Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-01-08

In the mean time the police had been
summoned and the place ransacked, but
no trace of the would-bs murderer.
had had no time to speculate on that,
being fully occupied in writing prescrip-
tions to be filled and ascertaining the
exact amount of danger Miriam was in.
found that the ball had entered her
left side, just escaping the heart. When
my instruments arrived probed for the
ball and soon extracted it, leaving her
free from danger. .t.
For several weeks I tended her, and
she gradually gained strength until at
last she could sit on the piazza for an
hour each bright day. During all the
weeks the detectives had been at work,
but no clew could be found. No reason
able theory could be formed. t.'
/ questioned her if she knew of any
one who would have any motive for such
a deed. She only shuddered, and it
seemed to retard her recovery every
time it was spoken.
So finally it became accepted as mys-
terry. ..
had called one afternoon and found
her sitting in her boudoir. She held out
her hand and said: f.
II am glad you have come, doctor. 1
want to talk TO you."
81 am always glad to be talked to-" l
namely remarked, wondering what was
coming. -.r-....t .r. 'eI
"You overheard some words one night
that require an explanation" she began,
and her face was bright scarlet. "They
were wicked words, am afraid, but
have thought them many times.
81 met Mr.. Gunter when was II, and
the fascination he had for me mistook
for love, so that when he asked me if !
would marry him said Yes In few
months saw my mistake, but knew not
how to communicate the fact. threw
out few hints, and he Immediately be-
came Of ashy whiteness, and said if he
should lose me he never would live an
hour, and rather than see me another
mans wife he would shoot me.
81 waavery young and believed him.
In fact, believe still he spoke the truth.
had no courage to face these facts, SO
gave myself up to the inevitable. soon
learned, even before marriage, that he
had a violent temper. No one ever
crossed him. .4..-.. .......
II have been humilated time and
time again by that cursed temper. God
knows, I am naturally of happy nat
ure, and tried to make the best of it.
II thought marriage would soften
him, but no, it hardened him, and / had
no love to help me bear it. l knew he
loved me with wild, selfish love, but it
was not the kind to make me happy.
You will wonder why tell you all Of
this; no, don't interrupt cannot help
knowing your feeling toward me, and !
think it best that we should part. ,
Zone thing MORE" as tried to inter-
rupt 81 have my suspicious about that
horrible night. Don't, for Gods sake,
ask me any questions. Now will you be
merciful and go?" ... .
was shivering.
Themere thought of going away, never,
perhaps, to see her again, was almost
beyond my power. But saw to cross
her would be detrimental to her health.
So said, "Yes, will CO."
"Thank you, Bentley" she said, using
my Christian name for the first time.
"You see you could not stay here after
knowing my story. 1t would not be
right"
81 shall try to see you again. Good
by, good-by, Miriam, God bless you,
child!' and rushed from the room.
A week later sailed for France. For
months travelled through Europe,
then I went into the Holy Land and
thence through to Japan. For nearly
two years thus wandered about.
One day while at Cairo Ireceived my
European mail, which had chased me
for some time. I noticed letter with
strange handwriting and Immediately
opened it. 1t ran thus:
DEAR WARREN-When you receive this I shall
be among the gone before" am tired of life
But first must ease my conscience, as all sinners
on their dying bed are wont to do When you
were first introduced to us noticed that you lost
your heart to Miriam, and | was wildly Jealous
but finally got to liking and also trusting you.
4AO hiSu OL ChO party WOFkcu UlJ66ll
into passion after you left the table, and leav-
ing the room on the pretense Of speaking to my
man crept around to the drawing room window
and saw you two close together.
A passionate glance passed from your eyes, and
/ imagined that she returned it. The demon was
aroused il me, and lifted my revolver and fired
at you.
My hand was unsteady, and it passed you as
you know. hurried In, and my horror was ter.
rible when 1 saw Miriam. ! gave her into your
CHARGE because knew If any one could bring
her through you could.
The remorse has been gradually wearing me
away. You will hear / died Ct heart disease.
Don't contradict it, and let Miriam think the same.
Take care of her, and forgive me il you can I
liked you, Warren, and I leave Miriam to your
care. CLARENCE B. GuNTER.
Oct 8, ''rhe vetner"
could not believe the letter at first.
1t seemed as if it must be fabrication
of my brain; but no, there was the let
ter to prove the truth of it. Gunter
had tried to kill me, and now had COM
mitted suicide.
1t was nearly year later that I ar
rived home. called on Mrs. Gunter at
once, and she looked very pale and sweet
in her mourning garments.
Before / left she had promised to leave
them off for . wedding gown year
from that day. I never told her the
truth about her husbands death. She
had no suspicion about that, though.
I always thought she knew who fired
the shot that nearly deprived her of life.
However, thas is subject we never