The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1891-09-11

fart. his heAlth gives me much uneasi-
ness. and requires constant watchfalness
and attention Fortunately, my brother
Is physician. and he resides with
Us. and travels with us. and takes
every possible care Of Mr.. Hamilton. OF
course, | assist him as much as pos
sible. but Edgar's condition is 50 very pre-
carious and causes me so much anxiety,
that should never know moment $
peace Ii did not have a medical adviser
constantly al hand We never go into
ssriety ami receive few visits. for am
not very s;, z myself, and my husband
needs I'D ti'~e and attention | can
devote to him lie seldom comes down
stairs, hnt | wish be would do so this
evening. for should like to introduce
him to you Perhaps he has decided 70
dine with Us this evening, and then that
would by very pleasant.
She called to servant, who had come
to remove the tray; Jules. 60 upstairs
and see If Mr. Hamilton will be able to
come down this evening.
The servant, an elderly, grave looking
man. vanished, and speedily returned
with the message that Dr.. Somers did
not consider it prudent for Mr.. Hamilton
to leave his room
"Ah. well, said Mrs Hamilton. with a
smile. iii would not do for him to be i'm
prudent But | should have been so
pleased to present Edgar to ycu-he is 50
handsome and SO intelligent, and such a
brilliant conversationalist, However,
here is his picture, and you can judge
I from that how very good looking he is
+ apart from my conjugnl preiudices, she
added. with blush IS swift and vivid as
though she were newly betrothed
| maiden instead Of wife Of many years
4 standing
\ The picture that she put into my hand
/ was d beautiful photograph on ivory, col
ured and finished as a miniature. 1t re-
presented singularly fine looking man,
I with blue eyes and blonde hair and mus
tache, but the eyes had sinister CLEAN
in their depths. and the full. red lips were
sensual and coarse in outline and in ex-
precision. Moreover, the face was that Of
a much younger man than | had expected
to see. Mrs Hamilton. charming as she
was. was evidently not far from 40 years
Of age, and the photograph Of her hns-
band was certainly that of man under
/ 30- There was no trace Of III health Wis
lble in the high col0red handsome face OF
4 the picture; SO, after inspecting it for
some moments, ! asked: Is this re
Gently taken likeness, Mrs Hamilton! It
does not look like the portrait Of any one
who had ever been i'll
No; that is true She took the pho
tograph from my hand and seemed
troubled, and also, to my astonishmeut, q
j little bewildered. .sIt was taken before
we were married twenty years ago. He
has never had any other photograph
taken since, ind he viii not sit to an
artist, cannot tell why, for TO me he Is
always the same Edgar my EDGAR
I And She pressed the picture to her Lips
II the tears streaming down her cheeks as
she did SO
II was infinitely amazed at her emotion
which seemed to me so needless. and
was distressed ct having unwittingll
caused it. especially as ! had not TIM
faintest idea Of how to proceed in order II
s1athe her. Just then. to my infinite re
lief. the door opened and Dr.. somers en-
tered. Taking the miniature from Mrs
Hamiltonts hand. he said to her grayely
MY dear Dora, yoE are very foolish Il
let yourself become nervous and hyster
ieal. You will be unable to sing to Edgal
This evening if you do not cease sobbint
and try to recover your voice.
III was very foolish Of me, Marx, " re
piled Mrs, Hamilton, smiling up at hin
through her tears, and Mrs. Grave.
must consider me very absurd person
but you know whenever think of poo
Edgars precarious health am apt t
break down utterly Are you sure he i
no worse than usual this evening""
Not q particle rather better, in fact
but You can come and see for yourself
, presently. Mrs Graves will excuse yol
for q few moments, ] am sure"
Just at that moment my carriage wa
{ announced, and gladly svailed myself Q
that excuse for taking leave at once, re
] sisting all the hospitable entreaties o
Mrs. Hamilton that would stay an
! dine, If not remain all night; for ! coul
} not but feel that ! was in the way, as in
} deed any guest. it seemed to me, woul
t have been under the roof that Shelters
! 30 beloved and all absorbing an invalid a
j sir. Hamilton evidently was.
: ] called q few days later to retur
. thanks to my kind hostess for her hosp
. table care. and also to restore to her th
| numerous wraps and rugs in which sh
: had insisted on enyeloping me for m
! homeward drive. / did not see Mn
r Hamilton. however. DR.. SOmers receive
/ mo IN her stead and excused his sister d