Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-03-08
mrs. oeEnyEE's FRIGHT.

ban, the apoplectic seizure which ter
S,,;nated in his death, his wife acted as
hon. h she we're a singulariy heartless
~ aeceitful woman. Taking ad.
,antaee OF the temporary absence OF
~ doctor, who had pronounced that
fatal issue OF the sick mans malady
has humanity speaking, inevitable,
<arrs 0ckdyne possessed herself of her
Husbands keys, and creps stealthily
sowu to bis study. where she unlock
Esi a drawer IN his escritoire, and took
E<roaa it a bundle OF documents, which
he carefully concealed about her per-
<on. She then returned to the sick
room. replaced the keys with a tTem-
&,line hand beneath the pillow on
mich the dying mans head rested,
md resumed the anxious and
atchful position by the bedside
khich she had occupied for many
konrs previously. But she looked so
ale and acitated that the doctor,
tho made his appearance a minute
#fterward. accompanied by his assist
ut. glanced keenly at her, and said,
a peremptcry tone:
eAIrs. 0ekdyne, you must really
bbey ny directions. Please go to your
nom and rest and take somerefresh-
bents. Y6ar husband may remain
& his present state for hours, and
Cd are already overweight and fa-
srned. II the slightest symptom OF a
hanee occurs you shall be sent tor
Instantly"
Il would rather remain" said Mrs.
6ekdyne. with decision.
The Doctor shrugged his shoulders
ritsbly and turned his attention to
Ia patisnt, whose labored breathing
fndered Inaudible the whispered con-
ersation which ensued between the
sedical men. This was interrupted by
Be entrance OF William 0ckdyne, the
Younger brother and partner of the
ayalld, tall. stern. elderly, unsym-
athletic looking Individual, with cold,
teel-b,ue eyes, which, after a quick
Ianee at the unconscious form upon
be bed, be directed with suspicious
||erntluy upon the pale face of his
Sster in-law as she advanced to greet
BIZ.
s.How long has he been like this?"
inquired. abruptly.
"Slnce midnight" answered Mrs.
|Bckdyne.
j "Why did yoa not send for me be-
bre2p he demanded in a harsh, I'M
leasant voice.
II sent for you as soon as DIR.
rhorne pronounced the case TO be
opeless, . SAID Mrs. ockdyne. tremu.
eusly.
Mrs. ockdyne evidently resented
lis cross examination for some weigh.
81 reasons, and her handsome features
hardened while her brother-in- law
poke. William 0ckdyne, whether
consciously or otherwise, evaded her
lance. and his cold, blue eyes ranged
oand the apartment with a look OF
mining suspicion.
sCcme, Mrs. 0ckdyne, said the doc
kor, removing his fingers from the
ick mans pulse, NOV that your
krother-in-law has arrived You need
lave no hesitation about going to
FOUR room. We will remain here, and
will remember my promise"
Either yielding TO the doctors per-
Dasion, or in consequence of the I'M
asiness and aversion which the pres
nee OF her brother-in-law evidently
aused her. Mrs, 0ckdyne nolongerper
ssted IN her cl.tttion. tut rose from
Der chair without word, and left the
Dom with an mir of suppressed agita-
BON and emotion. Walking quickly
hong the passage and down the stair
Hse. she entered a. small sitting room
% the hali-landing, and. having closed
Ind locked the door behind her, she
II in an almost fainting condition
pon the nearest sofa.
Very different was now the aspect OF
rs 0ckdyne from that OF the proud,
ph, seifcontained woman of a mo-
hent ago. All her energy and spirit
eemed TO have deserted her, and she
boked the picture OF helpless misery
nd apprehension. The hard lines
eont her lace had disappeared, re-
ealing character OF weakness. ir-
solution and even feebleness. Her
atures were no longer handsome, but
ther showed the remains OF a soft,
nder, slrsish kind OF beauty, half OBJ
feratei by a liie of hardship and I'M
hppiness. She presented in fact. a
impss OF her true self; the Mary Ban
erman who had married John Ock-
ne ten years ago; woman designed
nature to be gentle. tender. low
g vie and mother. but Transformed
sarshness and tyranny into the
Enhance of a strangely dissimilar
rsonaiity.
Ten years ago. It seemed a cen.
lry. And yet it was. in fact. less
Ian ten years since that fatal day
ben ser husbands rough kindness
1t woSld be profane to dignity his
iish atiecsion for her by the name
ioye-was turned into relentless
strust and tyranny. The visible
nse OF this transformation she now
q IN her agitated hand--a bundle
letters written in ink which was
Nv faded. AIasl II they had been
itten with her hearts blood she
elid have suffered less.
here Is no occasion to rake up the
fails OF her unfortunate Irritation
Allan Graham. 1t was not gen.
hy supposed TO be OF a serious ma
re oy those who knew of it at the
Pc A weak, giddy, thoughless girl
Rrried, against her will. to a man
enty years her senior; a young sol
z lover OF former days, culpaoly
sckiess OF woman's reputation,
meaning. perhaps, no great harm,
lefceiy jealous husband, OF dispo.
ION cruel and iudictive-common
fealents, these, in blighted lives and
hestie misery and as Mrs. Ockdyne's
Ply contains nothing novel or enter
hlng, We will pass it over lightly, as
world did, Tor wonder, without
putting blame to any one. John
Auyne, however. never forgot nor
gave. His brother William, wheth-
rom basely selfish motives, or from
snspicicn bred OF the proneness OF
PC contemplate minds to disbelieve
innocence, helpei tto keep alive this
eminent. he did not separate
% MS wife; indeed, he mad no evil
pee TO justify an extreme course. But
gave rein to his harsh, oyerbearing.
p,eous nature; he crashed and
\ Pnoled to the earth the unhappy
man whom he had sworn to love
cherish. He thought himself
llned, perhaps, in making her re.
bitterly Of her indiscretion. and,
I saI,s, 1t may in charity be doubt
s whether his vulgar. coarse-grained
permanent enabled him TO realize
'an extent ofihesulfering he infiIct-
lie kept Allan Graham's letters.
10 savage moments produced
y and tainted her with them. He
fa.fs. n. 4. 4