The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-08-01

but you must not go out without an
~overcoat," the dear girl answered, ''and
II You will wait just a momentI viii get
you one Of fathers coats to wear home"
She did SO, and / started for home. You
may guess that my slumber that night
was not sound nor refreshing. I never
passed a more miserable night.
why, Fred. you look as though you
met a legion of ghosts last night" said
Mr.. Winston as he came into the Office
the next morning. What is the mat
teri"
Il did not sleep we'll" | answered.
with a smile.
by the way" continued my employ
er, did you write to Anderson as | re-
quested?"
lido not know how | managed to re-
ply, for the question set me shivering
from head to foot, and | was so weak
that / could scarcely sit in my chair.
must have answered in the affirmative,
however, for he said:
Then we may look for something
from him tomorrow or next day" I'M
mediately afterward he added: why,
Fred, you shiver as though you had the
ague, and you are sweating like q butch
erl You're ill, man! Come, jump into
my trap, and I'll take You home"
/ was glad of the chance to get away,
and on reaching home / locked myself
in. All, those were terrible hours
passed, and night brought no relief. G
you guess what I was meditating? Co
- Al-A ur. hrA -ooo1-aI 49, naIf
struction. began my preparation with
the same calmness and deliberation that
I would have used in the most common
transaction. / wrote a short explana-
ton to Carrie. another for Mr.. Winston,
q third for my mother. In q fourth en-
velope I inclosed the receipt to Mr.. An
derson. All this accomplished, ! went
to my wardrobe and took out my re-
volver.
Having examined the cartridges to
make sure there would be no failure, l
sat down before the fire and placed the
pistol against my forehead. In another
second l should have been l~ifeless, but
just as my finger began to press the trig-
ger there was a tap on my door. 1t
startled me, and easily concealing my
weapon I called out that / could admit
no one.
mot me, FredT"
knew Carries voice, and a yearning
to look once again into her loved face
mastered me. Quietly slipping the tell
tale letters which I had left ON the table
into my pocket, I opened the door.
'Oh, Fred, you are really Ill" ex-
claimed Carrie the moment the light fell
on my face. why did you not send for
me? Aren't You BETTER
Worse" l answered huskily. But,
Carrie-good heavens!" As ] uttered
this exclamation / started back and then
forward. for hanging across Carries
arm was my overcoat. Recovering from
my astonishment. / drew from the pocket
Gil, 1902
You have heard about the singular
capers of a mailman or the wild antics
Of those crazed with rum, but Judging
from what Carrie told me and from the
appearance OF my apartment after it was
over l am led to believe that / was far
more grotesque.
Then | asked for an explanation. 1t
was the simplest thing imaginable. lido
not know why / had not thought Of it
before. It was simply q blunder Of Car.
rie's father. He had mistaken my coat
for his own and had worn it down town.
never thinking that a fortune was lyingin
the pocket. sent i.r. Anderson his re
ceipt, handed the money to MI. Winston
and went ON with my duties a wiser and,
I hope, a better man.-Thomas g. Mitch.
ell in brakes Magazine.