The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-27
LADWELES LANDING.

spell which had rested upon me for years
has been transferred tOthe one OF AK other
beings that would have shielded from H..
II any sacrifice on ~ part could have
purchased her immuaty.
Had my love cursed herF' | asked
myself over and over again. wishing. as
had often wished, that my dark and fatal
silhouette had never crossed the happy
path of one so innocent and beautiful.
How. then. must | be cursed, that upon
those | loved that curse must also fally
Tortures Of the n5ther region, with
which we are supposed TO be punished
after the lash Of human destiny has tired
OF dealing Us its stripes, can your misery
out-Ilcrod what some OF US, when God
abandoned, suffer herey
But let me cease these frenzied utter
ances, for my story must be told.
Those who have never heard Of Lad
wells Landing will scarcely be open 20
the accusation OF geographical ignorance.
IL Is n lone western settlement-a from
tier point Of civilization which few bold
pioneers have established, from the most
prominent of whom the settlement takes
its name. {.adwell was the doctor and
drIpgist-thc medicine man Of the COM
munity-and next 10 him in point of i'm
portance ranked the groceryman, Norris,
who was the Weather of the two. \
few other stores, some residences, Il
church and postOilice composed the
place, the total population being about n
couple OF hundred.
A freak of fancy had led me to settle
there. and for the sake of a livelihood |
dispensed medicines and patched up broken
shins for Ladwell
II was not the charm Of this occupation
which kept my restless spirit at LGdwells
Landing. however, but the beauty OF
Edith Norris, who was the only daughter
OF the grocerynan. :
My record however, was not one which
impressed Old Norris very favorably, and,
although Edith and had fully satisfied
ourselves that we could be satisfied with
one another, he set his heel upon the affair
in such n determined manner that out
wardly it had to terminate
Ladwell's business had grown to be
rather profitable one, and his success
had tempted another young Philadelphia
graduate TO migrate 10 the place and put
ont his shingle.
The young fellow was fine looking and
Of very good family, with little money
Of his own, and, az he made himself pOpu-
lar in the place small connection was
soon guaranteed him.
1t leaked out that good deal of his
success was attributable 10 the fact that
Norris had taken him up, and people were
not long in discovering that the old man
had determined, II possible, 10 make him
his son-n-law.
This proved TO be correct, and rs soon as
a new house had been built for the young
doctor tire forthcoming nuptials were an
nounced
Ny disappointment and chagrin availed
me little, and partly from spirit Of pride
l kept aloof from every one rs much as
possible, leaving things TO work them
selves ont as they might.
1t was not until the day of the wedding
arrived that s9sdd TO awake from this
comatose conda ~, then grew suddenly
desperate az timed to realize that a
brutal saczl was going to be enacted
before y. very eyes for despite her acqui-
essence in her father 5 wishes | knew that
Edith Norris loved me as she could love
no other.
most common antidOte, drink
But instead Of calming or benumbing
my feelings on this occasion, the spirits
only seemed TO increase my frenzy, and
when the bridal party started for the little
frame church / was prepared to commit
any outrageous act. Walking directly
into the place in the rear OF the bridal
party took my place unobSorved among
the spectators The pastor had barely
commenced the ceremony when stepped
boldly up TO the rail and made mild pro
test against the proceedings.
Edith, trembling with fright, seized the
arm Of her intended husband. Who, with a
supercilious smile on his face, seemed 70
view my interference with the utmost in
difference This ironicsl indifference in
furiated me. Already several OF the men
present were preparing TO forcibly eject
me from the place at the insugation Of
Morris.
lii an instant my tNo hands held two
revolvers, aud | had ordered all hands
down.
AT this instant Edith fell fantng in
one of the bystanders' arms, and ! re
placed my pistols and walked out OF the
place.
An hour afterward learned that | had
murdered the woman loved What had
been mistaken for mere fainting iii
proved to have been paralysis of the
heart
Sundry threats of vengeance reached
my ears, bat as | was callous to them, |
suppose, nothing happened
Three days afterward Edith was laid
away In the quiet burying ground Of Lad
wells Landing
The night following that day did
what for the last few days | had not done,
owing 10 nervous excitement; | slept
Perhaps an hour had elapsed when |
commenced 10 dream My sensations
were such a. To defy description. | was
In some charnel house Of The dead COT
fms were ranged in grim order AL around
me Some strange instinct guided me 10
one. | knelt beside IL. when suddenly
heard cry answering To my own lamen-
tatiOn. In an Instant the tim deal shell
was severed 10y nay ready KNIFE and into
my arms, clad IN TN sad tappngs OF the
grave, fell my lost love Edith.
Awaking from tins strange dream
looked around me \ feycrish perspira.
ton stood upon my forehead \ strange
fancy excited my brain Looking at my
watch noticed that il was only II o'clock
Dragging on my clothes mechanically, | |
went down stairs 10 Ladwcl's room
The doctor was in and busy smoking and
reading the paper. lie looked at me rs