y. He drew Pattmore into a private room and
told him all that he had heard and done. He expected that Pattmore would
thank him heartily for his friendly action; but, instead, Pattmore's
face turned very white, and he asked who it was that had spread the
rumors. The coroner said that the sheriff and several prominent citizens
had called upon him to investigate the rumors that were circulating at
the hotels and on the street. Pattmore became very much excited when he
heard this, and paced up and down in a nervous, irritable manner.

"Well," said Van Valkenburgh, "I will have the body exhumed to-morrow,
and when we have disproved the calumny, this scheme of your enemies will
do you more good than harm."

"Yes," said Pattmore; "but my love for my wife is far above all other
considerations. It is shocking to think that her body must be torn from
the grave to refute the vile slanders of my political opponents. I do
not know what course you usually pursue in such cases, but I would not,
for the world, have her remains exposed to the gaze of a cruel,
heartless crowd of strangers."

Mr. Pattmore's feelings quite overcame him, at the thought of such
desecration, and he wept.

"I'll take care of that," said the sympathizing coroner; "I will have
Dr. Forsythe make the examination, and his testimony will be sufficient
for the jury."

"Well, I shall be satisfied with any arrangements you may make," said
Pattmore. "I hope a good jury will be summoned; I do not wish my wife's
body to be examined by a lot of curiosity seekers."

"Your wishes shall be attended to," replied the coroner. "I know who are
your friends and I will summon no one else to sit on the jury."

"Van Valkenburgh," exclaimed Pattmore, seizing the coroner's hand, "I am
your friend for life!"

He then led the way to the bar-room and invited the coroner to drink.

Miller was standing in the bar-room as the coroner and Pattmore passed,
and noticing a haggard, pallid expression on the latter's face, he
stepped up and said:

"Why, what's the matter Pattmore? Has anything gone wrong with you?"

"No, Mr. Miller, nothing very serious. Some of my enemies have started
a story that I am responsible for my wife's death; but, of course, there
is not a word of truth in it. The coroner has taken the matter in
charge, and his verdict will soon set at rest these scandalous lies.
There is nothing too sacred for these political harpies and ghouls: they
literally have dragged