The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-03-20
UNDER THE MOON.

memory creates, but without avail. For hal
an hour have watched those two schooner,
come slowly into view from out the purpl,
darkness OF the distance and ghost-like e
sailing by until now they are mere patches OF
haze far of to the westward. 1t may be the
wave voices as the water FLASHES against the
piles Of the wharf, or the faint drumming OF
that guitar in ono of the fishermen's cabins
inshore that has so wildly reawakened this
sad recollection. That night too, a ripping
YEA made derisive music amongst the wharf
timbers and somebody was playing guitar
in the distance
q, We had been boys together, had graduated
from the university in the same class, and
,eparated only when he went 10 France to
ytudy medicine. This was our first meeting
for many years and had been brought about
oy letter asking some advice in a CONNER
,ial matter, and inviting me TO dine with him
1t the lake.
knew the crime be had committed,
though absence from the city had prevented
ne from learning the details Of the sad affair.
knew also that he had been acquitted upon
well-substantiated plea Of insanity, to which
ais moody temperament his strong affections
and bitter antipathies lent an air OF proba-
nility III the minds of those who knew him as
did
| did not ask his confession that night. mol
I remember, he il was who said he had some
hing TO tell me, and as the night was pleasant
ee could walk out TO the end Of the wharf,
where We would be alone. We had finished a
Inner at Boulro's, one Of these rare CASTRO
sonic compositions the cooks Of those days
anew so well how TO prepare, and can even
row sniff the flavor of those Bouquet de
Aroma cigars. They seemed 10 be better
han those of to-day. He had been even
,oisterous in his mirth during the repast
something remarkable for hun, and had
.alkel 80 voluhly that had not known he had
,artaken Of but little wine, | might have
thought his spirits were enliyenei by the
'hoice yintages.
Then we walked out ard sat down here-I
Believe this is tho very spot The moon was
~ then about where it is now, and by its
tight noticed that a remarkable change had
,ome over his countenance. The genial
mile had disappeared and his eyes had lost
heir merry twinkle Whether it was the
moonlight, or my imagination, could never
ell, but his face assumed bloodless pallor
hat was most mcarthly, and his voice be-
anne deep and husky.
lie looked inquringly about to see that no
me was near and sat on the edge of the
wharf, his feet hanging over the water. Be
ore commencing he played nervouSy with
lis watch charm. | could see in the moon
ight il was an amethyst heart. | also no
iced that he had united his cravat and UNI
,uttoned his collar in order TO breath more
RELY 1t was an amber silk cravat and its
inds nuttered rcstlessly in the wind.
Il am telling YOU this, said he, because
AN not live without telling it to somebody.
know can trust you, and 1t will relieve me
# a burden that is killing me to confess all
know that no Judicial action can be taken
low, but it will bca satisfaction TO know that
q one person at least have told the whole
ruth, not saving myself in the slightest de-
gree. You understand that'
He knocked the ashes from his cigar and
hey dropped into the lake.
when returned from France and began
he practice OF medicine here, you know | was
fery well off My mothers place on Bayou
.afourche which she left me had Melted me a
handsome sum during my absence, and sugar
hen brought good prices. | was never ex-
rayagant, MS you know, and never INDUCED
strong drink. None Of our family ever did.
3ut that has nothing to do with what | want
q say To tell you the truth, the nearer |
lpproaCh the subject the more timl be
-onle. Please keep me from wandering away
rom it, Hold me down to it. Understand
light another cigar
"Woll, | began practice and devoted all my
.ime TO my studies. BY some peculiar aiiln-
~ became enamored of the symptology Of
iervons disease, | drfted that way natur-
INV, and gave 10 the nerves and brain every
mare moment had no thought then what
his would lead me to. Understand! My
riendships were few-perhupS too few. A
nan with limited acquaintance is apt to be
.ame introspa tive and given to analyzng
MS own sentiments and impressions too
much"
lie turned his big black eyes in the direc-
ION Of passing sui, and was silent for
ion of the muscles of his neck that he WAS
,ndeavoring h. swallow. To use an old e6-
preston, "his heart had come up in his
hroatn
a met and loved Natalie Latourncau;" |
mother long silence He lit another cigar |
As he tried to 60 on his lip trembled and he
-lnched his hands as il in great pain
MY God, how loved her; but we viii not !
AK OF lliJ. NlltIEtOll. ! NbiNhlptl ntf |
and thought she loved me. Then he came |
between us lie set up his pnltry sentiment |
Is against my alteration. The fool Don't |
oSe patience Follow me please. He tn, !
cain, Boosting, catering gallant Of the 81
ons thought to take from me the one thing /
hat was dearcr than an con Of lives, to win |
ner. Yes, he brought it on himself Under |
,tand' He brought it on himself.
fie arose and paced up and down the wharf |
Tor few minutes and then took his former |
plsce, apparently somewhat quoted 10y the |
exercise. He went on, less excitedly now, IL |
felt that it was impossible that both of us
'Ould live in this world together. You know |
now small 1t is In Berlin You jostle the man |
Won thought in America, in Paris you get |
nto the same omnibus with the individual |
YOU imagined in Rio Janciro. Railroads and |
steamships have reduced the earthS Circum
ference 10 mere hands span. We're too |
-rOwded | thought over the matter deeply |
and long. thought of nothing else. To get |
rid of him, that was what would have to lie |
done a tremor passed over him. But |
howi That was it. The days of secret muir
ders have long since passed. Chemistry and
uther sciences have made the chances for
-scapo from detection difficult, very difficult.
One night ] made up my mind. All that
light She had never appeared 50 lovely.
That white dress and the pomegranate bios