Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-12-14


snowy cloth fairly groaned under it's
weight of tempting viands. She was
in remarkably cheerful mood, and
looked really pretty in the dark blue
dress, white apron and white muslin
cap donned for the occasion. The cap
was exceedingly becoming, but greatly
altered her appearance. 1T was u
fancy of hers to wear the cap when
strangers were present When we
were alone we took our meals to-
gether.
AS soon as our Christmas greetings
were over led the way into the din
ing-room. Just then Mary came in
with n platter of broilcd chicken. |
observed Mr. Mayhem glared at her
with startled expression. She went
out again without raising her eyes.
Then you were born in Trenton"
said my sister Helen in answer to "A
folmer remark made 10y Mr.. Mayhcw'
"Yes, was born in Trenton, and
lived there until was twenty-three."
At that moment Mary returned with
the dinner-plates. She stopped sud
denly and stared at the speaker in
dazed sort of way, apparently for
getful of her errand, until l whis-
pered
Put the plates on the table"
"Yes'm," she answered. Turning
to leave the room she staggered and
caught the door frame. thought
nothing Of the movement, supposing
she had tripped against the rug.
When my guests left the dining
room | went into the kitchen to tell
Mary that the dinner was a decided
success. found her sitting on an old
settee with her head thrown back
against the window ledge. Her face
was deathly pale and her eyes closed
"Arc you i'll, Mary?' | asked, TAX
ing her hand, which was cold and limp.
Receiving no answer, called Helen,
and together we succeeded in restor-
ing her to consciousness. She looked
around her in bcwildered way, then
pointing toward the dining-room, said
in gasping voice:
Tell him forgive-Tell him--I
have gone to-baby-I hope he"
between the struggles for breath /
caught the words, will-happy."
She has tainted again" remarked
Helen, applying the rcstoratives once
more, but this time without success.
for we saw no signs of returning life.
was thoroughly alarmed. and sent
Mr.. Mayhem for the doctor, who. for
tunately. was at home, and obeyed the
summons instantly. He took Mary's
hand. placed his ear over her heart.
opened her cyclids and examined the
pupils. and then said slowly:
She is dead. The question is. what
has killed her? Heart disease, prob
ably, accelerated by severe shock"
l was completely unneryed. and
wept sincere, heartfelt tears over the
inanimate form of my poor Mary. who
died as she had lived, making no moan
over her burden Of pain and sorrow.
In the room Mary occupied was a
small box, which / carried down to the
parlor. after the first excitement had
subsidized, thinking that by examining
its contents I might gain some clew as
to the whereabouts Of her friends.
The box contained mementocz such
as women treasure. There was a package
Of yellow letters tied together with q bit
Of faded ribbon, a little blue shoe. still
bearing the imprint Of a baby foot. a
lock Of dark hair and a golden curl
held together by band Of Grape, and
several photographs.
"All the letters were evidently writ
ten by the same person" said Helen.
who had been examining the dates.
and this seems 20 have been the last
one received. II is dated Christmas
Eve, 1872 1t is addressed to My
darling wife and signed Your affec-
tionate husband"
Here is a photograph with some
thing written on the margin. Per-
haps you may be able to decipher it.
Mr.. Mayhew. The words are almost
effaced."
/ held the picture toward him. lie
was seated on the sofa, some distance
from the table, but came forward and
took It from my hand. | saw him
start and turn pale. while great beads
Of tprz rutipu brpLp put on hfa fpra-