The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-10-04
WHOLE No. 2,173

gleam shot from his eyes, cor III kill
you where you stand" Then, speak
ing less vehemently, he continued, ''you
are accepting no favor from me. 1t is
my right, it is my duty. Your sense of
honor cannot be wounded by my bury
ing my wife. Keep the public in igno-
rance; it is all | require"
Lafonte took the money without
another word.
cat what hour can | seq" and he
pointed up stairs.
"Suit yourself, was the reply, "the
law fixes the interment by tomorrow
evening"
Il will be here tonight" replied
Madison.
Lafonte made no reply, and without
casting look behind us, we turned
from the house and never exchanged 4
word till we had gained our room at
the hotel.
Long and YEARLY wore away the
hours until the sun went down behind
the tree tops that skirted the western
boundary of Lugo.
Madison passed the time generally
with his head bowed upon his breast.
At moments he would rise and pace
the room with an agitation he found it
impossible to control. Occasionally he
would utter a malediCtion on the head
Of Lafonte, and anon would tenderly
refer % the days when he possessed 4
happy home. There is a certain sort
of mental suffering that receives no
consolation whatever from the wisest
and best timed expressions of sympa-
thetic interest. Writhing under an ex-
Quisite misery, we feel full well the pov-
erty of language to convey adequate
alienation to the bitterness of the oc-
casion.
l scarcely dared break the silence,
which seemed sacred, in an attempt to
tighten the darkness of James Madi-
sons soul; but threw myself upon
couch and gave my mind to a food of
recollections alternately pleasureable
and mournful, but all beginning and
ending with her who was lying cold and
stark beneath an alien sky.
1t was not until the .4neel0uS rang
out from neighboring tower that Mad
ison reused his nature, and, plunging
his face in a basin of cold water, be-
gan to array himself for the sorrowful
visit. On our route to the cottage he
was even less inclined to converse than
he had been in our apartment. At the
door of the dwelling we were received
by withered Crone, who beckoned us
within, and, ascending the stairs, point
ed to door and Immediately turned
away Madison laid his hand on the
latch and stood for a few moments with
bent head, as if offering prayer. If
he did so, it was one of the few he ut
tered in his latter days, for though he
was man singularly free from the
small frailties Of human nature, he had
but an imperfect conception of relig,
ious character.
When he opened the door the sight
that met my eyes will long remain fixed
in my memory. Lighted wax candles
were already placed profusely about
the room, but there were none sur
the bier. All that was NOR
tai of Kate Madison lay encased in
handsome casket that was raised on
chairs. Madison advanced noiselessly
towards the spot and gazed steadily at
the countenanCe. Yes, she was chang
changed, but there was still
a loneliness lingering about that waNen
face. The corners Of the mouth were
slightly drawn downwards, betraying
death that was not altogether painless.
Her hands were crossed upon her bos-
ON, and she still wore her desecrated
marriage ring. In her dark tresscs
some plying hand had placed single
blood-red rose, half blown. 1t had
been her favorite color in life, and it
was fitting it should adorn her in
death.
After long and painful look upon
her silent sleep, Madison bent over the
body and pressed a kiss upon the dumb
lips. As he raised his head a solitary
scorching tear coursed down his cheek
and fell upon the face Of the dead.
My farewell was taken in mute and
almost bewildered gaze, and, though
my eyes were hot and heavy, | could
not weep for the woman had loved.
Madison left the room closing the door
carefully, as though he feared its jar
might disturb her leaden sleep.
"When will the funeral take place, l
wonder?" he at length said.
ask the old woman" replied.
Descending the stairs we discovered
the Crone mumbling to herself upon
bench, but she could not understand
word we uttered. She, however, beck
oned us to a small apartment on the
ground floor, and, motioning us to
seats, left the tage. Presently she
returned in company with pale, con-
sumptive-looking man, who, entering
the room, announced himself as Mr..
Gardner, the friend of Mons. Lafonte
and explained he was one Of the few
persons speaking English in Lugo at
that time He left England years ago
on account of his health, and consid-
cred Lugo lis home now. He had
promised Mons. Lafonte to superin-
tend the funeral nc he Iil-eu;Sa bod