The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-03-27
s#isreHang.
ANSON GREY.

Arson Grey was a still, stern man OF
thirty, shut up within himself and by him.
self, in his great stone mansion on the
hill, and people knew no more about him
than they knew about the dead. His early
years had been passed abroad, where, or
how, nobody knew and most had ceased
to care, for that matter; the last two had
been passed in Burlngame.
A brilliant light at night, shining from
the great east windows, and occasional
gallops through the town, by day, were
the only tokens of his presence. However,
change was coming, and that without
warning. Arson fell sick, suddenly and
dangerously so. The village doctor was
summoned, who in turn telegraphed for
another from the neighboring city in hot
haste. and together, they said in whis-
pers that their patient would probably
die. There was no woman in the great
house to act as nurse, and the head SER
want, obeying doubtless, his masters Or
ders, refused to allowone there as yet.
How it came about was a mystery, but
one morning, when the master had lain a
week half senseless, an Unusual cloud of
dust was observed whirlingiup the hill, and
emerging therefrOm was carriage,
splashed and weather-stained, headed by
two straining, painting horses, who came
up to the entrance as if driven by the evil
one. A lady, tall and fair as sunlight,
pushed open the carriage door impatiently
and sprang out. With hasty glance
around she hurried up the steps, entered
the drawing-room, and stood before the
two astonished gentlemen who were seated
there.
SIS Arson Grey alive?"
''Yes, but he grows worse"
Before they OWNED her intention. she
had passed them, and was in the next
room bending over the sick man.
1.-The devil will be to pay if she excites
him now, the older one said. ''If some
good nurse had come it might have been
of some use; but this dainty thing
oah!"
She came out in a moment, her face
white but determined
evil you be kind enough to send for a
minister and remain until he comes 2"
she asked, as she began to remove her
things.
There was something in her manner
that forbade questioning; and they obey
ed her like so many dumb men, as they
said afterward
The minister did come: William Skin
ner. the head servant was called, and
after the three held a private conference,
which seemed to be satisfactory. they came
out, and to the amazement of all, the lady
stood beside Arson Grey and the marriage
vows were taken.
The wise doctors were mistaken IN their
estimate of their unknown. She was
al h., 10. ca. L..
her actions soon proved. A new order of
room, and his wife installed herself as
nurse, change which told for the better.
In a month he was riding through the vii
lage, with his wife by his side. all eyes.
of course. agog to catch a glimpse of her
handsome face.
All agreed that she was Just an angel,
and when they came to church the next
Sunday, and SAT down in one of the pews
like other people, they were more than
ever confirmed in their opinion What
they never knew WAS this:
Three years before, Arson Grey. haught-
lily and indolent. was killing time at one
OF the fashionable watering places where
Edith Willoughby also fingered, though
sorely against her will.
A sweet and wondrously fair face. much
admired and sought after, Arson Grey
had half mind 70 enter the lists with the
others, but something kept HIM back. and
he only exchanged few words with her
now and then.
There happened to come a heavy, two
day food, and the first night of II Edith
sent a servant asking Mr.. Grey to come
to private parlor for a moment He
oteyed the summons with alacrity, won
dering much what could be coming now.
Edith was waiting for HIM. cloahs,l and
hooded. and evidently in haste to be of
somewhere.
81 hope you will pardon me-" she said.
as she closed the door behind him. "buf
really don't know whom 10 ask. and
mamma will not allow me 10 60 by nv
self. A poor woman down on the beach
is sick. perhaps dying. and must 80 to
see her. Her little boy has Just come
after me. Twas there yesterday, and they
are in great distres. Could trouble you
to 60 with me?''
Il will do you errand. Ii is too stormy
You to venture out.
''0h, it Is no GRAND. am sorry to
troubld anybody"
Mr.. Grey saw what was wanted, and saw
ing he would be back directly. vanished
for his rubber suit.
The rain drove into their faces. and the
wind howled Tough the dark night like
the minister Of q thousand storms mot
for poor 6sherwoman, perhaps, but for