Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-23
Found In the Grave.

A handsome maiden OF about twenty
summers entered the Coroner's office
in Philadelphia recently, and presented
herself before the desk at which Clerk
Ashbridge Was sitting. There were
evidence of refinement IN her dress aud
style but The handsome coantenance
was beclouded by look which told as
forcibly as words that her heart was
heavy with sorrow and anxieth. She
paused for moment, and then in timid
hesitating manner inquired: Can you
kindly tell me If you have recently held
an inquest upon young man named
Egbert F. Wilson,
Clerk Ashbridge pouudered for a mo-
ment, and then shook his head.
you are quite surc:' urged The
maiden, and her face llghtened some
what.
The nffi..;.i looked through his file for
three weeks back, while The questloner
watched his face intently. When the
last entry had been scrutInized he
shook his head again and the fair inquirer
breathed a sigh Of relet. She then
went on to explain that the young mao
10 whom she had reference was her
10, er, and that the marriage day was
near at haud. He had been employed
IN The city for some lime, his folks,
who are in pretty good circumstances,
living up IN the State. Up toa couple
weeks ago, she went on TO say, he had
been regular in hls visits, but during
that time she had not once seen him,
Becoming alarmed, she made inquire,
among some Of his acqnaintances, one
of whom told her that Egbert had been
taken sick and was IN the hospital. The
same day upon which she received this
information she visited every in sltulion
of suffering in the city, bur not trace
of her betrothed could be found. Then
as last resort she had determined to
Try the Coroner's Office. After hearing
this simple story. Clerk Ashbridge
gave her few words Of good cheer,
prophesylng that her lover would soon
come back with satisfactory explana-
ton. The maiden listened, expressed
her thanks in a mssical voice, and trip
ped away with a far more cheerful look
than abe had worn when entering.
Bu. the maiden had barely crossed
the threshold Of the door when Dr.
Wallace, Of the Municipal (small pox,
Hospital, entered the room. AS soon
as the clerk saw the approaching form
| and forgetting that the young lady was
in hearing, it flashed across his mint
thai here might be found some solact
for the young gIrl, so he called OUT
Doctor have you had young mar
named Egbert F. Wilson at yO"'
p'ace|
i had, was the doctors reply, in
hesitatlug way. Il ought TO remem-
Der it, for it was one OF The worst cases
1 ever saw
The maiden paused On the landing
ind looked back at the speaker will
eyes like those OF startled fawn.
is be getting well, Dectorr inquired
Mr.. -Ashbridge, who mad not notics(
the emphasis which Doctor Wallace
had put on the had
We'll y calculated the medical al
tendant. why, man, he's been dea(
and buried. He was admitted las
W ednesday a week, and died on thu
following day. 1t was terrible case
and-'
There was q faint shrek, and the lis
ten,r on the landing fell back agains
the balnsters in semi-uDcOnsciou
condition, the glow on her countenanc'
giving way to deatbly pallor. Thu
she stood for couple Of moments, re
fusing, with a movement Of tie head
the profiers of glass of water and {
chair. Then the biz briny tears welleC
up into her eyes and coufsed down lie
cheeks. This evidence OF emotion wa
momentary but IS she turned ant
descended to the open air, holding he
handkerchief tightly to her mouth Il
repress the sobs, there was look o
pain on her face which made her ap
pear older by years than when iifteeI
minutes before she had entered the Of
6ce.