The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-24
Writes for the Indianapolis ss1.fnai.I
META WOODRUFF.
By Mrs. Addis Dsitoh frank.

II was difficult undertaking for young
girl to disguise herself for the purpose OF
nursing her father, knowing that at any
moment she might be recognized. Bat her
great love for him caused her to fear moth
ing. She would brave death itself for him.
Her Disguise, as we already know, had been
q SUCCESS; she had bssa able u nurse him IS
no stranger would have done.
Meta, my darling, you must never leave
me again" he said, In q feeble voice, clinging
closely to hsr.
Never, papa, az long as LIE lasts SIZE
answered.
Tell me, child, how you came here dis
guissd."
"Be very quiet and / will. When Flo ar
rived at Aunt Ellen's, told of your severe i'll
ness and showed me the advertisement for
nurse Lima had sent TO some paper, re-
foIved to answer it myself. as could not rs-
main swav from you, knowing you were i'll.
When I went upstairs to prepare for nay
homswzrd journey, called Am. Ellen and
told her Of my intentions 20 disgaiss my
self, as knew that in no other way would
dare enter Woodruff Hall. She at ones
brought cut that wig and those
goggles which she found among Halls
MASQUERADE suits. Putting them on and this
dress Of my aunts, went down stairs, and,
to my great delight, no one recognized me.
felt sure. then, that I was safe to return
to the home loved so well. You had not
consulted a physician yet. nor was Mrs.
Woodruff willing that you should, until
told her that would not remain at Wood
ruff Hall If she did not summon medical sd-
vice at once" she said, hesitating moment
20 rest
go on; tell me the rest, said Mr.. Wood.
IF impatiently.
DR. Thornton wa sent for and arrived
the following day. Your case puzzled him,
and he ash ed 70 be allowed 10 consult with
Dr. BOaz When the latter arrived and had
examined your case thoroughly, they sd-
jouTDe 60 20 the next room. In q few mo.
ments they called me. and to my horror 70 d
me what they suspected. Ny suspicious
were aroused sgaiust that woman at once,
and I resolved 10 watch her, and if she were
guilty, TO sse that she did not escape punish
mert. But the strictest surveillance on my
part failed TO detect in her the would be
murderer. | felt ashamed for having con-
nscted my fathers wife with such CRIME"
She is icy wife no longer: give nsr IN
10 Justice. Her future home is the prison, y
Exclaimed Mr.. Woodruff.
BE quiet nv dear friend; Your life de
pends upon IT," interrupted Dr.. Grey.
II will, Doctor. Bat tell rae, Meta, no y
yo7 ever ihought of watching her TO night. 4"
This morning you were great deal
went for him. He disco Tered the same
symptoms of poison in your system as yoQr
former phvsicisns had. and proposed watch
ing Mrs. Woodruff. OF course il was neces-
ssry for me to aid him, and we also took
Mr.. Braden into our confidence. Couse-
w
entered the sitting room without disturbing
either OF you. / need not tell you more for
you have been a witness to everything else
which TRANSFERRED"
Meta, my darling, can You ever forgive
me for the wrong committed in marrying
that woman, for causing you so much real
sorrow?"
"Yes, dear papa, for you had the right to
90 as you thought best"
And dill think 1t was for the best then,
ny child I now see nav great mistake. Oh,
Geo. that 1 had listened to you.
I'VE may be happy yet, although our sky
msy be dark and cloudy now
mo, no; it is too late for I have brought
disgrace upon the name l bsar, which no
other Woodruff did before me. A wife &C.
cused OF poisoning her husband"
''Wr. Woodruf, il you desire it, this mat
ter can hSkept from every one, except those
who already know it," said DR.. Gray.
IF she were a stranger to me- would say
punlen Q6T as she deserves. because SQe Is
my wife in name, is that the reason such u
wicked wretch should not be punished? All.
no. justice, the law must take its course.
God will not spare the rich man or his
wife at the ay of judgment, nor his name
either, therefore l shall not interfere in
"Ncr do L ask you to- Imprisonment,
death-snything-is preferable TO living
with one hate as l do you All do you
think that will ever ask mercy of you?'
Ii was Lima saying this. She had heard
distinctly every word said by her husband,
as be had been talking in . loud, angry
but at last was obliged to give way to her
temper.
Why, then, did you marry me? Was it
TO ruin my whole life-to separate me from
my chic? IL SO, you have succeeded admi-
lobly so far; but IN your most hellish crime
sou failed. NV daughter is restored to me,
and to her, while VOC are prisoner, or
son will be.n
"You are, indeed. hard-hearted, to deliver
your own wife to justice. I see my mistake
now IN not killing you outright, for then |
might have escaped that which you think
awaits me.n
Enough, dear papa; say TO more to her,
iar she Is not worthy the strength you are
VISITING on her. Mr.. Braden, command
your prisoner TO keep silent. or she must be
moved to other quarters interrupted Meta.
Command me to do anything, my noble
Arthur, and 1 will obey you, since you love
me so dsyotsdly."
Silence woman! unless you would yet be
the cause OF Give Woodrufs DEATH" al
swered Arthur.
DR.. Grey would not allow Mr.. Woodruff to
speak again, as he was very weak and
nervous, aud there was great danger OF his
being thrown into fever.
Since We last saw Meta without her dis
guise, she has grown more vomsnly in both
looks and actions, but looks thin and pale
from her close confinement II the sick
chamber.
CONTINUED MONDAY