The morning call., 1891-05-24

outside world. The single gas Jet burning
IN fixture hanging from the ceiling was
the only relief given TO the eye in the blank
eXpanSe of white wall that surrounded me :
while as to furniture the room could boast
of nothing more than an Old-fsShiOned
black-walnnt table ana two chairs, the lat
ter cushioned, bnt stiff in the back and gen.
orally dllapidated IN appearance. The only
sign of comfort about me was a tray that
stood on the table, containing a couple of
bottles of wine and two glasses. The bot
ties were full and the glasses clean, and. to
add to this appearance of hospitality a box
OF cigars rested lnvltlngy near, which,
could not fail to perceive, even at the first
glance, was of the very best brand.
AStonShed at these tokens Of cOnsdera-
ton for my welfare, and COMPOUNDED by the
prospect which they offered OF a lengthy
stay in this place | gave another great shout,
but to no better purpose than before. Not
voice answered and not a stir was heard
in the house. But there came from without
the sound of suddenly moving wheels, as if
the carriage which l had left standing be-
fore the door had slowly rolled away. If
this were so then | was indeed a prisoner
a prisoner while the moments so neces-
sary to my plans and perhaps to the
securing of my whole future happiness
were flying like the Wind. AS | realized
this, and my own utter helplessness, l fell
into one OF the chairs before me in state of
perfect despair. Not that any fears for nv
life were disturbing me. Though one 10 my
situation might well question if he would
ever again breathe the Open air from which
he had been so ingeniOuSlV lured, / did not
Ia that first moment OF utter dOWnheaTted-
ness SO much as inquire the reason for the
trick which had been played upon me- No,
for my heart was fun of Dora, and / was
asking myself # l were destined TO lose her
after all, and that through no lack Of effort
on my part but Just because party Of
fblpVps fHonpht
play a game with my liberty.
1t could not be; there must be some mis-
take about 1t; it was some great joke or I
was the victim OF a dream or suffering frGm
some hideouS nightmare. Why only half
an hour before l was in my own office,
among my own familiar belongings, and
now But alas, it was no delusion. Only
four blank WhiteWashed walls met my in
quiring eyes, and though l knocked ana
knocked again upon the two doors which
guarded me on either side, hollow echoes
continued to be the only answer l received.
Had the carriage then taken away the two
persons l had seen in this house. and was |
indeed alone IN its great emptiness? The
thought made me desperate, but notwith-
standing this l was resolved to continue my
efforts. for l might be mistaken, there might
yet be some being left who would yield TO
my entreaties if they were backed by some
thing substantial
Taking out my watch l laid it on the
table; it was just quarter to s. Then |
emptied my trousers pockets of whatever
money they held, and when all was heaped
up before me l could count but So, which
together with my studs and seal ring
which l wore seemed a paltry pittance with
which to barter for the liberty of which |
had been robbed. But it was all | ha with
me and | was willing to part with it at once
if only some one would unlock the door and
let me 20. But how make known my wishes
even if there was any one to listen to them?
] had already called IN vain and there was
no bell. Yes, there was, why had l not seen
it before? There was a bell and | sprang
to rim G it. But just as my hand fell on the
cord | heard gentle voice behind my back
saying in good English but with q strong
foreign accent:
Put up your money, Mr. Atwater We
do not want your money, only your society.
Allow me to beg you to replace both watcn
and money"