Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-04-16

no reIleI. CAn you not guess Hhat was
meditating Coward that l was, | had
at last resolved upon sell-deslruclion.
| commenced my preparations with
the same calmness and deliberation that
| would have used In the most common
transaction. wrote short explanation
for Carrie, another for Mr. Winston, a
third for my poor mother, and | sealed
them all. In fourth envelope | in
closed the receipt to Mr.. Anderson. All
this accomplished, l went to my secreta-
ry and took out the weapon of death. 1t
was simply a revolver, small and insig-
ni6cant enough in appearance. bat all
sufficient.
Having examined the cartridges 10
make sure that there would be no failure,
sat down before the fire to gather cour-
age.
/, may be interesting 10 know that no
courage cana TO me, Tor the desperation
the growing tear OF life--I can in no
wise call by that name. 1t was simply
cowsldice. Yet, whatever you may
term It, was all. sufficient Tor the time.
Ii Derved my arm, and, lifting the re-
volver. placed its cold. death-dealing
muzLle against my forehead.
In another second | should have been
ileless; but just as my finger began to
press The trigger. there came 4 tap on
ny door.
L. startled me, and hastily conceaing
my weapon, cslied on that could ad-
init no one.
Not me, Fred p
knew Carries voice, and a yearning
to look on her loved iace got the mas
tery OF me. Quietly slipping be toll-tae
lot ,rs. ~ hich had JET, va the table. Into
my pocket, opened the door.
"Ol. Fred, you ara rsal nckr ex-
claimed Carrie, the momont the Ugh. fell
on my face. why did you no. send for
ne? Aren't you better?'
Worse" answered huskily; but
Cauie-good heavens
As | uttered this exclamation started
back. and then forward; and them
scarcely know what, for hanging across
Carries arm was my overcoat
Recovering from my asIouishment.
,ua,ched it from her, and thrust my hand
into the pocket. drew gu, eleven
thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars
and twenty three cents.
You have heard about. and perhaps
seen, the singular capers oi madmau,
or the wild antics of those crazed with
rum,or the grotesque dancing OF savages.
Well, judging from what Carrie told me,
and from the appearance OF my apart
ment alter ii was all over, am led 20
believe that we're it possible 20 couCen-
trate the three aforementioned species
OF demons into one. their capering and
dancing would appear tame in compari-
son with mine that night.
But cooled down after while, aud
just in time 10 save Carries head
hump from the chair or the washslsnd,
which had selected as partners in my
crazy waltz.
Then | asked for an explanation II
was the simplest thing i'm sginable. DO
not know why | had not thought OF it
before. Il was simply blunder OF Car
rie's father. He had mistaken my coat
Tor his own. and worn it down town with
out dreaming that small fortune was
lying Idle in bis pocket.
We'll, | didn't have the brain fever
over the affair. but | was The next door
to it. | made clean breast OF the whole
affair except my attempt. or rather, my
resolve at self destruction. No one ever
guessed that part OF it.
sent Mr.. Anderson his receipt, hand.
ed over the money to Mr. Winston, and
went right on with my duties, wiser
and letter mau, hope. And to-
morrow, God wiling. shall iesd Carrie
10 the altar.