The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-07-10

bis daughter had married NJ English
man, was either unable or unwilling tc
give further information; md the two
native witnesses whose names were ap
pended had left the country during some
troubles, and could not be traced; and
even Anne Keith's faith in Willoughby
was beginning to give way, though she
still clung to the belief that some fatal
mistake Ind occurred.
Sir William had stayed too long in In
din, and after lealing an invalid life for
a year ut Bath and Tunbridge Wells, he
died, leaving fortune for his two daugh'
tiers, who thereupon established them.
selves in our square.
Meenah Baee, who, though sho had
been baptized, was still known by her
former name, and the little Leila accom-
plnied them; and the child was the OBJ
jet OF the warmest affection Of both sis
ters. and more especially OF indiana,
whose resentment had long since been
e1tinguished by Anne's kind and Chris.
tian counsels, and now only felt pity for
the unfortunate Willoughby, with m oc.
casional feeling Of pride when she saw
his name mentioned with praise in the
dispatches, and Of regret at the thought
that such brilliant qualities should be
united with so much baseness.
One day, ten years after tue Misses
Keiths' establishment In our square,
Anna was confined to the house with n
cold, and Indiana went alone to the hos
pital where they were accustomed to pay
weekly visits. In one Of the wards she
missed familiar face, and in answer to
her inquiries, was told that the poor suf-
ferer Ind died ouly the day after her
last visit. "He talked great deal about
your kindness to him ma'am," said the
nurse, "Rnd was very quiet and gcntle
to the last. But the patient who has his
bed now is very troublesome. Ho was
brought in n week ago, having been run
over by cab, and was hurt SO badly
that the surgeon doesn't think he'll get
over it md l am afraid, ma'am, that he
isn't in n right frame OF mind, for he
used dreadinlly bad language when they
brought him in, though lately he has
been quioter."
When indiana had gone the round Of
the ward she approached the bed Of the
man Of whom the nurse had spoken,
and though rather in dread Of what he
might say to her, sat down by him, and
gently expressing her sympathy in his
misfortune, asked il she should read to
him. The man, whose eye hal followed
hor with interest ever since she came in,
asscnted with readiness and civility
that surprised tho nurse; and as she
read on in her sweet low voice, his
groans and restless movements gradual.
ly ceased, and he gazed on her still beau
tiful face with M expression from which
all ill-humor and suffering had vanished.
When she finished one psalm he begged
for another; and when at last she pre-
pared to 60, he said "Did I not hear
them call you Miss Keith"
"My name ia Keith" she wondering
ly replied.
"Can it bc that you are the Indiana
Keith whom I knew at Agra somo ten
years ago? You have her voice and her
features; but you arc somewhat
changed, though not so much rs I nm. "
"Yes, am Indiana Keith, and was
living at Agra ten years ago; but who
are you? I seem now to remember
your face, but not your name"
"Have you quite forgotten Fleetwood
Spurgeon, who was one OF the many
you made fools OFF,"
He spoke with M accent Of bitter
ness, and Indiana felt it, and colored rs
she answered ~ remember you now
but you are very much changed. How
cane you in this placer
"When you left Agra I didn't care
what became Of me, and soon got into
trouble and had to leave the place, and
then I went to Calcutta, where, after
some time, got some geld. But I soon
lost tho greater part by gambling, and
30, til, d OF knocking about the world,
came back to the old country, aud n
warm reception she has given me. The
very day l landed met with this acci-
dent, md unless the pain in my side
gets better, I don't suppose shall ever
go out from here.
His reckless tone distressed Indiana,
and she begun to urge on him theneces-
sity Of seeing clergyman and prepar-
ing for his end; but he interrupted her
by saying: "a parson would do mo lit.
tic good; but there is one thing which
must confess before die, and to you
only, for it principally concerns your
solf. You remember Willoughby OF the
131st2" Indiaua's blush answered, Tor
sLo remained sileut, aud Spurgeon pro.
cceded: "You probably thought TINT
the muse OF your quarrel was known
only to yourselves-l mean his previous
marriage with Meenah Baec-but !
knew it all, Ion it was plot Of my own
ievising. was mad with jealousy at
Willoughby's success, and was meditat
ing in what way 1 could iniuro him,
when my evil genius threw in my way
Meenah Baee, who had come to Agra il
search OF her husband, who was captain
in tho 13lst native infantry, but, as
well knew, had been missing for q ycai
or more. ever since some skirmish Of
other. His name, Henry Millingsby, &C
capable Of transformation into Willough
by; tho fact OF tho number OF tleii
regiments being the samc; and q Ger
tain similarity between their PERSONS
thcy were both tall and fair-and de
lusion that the poor woman had got into
her head, that Willoughby, whom sht
saw one day on parade, was really her
husband, suggested to mo the practica
bility OF destroying his prospects; ant
under prctense Of assisting her search
procured from her her marriage con
tr4lct, which destroyed, and substituted
in its stead n forged deed, initiating vii
loughby's signature and those OF tht
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