Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-09-03
Beauelanpe S Double
+ THE PRIMA DONNA.
"A Story Of Mystery. Love and
Devotion
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.

rs INT 4dl MOED nAls oAlu cuAu " uGI Sci
q thousand times, somebody will come
to me, surely. She thought of Living
ston- His manner more than his words
had impressed her. Surely he was a
true, kind, thoughtful friend-a very
thoughtful friend of her brothers. He
would be sure to send her word through
the day. II he did not, it would be be-
cause-but surely he would have good
news. God would not be cruel to her.
What had she done to be punished? o.
there would be news through the day.
When hours passed, and nature could
not Withstand the strain, she went down
TO see her landlady. The landlady was
an honest, shrewd, and kind woman,
with cold exterior. Her helpless
ledger appealed to her strongly.
The landlady had a stock of stories,
all as wonderful as the unexplained alb
sence OF Beauchampe. why, my dear,
people gave her up for lost for three
whole days, and where did she turn up?
Why, the poor thing got on the wrong
train. and was carried 100 miles out OF
her way before she discovered her mis-
take, all because she had got the wrong
ticket Then she was put on branch
road, and the culverts and bridges were
washed away in a storm. and when the
papers we're full Of the mystery doesn't
ing: 4 guess you all thought was lost
AS sure enough she was all that time,
so far as they were concerned
~Hes, and there was the experience Of
the old gentleman who lived out of town
n few miles. He was known by every
body for miles around, and one after
noon he walked down to the village post
Office, and nobody saw him that day or
the next, nor for five days. 1t was the
kaa hae Fu,a
What could come on a sensible, decent
old gentleman whose life was as clear
and as blamelesS as babes? But he
was gone-gOne like mist Nobody saw
him going. Well, at the end OF a whole
week, mind you, miss, doesn't the wife
of the preacher almost faint dead away
when the old man walked past her door on
his way home. She thought il was ghost.
All OF which, although designed to SOL
ace and reassure Miss Beauchampe, pro-
duced just the contrary effect, since the
landlady's motive was painfully APP
parent
Unable at last to endure restraint,
spite OF the prOtestations Of her land
lord, Miss Beauchampe went out assert
ing her purpose to call upon the author
ties. She made her way directly to the
Office OF the chief inspector, but a single
speech at the entrance changed the cur
rent Of her thoughts, and caused the
blood to recede from her heart Two
men near the entrance were talking
loudly. One said as Miss Beauchampe
approached them: THE ropes as good
as around the scOundrel Beauchampe's
neck now"
Stunned, speechless from terror, half
blinded by the rush OF tears that spread
over her cheeks, Miss Beauchampe
turned away, and slowly retraced her
steps with sinking heart hOmeward. 1t
was with difficulty she could walk. At
times she thought she would fall, but
some strange power supported her and
nerved her to pursue her way along an
untraveled street until she entered her
own door
There she yielded herself a prey to all
manner of fOrebOdings until she wrought
herself into an ecstasy of terror. 1t is
hard to say what the result might have
been had not fortune sent one to her
side who was able to soothe and reas-
sure her.
While she was weeping unrestrained-
ly, the landlady opened the door, said
something in low tone, then quietly
withdrew. A moment later a hand was
laid gently on her head and a sweet
voice said, "DO not yield to despair,
child; al will be we'll soon. Listen to
me"
IL WAS lllt hOlCt VI NlllOEld-
81 can feel for you, my dear. 1t is
horrible-horrible, this mistrust. 1t is
impossible always u resist the inclina-
tion TO weep; and sometimes it does you
good to cry, but 1 know, l feel that you
are unwis to yield TO such a tempest of
tears as this. You will have good news
soon, maybe before morning. Who can
tell? 1t may be later, but it win be good
news.
"How do I know? I cannot prove it
to you, but l know. I feel there is a
cruel mistake; that it will be righted.
believe as truly as l believe the good God
is Just and merciful. l have come to tell
you this. Would 1 come if l did not be-
lieve what l say? And what is it that
sends me to you? 1 have come now twice
to bid you not yield to these terrible ap-
prehensions. They will drive you wild. n
Her voice was sweet, her tones soft
and low. The touch of her hand was
like balm tc a wound. Miss Beauchampe
repressed her sObs and looked up at Wit
tOria through her tears
"Yes, il is I, Vittoria, your friend, and
sympathizer in your trouble. Come, lift
your head; let me, permit me to wipe
your checks. There is no reason for
these tears You will smile with me
soon, perhaps tomorrow. Then the
trouble will be explained to eyerybOdy'S
satisfaction.
Miss Beauehampe was prevailed upon
to rise and battle her face, and then Wit
toria comfOrted her, encouraged her,
talked unrestrainedly until Miss Beau,
champe became interested, and then she
too talked until Vittoria discovered she
had prolonged her visit "an unconsider.
able length of time.
When she withdrew a messenger ap-
preached the door.
what did l tell you,5 said Vittoria
at is good news. Open it and read
AS Miss Beauchampe read the world
seemed to whirl around. Vittoria tool
the paper from her hand The message
was brief. IL was dated Chicago. anC
contained these words:
Do not be alarmed unnecessarily. W,
will. think. solve the mystery satisfac-
torily IN a short time LIvISGsroN.
~He would not send this if he did no
know there is good news in store fol
you. Now, go to sleep tonight without
fretting more about IL This proves tina
what have said is true 3"
Then kissing her on either cheek, Wit
tOria left Miss Beauchampe hoping, anC
half believing, her brother would be re
stored to her speedily.
When she re-entered her room, sh,
glanced 1t 4 table, and espied a small
package. Opening 1t quickly, she dis
covered twenty golden eagles. Hel
cheeks famed one instant, then suddenly
grew pale, as she said;
HHoW like Vittorial 1 shall keep I
until my brother returns. He will re
store it to her.
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE DETECTIVE DOUBLES IN HIS TRACKS
When they we're apart from The groul
OF police officers, whose chagrin owe
their discontinue was manifested in &C
tIons and unmistakable language, Sim