The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-07-23
,BU RG, PA, FRIDAY. JULY %, 1880.

out at once, and in another minute the
two men were pursuing their way through
the driving mist. Adam talking as they
went.
After parting from Matte he had Ia
ken n train TO London, where, arriving in
due course, he drove in cab towdrd his
mothers house in Grosvenor street, with
in few yards of which his cab over
turned and Adam was thrown out, fall
ing heavily upon his head After long
interval. however, he opened his eyes and
recovered his conscioness, and. as he did
so-slowly at first, but after a time more
fully--the astounding discovery was made
that his memory was entirely gone
However.this state was one from which
so said his friends, science could at will
recall him, and the operation necessary to
restore Adam to himself was deferred on
ly until his health permitted of its be
ing attended by minimum of risk
II was while Adam was in the state
above described that Drew had seen Mrs.
Armitage. A proud woman, she was i'll
pleased that he had married farm ser
want for that was the one fact that.
stripped of Drew's panegyries upon Mat
ties superior education and refined man
ners, alone stared her in the face.
Hastily resolving that there was no
need TO embitter her own life by an at
tempt to recall to her son the ill-fated
marriage, she did not hesitate to deceive
her unwelcome visitor Changed for the
patient, and before Drew called at the
house in Grosvenor street for the second
time Adam and his mother had gone. 1t
was in Paris months after that. that the
operation was finally and successfully
performed, and the first word of Adam
was Matties name. The first effort of
his newly-recovered powers was to relate
to his mother the history of his marriage
and to write to his wife.
"God grant the suspense has neither
killed nor driven her mad y he exclaim
ed
1t was to his mothers hand the letter
was confined, and with that exclamation
of his ringing in her ears, Mrs. Armitage
stood beside the brazier filed with char
coal and burning in the ante-room of theil
apartments in the Champs Elysees. She
was not II bad woman, but the temptation
was too strong to allow this affair to un
ravcal itself and see what would turn mp
Why if the girl were dead, why no harm
| had been done, and this terrible mistake
of her sons was rectied at once. If the
other alternative were 10 prove true ano
| Matte had lost her senses Adam would
be equally free from her, or measures
could be taken to insure so desirable &
result. Mrs. Aimitage tore the lette,
into pieces and waited by the braziel
until the fragments were charred. Adam
asked no awkward questions and was no
even surprised. at receiving no answer tC
his epistle. since in it he had announce,
his coming The first day his health ad
mtted of it he set out alone for Eng
land
Such was his story. When Drew ha,
told of his efforts to seek Adam and ha'
mentioned that no letter had reache,
Matte. Adam was at no loss mt once f
understand the part his mother had play
ed But he never spoke of it then or a
any future time.
The house door at Stonedene stoo,
aiar evening had closed in now, AN
the chilly fog was still abroad, but tn
figure at the gate was dimly dis
cernible.
Adam fastened his steps.
For heavens sake, sir, be careful! tn
suddenness of it might turn her brain
cried Drew, lying a OBTAINING hand upo
the arm of his companion.
Adam gently shook off
'Suddenness,' he repeated. Aye, it
sudden to you--and to Mrs. Banks, bu
for me and for Matte, whose thought
are day and night, night and day, full ,
each other how can ii be sudden 2
Drew stood still, and Adam went o
alone until his footsteps became audibI
and Matte turned her head to see hin
standing by her side.
Adam had been right no fear W;
there for Matte's brain. All eXcitemcl
all surprise and wonder came afteward
at that first supreme moment, and with
satisfied sight. as child who has got Il
ii wants, Matte held out her arms to hi
/ with one word
+ Husband! !
As Adam drew her to him it was n
only the mist, or the darkening evenir
: that blinded Drew so that for a mome
t or two he saw neither of them.
People say Drew's luck has turned fro
0 the day Stonedene found tenant, 1t
a newly done up and prettily furnished no
1 Mr.. and Mrs. Armitage come down the
: once or twice year with their childr
k for a breath of fresh air and TO visit O
n friends