The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-07-07

But you must not go Ouc without an
overcoat," the dear girl answered, land
If you will wait just n moment l will get
i you n 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. never
passed a more miserable night.
why. Fred. you look as though you
met Il legion of ghosts last night" said
Mr.. Winston as he came into the Office
the next morning. What is tho mat
teri"
IL did not sleep we'll" | answered
with II smile.
by the way continued my employ
er, did you write TO Anderson as | re.
quested:'
| DO not know how | managed to re-
ply, for the question set me shivering
from head to foot, and / was so weak
that l could scarcely sit in my chair. !
must have answered in tho affirmative.
however. for he said:
Then we may look for something
from him tomorrow or next day" In
mediately afterward he added: ''Why,
Fred, you SILVER as though you had the
ague. and You are sweating like n butch
ar! You're i'll, 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. Can
you guess what | was meditating? Cow
ard that | was, | had resolved on self de-
struction. | began my preparation with
the same %calmness and de%liberation that
| would have used in the most common
transaction. | wrote Il short explana-
tion to Carrie, another for Mr.. Winston,
a third for my mother. In a fourth en-.
velope / incloscd 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, !
sat down before the fire and placed the
pistol against my forehead. In another
second | should have been ~lifeless, but
just as my finger began to press the trig-
ger there VAS Il tap on my door. Ii
startled me. and easily concealing my
weapon | called out that | could admit
no one.
Not me, Fred:"
knew Carries voice, and a yearning
to look once again into her loved face
mastered me. Quietly slipping the tell
tale letters which l had left on the table
into my pocket, l opened the door.
..h1, LNu,t 1900, ,A Ill, .,11tf $50
claimed Carrie the moment the ligIt fell
my face. Why did you not send for
me: Aren't you BETTER
Worse" / 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 establishment. | drew from the pocket
$li, 1923.
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 | am led to believe that | was far
more grOtesque.
Then | asked for IN explanation. 1t
was the simplest thing imaginable. lido
not know why | had not thought of it
before. 1t was simply a blunder of Car.
rie's father. lie had mistaken my coat
for his own and had worn it down town.
never thinking tina; fortune was lyingin
the pocket. / sent ~. Anderson his r..
ceipt, handed the money to Mr.. Winston
and went on with my duties a wiser and. |
| hope, a better man.-ThOmas q. Mitch
ell in brakes Magazine,