The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-10-16
She signed him to be silent and went Oh

1alDtiy.
"His-letters = are at Mrs. Sherman's-
on Schuyler avenue = together with -
abundance-of other-proof."
I'm three hours she shall be here, he
said, regaining his compOsure. II leave
you some strengthening wine. Medicine is
useless, 1t is wrong to deceive you with
false hopes. You may live a week and you
may Gle tonight. God forbid that you
should die before l return. Quiet yourself.
She sl,all return with me-"
He was gone.
An hour, two hours, three hours passed,
like as many lifetimes in the invalids
room, az she lay gazing at the slow-moving
hands of the clock Three hours passed.
Soon the quick ear of the dying woman
caught the sound of hoofs and soon the
crunching OF the gravel announced that a
carriage had stopped before the door.
moment later Miss Morse came into the
room, followed by Graeme and her father.
| Annie's eye caught the wan, emaciated
face and looked sympathy. The invalid
motioned them to be seated Graeme Of
fciously offered Annie a chair, but she
drew close to the bed.
"You have something to say to me?" she
said.
The sick woman gasped once or twice and
spoke with great effort:
"You-will not-be offended? You-you
will-be-be- calm?"
Indeed, yes"
II have not much-much breath. For.
give-forgive
Eyes, yes, poor soul! understand ]
forgive you any pain you may cause me-
Do not be afraid Speak out My father Ia
here"
Alice looked relieved. She rested few
moments, Their, motioning Annie to come
near, as Dr. Denver had done, she whis-
pered in her ear the same words that had
so startled him:
George Dascar has a wife in the insane
asylum at Bonesborough,"
When Annie fell back her father caught
her.
BE calm, daughter, and thank God for
what you have escaped. know it all. DR..
Denver has put the proofs in my hands. 1t
is enough proof to say that at hint from
me Me- Dascar has left town. To this
dying woman, however, neither the doctor
nor I could refuse the satisfaction OF
speaking the words that would sever you
from that
yet It is 50 sudden. must think. Please
take me home"
Her face wore IN unnatural pallor as she
left the apartment
How did you get possession of those
papers?" asked Arthur Denver of the aicl
woman when he called later in the evening
Mrs Dascar, after she had been cruelty
deserted, was my best friend We liveG
like sisters until his persecution drove hel
crazy. 1 took possession of all her papers
when they took her away to the mad
house?"
Eat the place got the papers they tolt
me you had left there some time ago ant
had taken another boarding-place. Die
you come from there here2"
mo; 1 went from thereto the-to-
the"
Dr. Denver bent low to catch the word
to solve the mystery of the woman's pres
enco at Graeme's, for the old man gave
new story every time he was asked how
the woman came beneath his roof.
"Take little wine,' he said. she dranl
and, resting moment, said:
''To the--to the-new departmental tn,
in the Marine Hospital"
Dr. Arthur's face was ashen when he pu
the next question
Are you the nurse who was employed
there and had brain fever? You ere no
Alice--Alice Cranston?"
The answer solved more mysteries thar
one in Arthur's mind.
Il ann
spasm passed over the sick ones face
the arms were thrown wildly up, and sanl
slowly down, the head fell back, the eye
grew fixed and CLASSY, the chin dropped
leaving the mouth partly open. DR.. Den
yer touched the woman's lips with the tip
of his fingers and said quietly: This tim,
she is dead" Pos1FREr JOY