Year: 1866




After ordering the coffin for the deceas-
ed-for at that time they were not kept Oh
hand to such an extent as they are now
and attending to my private affairs, / again
repaired to the Colebrook mansion.


1t was customary at the time of which l
write for two persons to perform the SER
vice for which I was engaged, though
watching was then rapidly going out of
fashion; but as my business was with the
tdead, was perfectly at home in the cham
Der OF death, and was even better salts
ned to be alone than with company. 1
had brought an interesting book from
home, and Mrs. Colebrook had provided
very interesting repast for me in the din
lng-roOm below, SO that | looked forward
to very comfortable night. Throwing
myself into the large rocking-chair, which
had been placed there for my use was
soon engaged in the entertaining pages of
my book. As often as the clock struck, /
arose and examined the corpse, moisten-
ing the face with alcohol, and wiped away
the purging at the mouth.


At eleven o'clock some one entered the
house and came up stairs. They were the
feet OF man, and heard him enter the
Parlor adjoining the room of DEATH
Thought seemed rather singular cir
cumstance that a man should enter the
house at that hour of the night, l thought
nothing more of it till I heard voices en-
gagged in earnest conversation. In few
minutes they grew louder and more dis
tinct, and L recognized the voice of DR..
Rowen. Perhaps Mrs. Colebrook was sick
and needed his assistance. But be spoke
not in the tones of his profession. The
other person spoke in whisper; but the
Doctor spoke in his natural voice and
seemed under no restraint.


The house was as still as the tomb, and
though | made no effort to hear what was
said, the expressions "wiIl," ''three wit
nesses, 'thirty days" and others of a
similar character, came distinctly to my
ears. They aroused my curiosity. Who
was this DR.. Rowen? Why was he there
at that unreasonable hourl


Well, it was none of my business, and
half dozen times l determined not to
concern myself about it. But it was in
vain that | tried to fasten my mind upon
the book again; it had lost the power to
interest me. glanced at the door which
opened into the room where the speakers
were. 1t would be mean to listen, and /
would not do it. 1t was the month of
May, and the weather was quite chilly
| had neglected to bring any extra cloth
ing with me, and began to feel uncom-
fortably cold. l rose and paced the room
several minutes. lr6


"aBoth wills" came to my hearing, in
the unguarded tones of DIR. Rowen.


81 paused and looked at the door. Ap-
parently the other person, who doubted
notvas Mrs. Golebrook was speaking, but l
could hear nothing. 1 threw myself into
the chair and began to shiyer with cold
again. On a table lay a clean MarseiIles
quilt which had been left there by ser
want, and in the absence of anything bet
ter than this, | unfolded it and threw it
over my shoulders. 1t completely envel-
oped nay body, and felt quite comforta-
bic again.


.Destroy the new will, said DR.. Rowen


dropped by book for this looked like
foul play. 1t occurred to me that Mr..
Colebrook's poor relations would have to
suffer for this midnight conference.
knew that he had an only sister, an inva-
lid, who was dependent upon his bounty
for subsistence, and my blood boiled with
Indignation asI Thought of what might
be the result of this interview


rose from my chair and went to the
door. That the end will justify the means
| do not think is sound logic, where poor
suffering, dependent woman was in danger
of being cast upon the tender mercies of
cold world. | was content to be blamed
for the meanness of eaves-dropping, if
thereby l could prevent so foul wrong.


Before | did it, could but recall the
reputed character of Mrs. Colebrook.-
Without believing much of the gossip that
had been circulated concerning her, l
could easily arrive at the conclusion that
she had been the bane of her husbands
happiness.


l had been personally acquainted with
him who now lay cold in death before me,
so that was not obliged to guess of the
facts in the case. My own observation,
though moved in an humber sphere than
hers, was sufficient to assure me that all
was not right l placed my ear at the
key-hole.


'When we are married."


nHusb." said Mrs. Colebrook.


They spoke in whispers then, and /
could distinguish nothing more. Need l
have heard morei


Woman-angel or devil


Was it she who had wept great tears in
my presence, who had treinbled in the ag-
ony of grief before me, now calmly plot
ting with her paramour, bargaining away
the affections which should have fingered
ike a weeping angel over the couch of
him who was not yet buried out of sight ?
Was it she who had groaned in bitterness
at her bereavement now scheming to rob
the widow and orphan of his bounty?


Oh, woman, false as fair! Yet she was
not woman; she was demon.


The clock struck twelve, and l turned
from my reflections to attend to the corpse.
The alcohol which had been provided to
wet the face was all used, and | needed
further supply. Taking the dish in my
hand, / went 10 the door with the inten-
ton of calling upon Mrs. Colebrook for it


First rapping on the door, so as not to
surprise them, 1 opened it and stepped in
to the room.


81 need little more alcohol, Mrs. Cole
brook, | began.


She rose from her chair, and with one
long, loud and most unearthly shrek, she
fell upon the floor


Dr. Rowen's knees smote each other,
and he shrank back to the furthest corner
of the room.


"Who are you 2" he gasped.


Of course Twas very much surprised at