The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-17
nv the tears Mrs. Hamilton had shed over

her husbands miniature, and Dy his re-
fusal TO come down stairs while ! was In
the house
The month Of March had passed away.
and the Riviera was flashing forth into oil
the brightness Of early spring. when. one
day. on my way home from an afternoon
reception. | CHANGED to pass the Villa Wit
tOria and was surprised to observe that
the usually tranquil and solitary home
was the center of n universal connection.
Servants were hurrying to and fro. groups
of people hung about the lodge gate. talk
ing and gesticulating, and within the sun
lit windows Of the distant villa might be
observed stir and confusion altogether
foreign to the usual customs Of the house
sent my servant to inquire the cause OF
the excitement and the lodgekeeper's
aged wife came hurrying out herself to
impart her tidings. They were both tragic
and distressing Mrs. Hamilton had gone
out for an early drive to Montboron. Her
horses had taken fright whilst descending
the mountain, had run away and had
overturned the carriage. The unfortu
nate lady was thrown out, and was in
jured so terribly that her life was de
SPARED of DR.. Somers, who had accom-
panied her, had escaped with some slight
bruises, and had been able to superintend
the removal Of his sister to her home.
ale has been watching over her ever
since. madam. continued the old woman,
and he sent far and near for the best
doctors in Nice but they did not stay long
when they came and am afraid the poor
lady is dying"
Acting on my first impulse, sprang
from nav carriage and fastened to the
villa. The sound of voices guided me to
the room of the sufferer. paused on the
threshold of the open door, but DR.
Somers, who was seated by his sisters
bed, looked up and saw NE, and signed to
me, without speaking, to enter Mrs
Hamilton did not notice me, and do not
think she was even aware of my presence
Her fair face was uninjured, but the pale
shadow of approaching death rested upon
her features and dimmed the luster Of her
beautiful eyes. She was pleading with
her brother as arrived, and she went on
with her piteous prayer as approached
the bed
Il know that am dying, Mark, walled
the melancholy tones, still so sweet amid
their feeblcness. Cali Edgar-do call
Edgar-let me see him once more before !
go | cannot die happy unless look
again on his dear face. 1t cannot hurt
him more than the news Of my death will
DO Oh. Mark-dear Mark do tell Edgar
10 come TO me-
Without word, DR.. Somers arose and
flung wide open door opposite to that
by which had entered, and which led 10
an inner room. all inundated with the
golden glory Of the April sunset. The
whole interior Of the apartment thus dis
closed was visible TO me from where !
stood. There were flowers everywhere;
and pictures. and books and exquisite
TRIES Of all kinds, were visible on every
side; but there was no human being to be
seen within.
With the opening Of the door sudden
change passed over the features of the dy-
ing woman. The light returned to her
ewes. and a faint color tinged her pale
face as, half raising herself on her pill
lows. she fixed her eager gaze on point
uear the foot of the bed. There was no
one there-shc spoke to empty space-but
never shall forget the pathetic tones OF
her voice. the loving tenderness Of her
fixed, dilated eyes.
Il knew YOU would come TO me, Edgar,
she PAINTED 1t Is hard TO say g0od-by--
we have loved each other SO fOndly, and
YOU will miss me sadly. dear husband
But do not mourn for met will not
seem long-our sepaTation-after all.
And think what it would have been for
me had you died and left me alone in the
world 1 should have gone mad with
grief, think-but now-l go-to sleep
to dream of you-and when | wake you
will be beside Edgar-my Edgar
She made a gesture as if 10 stretch out
her arms toward the invisible being to
whom she spoke-a spasm crossed her
FEATURES, u rush 81 bibpN 'iilS W ~ ''l'f
and she fell back upon her pillows DR.
Somcrs bent over her. hearkened ior d
second and then pressed lingering Kiss
upon her brow.
"All is over, Mrs Graves. lie said, as
he raised his head Dora is with her
husband.
Before the doctor left Nice he paid lac Il
long visit. to thank me, as he said, for the
interest | had manifested In his sister,
ana also to explain to ne the riddle OF her
seemingly mysterious existence The
brother and sister had been left orphans
at an early age and each in possession OF
q handsome fortune Some twenty years
before. Dora 5omers. then a very young
and sensitive and alIectionate girl. lad
been captivated b. INC snowy graces and
handsome person OF Edgar Hamilton. an
adventurcr and gambler Of conspicuously
evil character She loved him passiouately,
and became his wife in the teeth Of the
.opposition Of al her relatives. lmmeii-
atelv after tie wedding the young couple
started on journey to Niagara Falls and
.l11 q spat in