Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-31

Our custom lately has been TO 20 10 New
York f5r a few weeks every spring and au-
tUnn. A wear ago last April nv husband,
owing to the serious illness of his partner,
was only able to leave the Office long
enough to take me on and see me comfort
ably settled in our accustomed hotel. He
was then Obliged to hasten back TO Boston,
proTais-.. 10 return for me in a couple of
weeks, if possible. Tom and l have been
married SIX wears, but. as neither of us is
yet so, we are young enough to enjoy life
and society JhoroHghly-the more so, per-
laps, as we have no children. a visit to
New York IS always more or less of n spree
TO every good Bostonian. 1, for my part,
after six months spent under the shadow of
the gilded dome. alwavs feel the necessity
Of breathing an atmosphere somewhat rarer
than the one cncircling Music Hall, the Art
Museum and Beacon street
hesitered. however, last spring: for it
seemed selfish TO broaden nv own outlook,
while poor Tom had to drudge on in State
street. Hc urged me, however to go, as
surfing me that ] needed the change and
also some new gowns. l felt quite sure l
needed the gowns, for / am never satisfied
with anything l have made L. Boston.
nv New York friends are almost TOO assidu-
Gus in their attentions, leaving me scarcely
q moment TO rest [ have come TO the con-
ylUsion that he east wind nips New Eng
aud hospitality in the bud; for the farther
one goes from Its cutting influence the
more genial is the welcome extended. AL
though to the manner born, l do not APP
prove of the Boston conservatives-who
really out-English the English in their
dread Of making an undesirable acquaint-
ance.
Tom and I have gene through the world,
making host Of chance acquaintances,
many Of whom have ripened into friends. [
know many people in many sets in New
York, and therefore thoughJ it wiser to stay
a. our hotel-which / shall call the Ley6en
rather than TO accept any invitations to
visit We were well known at the Leyden,
aud I knew everything would be done for
my comfort, as, indeed, it was Tom set
led me in large, sunny rooms on the third
story, and then left me to my fate
It was Friday, my third day of grass
widowhood. had been to a small dinner
party al the Brentwoods, and, leaving
early, had reached my rom soon after 10
o'clock I was by no means sleepy, and, as
l had CHANGED that morning apon '"Che
First Violin" a book it happened had
never read, was anticipating a couple of
hours quiet readii.sS for l was really
interested in the story of Eugen.
changed nv dinner dress for a loose gown,
took off my Jewels and arranged nv
hair for the night. I had worn
black lace and nv diamond necklace and
earrings-ny mothers diamonds. given me
on my wedding day. / was not careful by
nature, or l never should have had such val
uable iewels with me at hotel. BY some
Il, i II
off I unlocked my trunk and put them
tway in my jewel case. At the same time
fook 5000 from a roll of bills, putting the
fest back and locking the trunk. The money
I had promised my dressmalzer in the morn
ing. SO l laid ii on my bureau In readiness
I then settled myself in comfort and was,
7oon lost 70 America and deep in the mu-
s. "a interests of a little German town. It
was after midnight before 1 could bring nv
self 70 lay the book down and 90 to bed. I
flould not then have done so had it not
been that heavy eyes warned me 1 would be
Il no condition TO fulfil my mornings en-
Cogements were I to read longer As usual.
] II, pped 60 sleep almost immediately, for,
having a good digestion and relaxed nerves,
here was nothing TO keep me awake.
I could not have been in bed an hour
when I awoke suddenly: for I am always a
light sleeper It seemed to me that g coil
Of wire mad struck my window. A strange
reverbersation was still ringing in nv ears.
l do not think am a coward, even if am
= woman. I leave Won to Judge of that: but
I did long for Tom, / confess. I sat up in
beG. almost without breathing I felt as if
something CT some one had moved in the
-oom. It was one of those moments when
when every nerve in the body is strained,
as II were, to listen. I could hear nothing,
h c4r1 la l,al
700 real TO be put aside. After a suspense, !
which TO my excited state appeared of
hours duration, l sprang from the bed
and ran to the window. Anything was
better than the agony of doubt. [ drew I'D
The curtain and looked out. There was
q bright moon, by the light Of which / could |
see that the street was empty L threw
open the window and looked into the street:
but there was nothing excepting grav walls |
and eXpressiOnless windows 10 be seen. I |
smiled to myself as 1 realized thar I must
have been tie victim Of some vivi&dream,
strong enough almost to amount to an hal /
Inclination. I closed and locked the win |
dow. Alter drawing down the curtain [ !
lighted the gas. Everything in nv room
was exactly as I had left it. With that
sond satisfaction one has who has mastered
nervous dread by conclusively proving
that there Is no real cause for fear, once |
more went to bed after turning out the gas.
Tic reaction after the sudden strain on my
nerves was so great and so comforting that 1
almost Instantly fell asleep.
II musr nave been half an hour later. as
near as I can judge from after events, when |
] opened nv eves-awaizened bv strange !
oCCr. A man was standing over me holding |
e sponge saturated with chloroform to nv !
face. I had awakened just in time. The |
moonlight through the curtains lighted the !
room enough for me to-distingUiSh that the |
man was masked. NV one idea was TO Cs-
cape from the fumes of the sponge. I |
seized 1t with both hands while I tried TO !
spring from the bed. in an instant was
having hand to hand combat with the rob- !
bgr Not wishing to drop his sponge he |
tad but one hand to hold me down. In the /
scuffe that ensued / managed to drag ny !
self up, and also 20 push him wi:h some i
violence against the foot OF the bed [ fought |
for life ike a mad woman, calling and |
screaming tor help all the time At
last, thoroughly frightened by nv up-
rnsr, he 5nrew his sponge away and !
seized Tae by the thrca5 with both hands. |
r was nigh time, foT my next neighbor be- !
ing aroused, was at the door. He clafnored
for adnittapce, and, hearing no sound. tried
the door; that was. OF course, locked. NV
jsilers hands prcyented Hly uttering a |
syllable 7 could feel my ewes almost
starting from their sockets from the pressure
Of those firm hands. After a moments
silence steps were heard hurrying down the |
corridor, as The man who had come to nv |
assistance rushed off / prayed to bring |
the night clerk.
Then the hands at my throat were |
ioosered, and, more dead than alive, 1 was |
pinned by one hand against the wall
Il lave great mind to kill your was |
isea.i ~ ne In q Gann-fonnd ,-nicn