The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-03

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luil> lii aIFIlII copyright, 1893, by
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orbed moon hung like a great golden disk
in the heavens, bathing the green south
ern landscape in radiant sheen. The
magnolia and orange trees had already
| put forth their white blossoms, which
exhaled delicious fragrance.
Mrs. Beveridge stepped out upon the
wide veranda, extending round two
sides Of the fine old colonial mansion,
where as happy bride she had come
ten years before. She was now alone.
Her latest guests, friends from Memphis,
had left for home on the preceding
day. For almost the first time since
her marriage she was without company.
Both she and her husband had been
fond Of entertaining, and their success
IN the art had been unrivaled. Pros
trated with grief for some months over
the sudden death of her husband three
years before, Mrs. Beveridge had been
surrounded during that period by
friends who feared the shock would
leave her a mental wreck or a long
invalid. Gradually, however, she was
restored to a semblance of her former
self, though by no means to the gay,
vivacious woman she had been.
On the evening referred to, her serv-
ants had trooped off to country dance.
Going into the library, she picked up
novel, and tried to read it. Page
after page she mechanically perused
without understanding a word. She
continued to read, now and then sensing
a passage, but mainly absorbed in her
own vaguely disturbing reverie.
Time dragged on until few minutes
after midnight, when Mrs. Beveridge
resolved to go to her boudoir, OF the
floor above. Leaving the lights glow
ing in the library, diDing-room, front
hail and drawing-room, she assembled to
her sleeping apartment. The succeed
ing hour she devoted to writing to sew
eral friends.
Shortly after one o'clock Mrs. Bever-
idge stepped into bed. She courted
sleep by some of those mental resources
which are said to win the presence of
Morpheus. But it was futile She
could not even lie quietly. Finally she
heard the hall clock strike two. Soon
afterward she began to feel the first
symptoms of sleep But suddenly, be-
ing nervously reused from her drowsi-
ness, she dropped one arm Imply over
the side of the bed. Her hand came in
contact with shock of curly hair!
Instinctively Mrs. Beveridge knew
that she had touched the head of man
"a man who had been concealing him
self under her bed. The blood in her
veins seemed to CONCEAL; but, strangely
enough, her senses did not desert her.
Sitting her first impulse to raise an
with admirable presence of
mind she gave very good imitation of
a person yawning in sleep, and re-
manned silent.
After an interval of few secon DIS she
heard noise beneath her bed, and
presently dark form stood beside her.
Don't pertend you're asleep" said a
deep, gruff voice, for know you amt |
I've seen that kind o make believe be-
fore. Come, now, / want no nonsense. |
You jes' git up and shell out your fine |
diamonds and all your ready cash"
The villain, while thus speaking, had |
whipped out Misunderstanding re-
volver, which he held recklessly pointed |
at Mrs Beveridge's head.
81 shan't do you any HARM" he went |
on, ''if you do as tell you to. But set
up any howlin' or try to play any tricks
on me and I'll put you to sleep for
good, and don't you make any mistake
about it"
Mrs. Beveridge wholly appreciated
the situation. In no steady accents she
replied: IF you will step into the hall
while dress 1 will do as you ask"
The burglar went into the hall to
wait, while Mrs. Beveridge quickly clad
herself managing to hide in her bosom
several papers representing many thou
sands of dollars. At that juncture the
burglar reentered the apartment.
Out with your precious stones!" he
exclaimed harshly, everyone you've
got"
Burning with indignation and alarm,
yet outwardly composed, the widow
produced q magnificent jewel case
which she promptly handed to him.
''They all here?" he asked. Then
ooking at her hands he added: "No,
see some pretty rings on your fingers.
Take 'em off and fork 'em over
Surely you will spare me this gold
,and-Iny wedding ring?' she entreated,
With genuine earnestness-
Eyes, you can keep that. But git out
-our cash-greenbacks. haven't much
line"
Mrs. Beveridge told him her purse
vas downstairs in desk in the library.
We'll. go and git it. Start on and I'll
ollow. But don't you try to run away
f you don't want to get shot in the
Jack"
A moment later she surrendered her
'urse, containing nearly one hundred
ollars. But he insisted that she must {
ave more money somewhere in the ;
ouse. Then she handed him a wallet !
AIKEN from her dead husbands writing {
able. IL which the burglar found more
han seven hundred dollars in bank
otes. In the same drawer he spied Mr..
,everidge's watch and chain, which he ,
appropriated Then ne said he would