Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-10-16
HOW SHE SAVED HER.


wanted Immediately at Valley
Grove.
Reluctantly rising, he went to
the door, where he found country
lad, standing by saddled horse.
"Who is i'll at Valley Grove!" he
asked.
"Mr. Samuel Ashforth. lie isn't
ill-he's dead! Dropped down in
fit about an hour ago."
samuel Ashforth," repeated the
Doctor, pulling on his coat; "Did
his wife send for me p
"She sent for Doctor Stone, sir ;
bnt as he was out, l thought I'd
better come on here"
"Quite right"
SO saying, he mounted the
horse, and started down the dark
road, toward Valley Grove, a
village three miles distant.
The man being dead, there was
little need of haste, as he was only
required to give a certificate and
Evans Rowe remembering his
cheerful fire, wished that his con-
frere, Stone, young man just be-
ginning practice, had been at home.
The house was of dull, red brick,
standing apart from the village !;
and had for three years been rent
ed by Mr.. Ashforth, his wife, aud
one old servant.
Samuel Ashforth-a spare man
of sixty, with sharp, hard, unpre-
possessing features--passed most Of
his time in New York, leaving his
very young wife, apparently a
weak, delicate woman, alone in the
gloomy house, which she rarely
quilted, and then always yelled.
No one knew much about them
but it was evident the lady's life
was unhappy.
The latter circumstance gave
tongue to the gossips, to whom DR..
Rowe wisely paid no heed. Ger
tainly what he had seen of Mr..
Ashforth did not strike him very
favorably; yet, his habitual absence
might be caused 10y other reasons
than willful neglect of his wife ;
and her solitary existence be re-
ferred to other motives than his
unkindness.
Alighting, and fastening his
horse to a staple placed for the
purpose, the doctor knocked.
The old servant nearly deaf and
partially blind, admitted him, and
led the way to the dim room where
lay the corpse.
1t was lighted by shaded lamp,
near which sat lady in dark attire
A thick lace shawl was cast over
her head, which was bowed upon
her hands; while, to DR.. Rowe's |
surprise, it was plain, by the ghast-
ly outlines under the sheet on the
bed, the last sad offices to the dead,
had already been performed.
On the servant mumbling out
his name the lady rose quickly,
turning her face, encircled by the
falling shawl, toward him.
81 beg your pardon" she said in
low, hurried tone; 81 sent for
DR.. Stone"
"Dr. Stone was absent, Madam"
rejoined DR.. Rowe, "and your mes
senger took it upon himself to
summon me. But, if | can be of no
service, | will withdraw DR..
Stone, no doubt, will soon arrive"
The lady hesitated, looked fur
lively at him, then said, at is OF
no consequence-not the slightest
medical aid is useless. Still
thought it right to send for aid"
al understand Mr.. Ashforth died
suddenly, in fit, an hour ago.
presume you require a certificate
to that effect, madam p
eyes"
DR.. Rowe, uncovering the lamp
approached the bed. The lad,
also drew nearer. There were n,
evidences of regret on her wan
placid face.
Drawing back the covering, tn,
doctor leaned over the dead man
while by his side stood his com
panion, draped in her shawl, seem
ing like the personifcation of night
or death itself. DR. Rowe shudder
ed as he gazed at the distorted
features, observing, calmly, 81 en-
treat you to be calm, madam
death was the result of no fit
Your husband has been poisoned.
"Poisoned !"
She clasped her hands spasmod
ically az they rose TO her bosom. anf