The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-01-07
MRS. OCKDYNE'S FRIGHT.

MRS. OCKDYNE'S FRIGHT.
How and by Whom the Mill Was
Destroyed.
When John Ockdyne lay insensible from
the apoplectic seizure which terminated in
his death, his wife acted as though she
were singularly heartless and deccitful
woman. Taking advantage OF the tenn
porary absence Of the doctor, who had pro-
noupccd that q fatal Issue Of the sick mans
malady was, humanity speaking. inevitable,
Mrs. Ockdyne possessed herself of her hus.
bands keys, and crept stcathily down to
his study, where she unlocked a drawer in
his escritoire, and took from it bundle Of
documents, which she carefully concealed
about her person. She then returned 10
the sick-rocm, replaced the keys with q
trembling hand beneath the pillow on
which the dying mans head rested, and re-
sumcd the anxious and watchful position
by the bedside which she hnd occupied for
many hours previously. But she looked so
pale and agitatcd that the doctor, who made
his appearance minute aftcrward, accom-
panied by his assistant, glanced keenly at
her, and said, in peremptory tone:
''Mrs. Oclsdyne, you mt st really obey my
directions. Please go 10 your room and
rest, and take some refreshment. Your
husband may remain in his present state
for hours, and you arc already yoverwrought
and fatigped. II the slightest symptom Of
change occurs you shall be sent for in
stantiy."
II would rather remain" said Mrs. Ock-
dyne, with decision.
The doctor shrugged his shoulders irri-
tably, and turned his attention to the pa
tient, whose laborcd and stentOrian breath.
ing rendered inaudible the whispered con-
sultation which ensued between the medical
men. This was interrupted Il by The eni rance
OF William Ockdyne, the younger brother
and partner of the invalid, n tall, stern,
elderly, unsympathetic-loo individual,
with cold, steel-blue eyes, which, after u
quick glance at the unconscious form upon
the bed, he directed with suspicious scru-
tiny upon the pale face of his sister-in-law,
as she advanced to greet him.
''How long has he been like thisp he in
qnired, abruptly.
sSince midnight" answered Mrs. Ock.
dyne.
s'Why did not you send for me beforea''
he demanded, in harsh, unpleasant voice.
Il sent for you as soon as DIR. Thorne pro-
Ockdyne. 1remuously.
Mrs. Ockdyne evidently resented this
cross-examination for some weighty rea-
sons, and her handsome features hardened
whilc her brotherin-!aw spoke. William
Ockdyne, whether consciously or other
wise, evaded her glance, and his cold, blue
eyes ranged round the apartment with u
look of cunning suspicion.
''Comc, Mrs. Ockdyne," said the doctor,
removing his fingers from the sick mans
pulse, snow that your brother-in-law has
arrived you need have no hesitation about
going to your room. We will remain here,
and will remember my promise"
Either yielding to the doctor's persua-
sion, or in consequence Of the uneasiness
and aversion which the presence of her
brother-in-law evidently caused her, Mrs.
Ockdyne no longer persisted in her objcc-
tiOn, but rose from her chair without a
word, and left the room with an air of sup
pressed agitation and emotion. Walking
quickly along the passage and down the
staircase. she entered small sitting-room
ON tho half-landing, and having closed and
locked the door behind her, she fell in an
almost fainting condition upon the nearest
sofa
Very different was now the aspect of
Mrs. Ocldyne from that OF tho proud, cold,
self.contained woman Of amoment ago. All
her energy and spirit seemed 10 have de.
sorted her, and she looked the picture OF
helpless misery and apprehension. The
hard lines about her face had disappeared,
revealing character of weakness, irreso.
luton, and even feebleness. Her features
were no longer handsome, but rather
showed the remains of a soft, tender, girl.
ish kind Of beauty, half oblitcrated by a life
of hardship and unhappiness. She pre-
sented, in fact, glimpse of her true self
the Mary Bannermau who had married
John Oclsdyne ten years ago; woman de-
signed by nature to be gentle, tender,
loving wife and mother, but transformed
by hnrshness and tyranny into the SEM
blance of strangely dissimilar person.
ality.
Ten years agoi It seemed a century
And vet ii was, in fact, less than ten
years since that fatal day when her hus
bands rough kindness-f0r 1t would be
profane to dignity his selfish affection fol
her by the name of love-was turned into
relentless distrust and tyranny. The visi
bic cause of this transformation she now
held in hcr hnnd--a bundle Of letters writ
ten in ink which was now faded. Alas Il
they had been written with her heart.
blood she would not have suffered less.
There is no occasion to rake up the de
tails of her unfortunate fliration with Altar
Graham. 1t was not generally supposed II
be OF u serious nature by those VINO know
of 1t at The time. A weak, giddy, thought
less girl, married against her will, to
man twenty years her senior; young sol
dicr-lover OF former days. culpaby reclles,
OF u wornan's reputation, but moaning, per
hsps, no great harm; tiercely jealou,
husband, Of disposition cruel and vim
dictiye--common ingredients these, IL
blighted lives and domestic misery; and o,
Mrs. Ockdyne's story contains not hinl
novel or entertaining, we will pass 1t ovel
lightlY--as the world did for wonder
withcuS impuiing blame to any one.
John Ockdyno, however, neither forgo
nor forgave. His brother William, wheth
or from baseiy selfish motives, or from
real suspicion bred OF the proneness O.
some contemptible minds TO disbelieve II
innocence, helped to keep alive this resent
ment. He did not separate from his wife