The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-12-22


hands coDvulsively over her forehead, she
stood for a moment like marble image OF
despair "Oh, God, help me to bear it pa
tientiy y she sobbed, and hurrying out into
the garden she walked for an hour or more
up and down the graveled path.
! When she returned to the house her violent
| agitation had subsidized and her face assum.
ed its expression of intense sadness. Her
strange actions terrified me, and ever after I
carefully avoided referring to the grief which
overshadowed her life. Certain days in .he
year she would appear more detected than
/ usual. These davs, soon learned, were an
niversaries Of some dead joy or overwhelm-
| ing aff1ictiOn. I finally grew accustomed 10
| her peculiar ways, and finding her so thor
! oughly good and faithful. treated her like a
companion, or frien nd rather than a servant.
| When my guests arrived everything was
ready. Mary and 1 had done our utmost to
| make the house appear inviting, and the ia
BILE covered with snowy cloth fairly groaned
under the weight of tempting viands. She
was In a 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 appear
ance. 1t was fancy of hers to wear the
! cap when strangers were present. WheE
| we were alone we took ourRmeais together
As soon rs our Christmas greetings were
over l led the way into the diuing-room.
just then Mary came in with platter of
broiled chicken. 1 observed Mr. Mayhew
glared at her with startled expression. She
went ont again without raising her ewes.
Then you were born In Trenton" said
my sister Helen In answer 20 former re-
| mark made by Mr.. Mayhew.
Yes I was born IN Trenton, and lived
there until was twenty three
At that moment Mary returned with the
dinner-plates. She stopped suddenly and
| stared at the speaker in a dazed sort Of way,
apparently forgetful of her errand, until I
whispered
"Put the plates on the table"
"Yes'm." she answered. Turning to
leave the room she staggered and caught the
door frame. l thought nothing Of the move
ment, supposing she had tripped against the
rug.
When nv guests left the dIning-room I
went into the kitchen to tell Mary that the
dinner was 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 ewes closed.
" Are you i'll, Mary p, asked taking her
hand, which was cold and limp. Receiving
no answer. called Helen, and together we
succe eded In restoring her to consciousness.
She looked around her in a bewildered wav.
then pointing toward the dining room, said
in a gasping voice
"Tell him-I fprgive-TelI him-I have
gone to-haby-I hope he" between the
struggles for breath caught the words,
will-happy."
She's tainted again." remarked Helen.
applying the restoratives 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, fortunately.
was at home, and obeyed the summons in
stantly. He took Mary's hand, placed his
ear over her heart. opened her eveIids and
examined her pupils, and then said slowly
"She is dead, The question is, what has
killed her? Heart disease, probably, accel-
Grated by severe shock
was completely uuuerved, and wept sin
cere, 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 parIor. after
the first excitement had subsidized. thinking
that by examining the contents 1 might
cain some cl5w as to the whereabouts of her
friends.
The BOX contained mementoes such as go-
men treasure. There was a package of vel
low letters tied together with a bit of faded
ribbon, little blue shoe, stin bearing the
imprint Of baby foot, a lock of dark hair
and goldeH curl held together by band of
Grape, and several photogra phs.
"All the letters were evidently written by
the same person." said Helen, who had been
examining the dates, land this seems TO
have been the last one received. It is dated
christmas Eve, 1872 1t is addressed to
My darling wife, and signed Your affec-
tionate husband"
" Here is a photograph with something
written on the margin. Perhaps you may
be able to decipher it, Mr.. Mayhew The
words are almost effaced."
I held the picture toward him. he was
seated on the sofa. some distance from the
table, but came forward and took it from nv
hand. I saw him start and turn pale, while
great beads of perspiration broke oHt on his
forehead
"George Mayhem, died March. 1873" he
read. In low, trembling voice, while his
strong frame shook like an aspen.
He covered his face with his hands and
sobbed In a dry fearless sort Of way that
made my heart ache with pity.
Buey and her mother looked at him In
blank astonishment.
=" Let me see her, Miss Bronson. She was
my wife" he said, in tones of the deepest
anguish.
/ took the lamp. and silently led the way
TO the room where we had laid her He
threw himself on his knees beside the lounge
and placed his cheek against the cold still
face. I put the lamp down and turned away,
leaving him alone with his dead
"Aunt Ruth, what does il all mean %
demanded Lucy. with an injured air.
." 1t means that Mary was Mr.. Mayhew's
wife. Doubtless when his grief Is spent he
will explain. Such grief is surely born Of
love-" / responded.
Lucy's face grew pallid She clenched
her hands and walked to the other side of
the room. 1 wondered IL she was Jealous Of
his dead love.
Despite my remonstrances he passed the
night in the room where Mary's body lay. !
Before / retired he told me the brief story of /