Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-05-20
UNDER TIE MOON.
ny CHARLES e. WHITNEY.


eyes. have tried again and again to
shake off the sad impressions this mem
ory creates, but without avail. For
half an hour l have watched those two
schooners come slowly into view from
out the purple darkness of the distance
and ghost-like go sailing by until now
they are mere patches of haze far off to
the westward. 1t may be the wave
voices as the water FLASHES against the
piles of the wharf, or the faint thrum-
ming of that guitar in one OF the fisher
mems cabins in-shore that has so vivid
ly reawakened this sad recollection.
That night, too, ripping sea made
derisive music amongst the wharf tim
bers and somebody was playing guitar
in the distance.
We had been boys together, had
graduated from the university in the
same class, and separated only when he
went to France to study medicine. This
was our first meeting for many years
and had been brought about by letter
asking some advice in a commercial
matter, and inviting me to dine with
him at the lake.
knew the crime he had committed,
though absence from the city had pre-
vented me from learning the details of
the sad affair. knew also that he had
been acquitted upon a well substanti-
ated plea of insanity, to which his
moody temperament, his strong affec-
tons and bitter antipathies lent an air
of probability in the minds of those who
knew him as l did.
l did not ask his confession that
night. No! l remember, he it was
who said he had something to tell me,
and as the night was pleasant we could
walk out to the end of the wharf, where
we would be alone. We had finished q
dinner at BoudrO's, one of these rare
gastronomic compositions the cooks Of
those days knew so well how to pre-
pare, and | can even now sniff the fla
vor of those Bouquet de Aroma cigars
They seemed to be better than those O
to-day. He had been even boisterou:
in his mirth during the repast, some
thing remarkable for him, and hac
talked so volubly that had not known
he had partaken of but little wine,
might have thought his spirits were en-
livened by the choice vintages.
Then we walked out and sat dow
here-I believe this is the very spot
The moon was up then about where
is now, and by its light noticed tina
remarkable change had come owe
his countenance. The genial smile ha,
disappeared and his eyes had lost thei
merry twinkle. Whether it was tn
moonlight or my imagination l coul
never tell, but his face assumed blood
less pallor that was most mearthly, an
his voice became deep and husky.
He looked inquiringly about to Sc
that no one was near and sat on tn
edge of the wharf, his feet hanging owe
the water. Before commencing b
played nervously with his watch charm
could see in the moonlight it was a
amethyst heart. | also noticed that h
had united his cravat and unbuttone
his collar in order to breathe more fire,
ly. 1t was an amber silk cravat an
its ends fluttered restlessly in the wine
II am telling you this" said he, ''b
7
to somebody. l know | can trust yor
and it will relieve me of burden tn:
is killing me to confess all. kno
that no judicial action can be take
now, but it will be a satisfaction
know that to one person at least l hay
told the whole truth, not saving myse
in the slightest degree. You unde
stand that!'
He knocked the ashes from his Gig
and they dropped into the lake.
when returned from France, al
began the practice of medicine her
you know l was very well off. n
mothers place on Bayou Lafourcl
handsome sum during my absence, al
sugar then brought good prices. | w
never extravagant, as you know, al
never INDUCED in strong drink. No
of our family ever did. But that h
nothing to do with what l have to sd
To tell you the truth, the nearer l a
proach the subject the more tmid l
come. Please keep me from wanderi
away from it. Hold me down to
Understand? Light another cigar!
well. began practice and devot
all my time to my studies. BY sol
peculiar affinity became enamored
the symptology of nervous diseases.
drifted that way naturally, and | ga
to the nerves and brain every sp;
moment. had no thought then wi
this would lead me to. Understar
My friendships were few-perhaps
few. A man with limited acquai
ance is apt to become retrospective /
given to analyzing his own sentime
and impressions too much"
He turned his big black eyes in
direction of a passing sail, and '
silent for nearly a minute. could
from the motion of the muscles of
neck that he was endeavoring to sv
low. To use an old expression, :
heart had come up in his throat"
Il met and loved Natalie Late
neau;" another long silence. He
another cigar. AS he tried to go
his lip trembled and he clinched
hands as if in great pain.
my God, how | loved her, but
will not talk of that. Understand
worshiped her and L thought she lo
me. Then he came between u.s.
set up his paltry sentiment as aga
my alteration. The fool! Don't
patience. Follow me, please. He
vain, boasting, flattering gallant Of
salons thought to take from me the
thing that was dearer than an col
lives, TO win her. Yes, he brough
on himself Understand? He bro
it on himself" ..
He arose and paced up and dowl