Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-04

night, for had an appointment. and
may as we'll state here that il was
with young lady who hoped would
be my wife before many months.
l fastened to my boarding honse
ate my supper, and then went over
to Mr.. Warmers, wearing the coat
with the money in it, as l did not
feel easy about leaving it in my room.
Carrie WAS at home Of course, as she
was expecting ME. and leaving nv
nat and coat in the hall, l went into
the parlor. do not think a repeti.
tion OF our conversation would be
very interesting, So will pass it over,
merely remarking that nothing oc.
Cured to disturb me, until l rose to
take my leave
| Carrie went into the hall for nv
coat and hat that might put them
on by the warm fire: but she came
! back with only my hat.
'Why. Fred, you certainly did not
venture Out on such night as this
without an overcoat:"
| ''No coat" l exclaimed in a dazed
sort Of way; for the thought of the
money flashed upon me so suddenly
that it almost stunned me.
The next moment tore past her
! like nadman as l was The coat
was gone!
! Then l was unncrved. l grasped
at the stair-rail, aud caught il lust
in time to support myself. Carrie
came running out, her face pale vita
i alarm.
"Oh, Fred. arc YOU i'll? Let me
call mother and the doctor! You are
as white as sheet"
mo, no. Carrie" l cntreated.
''Chere, l am better now"
And was better. / was strong,
all at once-desperately strong. And
what brought about this change?
That simple receipt which l had in
my pocket Anderson had nothing
to show that the money had been
paid; an was not my unaided word as
good as his?
Was foolish enough to believe that
l could brave it through, and l grew
confident and quite easy at once.
'"There, Carrie, l am much better
now. The room was too warm.
guess. So some sneaking thief has
lodged in and stolen my coat? Well.
let it CO. 1t was an old one, and
now Ill have better one"
"But was there nothing in the
pockets?" asked Carrie.
1t Is strange how suspicious guilt
will make us. l really tho lght Carrie
suspected me, and an angry reply was
on the end of my tongue. l sup
pressed it. however, and uttered a
falsehood instead.
"NOthing of consequence, Carrie
A good pair OF gloves and some other
tritiing notions"
II am glad it is not worse Fred.
Now, if you will wait just ii moment
| will get you one of fathers coats
to wear home"
Thus equipped, 1 left her. You
may guess that my slumbers That
night were not very sound, nor very
refreshing. never passed more
miserable night and in the morning
my haggard looks were the subject OF
remark.
"Why, Fred, you look as though
you met legion CT ghosts last night,
said Winston What is the mat
teri"
II had bad night Of it," an
swered, with sickly smile.
"And you'll have another il you're
not careful; you had better keep quiet
to-day. BY the way, did you write to
Anderson
do not know how l managed to
reply, for the question set me SILVER
ing from head to foot, and was So
weak that l could scarcely sit ia my
chair. l must have answered in the
affirmative, however, for he said
.'Then we may look for something
from him tomorrow or next day.
Immediately afterwards he added:
"Why, Fred. you shiver as though
you had the ague. and you are sweat
ing like butcher. You're ill, man.
Come, jump into my trap, and I'll
take you home"
l was glad of the chance to get
away, and on reaching my room l
locked myself in.
All! those were terrible hours that
l passed, and night coming on
brought me no relief. Can you not
guess what / was mcditating? Cow
ard that was, ! had at last resolved
on self-destruction.
l commenced my preparation with
the same calmness and deliberation
that | would have used in the most
common transaction. l wrote short
explanation for Carrie. another for
Mr.. Winston, third for my poor
mother, and incl0sed the receipt to
Nj. Anderson. All this accomplished,
/ went to my sccretaire and took out
the weapon of death. 1t was simply a
revolver, small and insignificant
enough in appearance. but all-sutfi-
Gent.
Having examined the cartridges to
make sure that there would be no
failure, l sat down before the fire,
and lifting the revolver, l placed its
cold, death-like muzzle against my
forehead. In another second 1 should