The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-07-17

And leaning forward he clasped her
in his arms and kissed her lips.
The charm was broken. With a
long, quivering shrek she broke from
his arms and rushed madly into the
parl0r among the startled guests,
Sholbach followed her, but she fled to
her father for protection.
Take him away she cried. Take
him away! He will kill me with his
10y eyes-those serpent's eyes. Take
him away!"
The next morning Sholbach had dis
appeared from the town, after an
nouncing that he would never return,
and Irene lay in a fever.
| year had passed away ana Irene
had long ago recovered her accustom-
ed health and spirit. Sholbaeh, true
to his promise, had never come back
to Montrose. In the meantime John
Manners, q stalwart young physician.
whose ability was unauestioned and
whose physical beauty was the envy of
every young man in the town, had
found the way to Irene's heart. She
loved and was loved in return, and it
had been arranged that they should
be married at her nncle's magnificent
mansion in st. Louis in the fall. The
days rolled on, and q week before the
day appointed for the wedding Irene
and her parents, together with her low
er and his parents, went to the city.
The first thing which met lrene's
eyes when she arrived in st. Louis was
q bill announcing that Professor George
Sholbach would exhibit his wonderful
illusions for one week at a certain hall.
The bill stated that the magician
would introduce his new feat of cutting
off q mans head and restoring it to its
place again without hurting the man.
Irene shuddered and turned pale when
she saw this bill. Her lover notic-
ed this, and being told the cause,
laughed.
..My darling he said. .'you ought
to be cured Of that trouble by this
time. Remembering that in q few
days you will have a husband to pro-
tect you. know your horror is only
temporary. I shouldn't be surprised
ifif you asked me to take you to see
him in q few davis"
Was it proprietor The desire to see
Sholbach's performances again grew
upon Irene. The simple knowledge
that she was in the anne city with him
had q strange fascination for her. She
struggled against her growing desire
to sec Sholback, but found herself un-
able to conquer it. At length in sheer
desperation, she asked her lover one
evening to take her to see the magic
ian. He.laughed heartily.
* knew you were cured of your
strange aversion for him. There's
nothing like . light heart and a good
Litigation to remove unpleasant fan
Ecios.1
Accordingly, they went in the even
ing to the hall and secured seats near
the stage. When Sholbach's eyes fell
upon them he started a. if he had been
shot. He fixed q burning glance upon
them, and in q moment understood
their position; for Irene clung to John
for protection. Then Sholbach bowed
slightly and smiled reassuringly.
From that time until near the close of
the entertainment he appeared to take
no notice Of them.
The usual tricks had been performed
and he began the concluding feat. A
man was summoned from among the
audience to go upon the stage. Then
he removed his collar and necktie and
coat Sholbach. appeared with a large
knife and suddenly Selling the man
plunged it into his throat. The man
screamed and struggled. The blood
poured from the wound. The audience
convinced as they were, that the man
was a confederate, were silent with
horror. Presently Sholbaeh whirled
thu HnSfo o,.orrA urtth n r,;o1- ~,o-.
ment and then heldu the mans head. !
a murmur Of horror ran through the
audience. Tie body was removed and
the professor treated the audience to
a three minute lecture. He was inter
rupted by the appearance at the other
end of the hall Of the man who had
been decapitated, alive and smiling.
The audience heaved a sigh of relief
and then awarded the successful mag
ician a round of applause.
"You may think said Sh olbaeh,
that the man who has just been on
the stage was a confederate. Now, in
order to convince you that he was not
4 desire any gentleman who has the
courage to come upon the stage and l
will repeat the exper. ment.n
As he sad this Sholbach looked at
John Manners. The powerful young
physician suddenly felt an Irresistible
desire to go up on the platform. He
arose as if to start.
John, you are not going!'exclaimed
Irene, in q tone of terror.
Yes" he replied laughing; II want
to find out how it is done"
"Let me go with your"
And without waiting for his answer
she followed him.
.sThis is hardly the sort of exhibition
for a lady to look upon at close quar-
ters,'' said Sholbach. 'tYou hadkS,etter
sit behind this screen until it IS over"
mo! mol" said q voice from the
house. LET the lady see how you do
it if she can"
Sholbach bowed, and gave Irene a
chair on the side OF the stage, oppo-
site to Manners. As he went off to get
the knife he paused for a single instant
in front of her and glared into her
eyes.
Don't you move or speak" he whis-
pered.
stirred II her life depended upon it.
Cold beads of p~erspiration broke out
on her brow and shivering chills ran
down her spine. But she was yoiceless
and nerveless. Sholbach had brought
the full power of his will to bear on
her and she was completely mesmer-
lied.
When the coniurer stood before Man
ners he gazed intently into his eyes.
The young physician, strong as he was,
felt himself grow weak before thatl look.
He e~ndeavored to speak, but Sholbach