The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-08-13
A PRIVATE REHEARSAL.


Gilbert Waring, student at the Lon
don University, reading hard for the
NJ. A. degree, sat alone in his dingy
bachelor lodging on the second floor in
Cover street, one perfect night in June.
Books streWed the table, overflowing
on to the floor, and filled every ayaila-
bic chair; but Gilbert was evidently
negiecting his studies, for no lamp was
lit, and he sat in darkness at the win
dow, gazing across the road so absorb
edly that he did not hear the quick,
bounding tread up the stairs that led
to his room, followed though it was
by loud knock, and then the uncere-
monious entrance of his bosom friend,
Ned Haslam, who exclaimed:
why, Gil!-sitting in the dark!
What's the matter, man?'
For answer, Gilbert beckoned his
friend TO the window and pointed to
the first floor of the opposite house,
through the windows of which could
be seen a Observation-Disclosures room,
and, seated at a piano, a young lady,
all unconscious of the eyes which were
watching her every movement
well, she is a stunnerrn was Ned S
enthusiastic comment. "Divinely fair!
| quite admire your taste, old fellow"
''Hushl she is going to sing" whis-
pered Gilbert.
And through the open windows they
could hear every note of the rich. sweet
voice, as the slender fingers ran lightly
over the piano-keys.
She was SO absorbed in her music
that she did not see what the watchers
across the street saw plainly; the door
opened, and a gentleman entered,
stood tor minute as if listening to the
sweet notes of the singer, then came
noisolessly behind her, and leaning
over, gently lifted one of her long fair
curls in his hand and pressed it to his
lips with an appearance of the most
tender devotion.
The music ceased abruptly, and the
young lady sprang to her feet, appar-
emily not at all pleased with the liberty
her ad,uirer had taken
She evidently reproached him, and
by his gestures he seemed to be apollo
gizing.
Really, this is as good as going to
we could hear what they were saying"
Meanwhile the newcomer talked
long and earnestly; but if he was urg-
ing his suit, he received no encourage
ment from the young lady, for She
shook her head now and then, and
once. when he sought to take her hand,
she shrank from him as if his very
touch were loathsome to her.
At last he grew desperate, and
throwing himself at her feet, seemed
to be entreating her to alter her deciS-
ion.
The young lady was quite overwhclm-
ed at his persistence and dramatic at
titude. for she covered her face with
her hands, and sobbcd violently; but
she evidently was firm in her denial.
and after brief interval he dashed
from the room, banging the door be-
hind him.
Presently the door reopened, and q
young Girl came in and threw her arms
about the young lady, dried her eyes,
and tried to comfort her with caresses
and tender eXpostulations.
That little girl suits my taste better
than the other one, if you will excuse
my saying so," remarked Ned. Il
grant she isn't quite as pretty, but
there is something about her that takes
me.
The young girl persuaded her sister
to lie down and rest, and after cover
ing her lightly, and watching to see
her eyes close, she left the room again.
well, | suppose that is the end of
the Drama" remarked Ned. Lets
go out for a walk now. for the excite
ment is all over"
No." answered Gilbert. See, the
door is opening again!'
This becomes thrilling" cried Ned.
The villain reappears, with revenge
in his eye. Now we shall see some
fun"
The rejected suitor crept towards the
sleeping girl. with stealthy, cat-like
movement. and standing beside the
couch looked down at her. as she lay
all unconscious of his presence.
He knelt down, and lifted his hands
toward heaven in an attitude of de-
spair, then raised his arm, and the ter
ror-stricken spectators saw the bright
CLEAN of steel.
Hes numbering her!" cried Gilbert.
Quick! we may be too late to save
herr'
And he darted downstairs, closely
followed by his friend, and rushed
across the street: The door of the OPP
posite house was open. and they sprang
upstairs, and dashed open the door of
the room In which they had just wit
messed the tragedy, to find it full of
people, laughing and talking.
This surely was the room in which
they had witnessed the cold blooded
assassination of a helpless girl. What
did it-could il mean?
A gentleman advanced, with a look
of Indignation at this unceremouious
intrusion.
What does this mean?" he inquired
angrily. ''What do you mean by bolt
ing into mans house in this way?
Explain yourselves"
The young men were mute for mo-
ment, too utterly bewildered 10 speak.
4 q 10