Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-02-03

J&lC dCNt NulSDCt Ctt W nv Oe.~f ~--~----
God, | resisted the temptation.
would fulfill the trust confidcd to me-
and l prayed fervently for strength
to resist the evil promptings of my
baser self.
One day sat alone, the box un-
locked on my table, gazing with an
irrepressible curiosity, which l was
unable to control, on the jewels which
scintiliated with devilish luster be-
fore my dazed vision. The door sud-
denly opened and Captain McFar-
lane entered.
81 beg yonr pardon, Doctor; didn t
know you were engaged" But be-
fore ] could close the box or reply his
eve had caught the simmer of the
briliants.
"HalIoi what's herey
With firm hand he closed the
lid and read the name upon the plate.
Innocent as | was, involuntarily stung
by the remembrance of what my
thoughts had been but a moment be-
fore. l quailed before his eye.
81 know all now-that man was
poisoned-consider yourself my pris-
oner."
IendeaYored to explain. told ev-
erything as it had occurred, and l
appealed to the captain to believe the
story, or at least to await its reason
able confirmation, before acting on
its rash conclusion. He was incred-
ulous. One concession | obtained,
and that was that all should be kept
secret until our arrival in port, and
that l should not be publicly brand
ed rs suspected murderer before
the crew.
A fortnight passed, weary fort
night during which | repeatedly en-
tleavored to shake the conclusion at
which Captain McFarlane had so
hastily arrived. Suddenly, without
moments warning, the captain fell
sick. He was suffering from a low
fever. | begged him to accept my
service.
Never; you shall not poison me,
too"
DAYS passed, and the captain got
worse and worse; he babbled in his
delirium of poison, of stolen jewels;
and night and day | watched at his
bedside, jealously excluding every
body who might perchance overhear
his rawlings and rise up in Judgment
against me.
One day the crisis came. A few
hours would determine all. If he
died was once more free man, free
from the imputation of foul crime,
free to carry out my honest intention
of fulfilling the dead mans wishes,
but also free from the dread of eX-
posure which to me would be worse.
as bare suspicion. than death itself.
If the captain could but sleep, his
life would he saved. How easy to
make that sleep his last-the devil
was at my elbow, the laudanum bot
tie In any hand. But at my soresi
heeu Guc 7urers7f---------->--e.ikstw w.fS given
to me- l poured out the proper dose
and advanced toward the cot in which
/ the captain lay A strange light was
in his eyes. Rising suddenly and
throwing the bed-cIothes off his tall,
lean, sinewy form, he half leaped
from the bed, and seizing the box of
diamonds, which he had throughout
his illness never allowed from be-
meath his pillow, in one hand, he
shrieked-
Never, never. Will you allow me
to be poisoned like dog, Hell
some of YOU" The effort was too
much, clasping the box to his bosom
he fell back on his pillow-a coavul
sive shudder passed over his fame
he was dead.
/ don't pretend to analyzn my feel
ings at that moment. My reason
well-nigh deserted me. | did not
stop to think of the possible conse-
quences. Snatching the box from
the relaxing grasp of the corpse |
rushed from the cabin and fell over
Pete, tbe negro, who was just out
side.
''See to the captain. He is dead, "
and | sped onward; but the powerful
negro had his hand upon my arm.
"Massa Doctor not 90 so quick
Massa Grierson dead, Cap'n die,
too-Doctor got his box of jewels.
Give up dat box" and the negro
seized me in his grasp and struggled
with me for the possession of the
box.
At that moment the strength of a
lion was in me; | wrestled with my
assailant, and, freeing myself from
his grasp, made for the companion
stairs. | had reached the deck, with
what intention | knew not, but Pete
was again with me, wrestling with
the strength of demon for the pos
session of the prize.
The ship was rolling heavily in a
dead calm, and, as we fell together,
we slid across the deck toward the
lee scuppers. With superhuman
effort / freed my right arm, and, with
all my force, threw the box over the
quarterback ratings. 1t flew open
as it fell into the sea, and in the
moonlight the diamonds fell like a
shower of falling stars in the black
water.
The negro, seeing my movement
left his hold of me and sprang for
ward to catch the box as it fell. A
heavy lurch and | was alone on the
deck.
The rapidity with which everything
had taken place seemed to have
stunned me, and deprived me of the
power to utter even one cry for help
When l recovered myself it was toe
late-Pete and the diamonds were
gone forever.
j I looked around-the deck was de
serted, save by the man at the wheel
! who half hidden by the wheel-house
had not seen the struggle.
~ EA0h mt