Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-12-14

seeing an elderly gentleman i'll the
garden, entered and made inquiry.
The gentleman proved to be the
clergyman, and replied kindly to his
questions.
Marion Auchester is not a common
name" lie said "a lady thus called
resided here for more than year. It
is not long since was called to per
form her funeral rites. She died sud
denly, and, according to her desire,
was buried privately at midnight.
Yonder is her grave"
Dead! !" gasped Charles Auchester,
and turned away. He had killed her,
then. He should never ask her for
giveness or receive it. His brain was
on fire He knew not what he did or
whittier he went. lie staggered along
the road like a drunken man, repeating
that awful word, Dead dead p
AT last he fell senscless to the earth,
and good Christians lifted him from
the road and carried him to a tavern
hard by, where they deposited him
upon bench i'll the public room.
The landlord was not at first inclined
to approve of this action, but having
examined the strangers clothes, his
well filled pocketbook and his port
manteau, decided that he was able to
pay his way, locked up his valuabes
and prepared the best room in the
house for his accommodation. The
doctor was sent for, and shortly mes
senger was dispatched for Sister Mill
cent, who came at once.
ut is a gentleman of means, ma
dame" said the landlord, land very
handsome man. He's quite out of his
mind and in a high fever, but I've
found out his name from marks on his
things and letters in his pocket He
is Mr.. Charles Auchester. The do
mimic says he asked him some ques
tons about some one-he didn't say
who it was-and seemed to go out of
his head when he heard the person
was dead"
Sister Millicent uttered a cry and
sunk into chair. She was trembling
from head to foot.
Are you ILL., What can | do for
you, madame2" cried the landlord,
but by sign she forbade him to APP
proach her
81 was faint; it is over" she cried.
But | am not sure that | am able to
nurse this Mr.. Auchester" She arose
and went toward the door. There she
paused.
''Is he very ill2" she asked.
ain danger, the doctor said," replied
the landlord. HE doesn't know any
thing, but if you are not able, don't
risk your health, madame; surely you
do enough; this man is not poor"
Sister Millicent paused moment,
rested her head against the doorway,
and seemed to deliberate. Then she
said:
81 will go to him." and followed the
landlord to the strangers room, which
she never left for many weeks.
For days he raved of Marion; de
clared himself her murderer; prayed
to die. Then he lay motionless and
senseless. One day, however he came
to himself and looked upon a nun like
figure at his bedside with some curl
osity.
"Who are you2" he asked, family.
Il am Sister Millicent, " the woman
answered 81 have been nursing you.
You are better, | know"
II wish l was Dead" the man an
swered.
Sister Millicent put a soft hand upon
his forehead.
you are young; you seem to be
prosperous" she said. "Why do you
wish to diea"
81 have killed my wife" ne an
swered.
"You only fancy that" Sister Mill
cent said gently.
No" he replied, 81 did not deal her
any blow, l did not poison her, but |
killed her all the same"
He hid his face in the pillow for
awhile, and then he said:
There are crueler things than
blows"
"Heaven knows there are" the wo-
man answered.
Suddenly Charles Auchester caught
her by the wrist
"Who are youW he cried
CAS- / told you, l am Sister Mill
cent, " she replied
"You have Marion's voice, he said
She turned from him and left the
room.
Later the landlord entered.
Sister Millicent says you are bet
ter" said he That any one can
nurse you now. She has gone home. y"
"Who is Sister Millicent2" asked
Charles Auchester.
can angel of a lady who devotes
herself to Others" said the landlord,
For thirty odd years she has given
time, money and strength TO all the
world. She is rich, they say. She
must be, she gives so much to the
poor. 1t is wonderful"
why does she hide her face9"
asked the sick man.
None of us know exactly" said
the landlord. "She has always done
that. 1t is disfgured, they say. Per
haps it is; but she has lovely soul"
''And she has been here for thirty
years2" asked Auchester
"Five-and thirty is nearer the
mark" said the landlord II was
10 years old when first saw her and
took her for a ghost, and am five
and-forty now"
Il wish could have thanked her, !"
said Auchester.
'She does not even require that, re
piled the landlord. "She is the best wo-
man alive"
A neat old lady now took the place
of the lady in the mask, and Charles
Auchester recovered rapidly.
When he was quite well he called
upon the clergyman and questioned
him more closely. He learned that it
was with Sister Millicent that his wife
had lived, and that no one, save the
physician, had seen her after her
death, which was ascribed to some lung
difficulty.
To Sister Millicent he must then go,
if he desired to learn more of his wife's
last hours, and to the old stone cottage
he repaired one day.
His rap upon the door caused the
masked lady to appear; but when she
saw who stood without she gave him
no welcome.
May come in9" he asked Il wish
to speak with you"
"On what subjecta" asked Sister