The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-04-06

was In the act Of turning moodily away
when words foil upon his ears that
caused him to pause in something like
horror.
It was Albert VINO was speaking
speaking in light, careless terms of tho
girl who believed him brave and gem
tie and true. He was confessing to his
admiration for her. but in manner
that made poor Otto's blood boil.
Again was he about to turn away,
when
''But Albert" persisted one Of the
sprucely-attired group. .'what the devil
would your wife saya You havn't been
married six months. you rascal!"
Dear boy. don't ask conundrums so
early in the evening"" drawled the
other. zone tires"
"But Otto could listen no further.
There was terrible singing sound in
his ears, and wild impulse in him to
strangle the villain who had so
basely deceived HIS honest little
friend. A glance of direct hate
he bestowed on him. and then.
still unobserved and muttering some
thing between his teeth that sounded
like "wait, you young. handsome
devil, and see!' he hurried back again
to his place, reaching it barely in time
to escape the censure of the orchestra
leader. whose baton was already poised
N ho cont- ind I;c coot
For the rest Of the performance he
played as though fury possessed linn.
More than once the leader looked at
him in surprise. but not anger; for his
work was true and correct as ever, but
there was fire and passion in it un-
usual, even for Otto. At last, at last
the curtain descended, with Flora
forming the central figure of the inal
tableau and looking bewitchingly love-
ly in her filmy white and gold draper
les. Then Otto snatched his hat and
coat broke from his companions and
hurried out of the rear entrance into
the narrow allcy-way bohind the thea
ter. A drizzling rain was falling. but
he shrunk into dark corner of door
way opposite and waited.
The muscles of his face grew tense
and rigid as neat coupe. with glitter
ing panels and brilliant trappings
drove up to the stage door. In another
instant Albert stood upon the narrow
curb in the rain, waiting.
How slowly the moments passed.
Would she never come? All, the door
opened and forth she tripped, holding
her skirts out of the mud and uttering an
impatient little exclamation as she felt
the raindrops upon her face. Grace
fully. and with Difference Albert hand
ed her into the carriage.
His own foot was on the step when
hand was laid lightly on his shoulder.
and. turning. he saw a tall man of
slight but elegant build. carrying a
violin case in his hand. The intruder
simply said .'wait!" in \ calm. quiet
tone, and then addressed himself to
the occupant Of the carriage. Too
much astonished for moment to re-
sent the intrusion, the younger man
could only look on and listen in amaze
ment.
Little one," said Otto. earnestly
and tenderly, taking trembling little
hand in his own. "by thy friendship
to me. and by the duty thou owest to
thy conscience and to thy God. charge
thee leave this mans company now
and forever. I, myself, will see thee
safe to thy home.'
In Flora's face there was amaze
ment and sorrow. but no anger. "Why,
Otto" she began; but the young man
behind them had recovered from his
surprise and advanced hastily. a great
anger cleaning from his handsome
eyes .Out of my way. you." he cried.
roughly, and then. perceiving by the
proud way in which the intruder drew
himself up that he was addressing a
g ntleman. he added passionately:
BY what right, sir, do you dare to in
terfere here?''
by the right of just man to thwart
a villain," answered Otto. his own
temper rising. young man, thou
hast a wife. go to her l say"
The youths face grew livid. He saw
the girl in the carriage cover her face
with her hands and make movement
as though to leap from his carriage.
.D-nation"' he shouted, ''take that
for your mcddlingr' He raised heavy
walking-stick that he carried and
struck Otto squarely upon the forehead.
The heavy. silver-head inflicted an ugly
wound. from which the blood poured
freely. For an instant Otto was dazed
but as his enemy's stick was raised for
another cruel blow, he lifted his violin
case. his only weapon. in both hands
and brought it down upon his assail-
ants head. The blow was badly aimed,
or it must have killed him. As it was,
it glanced off and the case came vio-
lently to the sidewalk. burst open and
discovered the priceless violin, broken
squarely in two!
~