The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-03-21

1t was not until the day of the we'd
ding arrived that / seemed to awake
from this comatose condition; then l
grew suddenly desperate and seemed to
tealize that brutal sacrifice was going
to be enacted before my very eyes, for,
despite her acquiescence in her fathers
wishes, knew that Edith Norris loved
me as she could love no other.
To drown these feelings / turned to
that most common antidote, drink.
But instead of calming or benumbing
my feelings on this occasion the spirits
only seemed TO increase my frenzy, and
when the bridal party started for the
little frame church l was prepared to
commit any outrageous act. Walking
directly into the place in the rear of
the bridal party | took my place un-
observed among the spectators. The
pastor had barely commenced the cere-
mony when | stepped boldly up to the
rail and made mild protest against the
proceedings.
Edith, trembling with fright, seized
the arm of her intended husband, who,
with a supercilious smile on his face,
seemed to view my interference with the
utmost indifference. This ironical treat
ment infuriated me. Already several of
the men present were preparing to forci-
bly, eject me from the place at the insti-
cation of Norris.
In an instant my two hands held two
revolvers and | had ordered all hands
down.
At this instant Edith fell fainting in
one of the bystanders' arms and 1 re-
placed my pistols and walked out of the
place.
An hour afterward l learned that |
had murdered the woman Iloved. What
had been mistaken for a mere fainting
fit proved to have been paralysis of the
heart.
Sundry threats of vengeance reached
my ears, but as was callous to them,
suppose, nothing happened.
Three days afterwards, Edith was laid
away in the quiet burying ground of
Ladwells Landing.
The night following that day l did
what for the last few days l had not
done, owing to nervous excitement;
slept.
Perhaps an hour had elapsed when
commenced to dream. My sensations
were such as to defy description. / was
in some charnel house of the dead. Cof-
fins were ranged in grim order all around
me. Some strange instinct guided me to
one. l knelt beside it, when suddenly l
heard a cry answering to my own lament
alton. In an instant the thin deal shell
was severed by my ready knife and into
my arms, clad in the sad trappings of the
grave, fell my lost love, Edith
Awaking from this strange dream
looked around me. A feverish perspira-
tion stood upon my forehead. A strange
fancy excited my brain. Looking at my
o'clock. Dragging on my clothes me-
chanically, l went down stairs to Lad
wells room. The doctor was in and
busy smoking aud reading the paper.
He looked at me as | entered the room,
and then continued reading his paper.
CALDWELL" " said |, "did you ever au-
thenticate case of ante-mortem burial2"
81 can't say that have personally
but there have been plenty Of instances
recorded. | remember reading of one in
a medical journal a month or two ago.
The body of a young lady who had died
OIL forget what now-was taken up for
the purpose of re-interment in another
place. For some reason or other the
coffin was opened, and from abrasions on
the arms and the marks of finger nails on
the lid it was assumed that the unfor-
tunate girl had been buried alive, an
swered Ladwell.
then related my dream to Ladwell, but
he refused to believe it to be otherwise
than the result of disorganized physical
state, so reluctantly obeyed his iniunc-
tion to get to bed again as speedily as
possible.
Sleep had scarcely again sealed my eyes
before the same strange phantom re-
turned, and awoke more startled than
ever.
There must have been look of intense
alarm on my face as confronted Ladwell
the second time.
He was still busy with the paper, but
he turned from it to listen to me with a
conspicuous eagerness.
l had only to repeat the repetition of
my dream.
81 have been thinking since you left
me that Edith was at one time given to
fainting spells when she was younger"
said the doctor, thoughtfully.
~ feel an irresistible impulse govern
ing me, and | shall not rest until / am
satisfied that Edith Norris is really
dead, " | replied.
''But what do you propose to do2"
asked Ladwell.
81 shall go direct to her grave, exhume
her, and endeavor to restore animation
unless there are unmistakable proofs of
her death, " replied.
"lmpossible, impossible. You would
be lynched in an instant if discovered, and
probably should be implicated
caldwell, for Gods sake think what
an awful fate it would be for that angel
if my dream were true. Iappeal to you
to help me. I'll 60 through anything for
you if you do, ;" said.
/ knew Ladwell was soft hearted aud
would yield, so a few minutes later our
plans were laid.
"Remember, if we're caught our lives
aren't worth a fig, for nobody will be-
lieVe we are anything but pure and sim
pie body snatchers," " said Ladwell.
'I'll do as much for you if survive it,
Ladwell, " | said
A few moments later Ladwelps So
ciable went rattling up the street as if his
call were rather a serious one, and l no.
ticed that it was Just past midnight.
A few seconds later l emerged from
the office door and followed it stealthily
up the street, looking as | went to dis
cover if any one else was about.
The NIGHT was dark fortunately and