Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-12-17
Story of a Physicians
Wife.


on the subject"
The above remark was made to DR..
Maynard as we sat on the piazza of his
pretty villa, discussing the different ef-
fects of terror on dissimilar tempera-
ments. Without replying to me. the
doctor turned to his wife and said:
"Helen. will you please relate to my
old friend the incident within your ex-
perience. 1t is the most convincing ar
.. gument can advance
| looked at Mrs. Maynard in surprise
| had observed that her hair, which was
luxuriant and dressed very becomingly,
was purely cOlorless, but, as she was a
young woman, and also very pretty
one. l surmised that it was powdered to
heighten the brilliancy of her fine dark
eyes.
The doctor and bad been fellow stu
dents. but. after leaving college. we had
drifted apart to commence practice
In an eastern city, he to pursue his pro.
fession in a growing town IN the west.
| was now on a visit to him for the first
time since his marriage.
Mrs. Maynard, no doubt reading my
supposition by my look of incredulity.
smiled as she shook her snowy tresses
over her shoulders, and, seating herself
by her husband s side, related the fol-
lowing episode:
cit is nearly two years ago since my
husband was called on one evening to
visit a patient several miles away. Our
domestics had all gone to a wake in
the vicinity, the dead man being rela
tive of one of our serving women. Thus
| was left alone. But felt no fear, for
we never had heard of burglars or any
sort Of desperadoes in our quiet village.
then consisting of few scattering hous-
es. The windows leading out upon the
piazza were open as now, but secured
the blinds before my husbands depar-
ture. and locked the outside doors all
except the front one, which left for the
doctor to lock after going out, so that.
if | should fall asleep before his return
he could enter without arousing me- |
heard the doctors rapid footsteps on the
gravel, quickened by the urgent tones of
the messenger who awaited him; and,
after the sharp rattle of carriage wheels
had become but an echo, seated myself
by the parlor astral, and soon became
absorbed in the book had been reading
before being disturbed by the summons,
but after time my interest succumbed
to drowsiness, and l thought of retiring,
when the clock in the doctors study
struck II. SO determined to wait few
moments more, feeling that he would
now be home very soon. / closed my
book, donned a robe-de chambre, let
7 down my hair, and then returned to my
seat to patiently wait and listen Not
the faintest sound disturbed the stiffness
of the night. Not breath of air stirred
the leaf. The silence was so profound
s that it became oppressive. longed for
the sharp click of the gate latch and the
g well known step on the gravel-walk l
by moving or singing, was so oppress-
:; ed by the deep stiffness. The human
mind is strange torture of itself. | be-
e. gan to cOnjure up dim fancies about
b ghostly visItants in the midst of which
occurred to me the stories | had heard
from superstitious people about the trou
e bled spirits of those who had died sud
denly, like the man whom my servan
y had gone to wake who had been killed
: by an accident at the saw mill. In tn,
" midst of these terrifying reflections
was startled by stealthv football oil
) the piazza. | listened between fear anC
e hope. 1t might be the doctor. But no
he would not tread like that; the stel
n was too soft and cautious for anythin,
. less willy than cat. | listened again
!. my eyes were fixed on the window blind
e L saw the stats move slow and softly
lie and then the rays of the moon disclosed
a thin. cadaverous face, and bright, gilt
in tering eyes peering at me. o, horror
le Who was it. or what was it? felt tn
,e - cold perspiratiOn start at every pore.
or seemed to be frozen in my chair. l coul
,; not move--I could not cry out, m
It tongue seemed glued to the roof of m
ne mouth, while the deathly-whitc fac
pressed closer, and the great sunke
!. eyes wandered in their gaze around th
IA room. In few moments the blind clio.
:" ed as nOiselessly as it had been opened
re and the cautious footsteps came towar
er the door. 'Merciful heaven 7 | criec
5v in horror-stricken whisper, as hear
II. the key turn in the lock, the doctor,
is his haste. must have forgotten to will
vs. draw the key ="
4u "GOd forgive mel" calculated D
4, Maynard, interruptiug his wife, al
a looking far more excited than she. :
er. can never forgive myself for such
ce, thoughtless act. Please proceed, n
en- dear"
ed al heard the front door open. the ST.
in in the hall, and helpless as statue
o0 - L. i d.