The correct answer should be he is on a list of those killed in a railroad accident.
In the story, the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, hears that her husband is dead. Suddenly, she feels sad, because she loved him (from time to time), but once she collects herself, she realizes that she is finally free and can enjoy life again. However, it turns out that Mr. Mallard isn't in fact dead, and comes home, and once she sees him, she dies of a stroke.