Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-10
..ynu ,a.ar old.darlinp." said Mabel.

| that moment, however, she regarded
Bancroft as my bad angel, and hated
him with all the cordially of indignant
womanhood. Meantime Bancroft had
| commenced to haunt me. From being
Aa naturally frank and open disposition,
became pretty naturally vigilant and
alert, fearful each instant that would
betray myself and realizing that each
day put me further from the possibility
of an explanation. / grew preoccupied,
moody, morose. My nerves, quivering
under the tension, were giving way.
looked scared and guilty. The very
name of Bancroft was hateful to me,
and when my wife ;harped upon him l
felt that 1 should 60 mad if did not
| get away. He had become astonish-
ingly real to me, and felt my person
ality becoming mixed and meshed with
this myth-this man of air and nothing
ness in a manner that upset all my
previous notions of identity. l almost
believed that l had actually met Ban
croft at some time. Or that l was liv-
ing dual existence. In short, was
on the verge of lunacy when the climax
came.
One evening when 1 went home to
| supper in my usual perturbed state OF
mind there was strange man at my
gate. He had keen. Ratchet face and
wore SLOUGH hat.
'.Mr. Frank n. Styne, believe"
".Yes, sir.
Il am member of the city detective
force. The chief wants to see you at
his office"
"'What for?' ] gasped.
Il don't know You had better come
down at once
.-All right" / said, my brain in a
whirL -'Walt till 60 in and see my
wife,
Your wife is at the Office" he re-
piled with a peculiar smile.
Shocked and alarmed beyond express
| sion piled him with questions, but
he insisted that he knew nothing of
! 1.-The CASE" as he called it. and hurried
| me along. The fact that had not the
| slightest idea what Mabel could be
doing at the police headquarters re-
doubled my fears. The chiefs Office
was approached by series of passage
WAYS, at the end Of one of which saw.
as in tield-glass, room in which
were seated my wife and a stout gen.
tleman in uniform, whom l knew by
sight and reputation. Mabel did not
seem frightened. but was very pale and
wore determined look.
..Mabcl!'' l cried, as 1 rushed in,
"what does this mean?"
Your wife" interposcd the chief
blandly, estates that you are acquainted
with the occupant of room II. No. 70
Staunton place. Is that a fact?'
What about it?" | asked, apprc-
ciating the necessity of gaining some
more information before committing
| myself.
Have you seen the evening papers?"
No"
Then" said the chief, II will tell you
frankly what l want. for l believe you to
be a man of reputation. The occupant
of room II No. 20 Staunton place, was
murdered last night, and the occu-
pant of room II is suspected. We
could not find out who that individual
was, but your wife has been kind
enough to inform us that it is party
named Bancroft, friend of yours.
| We want Bancroft When and where
did you see him last?''
felt the ground suddenly slipping
! from under my feet. The whole horror
of my situation flashed upon me.
Mabel spoke up:
''Frank.H she said, "when saw that
number I'M the paper this afternoon
knew it was Bancroft. could not keep
! silent after such dreadful thing, and
l felt that this WAS perhaps the way
open to break your connection with
that wretch. So put on my Things
and came down here. 1t was for both
our sakes. D. Frank. tell the gentle
man all you know Of that man and let
us at least get our skirts clear of this
awful crime
The chief looked at me fixcdly. Under
certain circumstances mans brain
will work like lightning. In an instant
1 had formulated plan.
Have you aprivate room9" l asked.
Yes he replied. ''come this way"
':Wait here, said to Mabel; ''do
not be alarmed. | will tell him all.
When the chief closed the door of the
inner room said to him very calmly.
''There is no such man as Bancroft"
| udt. HI cNCtdiIilcU. SttTtluS Out
of his professional stOicism.
''Hc is mere creation of my poor
wife's fancy replied, sadly.
Explain yourself
81 will. If you will make the most
trifing inquiries you will find that nc
such person As Bancroft ever existed
Did she tell you he used to work in
Reed tea s.ore?"
''Yes. l believe she did
"Well, inquire at Reeds and you win
learn that he never had such man il. his
employ. The fact is, my wife exhibits
at times certain signs OF mental aber-
ration. This imaginary man Bancroft
is the mos; noticeable one. l had hoped,
sir, to keep this secret locked forever
| In my own breast, but these circum-
stances force me. of course, to make
confession of it to you. trust. as gen.
| tieman you will not betray this melan-
choly confidence. Ny physician has
warned me not to disturb the hallu-
cinat;on. else [ would have warned
YOU in the other room. l suppose she
told YOU. among other things, that
Bancroft once thrust billiard cue
Il IL $trnof's