The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-09-18
AS FROM THE DEAD.
A Late Millionaire Tries to Cir
cumvent His Widow.

Scene-Retired corner in the reading
room of an aIistocratic uptown club
Two elegantly dressed gentlemen are
discussing wines, cigars and other local
topics.
Mr.. Charley Knickerbocl1er Ia rising
young lawyer)-Whcre do you keep
yourself after dark, nowadays? never
see you at the theaters or in the club
rooms.
Mr.. Frank Courtland "a society mani
between ourselves, in the strictest
confidence. devote five evenings of the
week in calling on Il lady whom hope
to lead to the altar one OF these fine
days.
Charley with the air of a man who
has been there many time)-You don /
tell me so? Amt you rather OVERRIDING
the counting business? Now, | am pay
ing addresses to Miss Bondclipper, and
being in society, | understand what $
in good form. but it never occurs to me
to call more than twice a week. l
really think that's as often as she cares
to see me.
Frank earnestly - That's often
enough when You are cOurting a young
girl, but the object of my aspirations
is a widow. When it comes to court
ing a widow, like advertising. you can't
overdo it. l know what | am doing.
Charley-So she is n widow? If il
is not leading question i should like
to ask what is the name of the discon-
solate female whose bereavement you
are trying to mitigate.
Frank-The lady in the case is Mrs.
Van Slyck, on Fifth avenue.
Charley VERY much surprised)-I
don't wonder at the frequency of your
visits. Old Van Slyck must have left
her over half million She is n charm
ing lady, and deserves good husband
after all she went through with that
old craven image. ] always heard she
was badgered into marrying him by
her mother, who was after his money.
Frank-Were you acquainted with
my late predecessor-that is, if the
widow does not change her mind?
Charlie-I knew him only by sight,
but my old chum, Tommy Vanderclaim,
knew the family very well, and he told
me all about their married life. Old
Van Slyck was more than double his
wife's age. and as ugly as crazy quilt
He had a falsetto voice and a false set
of teeth, no hair on his head and was
bow legged besides. He was insanelv
and absurdly jealous of his handsome
young wife, and made her miserable.
During the last few months of his
wretched life he became morbid and
morose, shut himself mp in his study
and refused to allow anybody except
his English valet, Thomas, to come
near him. II his widow was glad when
he died and wants to marry again no.
body can blame her. Has the happy
day been fixed?
Frank with deep sigh No, it has
not, and that is what worries me.
Carrie loves me dearly and has consent
ed to become my wife, but " henever 1
ask her 10 fix the date she hedges fsr
some mysterious reason that / cannot
quite comprehend. She seems to have
some secret trouble on her mind
Charlie-Haven't you got any idea
what il is?
Frank have a vague idea that she
is superstitious and that she imagines
that her late husband visits the prem
ises. He threatened to haunt the house
if she ever married again. Do you be-
heve in spirits?
Charlie (sipping his wine)-Yes, if
they are old and of the right brand;
but, putting jesting aside, the fact that
ghosts never show themselves except
by dim light and only to one person
at a time completely gives them away.
What shape does old Van Slyck take?
Prank can't lind out Carrie
that is, Mrs. Van Slyck-does not care
to talk much about it All / know is
that the dread of being haunted by old
Van Slyck's ghost prevents her fixing
the date for our marriage Perhaps
she is preparing to fire me out of her
affections.
Charlie-I don't think you need en-
tertain any apprehensions. She is
probably enjoying the sport of playing
her fish before she lands him. Some
day she will rope You in as the widow
Chadizah did Mohammed The victim
may struggle against fate, but all at
once he sinks into the matrimonial sea
with bubbling yroan and all is over
Frank (fervcaC.y)-I hope so.
Charlie-lf l were in your place I'd
investigate any spiritualistic mani
festations that materialize Some rival
of yours may be putting up little
game on you. Put Inspector Byrnes
on his track. Well, | have an engage
ment exit Mr.. Charles Knicker-
bocker.)
Scene II Gnterior of the parlor of
the Van Slyck mansion)-Mr. Frank
Courtland and Mrs. Van Slyck are seen
in earnest conversation.
Frank (despairinglyl-Win you not
tell me, Carrie, why you treat me SO
cruelty? Why did you encourage me
as you have done, when now you tell
me we must part forever?
Carrie ttearfully but firTnly)-I can
not marry you, Mr.. Courtland. A voice
from the tomb forbids IT.
FranlI-A voice, did you say?
Carrie-Not precisely voice, but a
letter. ] receive letters continually
from my late husband