Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-04-24

mosphere
The young wife, May Hartweli, put aside
the book she had been reading aloud, for her
listener had fallen asleep Her fair face was
unelouded by anxiety or trouble. She smiled
as she looked at her husband. She kad de-
veloped the qualities Of good wife and nsrse,
thus tested by experience, although her
patient gave her little trouble, except to
amuse him. Suffering had not narrsd him.
no painful cough racked his frame He was
fatigued, hstless, and preferred the sofa whers
he rested while making plans for The future
Now he slept, with the light touching his
graceful head, the rich colors Of his dressing
gown, and the gray fur Of the 1ua Anead
over him Certainly he was q tribe aslieate,
and it was wise to. cure symptoms of illness
in time Had she not added her solicitations
to those Of his family bY fastening her mar.
rage in order to take care Of 'flifif "a 81
She left her seat and went out noiselssiE. IL
was the hour when letters were edistrfbutef
in the hotel at the stairway she tadsed and
looked down into the lower hall Haff an
hour earlier the doctor---a cheerful presence
in the lives of tAe two Young strangers-had
called, bringing with him d friend, quite BY
accident, as he happened to bein town. This
friend, an older physician, had copveTsed
chiefly with May, and about the east She
now perceived the latter standing beside tho
great stove in tho hall, warming his hands,
and while she hesitated about descending the
staircase in Consequence, he was joined by
the other physician. The illness Of the land
lords baby explained their detention in the
house.
"Well. what 30 you think of the young
man above stairsF inquired the resident doe
tor, in low tone.
Quick consumption, as you say He may,
last fortnight, and he may be gone to-
morrow was the grave response.
May drew back, shocked and grieved, and
returned TO her rooms. Who was the young
man above stairss She did not know. To.
morrow she would ask the kind doctor about
him. Perhaps he was poor and alone Harry
still slept, and she resumed her seat Then,
with her chin resting in her hand, shesulferedi
thought to bear her back to her distant home.
The clock struck eleven Decidedly her in
valid should be in bed, but she was reluctant
to disturb his refreshing slumbeE Again she
rested her dimpled chin in her palm; her own
eyelids closed. FL
A sensation Of cold and fear awakened her,
Harry! where are you, dearl" she said, be-
wildered by sleep and fright
The lamp was burning low; the clock struck
one; and the luminous whiteness Of the out
side world, where all nature was yelled in
snow, invaded the silent room. May APP
preached the sofa. Harry still slept His
face was pale and his features appeared
sharper, pinched, as IL the cold of the night
had chilled them Midnight had sounded,
and it was already Easter day. May knelt
beside the couch and softly chafed the cold
hand as gentle means Of awakening him
Then he opened his eyes and looked at her.
There was something so profound, steadfast
and strange in this gaze that her heart ceased
to beat; words Of endearment remained frozen
ON her lips. Suddenly an awful change swept
over the young mans face; terror dilated his
beautiful dark eyes; a quivering light irradi-
ated his pinched features
May" he gasped, threw his arms about
her neck, and leaned his head on her shoul~
der
Silence succeeded. The lamp waned the
white arctic light invaded more boldly the
chamber. What had happenedl What
dreaded presence and power was herei The
head on Mays shoulder became heavy, incrt;
her lover, bridegroom, husband-was dead