthis. He was visi.
bly, annoyed. These little incidents
were not set down in the tragedyhe had
arranged.
Doctor Pillogus returned with long
face. When I soy this, I want you to
that 1t was more than usu.
ally long; for, in It's moral condition, it
was about as long as politicians prom.
ise before election; now, ii was longer
than o politicians explanation after.
ward..
The patient watched his demeanor
closely, but said nothing. He felt,
that things were not going
right, and, to tell tic truth, the poor
fool felt a little ashamed OF himself.
When o kind friend wants to break
some unpleasant news to you mildly
and cautiously, he generally contrives
to put you on the rack as q proparatiye.
BY the time lie gets to the worst your
spirits aro broken to pieces by forebod-
ing apprehension and doubts.
Shall / tell you what the doctor com.
municated to his dying friend9 No. |
cai not. The development is too start
=.