CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1898-10-13
"A CONFESSION

ITO NY cousin, Hercules Fox, sheriff
of Peakland- Written from the
Shepherd's cabin. on Lord's Tor. nigh
against the cross where, in bygone
times, stood the chapel of the White
Monk
Sir: Report, doubtless, hath It that /
am driven lunatic by the untimely
death Of her whom loved heart and
soul speak of my mistress, Euphra-
sin. your daughter and one eve lamb;
Of her who seemed the true phoenix
and the star of woinanhood. There 10
little need to expasinte on the merits
of one so kind and SO beautiful; let It
suffice that her untimely ending hath
drawn black cloud from east to west.
from north 10 south IEave wandered
day after day. night after night, ON
these barren moors, craving for the
last pang. But Death will have none of
me yet awhile. and must abide and
endure.
Tomorrow, long ere the carrier de-
livers this epistle-perchance it may
not reach Aldon-in- the-Watcr till FRI
day shall have left the hill country
for ever. On Thursday embark on
my pilgrimage. Ny own land shalI
know me no more; all my future days
must be spent wandering in search Of
peace Cell to your minds eye the pio-
ture Of = tattered beggAr+ tske
naught with me save the captains fee-
/ shall live as the friars did, pleading
for my bread from door to door.
Ny estate ! leave with you to uae
as you will. II after this recital your
breast holds one spark of pity. pray
take upon yourself the duties Of mas
ter. There are servants for whom ]
fain would have made provision; and
the roam mare. which gas my fathers,
let her feed upon the xweetest grass
In sur,mcr. and ina winter He in IT,
warmnst shed.
II was who destroyed Jsrvass
Whittiagham-
You have mot forgotten that On oss
Day a yenrago be ana / came - -.
At separate hours. each TO ask leave
TO pay court to your daughter; and
that to both you made answcr that.
having suffered In your youth from
your parents interference, you hAd
vowed that Eurhrasin should choose
OF herself. To me you expressed pref
ercnec, IT had long been desire of
yours Tint the divided estafes might
be Joined again. Notwithstanding, you
forbore 10 move in favor of either. II
Jcr,usc were the fortunate lover. you
declared you would aequiesee without
unwiliingness- So Twas fain to be con-
tent with this poor comfort On the
following day pleaded with Euphra-
sia. and received neither aye nor nay.
bade her tell If her affections were
given elsewhere She was silent, and
q sudden gladness filled me, and I
withdrew from the chamber.
Thnt night could not rest. for my
brain teemed with rich pictures of
conjugal happiness After midnight
rose and dressed. and went privately
from my house to taste the fresh air
of the moorlands and to watch the
breaking of the day. Ihad not walked
far ere In the moonlight l beheld Jer-
vase on the bank of the river, beside
the rutten bridge. A flood had risen
in the uplands and the current swirled
madly in It's loamy bed. Jcrvase was
talking to himself; could hear him
speaking of me-of me who had been
hia lifelong fricnd--in words Of con-
tumciy. Amazed. stole to his side
and Laid my hand on his arm.
~What hath distressed ron, Jerry
I said, all my fondnesa being yet alive.
why speak so harshly OF me:''
He leaped toward me. struck me
with all his might above the heart. 1
fell. half senseless, to my knees, When