The Worthington advance., 1879-05-08
ANSON GREY.

Arson Grey was still, stern man of
thirty, shut up within himself and by
himself, in his great stone marsion 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 Burlingame.
A brilliant light at night, shining from
the great east windows, and occasional
gallops through the town, by day, were
the only tokens of bis presence. How.
ever, a change was coming, and that
without warning. Anson fell sick, sud-
denly and dangerously so. The village
doctor was summoned, who in turn tele-
graphed for another from the neighbor-
ing city in hot haste, and together, they
said in whispers that their patient would
probably die. There was no women in
the great house to act as nurse, and the
head servant obeying, doubtless, his mas
ter's orders refused to allow one 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 whirling up the hill,
and emerging therefroln was carriage,
splashed and weather stained, headed by
two straining, painting horses, who came
up 10 the entrance as if driven by the
evil one. A lady, tall and fair as SUM-
light, pushed open the carriage door i'm
patiently an / sprang out. With hasty
glance around she hurried up the steps,
entered the drawing room, and stood be-
fore the two astonished gentlemen who
were seated there.
It's Arson Grey alive2"
eyes, but he grows worse"
Before they OWNED her intentions, she
had passed them and was in the next
| room bending over the sick man.
"The devil will be to pay if she excites
him now," the old one said. 1T some
good nurse had come it might have been
Of some use ; bat this dainty thing-bahr 7"
| She came out in a moment her face
white and determined.
will you he kind enough to send for
| minister and remain until he comes?"
she asked as she began to remove her
things.
There was something in her mar ner
that forbade questioning; and they
obeyed her like so many dun. men, as
they said afterward.
The minister did come; William Skin
ner, the head servant was called, and af-
ter the three held private conference,
which seemed to be satisfactory, they
came out, and to the amazement of ali.
the lady stood beside Anson Grey and
the marriage VOWS were taken.
The wise doctors were mistaken in
their estimate of their unknown. She
was something beside fair young lady,
as her actions soon proved. A new order
of things we're instituted in the sick mans
room, and his wife installed herself us
nurse. change which told for the bet
ter. In month he was riding through
the village, with his wife by his side, all
eyes OF course. agog to catch 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
eyer confirmed in their opinion. What
they never knew was this:
Three years before, Anson Gray, haught-
lily and indolent was killing time at one
of the fashionable watering places where
Edith Willoughby also fingered, though
sorcly against her will.
A sweet and wondrously fair face, much
admired and sought after. Anson GRAY
had half mind to enter the lists with
the Others, but something kept him back,
and he ONLY exchanged few words with
her now and then. -
There happened 70 come heavy, two
days flood, and the first night of it Edith
sent a servant asking Mr.. Grey to come to
private parlor for q moment. He obey
ed the summons with alacrity, wondering
much what could ,be coming now.
Edith was waiting for him, cloaked
and hooded, and evidently in haste to be
off somewhere. .... "
II hope you will pardon me-" she said,
as she closed the door behind him, "but
really do9't know whom to ask. and
mamma will not allow me- to 20 bv nv
self. A poor woman dewn on the beach
is sick, perhaps dying, and i must 60 to !
see her. Her little boy has just come
after me. I was there yesterday, and thew
are in great distress.: Could I trouble you
to 20 with me2'' ....:l,.; :. -:
II win do your errand. It is too
stormy for you to venture out.",:
= "Oh, it Is no errand. I am sorry to
trouble ANYBODY" t. ".7' - ,
Grey saw what was wanted, and saying |