Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-03-27

He kissed hts ,ctfe tenderly, and she clun0
10 him, sobbiHg.
night And bis wife hopeless In
valid and the oldest child only 4 years
old. Mary said?'
He was surprised as he drew near
the house 10 see group OF men stand
ing there outside and talking together
earnestly. AS Mr.. Hardy came up they
stood aside to let him pass, but were
barely civil.
well. Stevens" Mr. Hardy Inquired
Of one Of the men. recognizing him as
one Of the employees In the casting
room. how is Scoville this morning|
"Deadr'
Mr.. Hardy reeled as II struck In the
breast with a heavy blow.
Dead. did yon sayY'
He died about an hour ago." said
one OF the other men. "The surgeon
was late In getting around. and after
the amputatlon 1t was ascertalned that
Scoville had received severe internal
injuries"
"Was he consclousY' Mr. Hardy ask
ed the question mechanically. but all
the while his mind was In a whirl of
remorse.
"Yes; up to the last moment"
Mr.. Hardy went up to the door and
Knocked. A woman, one OF the neigh.
bors, opened II and he went In. The
sight stunned him. The dead man had
been removed to rear room. but his
wife lay upon the very same ragged
lounge Mr.. Hardy had seen In his
dream. The surgeon was bending over
her. The room was full Of neighbors.
The surgeon suddenly arose and,
turning about spoke in quiet but de-
eided tone:
Now, then. good people. just go
home. will you. for awhile! And sup
pose some Of you take these children
along with you. You can't do anything
more now and your presence disturbs
the woman! All. Mr.. Hardy! he ex-
claimed. seeing the manager. You
here? This Is a sad business. Come,
now, ladies, | must ask you to retire"
Everybody went out except the sur
geon, the poor woman's sister and Mr.
Hardy. He drew the surgeon over to
the window and inquired concerning
the particulars. Mr.. Hardy had receiv-
ed a shock at the very first. and he
trembled violently.
SWell, you see." explained the sur
geou. "Scoyille was a dead man from
the minute Of the accident Nothing
could have saved him. When the acci-
dent happened. / was down at Bayville
attending the men who were injured In
the wreck last Saturday. l telegraphed
that would come at once. But there
was a delay on the road. and did not
| get here until 3 o'clock In the morning.
Meanwhile everything had been done
that was possible. But nothing could
save the poor fellow. This shock Will
kill bis wife. doubt II she lives
through the day."
what will be done with the chill
drenT Mr.. Hardy asked the question
mechanically. again feeling the need OF
time to think out what was best to be
done. The surgeon shrugged his shoul-
ders. He was accustomed 10 scenes OF
suffering and distress continually.
orphans home. ] suppose" he re-
piled laconically.
| A movement and a moan from the
woman called him to her side, and Mr..
Hardy, left alone, he thought mo-
ment, then stepped over to the surgeon
and asked him II be could go into the
other room and see the dead man. The
surgeon nodded a surprised assent, and
Mr.. Hardy stepped into the rear room
and closed the door. He drew back the
sheet from the face Of the man and
looked down upon II. Nothing In all
his experience had ever moved him &c