The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-03
/ TOLD BY A DEAD MAN.

: One evening, not many months ago
three persons were seated in a snug cor.
ner of the lounging room of the Elec.
tricians club of Vienna. From the in.
tent and eager expression on the faces OF
two of them it was evident that the sub.
ject of the conversation was more than
ordinarily interesting.
I The leader of the conversation was a
man apparently on the turn of thirty
five, with a face strongly marked by the
unsparing brush of late hours and unre-
strained passions. He had reached the
pith of the tale, and was enjoying the
impatience Of his listeners with a keen
relish. At last, yielding to their eager
opportunities, be said:
well, IL tell you the name of the
lady, but remember you have given your
word of honor that it shall go no far
ther. When ] followed her from the
train found it was-oh, shades of viz
tue! Mrs Waldemer."
You lier
~ " W 10 AttAAsS llLONlS5u bL1C IOOul
Ike trumpest blast. Springing to their
feet with a haste that sent chairs and
table flying, the startled trio turned and
saw gentleman III evening dress stand
ing not three feet away. His face was
cOnvulsed with rage, and his futile strug-
gle for speech only caused his palhd lips
80 utter incoherent sounds.
For a few seconds no one moved, and
the Ominous quiet was only broken by
the deep, laboEed breathing of him who
had SO unceremoniously interrupted the
peace Of the night; then with a sudden
bound form cleared the intervening
space, and before hand could be raised
in hindrance the boastful roue had
planted a terrific blow full in the face of
his adversary, almost telling him to the
floor. The Infatuated combatants were
quickly separated by the excited by
ISLANDERS, and both hurried from the
house.
On the following morning the fire.
puenters Of the club stood about in little
knots discussing the episode of the night
before. There was universal sympa-
thy with the gentleman who had re-
ceived the blow, and many strong ex-
pressions of anger were INDUCED in by
the members, who were justly enraged
at the publicity that would inevitably
follow such a disgraceful affair.
One old gentleman in particular was
much excited. He said:
"Such an unwarranted imputation
against a lady's character should not
pass UNPUBLISHED, and if Herr Waldemer
does not challenge that brute, why, I'll
do 1t myself, if only on general princi-
pies"
AS the choleric old man finished, a
commotion at the door showed the en-
france Of some one with fresh news on
the engrossing topic.
The newcomer was quickly surround
ed, and with the eagerness OF a bearer of
glad tidings he exclaimed:
"Waldemer has challenged him, and
the challenge is accepted of course. |
have Just come from the house of Rukert,
who, you know, conducts all such affairs.
He wouldn't tell me when it was to take
place, or indeed anything at all about it.
But there are going to be some extraor-
binary arrangements; l could tell that
by his air OF mystery-the pompous old
idiot"
The welcome intelligence created a
feeling of general relief among the mem
bers, and it was hailed with great salts
faction. 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 con-
corning the impending duel, but with
ont avail There was only certainty
that it would take place, but where and
how was only known to the principals
and the interchangeable Rukert.
On the morning of the sixth day after
the quarrel ut the club the community
was thrown into state Of horror at the
following article published III the Neue
Freie PresSe:
At half-past s last night, as party Of
young men were passing the house of
Herr Waldemer, in Strasse Wallfsch-
gasse, they were startled by the loud re-
port Of aEevolver coming from the direc-
tion Of that gentlemau's residence, fol-
lowed Immediately by an agonizing
scream. They hastily forced the front
door, and after vain search in several
rooms, all untenanted. they reached the
study. There, PROSTATE on the floor, was
the form Of our well known citizen
dead. i hdeous wound in his left tenn
pie and a revolver lying near at hand
showed the cause of death. Stretched
across his body, her hair dabbling in a
pool Of blood, was mis- beautiful wife. 1t
was at first thought that she also was
dead; but a nasty examination showed
that she had only tainted.
One of the Mortified gentlemen ran tol
the nearest doctor and also TO report the
melancholy news 10 the proper authori-
ties. The others set to work TO revive
Mrs Waldemer, and soon had the salts
faction of seeing her recover conscious
ness.
BY fortunate coincidence DR.. Breslon