The Arm Chair Library No. 79: The Haunted Homestead — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENGE. a “seene ” if it should prove possible to av: id it. The door was not locked, only boltei; the bolt, I had often observed, was a light oue. I set my shoulder against the door, and, with an increase of strength lent tome by the 2x- tremity of the case, succeeded in bursting it open. Charlie was close behind me. As weentered the powerful odor of the anaesthetic assai led us, (hester’s room had a western window, which I auickly threw open, admitting the last -4ys or sunset, along with a blast of cool Oc- ‘cber air, My friend lay on a sofa near by, | th a handkerchief over the lower part of his 3 ce, As Isnatched it off my foot rang against | he empty bottle which had dropped to the | arpet from his nerveless hand. ad! Great | Heaven! it seemed so, Charlie burst out cry- | ing. I sternly to him, ordering him to | bring me the ice-water pitcher. He exceeded ordersso far as not only to bring it, but to dash its chill contents over the whiteface and into the bosom of ter. At the same time L began vigo ly to rub the cold bands and to strike them together. : “Go, Charlie,” said I, ‘f to Doctor M—— (his house is on Bleecker, not far away), and alarm no one else just yet. ” Both of us feit instinctively that there was something to be kept secret, yet it was certain- ly the most natural conjecture that Chester hadsent forthe chloroform merely to relieve his headache, and that this overdose of it was carelessness or accident. for, of all men in the world. what motive could he have to commit suicide? His cheerful disposition, his business prosperity, and the of his marriage roneene were the pleasant envy of his acquain- neces, ser oanely the doctor was at home, having | just finished his dinner, and was not long in F reaching us. Thus far my exertions had met with no reward, and ( was dizzily reflecting if upon me would devolve the duty of bearing i her death to Mrs. en tot ded,” ® ig. nd, piecing his hand Sa ’s heart, ‘* but that’s t tobe. I can’t see use such dangerous in!” and, ignation as oe a nah "Phat is the effect of the chloroform,” said chee oe oes pene? partiall or enD- ou ‘| self to be rash. You area lawyer, -- Jat . weiss — ty fined if he still desired it to come into m hards, isa question. If I had thought svien t sbould have waited, but thinking only thatl uizht be of service to him if he had any gmeat trouble on his mind, I opened the note and real; “ DEAR FRIEND—I was rude to you this after- noon. If you could guess at the miserable con- dition I am in you would forgive me anything. [ meant to die and ‘give no sign,’but I have de- termined to confide this much to you, My wife. has deceived me. I can never live with her in confidence again, and I cannot live without her —ergo, | ba,e resolved to kill myself. Yet, se much do IJ love her, so tenderam I of her, de- spite the wrong she has done me, that I do not wish t» punish her by letting the world know of our aftairs. I wists to slip quietly out of it, leaving the impression that my death was the result of accident. In this you can help me. You can take pains to make it appear 80, you can prevent the spread of idle rumors, you Can protect her from the Consequences of her own folly. At the same time that I thus quit a life which she has rendered nnendurable, I leave her freedom to be happy in her own way. If she has changed toward me _if she loves anoth- er better than me—shall I blame her too harsh- lv? Yet whocould have suspected it of her? ther than believe it, | will die to get away from the certainty. My will has already been made in her favor. I shall not alter it. Keep her secret and mine; and good-by to the old fel- low who has alweys proven himself a true friend. R. C.” Heisinsane. Some sudden fever has af- fected his brain,” I thought, as I read the letter a second time. Then a sudden cold thrill ran through me as I recalled that little event of the day before yesterday—my friend’s wife in the carriage, the military stranger who handed her into it, and her denial that she had been out. Verily, this was a wicked world! I did not wonder that Chester wished himself out of it. Suddenly his hand fell upon mine. He had arisen from the couch and staggered toward You have readit. I don’t thank bringing me back, I shall only have the deed to do over again. I ain sorry you have read the letter. I would rather ou should continue to think well of Augusta. When I am gone pe haps she will be sorry.” ‘© Ral hI said, in my firmest tones, as I led nim back to the sofa and took a seat be , ** before Goa, I believe there is some mistake. You must not aliow you! and 1f is our business to sift every atom of testimony before you give your decision.” ic only reply was & groan. & Since] know so much,” I continued, “‘ tell me all. Two heads are sometimes better than one. At least, it may be some comfort to you to feel that you have a friend to confide in.” Ps < | os > me. ‘* Too late! you, Richard, for “Comfort to confide my own dis * again with that sneering smile so much a to see on his than any other face, ** But will tell you, that }ou may do me the justice to see that I have not been too easily convinced ef my own ruin. You saw the beginning of edy, Richard. You are a witness aaron way ort in the case. You saw my — ounces 4 — i —_" es eR :