The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1893-09-29
..But you must not 90 out withou.-a.

But you must not 60 out without-an
overcoat," the dear girl answered, sand
II you will wait just moment will 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 / never
passed more miserable night.
ssWhy, Fred, you look as though you
met legion of ghosts last night, said
Mr.. Winston as he came into the Office
the next morning. "What is the mat
ter?''
81 did not sleep WELL" / answered,
with q smile.
'sBy the way" continued my employ
er, "did you write to Anderson as I re-
| quested?"
do not know how managed to re-
ply, for the question set me shiyering
from head to foot, and was so weak
that could scarcely sit in 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." I'M
mediately afterward he added: "Why,
Fred, you shiver as though you had the
ague, and you are sweating like butch
erl You're i'll, mani Come, jump into
my trap, and I'll take you home"
/ was glad of the chance to get away,
and on reaching home l locked myself
in. All, those were terrible hours l
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 deliberation that
/ would have used in the most common
transaction. / wrote short explana-
tion to Carrie, another for Mr.. Winston,
third for my mother. In fourth en-
velope / 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,
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 was tap on my door. II
startled me, and easily concealing my
weapon I called out that / could admit
no one.
"Not me, Fredp'
knew Carries voice, and yearnine
| to look once again into her loved face
mastered me. Quietly slipping the tell
tale letters which had left on the table
into my cocket, opened the door.
"Oh, yred, you are really illr' ex-
claimed Carrie the moment the light fell
on my face. "Why did you not send fo1
me? Aren't you betterr
| "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 astonishment, drew from the pocket
| $11, ,750.23.
You have heard about the singular
capers of madman or the wild antics
4 of those crazed with rum, but judging
from what Carrie told me and from tht
| appearance of my apartment after itwai
over am led to believe that was fal
more grotesque.
Then asked for an explanation. |
was the simplest thing imaginable Idt
not know why / had not thought of i
before It was simply blunder of Car
/ rie's father. He had mistaken my Goa
for his own and had worn itdown town
never thinking that fortune was lying il
the pocket. I sent Mr.. Anderson his re
ceipt, handed the money to Mr.. Winston
and went on with my duties wiser and
| hope, better man. Thomas G.. Mitch
4 ell in brakes Magazine.