The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-09-03

ever, and uttered a falsehood instead
Nothing of consequence, Carrie
A pair OF gloves and some otheI
trifiing notions"
II am glad it was no worse, Fred
Now, if yon will wait just a moment
l will get you one OF fathers coats tC
wear hOme.D
Thus equipped left her.
You may guess that my slumbers
on that night were not very sound
nor very refreshing. never passed 8
more miserable night, and in the
morning my haggsrd looks were the
lust subject Of remark.
"Why, Fred, you look IS though
you bad met legion of ghosts last
night ~ said Winston. "What is the
matter with you ?D
II had bad night of it," 1 an.
swered with a sickly smile.
"And you'll have another il you're
not careful You had better keep quiet
to-day. By-the.way, did you write
10 Anderson ~
/ do not know how / managed to
reply, for the question set me to shiv-
ering from head to foot, and 1 was so
frightened that I could hardly sit up
in my chair.
/ must have answered in the aflir-
native, however, for he said:
"Then we may look for something
from him tomorrow or next day.
Immediately after he added:
"Why, Fred. you shiver as though
you had the ague, and you are sweat
ing like butcherI You're sick, man.
Come, jump into my cutter and I'll
take you home"
/ was glad of the chance to get off
and reaching my room L locked my
self in.
Winston sent a doctor round, but I
refused to see him. Then Winston
came himself, but would not open
the door. Then my landlady came
then some of my fellow boarders, but
L turned them all away.
All those were terrible hours that
L passed, and that night coming on
brought no relief. Can you not guess
what was meditating? Coward that
[ was, had at last resolved on self
destruction.
1 commenced my preparations with
the same calmn9ss and deliberatiOn
that 1 would have used in the most or
binary transaction. 1 wrote a short
explanation for Carrie another for
Mr.. Winston a third for my poor
mother, and sealed them all. In
fourth envelope the receipt for Mr.,
Anderson.
All this accomplished, 1 went to
my secretary and took out the wea-
pom Of death. 1t was simply revol-
yer, small and insignificant in ap-
pearance but all sufficient.
Having examined the cartaidges to
make sure that there would be no
failure. sat down at the fire to
gather courage.
1t may be interesting to know that
no courage come to me, for the des-
parstion-the growing fear of life-I
can by no wise call by that nSme-it
was simply cOwardice. Yet whatever
you may term it, it was aIl-suf1icient
for the time. 1t nerved my arm, and
lifting the revolver, placed its cold
death-dealing muZZle against my
forehead. In another minute L 1
should have been lifeless but just as
my finger began to press the trigger
there came tap at the door.
1t startled me, and hastily conceal |
ing my weapon, called out that 1
could admit no one.
mot me, Fred ?"
/ knew Carries voice, and q yeaIn- |
ing to look on her loved face, got the |
mastery of me. Quietly slipping the |
letters, which 1 had left on |
the table, into my pocket, 1 opened
the door.
"Oh, Fred, you are real sick 20 ex-
Carrie, the moment the light |
fell on my face. "Why did you not |
send for me? Aren't you better ?'
"Worse," answered, huskily but |
Heavens ~
AS / uttered this exclamation l |
started back, and then forWard-and |
then-I hardly knew what, for there, |
hanging across Carries arm, was my
overcoat.
Recovering my astonishment, 1
5natched it from her, and thrust my |
hand in my pocket, 1 drew out eleven
thousand seven hundred and fifty
dollars and twenty-five cents.
You have heard about, and perhaps
seen, the singular capers of a mad
man, 49, -sfsl 9fRea--- NJ sA---- ssrth-
ed with rum, or the grotesque dane
ing of savages. Well, judging from
what Carrie told me, and from the
appearance of my apartment after it
was all over, am led to believe that
we're it possible to concentrate the
three above mentioned species of de-
mons to one their capering and dane
ing would appear tame in comparison
with mine that night.
But I cooled after while, and just
in time to save Carries head bump
from the chair or washstand, which 1
had selected as partners in my crazy
waltz.
Then / asked for an explanation.
It was the simplest thing imaginable.
[ did not know why / had not
of it before. 1t was simply a
blunder of Carries father. He had
mistaken my overcoat for his OVID,
and worn it down town, never dream
ing a small fortune was lying idly in
the pocket.
Well, didn't have the brain fever
over the affair, but l was next door to
it. 1 made q clean breast of the
whole thing excepting my attempt,
Or rather my resolve at self-destTuc-
ton. No one ever guessed that part
Of it, 1 tell it now for the first time.
1 sent Mr. Anderson his receipt,
handed over the money to Mr.. Win
ston, and went right on, wiser and
better man, hope. And tomorrow,
God willing, 1 shall lead Carrie to the
altar.