The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-19
A STRANGE MANIA.
like Philkins, in New York Weekly

 moved in to the town of Decatur, Texas, and all efforts on the part of the people in that little town 10 find out anything of their past history, except that they were Judge Henry Wamble and his wife, and daughter, and son, from Tennessee, proved unavailing.
 The family had arriyad unexpectedly one evening abou, dusk, and as they rode in in a covered wagon Squire Cobb said he got gli npse of them.
 .' got glimpse of the daughter for one instant" said Bernard Wilder, the handsomest and smartest young fellow fn all that country. "l tell you, it was the prettiest and yet saddest face ever saw. If she stays here she will turn the heads of all the boys, or they will have to leave.o
 And so the people talked on, while the Wamble family still continued as mys- terious as ever.
 Squire Cobb," said about three months after the judge" as he was called, had arrived. "I am compara- lively stranger here, but think the Wamble family IS causing enough strange aod mysterious happenings to de- mand an investigation.
 Why, what new thing has happened now? Any more fellers cranky since Fa,ie Farrell and Max Miller left when they could no, get that pretty little witch. Edna. think Ii very strange that all her lovers disappear without an expla- nation"
 Yes, and did il never occur to you that they would never return probably ?'
 What do you mean:' he asked, ex- citedly.
 Why, ,ha, this matter ough, to be looked into, and right away. too"
 Have you any grounds for this dark suspicion 7" he asked.
 Listen: Tom Shoemaker went there the other night to ask her fathers per. mission to visit her. No one knew of it but his sister. He never returned, but 1t was thought q, ,he time he had gone to some of the neighbors. Last night Ed. Plckrell went on the same errand. Bernard Wilder met him on the way, and waited around outside to find out how he succeeded. While there here he comes now; he will tell you all about it."
 Ben," exclaimed several voices from the crowd, that had gathered in the little store where had been talking to Squire Cobb, "tell us about Ed. Pickrell, and what you know"
 Well, when had waited outside for Ed. until l thought the most ardent lover ought to come out, started to walk of, when heard dull, heavy thud, followed by faint laugh-but such a laugh as froze my blood and made my teeth chatter, and you know l am no coward. could not make out anything distinctly, but saw enough to make me determined to find out what it all meant. and what had become of Tom Shoe maker and Ed. Plckrell-and perhaps the otLers. And now l ask every one present 10 keep silen, until you hear from me again. I am going to unravel this mystery, or disappear as mysteri- ousiy as did the others"
 You do not intend to try your fate in order to ind out that of the others ?' asked Squire Cobb.
 do not know abou, that. will tell you one thing, if there is any crime con- nec,ed with this mystery, Edna Wamble IS ignorant and innocent of it. 1 believe she is dying of some great sorrow. Her eyes and face have the saddest and sweetest look ever beheld 1 have had several talks with her lately, and-but look, wonder, she is beckoning me ts come there in hurry. I'll go and see her. and Ben at once walked to the corner of the block, where Edna stood, pale and trembling, awaiting him.
 An, Edna, have you come to recon s'der your answer and clear up this mys- tery!' he asked.
 No, no; MT. Wilder" she cried, "I love you too deariy-l mean l have too much regard for your future happiness to permit you to do what you might ever regret. If you could penetrate the secret of my life, you would turn from me. Dear Bernard MT. Wilder, I mean-I came here to ask you not to come to fathers to-night-to never come at all. l ask this in the name of the love you profess for me. Oh, if you stay away and trust me, l-tather is calling and I must go,' and she was gone ere Bern could stay her.
 Her strange eagerness made him more determined than ever to go there that very night. But one thing almost drove him wild, and that was that she mus, be in some way connected with what was undoubtedly series of mysterious crimes.
 He went to the house about dark, and was admitted to large room in which were only two chairs and table, one chair setting in the center of the room at the end of the table.
 The judge gave him the centre chair and took the other himself, and called to Edna to bring wine.
 She did so, and set it on the table with two colored glasses, and retired to a side room. The judge then said in suppressed tone:
 So, Mir. Wilder, you want to ask the privilege of visiting my little Edna, eh We'll, you don't know what you ask, my friend. Take glass of wine, and we'll talk 1t over.n
 Just then Bernard noticed Edna at side window, with her hand up to her mouth and shaking her head negatively.
 Quick as flash he understood that he vwns mt fo drsuG n,,& --k.s ...-. | -