The McCook tribune., 1891-01-02

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summoned and the place ransacked, bu
no trace Of the would-be murderer.
had had no time to speculate on that
being fully occupied in writing prescrip
tions to be filed and mscertaining thu
exact amount of danger Miriam was in
found that the ball had entered hel
left side, just escaping the heart. Wher
my instruments arrived probed for the
ball and soon extracted it, leaving hel
free from danger.
For several weeks tended her, anG
she gradually gained strength until al
last she could sit on the piazza for an
hour each bright day. During all THE
but no clew could be found. No reason
able theory could be formed.
/ questioned her if she knew of any
one who would have any motive for such
deed. She only shuddered, and il
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 i'll her boudoir. She held out
her hand and said:
II am glad you have come, doctor. /
want to talk To you
Il am always glad to be talked to-" !
namely remarked, wondering what was
coming.
'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 l
have thought them many times.
Il met Mr. Gunter when was II, and
the fascination he had for me mistook
for love, so that when he asked me if l
would marry him l said Yes. In few
months [ saw my mistake, but knew not
how to communicate the fsGt. l 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 was very young and believed him.
In fact, believe still he spoke the truth.
l had no courage to face these facts, so
gave myself up to the inevitable. [ soon
learned, even before marriage, that he
had violent temper. No one ever
crossed him.
Il have been humiliated time and
time again by that cursed temper. God
knows, am naturally of happy nat
ure, AMI tried to make the best of it.
Il thought marriage would soften
him, but no, it hardened him, and l had
no love to help me bear it. [ knew he
loved me with wild, selfish love, but it
was not the kind to make me happy
You will wonder why 1 tell you all of
this; no. don't interrupt cannot help
knowing your feeling toward me. and l
think it best that we should part.
''One thing nore," as tried to inter-
rupt. Il 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 1 saw to cross
her would be detrimental to her health.
So 1 said, Yes, will go
"Thank You, Bentley she said, using
my Christian name for the first time.
'sYou see you could not stay here after
knowing my story. 1t would not be
right
Il shall try to see you again. Good
by, good-by, Miriam, God bless you,
child.' and rushed from the room.
A week later 1 sailed for France For
months I Travelled through Europe.
then L went into the Holy Land and
thence through to Japan. For nearly
two years l thus wandered about.
One day while at Cairo received my
European mail, which had chased me
for some time. noticed letter with
strange handwriting and Immediately
opened it. 1t ran thus:
DEAR WARREN-When you receive this 1 shall
be among the gone before 1 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.
The night of the dinner party worked myself
into passion after you left the table, and leay-
ing the room on the pretense of speaking to my
man 1 crept around to the drawing room window
and saw you two close together
A passionate glance passed from your eyes. and
l imag gined that she returned it. The demon was
aroused in me, and lifted my revolver and fired
at You.
My hand was unsteady, and it passed you as
you know l hurried in, and my horror was ter
ribe when | saw Miriam. gave her into you:.
charge, because l knew if any one could bring
her through you could.
;he remorse has been gradually wearing me
away You will hear l died tf heart disease.
Don't contradict it, and let Miriam think the same.
Take care of her, and forgive me if you can. I
liked you Warren, and 1 leave Miriam to your
care. CLARENCE 3. GUNTER.
Oct. s, THE Vetner.''
1 could not believe the letter at first
1t seemed as if it must be e 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
fnitted suicide.
It was nearly year later that 1 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 a year
from that day. l never told her the
truth about her husbands death. She
had no suspicion about that, though.
ALWAYS thought she knew who fired