River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-30
OyFR.REACHING.

IglI. Dui lilc tHAhC ilpht " eifN hVuee
was dark. AT the back, only two win
dows in the upper part, beside the base
ment, showed light.
The room within was large and luxuri-
Gus. An ample CRATE at one side held a
bed of glowing Goals, and upon low
couch near il an old man lay. BY the
gray pallor of his still handsome face, his
sunken eyes, his stiffness, he was very ill,
perhaps dying.
A woman was the only other occupant
of the room, and she was young and very
beautiful.
She was in full evening dress, violet
velvet, made low and richly trimmed,
and on her white neck and arms were
Jewels.
The eyes Of the sick man watched her
as she slowly paced the room, her velvet
dress trailing the carpet, look in her
face that he could not read.
1t was strange sight-the woman in
her gala attire, brilliant with beauty,
glittering with gems; the man with his
pinched and sunken face, on which
deaths gray shadow seemed already set,
watching her.
She never looked at him, and, in spite
of her youth and loneliness, there was
something harsh and forbidding in her
countenance.
The sick man moved uneasily on his
couch.
at Is very strange, Virginia, that
James does not return" he said, 81 am
sure he has been long enough to go to
town and back twice"
81 should think SO" the woman an
swered, still without looking at him
''but perhaps he did not find either of
the lawyers at his office, and he may be
waiting to see Mr.. Judd"
In moment more some one Knocked
softly upon the door of the sick room.
~ it's James want to see him. said
the man on the couch.
James came in, a low-browed, sullen-
looking fellow, and stood crumpling his
hat in his hand.
Did you find Mr. judd" his master
asked.
| No, sir; but left word"
"Why didn't you go to Mr.. Leedsf'
Il did; but he wasn't at home neither.
Mr.. Judd II be back tonight. They was
expecting him every minute. ] told EN-
to send him as soon as he come, cause
you didn't know as you'd live till morn
ing"
Virginia Aubrey glided forward.
You didn't send any such word as
that, did you, Robert!" she said to her
husband Il think you arc better to-
night. | am sure you will live weeks
yet. | begin to hope you may get well
again, you are so much better"
The sick man shook his head.
Il shall never see the morning again,
dear, am only keeping up on stimu-
lants now. / can't hold out much long
err"
"Do let me send for the doctor to come
back, Robert"
doctors can do me no good, you know
that. 1t is not doctor that | want, but
a lawyer. 1t is very strange they should
be away. Have you told me the truth,
James.n he asked the man suddenly.
"The truth, sir?" questioned the man
in stammering voice, while he stole a
furtive glance at his mistress.
Virginia Aubrey put her hands behind
her and showed him a roll of notes.
Why don't you answer, james," she
said impatiently. Have you told your
master the truth or mott"
Inc Dulii, VI COuIst. W uk NOulu
/ tell him anything else, and him
a-dying!"
You can 60" said Mr.. Aubrey. ~send
Rufus here
As James departed the sick man turned
to his wife.
Il don't know why he should; but
James looked as if he was lying. 1t cant
be that any one here wants to keep me
from seeing lawycr:'
A strange whiteness crossed Virginia
Aubrey's beautiful face.
II should hope not, dear What OBJ
ject could they have.'
The sick man was silent.
Fifteen minutes passed
Suddenly Mr.. Aubrey spoke again
Virginia, why doesn't Rufus csmel"
II will see" said his wife, calmly, and
rang the bell.
1t was James who answered it,
s'Where il Rufusl" she asked him.
II dunno It's like he forgot. | told
him.
GO at once and tell him again"
James departed, and retained in about
ten minutes.
"Rufus," he said, "has been drinking
says he'll come when he gets ready, not
afore.n
The sick man groaned.
''Go and send Martha here,J James" said
Mrs. Aubrey.
"She won't come either" moaned her
husband, in failing voice. Nobody
comes. They have deserted me-even
my daughter Blanche. i knew she never
liked my marriage, but l didn't think
she would refuse to come and see me
when l am dying. Virginia, why are
you dressed. soi' To see me die2"
Virginia Aubrey turned aside her
head q moment. Her eyes CLEANED
evilly. Then she came and knelt by
his couch, twining her lovely arms about
him.
"You asked me to put on this dress.
Don't you remember, dearlN she said
'You told me to dress just the same as
YOU were well. You did not want to be
reminded of your sickness by my attire,
you said, and you iold me to put on this
very dress.
"Yes, yes. | remember now. You're
a dear, good girl, Virgie, always humor-
ing my whims. You've been a good
wife to the old man-unselfish and de-
voted. You never married me for my
money, as Blanche said. l am satisfied
of that now
"How could you ever doubt me!n muir
INJURED the lovely kneeler.
II don't know but / did. And-and,
Virginia, darling, I've something to con-
fess. You know that | made my will
soon after we were married, and gave you
most of my property
"Yes, dear; you told me. | thought
it was not right then. had much rather
you had given it all to Blanche Then
she could not think such dreadful things
of me-
"You are an angel; but listen to me, my
sweet l was dreadfully jealous of you
afterward. l was jealous of you and
Harry Gaines"
Virginia started slightly.
s.Xo,1 naver had any reason =" she said