The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-10-06

|
without an overcoat p
mo coat ~ | 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 mailman, as | was. The coat
was gone!
Then was unnerved. Igrasped at
the stair-rail, and caught it just in
time to support myself. Carrie came
running out, her face pale with alarm.
"Oh, Fred are you ill? Let me call
mother and the doctor. You are as
white as sheet.n
mo, no, Carrie ~ | entreated.
"There, | am better now.n
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 not been
paid and was not my unaided word
as good as his r.?
| was foolish enough to believe that
| could brave it through, and | 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 go. 1t was an old one, and now
I'll have better one"
But was there nothing in the
pockets ~ asked Carrie.
1t is strange how suspicious guilt
will make us. really thought Carrie
suspected me, and an angry reply was
on the end of my tongue. Isuppress-
ed it, however, and uttered false
hood instead.
Nothing of consequence, Carrie.
A good pair of gloves and some other
trifiing notions"
Now, if you will wait II moment,
will get you one of fathers coats to
wear home."
Thus equipped, left her. You may
guess thatmy slumbers that night were
not very sound, nor very refreshing.
Inever passed a more miserable night,
and in the morning my haggard looks
were the subject of remark.
why, Fred, you look as though
you met legion of ghosts last night
said Winston. what is the matter ~
II had bad night of it, answer
ed with sickly smile.
and you'll have another if you're
not careful you had better keep
quiet to-day. BY the way, did you
write to Anderson p
l do not know how managed to re-
ply, for the question set me shivering
from head to foot, and l was so weak
that l could scarcely sit in my chair.
l must have answered in the afhrma-
tive, however, for he said
'"Then we may look for something
from him tomorrow or next day
Immediately afterward 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"
Twas glad of the chance to get away,
| and on reaching my home 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
l was meditating Coward that
was, l had at last resolved on self-de-
struction.
l commenced by preparations with
| the same calmness and deliberation
that | would have used in the most
common transaction. | wrote a short
explanation for Carrie, another for
Mr.. Winston, third for my poor
mother, and l sealed them all. In a
fourth envelope l enclosed the receipt
to Mr.. Anderson. All this accomplish
ed, | went to my secretaire and took
out my revolver.
| Having examined the cartridges to
make sure that there would be no fail
ure, | sat down before the fire, and
lifting the revolver, l placed its cold,
death-like muzZle against my fore
head. In another second | should
have been lifeless; but just as my fin
ger began to press the trigger, there
came u tap on my door, 1t startled
me, and, hastily concealing my wea-
pom, l called out that | could admit
no one.
Not me, Fred %
| knew Carries voice, and a yearn-
ing to look on her loved face got the
mastery of ME. Quietly slipping the
tell-tale letters, which | had left ON
the table, into my pocket, | 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" answered, huskily, but
Carrie-good heavens
AS | uttered this exclamation ] start
ed back, and then forward and then
| scarcely know what, for hanging
across Carries arm was my overcoat
Recovering from my establishment, l
drew out eleven thousand seven hun
dred and fifty dollars and twenty-three
cents.
You have heard about and perhaps
seen, the singular capers of a mailman,
or the wild antics of those craZed with
rum, or grotesque dancing of savages.