Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-01

cnalr, breathing the
sitting air, which every moment be-
came more oppressive.
I thought could not endure it, yet
how could 1 avoid it? There was only
one way without danger of discovery;
step into the hall, and those spiral
stairs would take me to the housetop
to the observatory.
Waiting until 1 was sure the way
was clear, stepped softly into the
hall, and, ascending the stairs, though
with much difficulty, was soon en-
ioying the forbidden pleasure of
breathing the free air, untainted with
the fumes of the nauseous drugs that
had been dealt out to me with an un-
sparing hand all through the long,
cold winter.
How exhilarating! wondered that
I had been housed so long. 1 looked
down upon the group of young ladies
who were sporting on the lawn.
Jennie Magrair was there, the
daughter of my host, the only woman
1 ever loved, but 1 was nothing to her.
She knew not how 1 worshipped her,
and / should keep my secret we'll, for
she was the betrothed of Gerald Mac
burn.
How I eDvied him and perhaps
hated him little, for | knew that he
had not won her love. She had pledged
her hand to save her old father from
poverty.
She had consented to the sacrifice
and Macburn was satisfied.
Turning away tried to Danish the
painful, hopeless thought that had
been awakened.
Adjusting the telescope I took a
survey of the farming and woodland
that stretched far away to the east for
many miles.
1 caught sight of two men whom
recognized as Gerald Macburn and
John Layton.
They were evidently in search OF
game. The glass was small, yet q
very superior instrument, and I could
see them very plainly, notwithstand-
ing the distance.
1 presume 1 should have thought
no more about them had 1 not known
that but few months before they
were bitter enemies. l wondered
how the reconciliation had been ef-
fected.
While puzzling my brain with these
thoughts L had unconsciously moved
the glass to keep them within range.
1 saw them stop, and knew by their
motions that they were angry.
became interested. l could see
them so distinctly that I found myself
listening to catch their words.
l could see their lips move, and |
saw John Laytons clinched hands.
He was evidently much excited, but
he did not offer to strike; and if one
can judge by sight alone he was in
clined to avoid any alteration, while
Macburn appeared to seek a quarrel.
For full five minutes they stood
there, gesticulating vehemently. They
were some distance apart, Layton all
the while endeavoring to widen the
space and Macburn following him up.
At last Layton, goaded beyond all
endurance, wheeled about and shook
his fist menacingly at his tormentor.
Macburn was SO exasperated at this
that he raised his rifle and shot him.
1 saw the poor man fall out of sight
In the bushes, and L saw Macburn
calmly reload his rifle and walk to-
ward the spot where his victim was
lying.
Then I staggered AID fell to the
floor, and all was blank.
When [ awoke to consciousness
was in bed. Cloths were all about
my head, and in the dim lamplight l
saw a watcher by my bedside. 1t was
my old chum, Harry Wilmot.
"How is this?" said 1, when I real
lied the situation.
"Thank God you are coming around
again, said Harry; "but it has been
a hard case, Fred; you have been as
crazy as loon for a whole week. l
advise you not to try the observatory
again till you are strong enough to
crawl back"
At these words, what I had seen
l frnn khn