The Florence daily tribune., 1898-03-11
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ter her. 1t was easy to trace the wan
his lovely Wife. Their movements were
the subject of daily paragraphs in the
papers from San Diego to Seattle. and
not until they had left Coronado Beach
did the Mcrriams go thither. Not until
the Mei-ancs were heralded Mt the Pal
ace in San Francisco did the happy
couple move on to Monterey. and there
one morning as they were at breakfast
the papers were brought in and there
was sensation. Merriam had not yet
begun ~ appear nj table with that in
faliibie symptom of the long married
coup.e--a newspaper for his own en-
tertainment and silence for his wife
and he and she were giancing about the
great apartment and exchanging hap
py. low-'oned condolences about their
surroundings and possibly their fellow
sojourners.
man at nm adjoining table, however,
had opened the sheet and suddenly ex-
claimed: MY Godl" and this instantly
attracted the attention Of his wife. who
had resignedly accepted the situation
and was finding such consolation as she
could in studying the occupants of the
room. He began to read aloud: Mr..
John Harold McLane, of New York, who
with his charming young wife has been
spending few days in this city, was
shot and dangerously wounded while
stepping into his carriage in front of
the University club at late hour last
night, his unknown assailant escaping
in the confusion that followed. The
ball, evidently a heavy one, struck him
with such force that the shock felled
him instantly. He was carried into the
clubhouse again, where Drs. Storr and
Humphrey, who were present, made
prompt examination. II was found that
after striking full force and partially
destroying the contents of a fiat pocket
book in his overcoat the ball, detected,
evidently. had torn It's way round under
the skin of the left breast and hurst its
way out below the armpit. Bleeding
was profuse and the shock severe yet
The physicians think that the chances
are in favor of his recovery.
"There is much mystery about the
affair. The conchman says a man and
n woman walked up and down in front
of the club on the opposite side of the
street full half an hour before Mr.. Nc
Lane came out, he being accompanied
by friend who had formed one of their
party at whist. Instantly the strange
man lei, the side of the woman, hurried
across the street, and, placing his left
hand on Mr. Mcl.ane's shoulder, turned
him sharply, and accosted him in low,
somewhat angry tone. The moment he
spoke Mr.. McLane struck furiously with
his right hand at the others face, then
thrust it into his overcoat pocket, where
later pistol was found II was at this
instant that the other fired. The car
riage horses, startled, attempted
TO run, and by the time the
coachmnn had regained control
of them they were some dis
Mr.. McLane was being borne into the
club. Quite little crowd had gath
cred, but nobody but himself and the
friend referred to, who was some
what intoxicated, had seen anything of
the shooting. A Deighbor said he saw
man and woman hurrying round the
corner but that was the last of them.
The police have a clew which they re-
| fuse to divulge. Mrs. McLane, who
was attending the brilliant reception
| given at the residence OF Hon. j. L. San
| bourne, was not informed of the trag-
| edy until an hour later. and was pros
trated by the shock. At three a. m.
| the wounded man was resting under the
influence of opiates."
| Breathless, Merriam listened, his face
paling. and breathless Florence watched
him. When the reader had finished
and his wife began to ask questions,
Florence said no word. Her dark,
pathetic eyes were fixed upon her hus-
bands pallid face. then timidly she
stretched forth her hand. Randy,
dearl" she whispered.
Merriam reused himself with sud
ien start. Forgive me, Floy, Floy
| darling! But this is a dreadful shock.
VIII you mind my getting a paper"
and he looked appealingly about him.
A waiter sprang forward. Did the cap
tain wish anything? The morning pa
per? Certainly, Which one? Oh, any
oDe-all of them in fact; and present.
ly they were brought. as was the break
fast, and the breakfast grew cold while
lie read on through naner after paper,
| grewsome details in one and all, yet not
the details he sought.
And Florence had lost all appetite and
was intent only on him, waiting almost
nieeIly for him to speak. Some OF the
papers declared the injuries mortal.
Randy passed the papers one after an
other without comment TO her, as he
read them. She took each as it came,
obediently, helrfully, but folded and
laid it by her side. then returned to her
wordlcss study of his troubled face. At
last the fourth sheet was finished, and
with long sigh he turned ard eaw
ncr. MY darling. my dar.iug!' he
whispered. great shame ard sorrow
oyerpowerirg him Us he noted the in
tensity OF her sympathy minglirg with
the mournful sense of her utter roth