Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-27
>:'''der the Cloud.
By E. S. WILLIAMSON

ney was toe eligible a parti to risk
losing by such untimely candOr. /
thought myself the happiest man in all
the world, but was not long in finding
out my error.
Zone night she had arranged to walk
home with HE from the theater; but
when l arrived there, some minutes
before the appointed time, she was al
ready gone. Certain of finding her
waiting, [ had gone straight in, and by
some strange chance the first thing
that met my eyes was Elaine'S pistol
I took it no, and, examining it care
lessly, found it loaded. Slipping ii
into the pocket of my overcoat, 1 went
out again, and, dismissing the
brOugham in which I had come
straight from a dinner party, walked
on with a half hope of overtaking the
sisters before they reached home,
Afterward I changed my mind believ-
ing it would be a hopeless quest, and.
back through the public gardens.
They were naturally almost deserted
at that hour; but | met a few people
none however whom 1 knew. It was
a fine night, but rather a high wind
as blowing, and every now and then
the tails of my light Overcoat-
weighted by Elaine's pistol-were
blown against my legs. I took out the
pistol and carried it in my hand
Suddenly, as I walked along quietly
saw through the trees two figures
that the moonlight made clear. One
was Ada; recognized her at once by
her white frock and big straw hat
for she was very fond of white, anC
had come out in summer clothing be
fore any one else. Who the other was
I could not guess, and a jealous in
Stinct made me go nearer to discover
Close as I advanced toward them, they
were they interested in each other; and
II was struck dumb and motiOnless
The woman who had lain upon my
breast, whose lips of her own accord
had pressed my own, was bewailine
her hard lot to this her former lover
She was marrying me for my money
because she could not face the evils OF
pOverty-no, not even with him. He
spoke earnestly, kneeling at her fee
and suing with almost unmanlJ
humility for the promise that was al
ready perjured once. But she was
firm-thOugh a very child in manner
Ada could he obstinate enough where
her own welfare was concerned. She
wept, and again and again assured
him that she could never love another
but she would marry me.
And I all the while was listening
AS in a dream their voices fell upOr
my ear; but their meaning was Cleal
enough She threw her arms abOu
his neck in almost despairing aban
donment when, out of patience at last
| he said goodbye. Had she even the1
relented, | would have forgiven her
but she returned at once to her stub
| born refusal, and repeated the words
I can not face poverty-not even fOl
YOU
He went, and, as he walked away
quickly, she stood watching him with
an agonized look, but making nc
sound, no gesture to call him back.
Then she turned-to face me.
''She never uttered the lie that was
doubtless already on her lips; she
never spoke a word of repentance OF
defiance. The pistol was in my hand;
without hesitation | raised it, took
aim, and fired, With one shot Kidding
the world of the falsest woman that
believe ever drew breath
"Directly she fell, l threw away the
weapon and went home with head
erect and no sense of fear-nOt Il
veStige of remorSe in my heart. l
thought 1 had done we'll and Justly,
and forgot there was any need to
avoid detection. That / escaped was
a lucky chance, not the effect of any
deep laid plot.
THE next morning 1 saw things
clearer, and realized that others would
not look at the matter III the same
light as l did. l determined hastily
on my plan Of action. When the
news was brought in, l simulated so
we'll the sorrow | did not feel that not
a breath of suspicion ever rested Oh
me. | heard Elaine Warrington
spoken of as the probable murderess
Of her sister, and held my peace. Be-
ing innocent, I had no doubt that she
could prove herself so, and, if the
worst came to the worst, ] could save
her.
TO allow another man to bear the
Odfum OF crime [ had committed
would have been against the common
est principles Of honor; but this was a
woman; and just then I felt that the
sex deserved no mercy at my hands.
1T is no tardy remorse that nerves
me now. l would have carried my
secret with me to the grave had 1t not
been that the happiness of the man
who saved my life-the one being in
the world whom I esteem and like
above all others-depeDded upon my
speaking the whole truth. Of my
crime do not repent; were Ada War
ringtOn to stand before me once more
false yet fair as of old, 1 would raise
my hand again and fire. 1 am
ashamed only of my selfish cruelty to-
word Elaine. and pray with all my
heart that she may accept this my
atonement, though offered not on her
account, but another's. If she for
gives me, can bear the contumely
of others, and feel already another be-
ing since I have resolved to face the
consequences of my own act, the act
I still deem a right and just one"
The letter was signed and attested
by two witnesses.