The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-06-14

silenccd, having no foundation In proba
Iility, as II had none in fact. The expla
nation of the matter which was inclined
to consider correct was, that Mr.. IIamil.
ton had been dishgured for life by inju.
rles received In some accident or other
shortly after his marriage, and shrank
from permitting strangers TO look upon
his marrud and distorted features. This
theory was corroborated in my own mind
by the tears Mrs. Hamilton bad shed over
hcr husbands miniature. and by his re-
frsal 80 come down stairs while was IN
the house.
The month Of March had passed away,
and the Riviera was flashing forth into all
the brightness Of carly spring, when, one
day, on my way home from an afternoon
reception, / chanccd to pass the Villa Wit
toria, and was surprised TO observe that
The usually tranquil and solitary home
was tho center of universal commotion.
Servants were hurrying TO and fro, groups
OF people hung about the lodge gate, talk
ing aud gesticulating, and within the sun
lit windows of the distant villa might DO
observed u stir and confusion altogether
foreign To the usual customs Of the house.
sent my servant to inquire the cause of
the excitement, and the lodgckecpers
aged wife came lurrying out herself to
impart her tidings. They were both tragic
and distressing. Mrs. Hamilton had gone
out for an early drive to Aloutboron. Her
horses had taken fright whilst descending
tho mountain, had run away and had
overturned tho carriage. Tho unfortu-
nate lady was thrown out, and was In
jjired so terribly that her lifo was de-
SPARED Of. DR.. Somcrs, who had accom-.
panied her, had escaped with some slight
bruises, and had been ablo to supcrintend
the removal of his sister to her homo.
"He has been watching over her ever
since, madam" continued tho old woman,
"and he sent far and near for tho best
doctors In Nice, but they did not stay long
when they came and am Gfraid the poor
lady is dying"
Acting on my first Impulse. sprang
from my carriage and hastcned % the
villa. Tho sound of voices guided mo TO
the room Of the sufferer. paused on tho
threshold of the open door, but DR..
Somers, who was seated by his sisters
bed, looked up and saw me, and signed to
mo. without speaking, to enter. Mrs.
Hamilton did not notice me, and do not
telulS she we e''e.i eege.i aware Of my presence.
Her fair face was uninjured, but the pale
shadow Cf approaching death rested upon
her features and dimmed the lustor Of her
beautiful eyes. Sho was pleading with
her brother as arrived, and she went on
with her pitcous prayer as approached
tho bod.
II know that am dying, Mark" walled
the melancholy tones, still so sweet amid
their fecblcucss. Call Edgar--do call
Edgar-lct ne seq him once more before
20! l cannot die happy unless ! look
again on his dear face. 1t cannot burt
him moro than tho news of my death will
do. Oh MarlI--dc2r Mark-do tell Edgar
to como to mel'
Without word, DR.. Somcrs arose ami
flung wide open n door opposite TO that
by which had entered, ana which led to
an inner room, all inundated with the
whole interior of the apartment thus dis.
closed was visible to me from where
stood. Thcra wcro Gowor5 everywhere;
and pictures, and books, and exquisite
tribes Of all kinds, were visible on every
side; but there was no human bcing to be
seen within.
With tho opening Of the door sudden
change passed over the features Of the dy-
ing woman. The light returned to her
eyes, and faint color tinged her pale
face, ~, half raising herself ON her pill
lows, she fixed hor eager gaze ON point
uear tho foot of the bed. There was no
ono thero-shc spoke to empty space-but
never shall forget the pathetic tones Of
her voice. the loving Tenderness Of her
fixed, dilGtcd eyes.
IL knew you would como to me, Edgar.
she painted. 1T ia hard to say gocd-by--
wo havo loved each other so fondly, and
you will miss me sadly, dear husband.
| But do not mourn for met will not
seem loug-our eparatlCn-nftcr all.
! And think what it would have been for
INC had you died and left me alone in the
world. | should have gono mad with
| grief, think-but now-I go--to sleep
TO dream of you--aud when | wake you
will be beside me--Edgar-my Edgar"
Sho made gesture as If to stretch out
her arms toward the invisible being tS
whom she spoke-a spasm crossed hel
! features, a rush of blood camo to her lips
and she fell back upon hor pillows DR.
Sonlers bent over her, hearlsened for
second and then pressed n lingering kisi
upon her brow.
"All is over, Mrs. Graves" ho said. C!
he raised his head Dora Is with he
husband"
Before tho doctor loft Nico no paid me
long visit, TO thank mo, as he said, for tn,
interest i had manifested In his sister
and also to cxplaia to mo the riddle of he
seemingly mysterious existence. Th
brother and sistsr had been left orphan
at an early age, and each in possession o
n handsome fortune. Some twenty year
before. Dora Somers, then very youni
and sensitive and aifectionate girl, hat
boon captivated by the snowy graces an,
handsome person of Edgar Hamilton. al
adventurer and gambler of conspicuousl,
evil character, She loved him passionately
and became his vito In the teeth Of th
opposition Of oil her relatives. Immedi
ately after the wedding tho young coupl
started on journey to Niagara Falls an
Canada. A broken rail hurled tho trai
on which thoy werc travelling into wrec
and disaster. MIR. Hamilton was Instant
killed. and his bride received sundl.
severe injuries, chiefly on the head. sh
was III for many weeks, and, on her II
covcry, it becY uoI wI.t 'hst her reaso
was irretrievsA be. whether il be bi