Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-04-05

used to think we girls never needed
him, but, indeed, 1 think he should
have met me-"
"He would, I think, but for an en-
gagement that called him away" said
Mrs. Forester, a sudden pain at her
heart.
Now perhaps she could while away
the hours of that dreadful evening
"How pretty you are and what
lovely rooms I" sad the young girl,
looking about her. DO you make tea
yourself?"
"Oh, yes, always" was the reply, as
the woman set table daintily for the
visitor; " Ralph likes the tea l make
better than any other"
"But you're not happy" thought
the girl. "Tm afraid you'reneither of
you happy Shall 1 sing for you?"
she asked, aloud. "They say have a
very good voice." she added, naively.
"Aboye all things l should like to
hear you sing. if you will not mind my
walking about. 1 am restless to night. y
"Of course, walk all you please; and
will see if l am in good voice. 1t
was such dreadful voyage, and am
to make my appearance in public to-
morrow night"
The evening passed YEARLY away to
Mrs. Forester. Hour after hour she
looked for her husband, who some
times, if he had a run of luck, came
home early. An indefnable anxiety
weighed her down.
As for the girl Lisetta, she used all
her efforts to amuse her. There were
so many beautiful things to see and
talk about, that she would not listen
to any excuses for retiring.
"I don't usually go to bed till r."
she said, and sometimes a good deal
later. Do you think Ralph has gone
to the theatre?"
81 am quite sure he has not
There came a knock at the door.
Lisetta opened it, hoping to see her
brother; then looked back with
white, scared face, as she said, IN
hoarse whisper:
"He says-they've--brought-him
home"
dead p shrieked the wife, and
mercifully fell senseless.
1t was well she did. She did not
see that ghastly burden, nor hear the
decision of the surgeon who was called
in, that the man was dead.
When she came to herself Lisetta
was weeping over her. and the land
lady deploring that such a dreadful
thing should happen to her respectable
mansion.
"Lisetta, don't leave mel' cried the
unhappy woman.
"Neyer, dearl am so glad 1 was
with you.'
"And he-oh, my husband
"Hush, dearr'- the girl fell
sobbing on her bosom.
,"l must go and see him." said her
sister, lifting herself from the lounge
rrl, oro che boJ fo1Io1
"Not for worldsl' was the agonized
reply.
Il tell you will. I am his wife
you shall not keep me from his side"
"But, dear, there are watchers there"
at makes no difference 1 must
see my husband. Have they had a
doctor"
"Yes."
"And there is no hoper
mo hope, dear"
"Dead! Is my Ralph dead. Oh,
my darlingl my idol! God has indeed
punished mep'
She went slowly into the room be-
yond. How still and stark and white,
that figure under the sheetl
Two men sat by the open baY-win-
dow, keeping each others spirits up.
They were smoking and that pungent
odor seemed to offend her.
"How little they carel" she sighed.
Lisetta had followed her only to the
door, then shrank back, leaving the
woman alone.
"Oh, my darlingl if you had only
listened to mel" she moaned, as she
turned down the covering. Why
wouldn't you?"
She leaned over, fixing her eyes upon
the pallid face.
Long and steadily she gazed. hold
ing Iher breath. both hands pressed
over her breast, as if to restrain the
rapid pulsations of her heart.
The moments passed. Once she
looked up at the clock. 1t wanted a
quarter to three, and then, throwing
herself on her knees. she took her posi-
tion close to the body, and watched
and watched with strained eyes.
What did she see? The men had
flung their cigars out of the window
and changed their places, looking in
awe at the strange ia lsau. The man
seemed marble on the bed. tile woman
seem ed marble at his side
"Hushr she said, with uplifted
finger.
Then one cry rang through the room
that brought everybody in the house