The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-17

"0Jefr -
The sun upon the third Sunday In
June had geld tinged natures sweetest
garb. have never witnessed more
perfect dawn. And it was the beauty
of that morning that caused Ivan to in
vite Irene and me to take a run over the
Palisades. Ivan had been making day
Of it every Sabbath for month past,
and his descriptions of the scenes had SO
awakened Us to the anticipation of a
Jolly outing that Irene and gladly con-
sented to go.
Ten o'clock found US high upon the
cliffs overlooking the grand old Hudson
1t must have been an hour past mid
day when cloud, mere dot, appeared
like freckle upon the face of the sun.
A nervous breeze sprang up, more ac-
tive than the calm, tanning wind of
the morning. The cloud cast a shadow
upon the treetop, and for moment its
limbs formed the outlines of a double
cross upon the white cloth beneath our
little banquet. 1 started as one out of a
dream and looked at Ivan. My face
must have been as colorless as the spread,
for he asked if l were Ill.
Look l exclaimed. THAT double
cross"
He seemed not to understand.
st is only shadow" he said.
"But once before | saw it. Don't you
remember-upon the back of my let
teri"
He laughed outright, called me fool
ish woman and told me that must not
cling to superstitions.
"a strange trait, that, with the Swe-
dish people," he added. They swear
by signs. Why, upon my word, CeSca,
if you go on like this you will be telling
us that you see some of those funny lit
tie men popping out of the rocks yonder,
akin to those that your Swedish peasants
declare dwell in the forest. And while
l think about it, Rip Van Wrinkles little
gnomes did use to play at tenpins not
far up the river-over in Sleepy Hollow,
you know" he TESTED.
He had no sooner spoken than huge,
thick cloud flung its black mantel over
the face of the sun. The wind arose,
higher, madden, faster. The waters of the
Hudson rose and pranced and stood up
right. A great, roaring noise of threat
and chaos filled the am, deafening In its
force. The waters below dashed and
foamed. Small sails were picked up,
tossed and hurled shoreward.
The outing parties made for the shell
ter of cafes and the village near by.
Confusion reigned. The sky grew dark
black The imps of evil seemed to rise
out of the very earth beneath our
feet Agents of fury and warning dan
gled from the sky. A brilliant flash of
lightning crossed the scene, quickly
followed by a crash of thunder. 1 chung
to Irene, who was quaBdng with fright.
The flash had told me that Ivan was
deathly pale.
TOO late TO move now" was all that
he could say.
But it is hardly upon us. We might
reach the nearest cafe. Besides, thus
tree is dangerous conductor" l pro
tested.
1.-THE whole scene is shrouded," he
whispered. w are rs safe here as any
whereP'
Another fash came. In the direction
OF the bushes 70 the west noticed
figure stealing toward us-a woman.
"Look! She has lost her way. Como
nearer to me-closer, Ivan, closeri
fearl 1 tremble" cried, as he clasped
me in his arms. But the woman only
quickened her pace, which we discOv-
cred by the frequent flashes of light.
Faster and faster she ran toward us.
Irene, becoming inconsolable, rushed off
to the nearest cafe.
The woman was now upon usi For
an instant bright Fash illuminated the
spot. looked; | saw a face.
Great God! Vera!
IVAN | cried. "Do you seeI A
spirit! Her spectre! Veras ehostr'
The man strove to speak. His tongue
was dashed TO the roof Of his mouth. He
moved-confronted her, the phantom
like figure. as daredevil might face Q
harbinger of DEATH
"At last" the woman cried
Vera screamed Ivan, and fell upon
his knees before her.
1T is here that l find you!" she con-
tinued Il have tracked you many
times, thinking that you were but build
ing our plans as we agreed"
LAS who agreedE' Ivan cried.
you, Ivan Trolsky, my husband. and
l, Vera, your wifep she answered, as
her hot temper fired her. Yes, as we
agreed have crossed your path soore
Of times. Under the park tree heard you
plight your tToth.- In the lovers seat l
have heard your passionate words of
love. have watched and waited pa
tiently, believing that you but schemed
as we had promised. But now you have
gone too far. Your words are 10 longer
empty sounds. You love that grill All,
deny it mott Trust 70 woman's eyes 70
read the perfdy in mans heart"
''VeraT' he protested. a. crept further
into the shade 70 miss the fash Of her
temper.
"Out upon IL" she exclaimed. "Ths
farce has gone far enoughl You would
have made it tragedy Oh. I knowi Ths
girls falling health bat a few weeks
back, bsF discovery OF her weakness,
your stss1aY.s 70 poison her! It is too
true! Asd whersT Is the stranger you
found fsinting in the sTrets Olef-where
Is her
"Godl 6lefr' I screamed, as the fright
ful truth all darted TO my brain The
stranger, the accidsat, the hospital !
bent nv tortured heart ts listen
Where Is he she repeated. You
have told ne IN your letter-fhs forci-
bic detention Of Olef at your friends