Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-21
ALMOST A CRIME.
EN CHAT. D'AuBREY .

Fort Libby, away out in the widest
part of Arizona, Is lonesome, ugly, In
diam beset place. A regiment of United
States troops are stationed there, and
they are principally occupied in doing
nothing, the mon1tOny being only
broken ny an occasional raid upon the
neighbOrIng Indian tribes. Col. Morri-
son had charge of the post at the date
of this story, and Major Philip Mason,
young and lately married officer, was
second in command. Col. MOrrisOn'S
daughter Clara and Major Mason's wife
Helen were the only ladies at the fort.
They were naturally much together,
and quite as naturally the husband and
Clara spent great deal of time in eacn
others society.
One evening, "a Clara sat alone in the
open air, Philip Mason joined her. He
was absent on a scouting excursion, and
his unexpected appearance surprised
her. lie seated himself very near her,
looking down at her face.
"Clara, do YOU know what has hap
Iened To me since | have been away
from this place"
She looked up at him with an alarm
ed expression, his tone was 50 serious.
"YOu cannot guess, | suppose" he
went on. al have made a discovery 60
a most perpleXing discovery"
"What is it,"
~ have found out that love you
He took her hand and held it as he
went on: AYES, Clara, l had my
doubts before | went away, but thought
| was master of myself in this, rs
have been in other things, and fancied
myself Strong enough TO strangle the
serpent. But it would not he strangled,
Clara; it has wound itself about my
heart, and here | sit by your side, dis
hOnOTed in my own sight, come what
may, bound TO one woman and loving
another with all my sOul-yeS, with all
my soul. What am | to dO?'
"Iour duty" Clara answered in a
low, steady voice.
Her heart was beating violently. She
knew now that she loved Philip Mason.
And her own duty-what was that2
Upon that question she had not mo-
ment's doubt. Her duty was to resign
him without a murmur. Even after
this there would be the Knowledge that
he loved her.
"My duty What is that he asked.
'"To carry out my vows to Helen, what
sOeyeT misery it may bring upon both
of u.s. | am not one Of those saints
who think OfeverybOdy'S happiness be-
| fore their own, Clara. | am very hu-
man, with ali humanity's seltishness.
| want to be happy. | want wife for
whom | can feel something more than
| a cold liking. did not think it was in
| me to feel more than that. 1 thought
! had Outlived my capacity for loving,
| wasted the strength of my hearts youth
| on worthless faucies; spent all OF my
| patrimOny Of affection; but the light
| shines on me again, and thank God
| that il is sO.'
At must not hear YOU talk in this wild
| way, Major Mason" she said. ~ feel
! "a if | had been guilty Ola sin against
| Helen in having listened so long. But
| cannot for a moment think you are in
| earnest"
ado not play the dissembler, Clara,
| You know that am in earnest"
"Then your scouting trip must have
| turned your brain, and | can only hope
! that tomorrow morning will restore
| your reason"
"Wen, am mad, il you like-madly
| in love with you. What am | TO do:
| If | can recover my liberty; If can get
myself free from this marriage, will you
be my wife, Clara"
mo; q thousand times, no.
"You don't care for me, then. The
| madness is all on my side"
"Indeed do, Philip; but must ito
my duty to Helen, whom love like a
sister"
Miss Morrison drew her hand away,
| and hastily retired.
Three days after, q picnic party,
comprising Philip Mason and his wife,
| Clara Morrison and several officers,
went two or three miles into the noun
tains, and prepared for day of enjoy
ment. Philip and Clara CHANGED to be
left alone together, and his tongue was
immediately the transgressor.
Clara" he said, earnestly, why
should we both condemn ourselves to
lifelong misery? There are two of US
Helen is but one. Why should two
lives be sacrificed to make one happy?
/ have fixed everything for us TO leave
Fort Libby together, this very day,
from this spot. We can mount two OF
the horses, and, before any suspicious
are aroused, we shall be miles away
\ blush of shame and inSulted pride
overspread Clara's face for a moment !
but She wayerrd, and love proved
stronger than self-respect. Philip hur,
ried her toward the MISUNDERSTANDING
horses. Before they had mounted,
however, the black clouds that preceue
a Rocky Mountain thunder storm dark
ened the scene.
The thunder and lightning of pop
ulous city are very different from what
are heard and seen in mountain ranges
and great wastes Of forests.
Like savage Titans the sound swept
down upon them. Everything sought
shelter from the storm, of which Soudd
was but the herald. Presently came
the swift rush of waters, like second
deluge. filling the creeks and rivers, and
flooding all the land. Great torrents
rushed down the mountain side, sweep
ing all before them.
The picnic party ran for shelter to an
old deserted trapper's shanty, and
Philip and Clara joined them. For
hours they awaited until night closed in
around them. Then the men, knowing
that they were liable to an attack by
Indians, began to grow nervous.
They knew that the savages must be
| aware of their movements; and they
now quietly made preparations for re-
pelling any possible assault. The men
numbered six, and they were well
| armed. The darkness was intense,
and prudence forbade the klndling OF 3
| fire. NJ IN
Suddenly there was q fiendish yel!
and a voiley. The savages deserted
their ambush, and rushed wildly for
ward. The attacked party returned the
fire. Fast as one party OF Indians Were
repulsed another sprang up In its place
until the whole wood seemed swarmlng
| with them, The humiliation Of the
little band seemed certain, when there
was an encouraging shout, and the clat'
ter of numerous hoofs was heard com
ing up. BY this time, however, the
saSages demoralized, and when thu
rescuers had arrived, they were retreat
ing up the hills.
The rescuers proved to be party sen
4 - h., Colnpal hOrriSOn who had be