Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-08
SONG OF Winds
REVEALS HIS PAST
HUSBAND AND WIFE REUNITED
BY SOFT, SWEET
MELODY.
AWAY FROM HOME SIX MONTHS
Victim of Lost Memory Restored to
Normal State by Devoted
Spouse's Piano Music.

Worcester, Mass.-Music waited
/ back 10 the empty halls of the lost
! memory of Charles Futzhugh Nc
Reign, Boston composer. the love OF
devoted wife. deserted home and
anxious friends the other night. Mem
oryless McReigh had been wandering
about the country for months.
McReigh mysteriously disappeared
from his home over six months ago.
He returned the night of his disap-
appearance from musical gathering
with his wife and party of friends.
shortly after midnight. The follow
ing morning he failed TO come down
10 breakfast.
For several weeks the family had
no word of his whereabouts After a
while Mrs. McReigh heard that n
man answering to her husbands de
scription had come under the observa-
ton Of the police of several New Eng
land cities.
Detectives were appealed to and in
the course of month traced the miss
ing man 10 Norwalk. Conn, and dis.
covered that while he appeared to be
In perfect health, his mind was blank
as 10 his whole previous existence.
Nothing could be done to arouse him
to his past personality.
The wife and family physicians
were summoned, but McReigh could
not be made to recollect himself Spe-
cialists were consulted at the time
and il was their judgment that he
would never recover his mental bal
ance. They suggested only one chance
If an idea, something that had been
absorbing part of his life. could be
brought suddenly to his mind, the re-
action might accomplish that for
which they hoped.
McReigh came TO Worcester three
weeks ago and registered at the larg.
est hotel Each night he would sit in
the mezzanine balcony intently watch.
ing the piano player, who was a fair
young woman with beautiful blonde
hair. He sat there continuously and
silently, always with a set look OF
wonderment as the music was unfold
ed under the def touch OF the little
player.
The night McReigh recovered his
reason was witnessed by several 9TH
ers who were sitting by him listening
to the music, The little pianist was
playing as usual mostly soft, low mu-
sic that was soothing and restful, I'M
til she came to the last selection,
1.-THE Song Of the Winds" As she
came to the final measure, with the !
crash of falling trees and overturned |
homes, McReigh arose from his chair
and staggered toward the piano. and
in an instant the little player and Nc
Reign were locked in arms tight EN-
brace.
There were just two words spoken
Tom" and Frances" Then the
collapsed and McReieh had to
be carried away, his face an ashy
color Both were cared for by the
house doctor.
1t afterward developed that the lit
lie pianist was Mrs. McReigh Act.
ing on the advice of specialists, she
had followed her memoryless
husband from city to city. Being
people of wealth she was able to go at
any length to accomplish her purpose.
McReigh was supplied with funds
through the management of the diff
fcrent hotels at which he registered,
without his knowledge, and the wife
to pose as a musician in
leed Of employment in order that she
could be able to play in the presence
IF her husband. THE Song of the
Winds" was McReigh's best known
lnd favorite composition. McReigh
was under the watchful eye OF his
wife from the time of his discovery
n Norwalk.
McReigh's memory was perfectly
normal the following day and man and
Wife returned to their home in Boston
With plans for second honeymoon
through the west to celebrate the glad
occasion. :