The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-09-10

Datneu my utstu dsAu PitCtM a. COui-
ing lotion on it.
"There," he said, as he finished,
81 think you'll not suffer much
from it now."
The doctor, for some time after he
had fixed the wound, did not speak,
but continued pacing the room in
deep thought.
1t was raining outside and there
was little noise in the street. All was
quiet save the ticking of the clock
and the noise of the doctors feet. I
can recall my feelings as I sat there,
bound hand and foot and mouth,
waiting for him to speak.
At last he stopped his walk and
taking eat near me, began:
81 h. confession to make to-
night. The confession must not be
told till am dead. After the con-
fession | intend to hang myself The
door will be broke in in the morn
ing, and you will be released. This
will explain my conduct toward you
this evening.
"You have known me. believe,
for about three years. You have
heard me spoken of as a strange
man; you think | am a strange
man. When you have heard my
story you will know what made me
so.
"My father was a wealthy cotton
planter; l was an only son. After
being pampered and spoiled at
home, till my conduct was un5eara-
BILE to all that came in my way, |
was sent to college in one of our
Northern States and afterward trans
| ferred to the University of Pennsyl-
vania, where studied medicine and
in due time graduated with high
honor.
My fathers money soon placed
me in respectable position as q
doctor in one of our large Southern
cities. In q short time | had gained
an extensive practice.
"With one of the families that l
came in contact with dwelt a young
moman named Laura Meyer. She
was employed as governess, but
her beauty and other attractive quail
tiles won her place in the hearts OF
those with whom she resided, and
she was treated more as daughter
than a governess of their children.
''Fate, as it were, threw me con-
stantly in this young lady's way. II
I went to ball, she was there; if l
went to a theatre, | was sure to meet
her, and at every social meeting |
attended she invariably constituted
one of the party.
"From this frequent intercourse
ripened friendship and from friend
ship, love. Though my social posi-
ton placed me far above hers, still
love made us equal, and finally |
proposed to her and was accepted.
my family was greatly against
this alliance. Every inducement
was offered me to break my promise
of marriage and marry a rich beauty
of my parents selection. But all
their pleadings were in vain, and we
were married, though from the mo-
ment of our marriage my father dis
owned me.
MY practice was good and we
succeeded very well in keeping up
an appearance of wealth. NY wife's
beauty and attractions drew many
of the elite of the city to our home
indeed, but for those attractions, il
she had been a plain, reserved wo.
man, instead of the belle of every
assemblage. I'd not have to tell this
story tonight.
"One of our many visitors was a
young man named Larue. He had
all the qualities that charm the fe-
male sex-young, handsome, witty
with a dash of mystery about him,
and thorough man of the world
He was also the most ardent admir-
er of my wife, and was seldom absent
from the house.
II don't think | am naturally a
| jealous man-that is, enough to ac.
cuse man without strong proof OF
his crime. But | saw so many things
between Larue and my wife that
would have aroused the suspicion Of
the most confiding husband living
''To get my wife from the infiu-
ence OF Larue 1 relinquished the ex-
tensive practice l had gained by
skill and industry, and came here to
Philadelphia. Here purchased the
house that we are occupants of, and
it was here in this house that the
crime was committed that has been
hanging on my conscience like mill
stone for years, and which | will
atone for tonight by my own hand
"We had lived here perhaps three
months. | had put forth my great.
est energies, and succeeded very well
in getting patients my wife seemed
to return to her allegiance to me, and
/ thought | had full store of hap
piness before me, when, one day, on
returning to my home. l surprised
my wife again in the arms of La
rue.
Il was overwhelmed with passion.
/ threatened to kill him on the spot
if he didn't leave my house. He had
the advantage by his impenetrable
GOODNESS, and he answered my threats
with insolence. He left the house,
promising to call again when he
pleased to do so.
Il appealed to my wife to re-
nounce all thoughts of Larue, re-
minding her Of my constancy as a
husband. But her head seemed
turned again by her lover, and she
was as insolent as he.
Il suspected the lovers would have
q stolen interview that evening, as
they knew / would be absent. But l
had determined to stay at home un-
known to them and watch.
"My suspicious were correct. l
heard Larue come. They went into
the parlor. Silently l crept into an
adjoining room, and through the
key hole watched them. / heard all
that was said and done. They were
planning an elopement.
at was then the thought of MUIR
der first occurred. l would kill the