The morning call., 1891-08-31
A THRILLING STORY,

Vienna. From the intent and eager express
sion on the faces of two of them it was evil
dent that the subject of the conversation was
more than ordinarily interesting.
The leader Of the conversation was man
apparently on the turn of S5, with face
strongly marked by the unsparDg br ush of
late hours and unTestrained passions. He
had reached The pith of The tale and was en-
joying the impstience of his listeners with
keen relish. At last, yielding 10 their eager
importunltes, he said:
well, I'll tell you the name Of the lady,
but remember you have given your word of
honor that it shall go no further. When
followed her from the train found it was
o shades Of virtue Mrs. Waldemer."
"YOu lieP'
The words rang through the silent room
like trumpet blast. Springing to their
feet with haste that sent chairs and tables
flying. the startled trio turned and saw a
gentleman in evening dress standing not
three feet away. His face was convuls ed
with rage, and his futile struggle for speech
only caused his pallid lips to utter inco-
herent sounds. For few seconds no one
moved, and the ominous quiet was onl Y
broken by the deep, labored breathing of
him who had so unceremOnlouSly inte r
rupted the peace of the night; then with a
ing space, and before hand could be raised
IN hindrance, the boastful rOue had plan ted
a terrific blow full in the face of his adyer-
sary, almost telling him to the floor. The
infuriated combatants were quickly sepa-
rated by the excited bystanderS, and both
hurried from the house.
On the following morning the frequenterS
OF the club stood about in little knots dis
cussing the episode of the night before.
There was universal sympathy with the
had l.
strong expressions of anger were INDUCED
in by the members, who were justly enraged
al the publicity that would inevitably fol-
low such 4 disgraceful affair.
One old gentleman in particular was much
excited. He said:
"Such an unwarranted imputatinn against
a lsdy'S character should not 90 unpun-
ished, and if Herr Waldemer does not chal-
lenge that brute, why, I'll do it myself, if
only on general prime pies"
AS the choleric old man finished COM
motion at the door showed the entrance of
some one with fresh news on the engrossing
topic
Ths newcomer was quickly surrounded,
and with the eagernesS of a bearer of glad
tldlngs, he exclaimed:
''Waldemer has challenged him and the
challenge Is accepted, OF course. l have
just come from the house of Rukert, who,
yOu know, conducts all such affairs. He
wouldn't tell he when it was to take place,
or, indeed, anything at ali about it. But
there are going to be some extraordinary
arrangements; could tell that bv his air
of myStery-the pompOus old idiot!"
The welcome intelligence created a feel
ing OF general relief among the members
and it was hailed with great satisfaction.
They dispersed to their various homes,
knowing that their code of honor was still
intact.
For several days the curious made every
effort TO discover any details concerning the
impending duel. but without avail. There
was only a certainty that it would take
place, but where and how was emily known
to the principals and the indefatigable
Rukert.
On the morning of the sixth day after the
quarrel at the club the community was
thrown into state of horror at the fol-
lowing article published in the Newe Freie
Presse:
At 80 o'clock last night as a party of
young men we're passing the house Of Herr
Waldsmer. in StrasSe Wailfschgasse, they
were starded BY the loud report of revolver
coming from the direction of that gentle
mans residence, followed Immediately by
an agonizing scream. They hastily forced
the front door, and, after a vain search in
several rooms, ali untenahted, they reached
the study. There PROSTATE on the floor
was the form Of our well-known citizen
dead. A hideous wound in his left temple
and a revolver lying close at hand showed
body, her hair dabbling in pool of blood,
was his beautiful wife. 1t was at first
thought that she also was dead. But a
hasty examination showed that she had only
tainted.
One Of the Mortified gentlemen ran for the
nearest doctor, and also to report the mel
ancholy news to the proper authorities.
The others set TO work TO revive Mrs. Wal
demer, and soon had the satisfaction of see
Ing her recover consciousness.
n D.
happened 10 be in the neighborhOOd and he
was soon in attendance. He pronounced
Waldemer past all medical aid, but said
that the lady was only suffering from a
severe nervous shock, natural under the cir
cumStances.
Despite her protes ations Mrs. Waldemer
was taken into custody and removed to the
house OF detention, where she remained dur
ing the night all offers Of bail being reso-
lutely refused.
Owing to most extraordinary and fortu-
nate circumstance we are enabled to clear
the unhappy lady from all suspicion, and
also give our readers the details Of q very
singular duel that took place in this city but
lew days ago, and which undoubtedly
caused the suicide just mentioned
Last night at 1880 o'cl OK messenger left
package in the anterOOm with instruction
that it he sent up to the managing editor
Upon removal of the outer wrapperwas found
sealed envelope with the following note:
JUNE 13, 1889.
To the Managing Editor: You viii find in.
closed an important item Of news which you are
al liberty TO use only on condition that this
envelope be not received before 10 o'clock this
night. trust 10 your we'll known honor to see
that This stipulation is faithfully carried out.
RUDOLPH WALDEMER.
Long before the receipt of the mysterious
package Waldemer's suicide had been dis
covered and so the seal was Immediately
broken. Inside was the following remark
able confession:
These, my last words, are written on the
threshold Of the unknown. Though in the
priale of life, the mere thought of living has
become dread more terrifying than that
of death.
4" 1t is still fresh in the public mind how
overheard in my club the name of my wife
banded about by lecherous scoundrel,
who mas already gone the road shall travel
tonight.
I" challenged him. The challenge was
accepted; All the details were left to a
mutual friend-a man learned in electrical
sclence-who enthusiastically proposed the
adoption OF electricity as weapon. | as
sented with Indifference, not needing the
agent, SO that had my revenge My an
tag0nlst agreed, prompted by professional
curiosity. For several days the mysterious
preparations went on. and at last there
came note stating that l was to call at a
certain house on the outskirts of the city at
midnight.
On arrival at the place indicated the
scientist met me at the door and led the way
TO little anteFoom on the second floor.
There found my antagonist. and it was
only the knowledge that but few minutes
could elapse before We would be engaged in
mortal combat that restrained me from
thr0ttling him where he stood
I'VE were taken into an adjoining room
and what saw there filled my soul with a
grim 1Oy-the lust for murder. Returning
again to the outer room we were reQues ted
to submit without demur to any prepare.
tions necessary. / complied with alacrity
but he evidently hesitated before answering
and noticed with pleasure that his voice
trembled and his face paled with cowardly
dread.
"The old electrician produced two long
close-httlng robes that enveloped US from
neck TO heels, and with skillful fingers ns
speedily buttoned them around us, making
the shroud-like garments more secure By
passing stout cord about the outside in in
Vulnerable turns. Fettered In this way VIZ
lay upon the floor, unable to move hand Of
loot. Satisfied at last that the fastening!
were secure. he dragged us with infinite car,
IL TO the chamber of death.