Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-12-10
MRS. MAYO'S SECOND.

Mrs Mayo's first husband was
stretched upon his dying bed.
The doctor had told him SO kindly
but frankly, and advised him to
make his will.
He lay thinking how he should di-
vide his small fortune between his
wife and their two pretty children,
when suddenly it occurred to him
that his young wife might marry
again, might have a second husband.
He gasped, and looked at her sit
ting close by the bed, her fair face
worn with watching and grief, the
tender tears in her dark blue eyes.
The blood that had been coursing 80
sluggishly through his veins sudden
ly bounded forward in a burning
tide.
He had realized more forcibly than
ever before the noble beauty of his
wife. He had carried her off seven
years before from score of lovers,
and she was still young, still charm
ing. History might repeat itself.
You would not have thought that
a dying man could feel jealous, and
yet o pang Of cruel envy tore Hunter
Mayos heart.
Elinor's small, white hand--the
one that wore his wedding ring
was nestled in his own. He pressed
it feebly.
Darling, you have been a coed
wife to me-" he murmured, and her
soft eyes beamed through her tears.
''Oh, Hunter, I've tried to be. Tn
glad you realize it at last" she
sighed, in a plaintive tone.
He continued tenderly:
"You have been so faithful-you
have never refused any wish of
mine. And now, Elinor, have one
dying request to make"
His glance was SO eager, his tone
so pleading that she gazed into his
thin, worn face in surprise.
81 know you will grant me your
promise, dear heart, for it is only
this, when am dead, that you will
always be true to my memory--that
you will never marry again!'
A little startled cry came from Eli
nor's lips, the color rushed into her
checks, her eyes turned on him with
a gentle reproach that touched his
heart.
'Have J. grieved you, my dear, by
even limiting at second marriages
Forgive me. / know you can never
forget me, but l can die easier with
your promise. Oh, my Elinor, can
not bear that any other man should
possess you, ever have the chance to
i'll treat my darling, whom have so
fondly cherishedl"
His voice was quite strong and i'm
passioned for a dying man, and his
large, gray eyes searched her face
eagerly. Was it fancy, or did her
lip curl, ever so slightly at his last
words2
He repeated anXiously:
II cannot die in peace without
your promise never to marry again !"
Why did those burning tears
sparkle out upon her pale cheeks be-
meath the dropping lashesa She
murmured plaintively:
"Oh, Hunter, you are cruell"
"Cruel, Elinorl Do you mean that
that you will refuse2"
And the most cruel blow his ego
tism had ever received came with
her faltering answer:
Forgive me, dear, but I cannot
promise" :"
The shock was SO great that he
closed his eyes and gasped feebly,
believing that his last hour was at
hand. In a moment Elinor was on
her knees at his side, bathing his
face with her warm tears.
"Oh, Hunter, do not die. lovs
you; love your
The blood leaped quickly through
his veins again. His eyes Enclosed
languidly.
Then you will promise met" he
pleaded.
'Oh, Hunter, cannot, must not |!
How can you wish me to blight my
whole futurea"
"And you really wish, then, to
have a second husband2"
The dying mans voice was strong
with scorn of her Inconsistency.
"I-I-perhapsso SO, Hunter, but only
after long, long time" and Elinor