Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-09-03
WHAT FRED SAW.

The day was very pleasant, but could
not enjoy it.
Long, weary months had been in the
darkened room, and still they kept me
there, allowing no breath Of the pure,
cool air to reach my feverish head.
tried to open the window, but was
not strong enough, and fell back in my
chair, breathing the sitting air, which
every moment became more oppressive.
l thought | could not endure it, yet
how could | avoid it? There was only
one way without danger of discovery:
step into the hall, and those spiral stairs
would take me to the housetop-to the
observatory.
Waiting until was sure the way was
clear, stepped softly into the hall, and,
ascending the stairs, though with much
difficulty, was soon enjoying the for
hidden pleasure of breathing the free
air, untainted with the fumes of the
nauseous drugs that had been dealt out
to me with an unsparing hand all
through the long, cold winter.
How exhilarating! | wondered that
had been housed so long. | looked
down upon the group of young ladies
who were sporting on the lawn.
Jennie Magrair was there, the daugh-
ter of my host, the only woman | ever
loved, but | was nothing to her. She
knew not how ! worshiped her, and !
should keep my secret well, for she was
the betrothed of Gerald Macburn
How I o,ria1 hin, md ,,arb nc bofoH
him little, for knew that he had not
won her love. She had pledged her
hand to save her old father from pow
erty.
She had consented to the sacrifice and
Macburn was satisfied
Turning away | tried to Danish the
painful, hopeless thoughts that had been
awakened
Adjusting the telescope took a sur
vey of the farming and woodland that
stretched far away to the east for many
miles.
caught sight of two men whom rec
ognized as Gerald Macburn and John
Layton.
They were evidently in search of
game. The glass was small, yet very
superior instrument, and could see
them very plainly, Notwithstanding the
distance
presume l should have thought no
more about them had not known that
but few months before they were Bit
ter enemies. wondered how the recon-
ciliation had been effected.
While puzzling my brain with these
thoughts | had unconsciously moved the
glass to keep them within range. saw
them stop, and l knew by their motions
that they were angry.
became interested. Icould see them
so distinctly that found myself listen
ing to catch their words.
I could see their lips move, and saw
John Layton's clinched hands. He was
evidently much excited, but he did not
offer to strike; and if one can judge by
sight alone he was inclined to avoid any
alteration, while Macburn appeared to
seek quarrel.
For full five minutes they stood there,
gesticulating vehemently. They were
some distance apart, Layton all the while
endeavoring to widen the space and
Macburn following him up.
At last Layton, goaded beyond all en-
durance, wheeled about and shook his
fist menacingly at his tormentor. Mac
burn was so exasperated at this that he
raised his rife and shot him.
saw the poor man fall out of sight in
the bushes, and saw Macburn calmly
reload his rifle and walk toward the spot
where his victim was lying.
Then staggered and fell to the floor,
and all was blank
When / awoke to consciousness was
in bed Cloths were all about my head,
and in the dim lamplight I saw q
watcher sitting by my bedside. 1t was
my old chum, Harry Wilmot.
''How is this?' said I, when realized
the situation.
"Thank God, you are coming around
again, said Harry; "but it has been a
hard case, Fred; you have been as crazy
as loon for whole week. advise
you not to try the observatory again till
you are strong enough to crawl back"
At these words, what had seen from
the housetop flashed upon my mind; but
had my life depended upon it l could not
then have told that it was not all a dream.
To convince myself inquired for John
Layton.
"He is-no one knows where" replied
Harry; "but you are too weak to either
talk or listen"
"No, Pm not, Harry; tell me about it. y
He yet hesitated, but l urged him, and
he yielded.
"John Layton disappeared week
ago." said he. "Absconded is the better
word, for he took with him quite an
amount of money belonging to his father.
The old gentleman is very wroth, and
has used every means to find him, but
has not succeeded. Fanny Morton-they
were to be married soon, you knows
almost crazy about it, and will not be-
Iieve that John intended to do anything
wrong. This is all that is known about
it. But, speaking Of marriage, did you
know that Gerald Macburn and Jenny
Magrair are to be married tomorrow"
"John Layton is dead, said l, without
answering his question, though it ha(
Take Swamp-Root for the kidney, liver an
bladder troubles. "We sell more of thi
specific than of all othner medicines and whf
is more it is giving wonderful satisfaction an