Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-04-23

him.
II beg your pardon she said, in a
low. hurried tone; II sent for Dr. Stone
"Dr. Stone was absent. madam re-
piled DR.. Rowe, "snd your messenger
took upon himself to summon me. But,
il can be OF no service. will with
draw; Dr.. Stone. no doubt, will soon
arrive"
The i.dy hesitated, looked furtively at
hiu. ;o"o aid: ut is OF no consequence
mot The ightest; medical aid is use
less. Still, .h"ught it right to send for
aid"
IL understand that Mr.. Ashforth died
suddenly, in q fit, an hour ago. l pre-
sumo you require a certificate to that
effect, madam
Yes"
DR.. Rowe, after uncovering the lamp,
approached the bed The lady also drew
nearer. There were no evidences of re-
gret on her wan, placid face.
Drawing back the covering, the doctor
leaned over the dead mau, while by his
side stood his companion, draped in her
shawl. seeming like the personifcAtion OF
night, or death itself. DE-. Rowe shud-
dered as he gszed at the distorted
features, but observed calmly II entreat
You 10 be calm. madam death was ths
result of no fit Your husband has been
poisoned"
Poisoned r. She clasped her hands
spasmodicslly as they rose 10 her bosom,
aud the words came forth with a gasp.
"Iudeed, it is true; can give you no
certificate. ThiSis matter that must be
Investigated. Did you ever suspect Mr.,
Ashiorth OF having an intention upon his
own lite? Or has he any enemy2" he
observed, solemnly.
There was pause. Then, abruptly
falling on her knees. the woman ex-
claimed: Mercy, oh mercy, Dr.. Rowe !
Let me enireat you. in charity, do not
make il known
Not make il known ~ The doctor
recoled, as be gazod on the figure al his
feet, adding, Unhappy woman is it you
who poisoned hlm''
No. she answered, rising slowly; "it
was not lie died By bis own hand. |
might have stayed him. but did not =
She looked intentlY at him, as ii to read
his thoughts; then said: You are not
young; you have kind isce. will
trus, you. Judge who is guilty.
Dreading the responsibility OF such a
confidence. DR.. Rowe would have le-
fused; but. with impIoring looks she
entreaied him.
"In pity, hear me. You have discov-
cred the truth; bat do not condemn me
without cause. Ny lite is in your hands" ="
Leaving the bedside. she approached
the table in the center OF the room, her
iace partially averied from the light. and
proceeded, in measured tones: six
years ago the wife Of that msn-"
YOURSELF" suggested Dr. Rowe; as,
scarcely knowing how to avoid comfort
ing her, he leaned on the back Of chair
She made an impatient gesture with
her hand. and proceeded:
"Six years ago was one of the hap
piest of girls. People called me beauti-
ful. know had many admirers. and
had not care. was my poor fathers
idol, and my family's spoilt darling"
She stopped to struggle with her emo
tioDs. In a few seconds, recovering her
self. she continued:
81 was eighteen when my father, now
dead, fell into difficulties, which threat
eued ruin and disgrace. His chief cred
itor was Samuel Ashlorth, who pressed
nm TO the uttermost for settlement.-
Ruin was impending, when ar escape
was offered. Samuel Ashforth promised
to cancel the debt on receiving me as his
wife. My father refused the sacrifice /;
but having overheard the conversation,
frankly rendered the hand where could
not give my heart. Samuel Ashforth,
hard and obdurate, accepted me-"
Mrs. Ashtorth paused, The doctor
cast his eyes upon the ground he could
not bring himself to look in her face.
Finding be neither spoke nor gave her q
sympathetic recognition. she went on;
In vain my family expostulated
Ssmuel Ashforth was as ill-tavored in
face as in mind, and over thirty years my
senior. was hrm-I married him-my
father was saved"
"A brave deed, but an unhappy one" b"
said the listener. touched.
"Most unhappy" proceeded the 9TH
er; "for soon my husband grew weary
OF the wife be had bought-tired OF her
who plainly told him she had no love TO
give, and her misery commenced. My
lips'-she clasped her hands in shame
before her face-"cannot repeat, even in
self-extenuation, how he iusulted and
degraded me; how, by perpetual cruel
ties. he strove TO break my heart; how,
enraged at any interference OF my family,
he brought me to this gloomy house, a
prisoner-watched and spied upon by
49, oro,a ron sau tho only servant he