Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-04-04
CONDEMNED BY THE DEAD.
A WOman'S FaithleSSneSS Betrayed By
Her Second Sight.

Certainly she was very pretty-prett.
in spite of her travel-stained garments
her extreme pallor and the dark ring
round her lovely eyes; yet there wa
something eerie in her expression
something inexplicably sad, since
knew of nothing in the circumstance
of her life that was grief inspiring
or that could in any way account
for the distressful, half-frightened
look that was perceptible for a mo
ment, then Immediately disappeared
as with outstretched hand and smiling
lips she warmly greeted Georges
friend"
1t was the first time we had met
George Anstruther's friend; she, his
wife; for though it was now nearly six
years since he had married the penni-
less daughter of a brother officer in his
own regiment of Punjab Cavalry, and
we had been almost inseparable before,
chance had afterward kept us apart. l
was in the civil service and had only
lately been promoted to deputy COM
missioner, which fact, 1 verify believe,
Though cause for self-congratulation,
as 1 had been hoisted over the heads of
several seniors), sank into comparative
insignifcance when 1 discovered that
the move attendant on my change of
position would bring me into the near
neighborhood of my old companion.
Directly L was settled down in my
new quarters l organized shooting
party and wrote to George to join us and
bring his wife and little daughter, to
whom was godfather. 1t was great
disappointment when the CHEEKY letter
of acceptance that came by return mail
was incontinently cancelled bya telegram
regretting that the sudden illness of
some one they knew very well would
prevent their visit. The illness turned
out to be typhoid, and seemed to me to
drag out its slow length to most unrea-
sonable proportions, for again and
again L wrote, and each time was met
with the reply that it was still impossi-
BILE to leave; that though the crisis was
supposed to be past, their patient was
still unaccountably weak; and so much
depended on good nursing. Perhaps L
was selfish in my desire to see ''Old
George" again, and too importunate in
my entreaties, for the last rather irrita-
BILE letter 1 dispatched had elected a
wire to the effect that they would arrive
the following day; and now here they
were in my large, roOmy tent, George
warming his hands at the stove and rat
tling on in his wonted happy, light
hearted style, while little Beryl, his four
year-old daughter, danced about in
childish delight at her new surroundings
After the first responsive warmth at
my welcome had faded from her face, l
was struck anew by the intense depress-
ion noticeable in Mrs. AnStruther's
even her attitude. She had
sunk into low camp chair, and her
hands, from which she had drawn her
gloves, lay white and ringless on the
ground at either side of her, while now
and again her heavy eyelids dropped, not
from fatigue, more as though
to shut out some painful sight; and the
dark lashes that momentarily swept her
cheeks seemed to accentuate their pallor.
1 could not help drawing attention to
her state by offering her glass of wine,
which she hurriedly refused, directing a
nervous glance at her husband as she
spoke. He laid mis- hand kindly on her
shoulder.
"Pcor Nora is completely worn out.
She has been indefatigable in nursing
and really deserves much credit for pull
ing him through. The doctors thought
there was no hope for him at first"
"He is not out of danger yet" she
said, in low and thrilling voice.
1t somehow flashed into my mind how
sweet such voice would
sound in the ears of any one who loved
the speaker, how precious it might be-
come-aye, perilously so.
Undoubtedly George Anstruther had
shown good taste in his choice; she was
a woman whom all must find attractive,
but she evidently made no attempt to
charm. She had that helpless, appeal
ing way with her that men find very |
difficult to resist; her movements were |
so graceful, her manner so gentle and |
winning; while l could well imagine |
that in sick room she would be just |
perfect, not doing less than necessary |
for the patients comfort, not more.
And, as l said, she was very pretty. |
Never had l seen such lovely eyes, dark
and blue, the color of violet growing
in the shade; and if her features did not /
reach the highest standard few would
have had the brutality to assert SO much.
Certainly not l. With all my heart !
granted her graces of face and form; |
every fascination she
possessed; and yet
Involuntarily sighed as l brought |
back my attention to what George was
saying;
"The very best fellow in the world
barring you. You need not be afraid,
I'D chap; your place is not going to be
But Laurence Dane is such a
good sort-you'd like him yourself,
know, and hope you'll meet him some
lay. He's one or those all round good
fellows, who play cricket, polo and rack .