Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-17
GaIes arlo Sketfbes.
From Tinsley's Magazine.
UNDER THE MIDNIGHT LAMP.
FOUNDED on FACT.
CContlnucd from yesterday. J.

Her husband. who hates her. and
would have killed her baby On, John.
YOU would not be so cruel She seems so
frightened Of him. poor little thing, You
NAV be sure he is some horrid wicked tv-
rant And if she really killed her baby
oh. dear, how sad it is Whatever will
become OF her?''
But, my dear, il she has husband or
friends we must restore her to them.
Why, she is little more than a child It's
very strange. very. and sad but the
mystery must be cleared. and the baby
buried"
Mary still pronounced me cruel and I'M
feeling beyond ANYTHING she could have
conceived.
lot course her husband is mailman.
who will murder her as soon as he gets
her into his hands. You know, John.
that husbands are always numbering their
wives''
..Middle-aged wives. dear, or elderly.
whose lives are heavily insured. shall
telegraph at once
Then her death will be at your door.
sir-mind that and too indignant to
waste upon me more words, away went
Mary to take last peep at our own sleep
ing babes, at the dead baby about which
Young mother. whom she had doomed TO
violent death.
She was still bending over her, and had
called me up to the bedside to notice the
extraordinary length of the lashes, and
the beauty of the lace in repose, when we
were startled BY knock at the front door.
ITS the husband. know it is. Oh,
John, don't betray her, tgive her up;
vou wouldn't ne sO cruel -
Nonsense. child; watch by her till
return. II she should awaken say moth
ing about
'.IIer husband. As if | should ~
Our household having long since re-
tired. long indeed before my return, my
self opened the door.
The street lamp lighted dimly two
figures one tall. stout and muffied.
"Mr. Merton?''
answered in the affirmative.
.'You have kindly given shelter to
lady?
Just So
The speaker nodded to his companion,
who touched his hat and vanished.
The other stranger had now entered the
hall, and grasped my hand.
Mr.. Tremayne ?" asked hesitatingly
Captain Tremayne. How is She i
ASLEEP. under my wife's care; sleep
ing as peacefully rs Il child
Thank God So young-at such an
hOur--in such state
I saw shudder run through the tall .
powerful frame.
And the child ?" he added. after a
pause. in a horror-stricken whisper ''She
had it with herr"
hardly knew what to answer; but he
had thrown off his heavy ulster and trav-
cling cap. and now stood before me as
handsome and pleasant and honest-look
ing n young fellow as ever saw. and my
heart warmed to him. He was no assas
sin or rufiian. or cowardly bully, whatev-
err Mary might say. The shadow of a
great horror that lay in the blue mellow
eyes had been laid there by terror, not
crime.
1.-The child is dead" said softly.
ut died two days ago. died suddenly in
commissions in her arms, and the shock
turned her brain. She was doing so well.
poor little thing: but afterward she grew
delirous and accused herself and me
could do nothing; she would not have
me near her. but beat me of with her
hands, rs il she couldn't bear the sight of
me. And was so fond of her and she OF
men Here the man broke down. He
walked to the window. then turned and
asked abruptly: MAY go to herr"
thought of Mary and hesitated.
.'She is sleeping so peacefully just now !;
and IL she awoke suddenly and saw
you-"
.Sbe shall not see me-" he broke in
eagerly. IL will be SO quiet; but must
see her. nursed her through long i'll
ness, a year ago. and she would have no
one near her bu. me and now
Under the heavy military mustache
saw his lip CULVER; he paused. then add
ed: II must go to her." not in command
but yearning appeal, both in voice and
ewes.
.'Will you wait here minute will
see whether she still sleeps"
She still slept. the heavy peaceful sleep
OF tired child. Mary keeping stern
guard and watch over her. | beckoned
her out Of the room.
"Wellr' with fretful. impatient eager
ness. "You have seen him? What is he
likep Is he horrid'''
Judge for YOURSELF he is in the din
ing-room, He says he must see her-he
must come in"
That he shan't. the cruel wretch, or
it shall be over my PROSTATE body trag-
ically.
well. go and tell him So
II will" Aud away. nothing daunted.
went Mary.
l smiled. "She will no more resist the
pleading Of those handsome blue eyes
than did her husband He will win her
over with a look" | was right: she
soon returned. and not alone.
''Ile will be very quiet. and she need
not see him. thought it would be bet
ter:'' all this alphabetically.
He crossed the room as noiselessly as a
woman. stopped over the bed in silence.
then sat down beside it. Mary shaded the
lamp so that the room was in twilight.
and so we all three sat down to wait.
For more than an hour we waited, then
Mary stole out. Captain Tremayne looked
up as the door opened and closed then,
with quick sigh. laid the brown curly
head down upon the pillow as close rs
possible to that of the poor young wife
without touching it, and his hand moved
up toward hers. where it lay on the COW
erlet. but without touching that. either.
for fear of awaking or disturbing her.