"Lord! teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts

unto wisdom. Oh, spare ME, that I may recover strength, ere I go

hence and be no more!

"In the name of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST--dust to dust, and

ashes to ashes! Amen!"

"By the way, Mr. Aylett, the poor wretch up-stairs should be buried

at the expense of the county," remarked the coroner, before taking

leave of Ridgeley and the egg-nogg bowl. "I will take the poor-house

on my way home, and tell the overseer to send a coffin and a cart

over in the morning. You don't care to have the corpse in the house

longer than necessary, I take it? The sooner he is in the Potter's

Field, the more agreeable for you and everybody else."

Mr. Aylett pointed through the back window at the winding path

across the fields.

A short line of black dots was seen coming along it, in the

direction of the house. As they neared it they were discovered to be

men, each with a hoe or shovel upon his shoulder.

"The deed is done!" said the master, smiling. "My good fellows there

have spared the county the expense, and the overseer the trouble of

this little matter. As for the Potter's Field, a place in my

servants' burying-ground is quite as respectable, and more

convenient in this weather."

The jurors were grouped about the fire in the baronial hall,

buttoning up overcoats and splatterdashes, and drawing on their

riding-gloves, all having come on horseback. In the midst of the

general bepraisement of their host's gentlemanly and liberal

conduct, Mrs. Aylett swam down the staircase, resplendent in silver-

gray satin, pearl necklace and bracelets, orange flowers and

camelias in her hair--semi-bridal attire, that became her as nothing

else ever had done.

"My dear madam," said the foreman of the inquest--a courtly

disciple of the old school of manner, and phraseology--as the august

body of freeholders parted to either side to leave her a passage-way

to the fireplace--"your husband is a happy man, and his wife should

be a happy woman in having won the affection of such a model of

chivalry"--stating succinctly the late proof the "model" had offered

to an admiring world of his chivalric principles.

The delicate hand stole to its resting-place upon her lord's arm, as

the lady answered, her ingenuous eyes suffused with the emotion that

gave but the more sweetness to her smile.

"I AM a happy woman, Mr. Nelson! I think there is not a prouder or

more blessed wife in all the land than I am this evening."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024