Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-05

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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.
He has been watching over her ever
since. madam" continued the old woman,
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 my 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 me. 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 Lam dying, Mark. walled
the melancholy tones, still so sweet amid
their feebleness. Call Edgar-do call
Edgar-let me see him once more before !
gol l cannot die happy unless l 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
to come to mel"
Without word. DR.. Somers arose and
flung wide open door opposite to that
by which had entered. aad which led to
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 ma from where
stood There were flowers everywhere:
and pictures. and books. and exquisite
trihes 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
eyes. and a faint color tinged her pale
face, as, half raising herself on her pill
lows. she fixed her eager gaze on point
near the foot of the bed There was no
one there-she 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 good 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 separation-after all
And think what it would have been for
ne had you died and left me alone in the
world should have gone mad with
grief. | think-but now-l go-to sleep
to dream of you-and when | wake you
viii be beside Edgar-my EdgarI"
She made gesture as if to stretch ont
her arms toward the invisible being to
whom she spoke--a spasm crossed her
features rush of blood came to her lips
and she fell back upon her pillows DR.
Somers bent over her, hearkened for a
second and then pressed lingering kiss
upon her brow
"All is over. Mrs. Graves" he said, as
be raised his head. Dora is with her
husband"
Before the doctor left Nice he paid mea
long visit, to thank me, as he said. for the
interest | had manifested in his sister
and also to explain to me the riddle of her
seemingly mysterious existence. The
brother and sister had been left orphans
at an early age, and each in possession of
a handsome fortune Some twenty years
before. Dora Somers then a very young
and sensitive and afectionate girl, had
been captivated by the snowy graces and
handsome person of Edgar Hamilton. an
adventurer and gambler of conspicuously
evil character She loved him passionately.
and became his wife In the teeth of the
opposition of all her relatives Immedi-
ately after the wedding the young couple
started on journey to Niagara Falls and
Canada broken rail hurled the train
on which they were travelling into wreck
and disaster Mr. Hamilton was instantly
killed, and his bride received sundry
severe injuries. chiefly on the head. She
was Ill for many weeks, and. on her re-
covery. It became evident that her reason
was irretrievably shaken. She was pos
sessed By the idea that her husband was
still living, and that he was constantly
with her She shaped ell her existence
by his imaginary requirements; and would
talk to him, and sing to him. and read
to him. precisely as though he were
really present. Her brother. with noble
self devotion. gave up his whole life to the
care Of this gentlest Of maniacs.
"And. thanks to my watchfui affection. |
Mrs. Graves. continued the doctor. ''she
led happy and peaceful life. Her Edgar
mot the scamp that she married. but the
bright creation Of her own loving fancy
was always with her. The resi- Edgar,
had be lived, would have rendered her !
fond. sensitive nature unspeakably |
wretched- She escaped all the sorrows of /
such union; and cannot but fancy that |
she and the visionary spouse that abe |
loved and tended for so many years are |
now united. where. beyond these voices,
here is peace Lucy q. Hooper in
Frank LesGe's.