San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-09-07

, NV gloves split, and the persriration
ran in rivers down my face and drop
ped off the end of my nose, but not one
inch could l bulge it.
I have wondered since how should l
have looked had succeeded in burst
ing open the door and been suddenly
projected before the creme de la creme
with limp collar, torn gloves, and dis
tended eyes. I can smile now, but L
can assure you saw no fun in 1T then.
tried the door till positively no
hope remained in that direction. Then
flew again to the outer door, and
pounded, and even shouted, but to no
purpose.
Utterly hopeless, I returned to the
inner door once more. All was silent
Should l thunder upon its panels and
proclaim my presence and demand TO
be "let out?" Nobody likes to look
like fool il he can help it-and l hes
itated
l glanced around. The windows
caught my cye-why had 1 not thought
Of them? I could at least make my es-
cape, and the ceremony might be de-
layed, and consequently awkward; still
Nell would not be utterly put to shame
Like the mailman 1 was, seized the
table, dragged it to the window, sprang
upon it, and climbed onto the high and
narrow window sill; throwing up the
sash, prepared to leap out; but I had
reckoned without my host; the cord
that held the weight was broken, con-
sequently the moment my hand left the
sash the window descended with start
ling rapidity, striking me full upon the
head, and knocking me off the marrow
sill, dashirg my head against the sharp
corner of the table, and at last landing
me full length On the floor.
L tried to rise; something warm rush
ed over my face; I put up my hand to
clear my eyes-my hand was covered
with blood.
I felt giddy and weak, still I stagger-
ed to my feet; then black mist arose
around me, and I knew no more.
This was Thursday eve. Sunday at
ternoon the sexton, returning to his
duties, found me lyining upon the
floor half dead, wholly delirious, my
face covered with blood, and hole in
my head large enough to let the life
out of any man. That mine was spared
was because I had fallen with the
wound down, and the soft pile OF the
carpet acted like lint to staunch the
blood.
As soon as I could control my
thoughts 1 begged to know of Nellie.
Poor little girl! she had been quite
overwhelmed. When L failed to ap.
pear Hates husband rushed out to in
ouire of the sexton if he had seen me.
He was positive that I had been there,
and equally positive that I had left
again in company with his brother
both seemed in great hurry, and had
jumped into the carriage and been
driven rapidly away.
Messengers werU sent to my hotel,
out without gaining clue to my where
abouts; so after notifying wait Mel
lie had been taken home, and the very
morning of the day I was discovered
the whole family sailed for Europe.
As soon as I was able to stand, I
sailed in search Of the woman I had so
innocently Inundated. Not knowing
her whereabouts, it was two months be-
fore found her. At last, one even
ing, wandering on the seashore of a
quiet little English town, I espied her
and alone.
That she believed me most black
ened villain was plain, for the look she
gave me when she recognized my pres
ence was one of unutterable contempt.
Now that I found her was determined
she should hear the truth.
Nellie" cried, hurrying to her and
grasping both her little hands before
she had time to escape.
well, sir" she replied, haughtily,
trying, but trying in vain, to free her
hands.
my darling" 1 pleaded, you will
at least hear a man before you condemn