Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-19

the end OF your llveSW
Then, without needing her wild,
supplicating cry, Or his hoarse cx-
clamation of shame and terror, /
sprang over The hedge and rushed
away like a mailman.
| have but an indistinct idea of
what / did or where | went all that
long, terrible night, until at daylight
[ found myself. torn, haggard, drench-
ed with rain and lettering with fa-
tigue, before my own door,
But out of all my mental chaos
had evolved one clear, relentless re-
solve-revenge
| made my way mechanically to my
room, and there, upon my dressing
case, found two notes awaiting me.
One was from Clarence, brief,
shameless, desperate. It ran:
81 have deceived you. I have
robbed you of your betrothed wife. I
have played the scoundrel. Well,
have no excuse to offer. I love her,
and have inspired her with a fancy, if
DO more. for me. 1t suffces, how
ever. We have taken the morning
boat for the city, where we shall be
married"
The other from Lois, a blotted, tear
stained sheet, was so confused and
rumbling that I could only decipher a
few sentences.
''Oh! forgive me, if you can," she
said, flor l am as wretched as you
could wish me to be. I am all that is
wicked and false, for I love you yet,
and do not love him. I am drawn on
by an irresistible impulse. I do not
understand myself. L"
And here the letter broke off sud-
denly. I threw down the notes scorn
fully, and, opening a small drawer,
drew forth revolver and loaded it
carefully.
| examined the timetable and made
my preparations for the terrible task
l had set myself with the cool deliber-
alton of a maniac. I knew that the
boat would touch at Rochampton, at
the harbor's mouth, four hours later,
and that by taking the train I SHOULD
be able to intercept it.
My plan was terribly simply. I
would destroy them both and then
myself. AS [ could not die alone and
leave them to be happy in their treach-
cry, so [ could not live after [ had
melted out to them their fitting punish,
ment. When I had once arrived at
this determination my agitation left
me. My nerves seemed made of ice and
my muscles of steel.
No one aboard the train could have
guessed that the quiet passenger who
sat by himself In a corner was bent on
a mission of death.
When I reached Rocham oton, the
steamer was already at the warf. a
storm had been raging al the morn
ing and now terrific gale was blows
ing across the waste of turbulent wa
ter. MuMed In my overcoat, with my
hat drawn over my eyes, made my
way aboard. I did not look for those
I was pursuing. I knew that they
were in my hand, and that was enough
until my time should come.
Wrapped in my own stern modita~
ton, paid no heed to what was going
on about me. knew, in a vague way
that the gale was increasing; that the
steamer 1abored heavily; that there
was alarm among the passengers and
anxiety among the officers. I was in
different to it all.
It was not until late in the day that
was aroused from my stupor. There
had been a heavier lurch than usual,
then terrific crash that the fabric Of
the vessel from end to end.
I arose and went forward, the one
calm being among the panic>stricken
crowd. I found that in the heavy fog
the ship hao lost her course, and, strik
ing upon g shoal, was fast going to
pieces.
Amid the running TO. and fro, the
shouts, cries and agonies Of terror. [
saw and thought of nothing but the
two figures standing side by side near
the bow-Lois and Claren 90.
She was leaning upon the rail, with
bowed head and clasped hands. in an
attitude of quiet resignation. He was
looking wildly about him with ghast-
~ face and staring eyes, The traitor
who had found dishonor SO easy,
found it hard to die.
[ watched them awhile, with smile
of scorn upon my lips and a cold,
deadly calm at my heart. My hand
would not be raised IN punishment;
my revenge would be consummated by
a power greater than mine. Moment
after moment passed by. and the water
was already creeping about my feet;
in less than half an hour all would be
over.
Suddenly. as if my fixed gaze had
fascinated her, Lois raised her head
and saw me. Even in the wild ups
roar heard her cry of mingled shame,
terror and love. Instinctively she
streatched her hands toward NE with
piteous gesture OF appeal. Ia an in
slant, all my hatred was swept out of
my heart, and all my love, betrayed
as it had been, returned.
I pushed ny way through the crowd
and stood before them. I took her
cold hand in mine; turned and looks
ed him in the face.
II followed you," I said, to destroy
you both for the wrong you have done
me, and to die myself. In this hour,
which may indeed be our last, [ for