The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-02-07

Wos mystery to oil who knew him
l had given up all hope of ever
learning the secret when it was re.
vcaled TO me.
One morning in July, 1876, I was
walkingin one OF the many beauti-
full public parks of London, England,
where l was spending my vacation.
when IL sudden turn in the road
brought me face to face with q gen.
tleman whose appearance seemed
strangely familiar. As l was trying
to recollect where I had seen him be-
fore, he stepped forward quickly and
asked:
"Do you not know me, DR.. Gra-
ham?"
recognized the voice instantly.
"You arc DIR. Charlton?" l cried.
81 am"
A short conversation followed, dur.
ing which Charlton informed ME
that London had been his home ever
since his departure from New York,
on the day following the duel.
After II few minutes Charlton
pleaded a pressing engagement as
excuse for leaving me, hut invited
me to visit him on the following day
ut his house in kensington, when he
voluntarily promised to nnrrnte to
me the whole history of his connec-
tion with Percy Dunham, the man
whom he had killed.
Ofcoursc was Mt his house ut the
appointed hour, nnd seated in the
cosey parlor of his little vine-clad
cottage, lie told mo the following
story:
81 was born and brought up in the
town of r., in Michigan, and from
the time OF my earliest recollection
until my twentieth year my dearest
friend was Percy Dunhaln, the son of
n neighbor. We were almost insep-
arabic, and our friendship was likened
to that Of Damon and Pythias. But
the time came. as you know, when
We were the bitterest foes, and the
primary cause of this estrangement
was"
IA woman, I'll be bound" 1 inter-
rupted.
"iou are right Doctor, it was a
woman. and one of the best and most
beautiful women l ever lEet. Mabel
Danes parents NOV ell into R-when
Percy Dunham and ] were just 20
years Of age. We each loved her, but
l was the chosen recipient of her af-
fections. Mabel and l became en-
gagged in time, and apparently Percy
had trained himself to submission to
his lot.
"Tlcre's no one living to whom l
would as willingly resign her as your
self, Edward lie said.
".Ah! little Imagined tho demon
that ragged in his heart when he spoke
these wards. l never dreamed of
questioning his sincerity.
"Fhe greatest obstacle to nv i'm.
mediate marriage was my poverty,
for my parents had left me very lit
tie on their death. Percy, on the con-
tarary, was II wealthy man, and for
this rcnson would have been preferred
to myself as husband forhis laueh-
ter by MIR. Dane. who, however, did
not undertake 10 influence Mable to
Aef choice.
"Time passed on, and one day 1
heard ofa chance of investinga II few
hundred dollars very advantage.
ously. The money would be sure
double i'll n few weeks. Happening to
he in Dunha1s's house l mentioned
the opportuaity 70 him, regwtting
my i.m.hi,tty 20 avail myself OF it.
:: My dear fellow said he, ill lend
you the money with pleasure. Here
pushing 1. check toward me, fill out
u check for amy amount yaU desire
and Ill sign it.
"Bat. hegan, but he would not
hYeaT NC
"'Fll IL out, or I'll do it for you.
Will u thousand dollars Ike enough?
II not
, "a thousand dollars? Ny dear
Percy
"'Iis yours Il You viii accept the
loan.'
II sttiel out the check for the
amount mentioned and Percy Dun
ham signed it.
"The next day drew the money.
A week later l was arrested for for
gerry. When the bank had returned
the Cancelled check to Dunham he had
denied the genuiness ofths signature.
| sent for him Immediately, not
doubling that ihc,r had been some
mistake. which could be easily and
auNkly rectified. But what was nv
horror when that infamous yilliaA
cody denied to my face that be- had
ever given ms tha check. /
had fGl!vA 4 victim to ono of the
mOs.t fienlish ptots ever conceived in
tie. brain Gf man.
"Woll, l was tried, convicted and
sontenced to n term OF years ia ti,e
State prison"
"On the day whea l WAS sentenced
| received a Rttor trom Mabel Dane,
I've eAty message she had sent me
since my arrest; IL letter written ;A
reply to one had sent her releasing
her from her engagement. In q few
cold. scornh,l words she accepted the
releaso and bnde me farewell for.
ever"
"After that l cared not WHAT be.
came Of me; went to YN. ate with
but one acknowledgements on the maA
who had .spnsht p me to- this c0ndt,
tiaA; served out Ay ters', and then
i went lack to r. to meet Percy
Dunkam and settle my account with
lin. But he had lett the place, and
could gain no information Of h;s
whereabouts. Despite thu pMter.
memories of the. H.ssss, tried to see
Mabel oH,sa laete. But she, too, and
.es parents had left R. Was she
married? l asked. No; they told
me Durham had sought an alliance.
with her, but had been repHIsed
II went to New York, where o few
years later / again met Percy Dun
ham. under what circumstances you
know. Perhaps ! should have left
my vengeance to Heaven, but the
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