Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-28

who, hoped. would be my wife before
many months.
fastened to my boarding house. ate
my supper, and then went over to Mr..
Warmers wearing the overcoat with the
money in it, as l did not feel easy about
leaving 1t IN my room. Carrie was at
home, of course, as she was expecting
me, and, leaving my coat and hat in the
hall, went into the parlor. I do not
think repetition of our conversation
would be very interestieg, SO l will pass
it, merely remarking that nothing oc-
Cured to disturb me until arose to take
my leave.
/ Carrie went into the entry for ny coat
and hat, that might put them on bv
the warm fire, but she came back with
only my hat.
Why Fred, you certainly did not
venture on such night as this with
out an oVercoat!"
No coat" exclaimed, in daze,l
sort Of way, for the thought of the money.
flashed upon me SO suddenly, that it al
| most stunned me.
The next moment I tore past her like
| mailman, as / was. The coat was gone!
Then ] was unnerved. I grasped at
the stair-rail, and caught it just in time
to support myself. Carrie came running
out, her face pale with alarm.
Oh, Fred are you sick? Let me call
mother and the doctor! You are as white
as sheet!''
No, no, Carrier entreated. "There,
am better now"
And l was better. I was strong. all
at once desperately strong. And what
brought about this cbange2 That simple
receipt which I had in my pocket An
derson had nothing to show that the
money had been paid; and was not my
unaided word as good as his?
l was foolish enogh to believe that I
could brave it through, and grew con-
fident and quite easy at once.
There, Carrie am much better now.
The room was to, warm, guess. So
some sneaking thief has dod ged in and
stolen my coat2 Well. let it 20. 1t
was an old one, and now Ill have q better
! one"
But was there nothing in the pockets9
asked Carrie.
It is strange how suspicious guilt will
make US. I really thought that Carrie
suspected me, and an angry reply was on
the end Of my tongue. suppressed it,
however, and uttered falsehood instead !.
Nothing of consequence, Carrie. A
good pair OF gloves and some other tria-
ing notions"
! g am glad it is no worse, Fred. Now,
if you will wait Just moment, I will
get you some of fathers coats to wear
home'
Thus equipped, left her.
You may guess that my slumbers that
| night were not very sound, nor very re-
| freshing. never passed more miser-
able night, and in the morning nv bag
gard looks were the subject O. remark
Why. Fred, you look as though you
had met legion of ghosts last night2
said Winston. g What is the matter?,
had bad night of it, I answered,
with sickly smile.
"And you'll have another if you're not
careful. You had better keep quiet to-
day. By the way, did you write to
Anderson?"
do not know how managed to reply
for the question set me to shiveling from
head to foot, and I was so weak that I
could scarcely SIT in my chair.
must answer in the affirmative, how
ever, 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 sweating like
a butcher You're sick, man! Come
jump into my cutter, and I'll take you
home."
was glad of the chance to get away,
and, reaching my room, locked myself
in.
Winston sent doctor round, but re-
fused to see him. Then Winston came
himself, but would not open the door.
Then my landlady came, then some of my
fellc -boarders; but I turned them all
away.
passed, and night coming on brought me
no relief. Can you not guess what was
meditating2 Coward that I was, l had
at last resolved on selt-destruction.
/ commenced my preparation with the
same calmness AID deliberation that I
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 inclos-
ed the receipt to Mr.. Andersen. All this
accomplished, went to my secretary and
took out the weapon of death. It was
SIMPLY arevolver, small and in significant
enough in appearance, but all-suficiest,
Having examined the cartridges to
make sure that there would be no failure,
sat down before the fire to gather cour-
age.
1t may be interesting to know that no
courage came to me, for the desperation,
the growing fear Of life-l can in no wise
call by that name. It was simply cow
ardice. Yet, whatever you may term it.
it was all sufficient for the time. It nerv-
ed my arm, and, lifting the revolver,
placed its cold, death-dealing muzzle
against my forehead.
In another secoud should have been
lifeless; but just as nv finger began to
press the trigger, there came tap on
my door.
It startled me, and hasti lily concealing
my weapon, I called out that I could al