The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-17

neighbor standing in the doorway. Her
heart beat fast as she noted-wkat
woman ever fails to do it?-that his
eye followed her round the room with a
glance of interest and admiration.
Now" she thought to herself. '.he
viii ask me TO dance. and | shall be
able to put some searching questions to
him
The hope, however, was doomed to
disappointment. The stranger con-
tented himself with admiring Mrs Lori
mer from distance. and for once at
least that little lady retired to her room
not altogether satisfied with herself.
1t was again brilliant, moonlit sum-
mer's night. and Blanche threw herself
into a capacious chair by the window
prior to disrobing. She was commenc-
ing a somewhat petulant complaint
upon the shortcomings of the evenings
entertainment when suddenly she was
pulled up short by low, blood-curdling
wall from the adjoining room
Blanche started up white and fright
ened.
Phil, what was that?"
Before he could reply the moan of
pain became articulate, aud once more
the wonan's voice reached them in low,
distinct tones through the open window.
Frank, let me out. Have mercy on
me. Oh. let me OUT"
A mans voice, again in gruff, unin-
telligible reply, and then once again
the piteous, pleading voice:
IN do anything, Franki I'll never
tell anybody you are my husband. Only
let me go.''
Blanche's grasp on her husbands
hand frightened. Philip listened not less
intently than she did.
Have pity Frank, have pity. Don't
you remember that you used to say You
loved me? Why are you SO cruel now? l
never did you any harm. Oh, let me
out. / can't bear it, You can have all
my money, every penny; only don't
make me go back"
A brutal, unqualified oath was the
sole answer to this appeal; it was fol-
lowed by faint, smothered cry,
mo. no, neveri | will not go back
into that horrible box | had rather be
killed outright"'
second; and Blanche and Philip stood
GREATNESS; then came a muffled shrek
of agony.
'.No no, oh, no. Frank! / did not
mean it! I'll do what you like! Don't
kill mel Help! Help"
With a cry of righteous rage Phil
dropped his wife's hand and dashed
across the balcony. He shook theclosed
windows vigorously, regardless of
everything save the frantic desire to
prevent hor rible crime.
A dead silence had followed the
woman's last cry, and when ut last
Lorimer forced the windows and
bounded into the room he found it in
darkness, except for the streak of weird
moonlight that followed him.
In the darkness he could just discern
the figure of a man standing by huge,
black trunk.
what is the meaning of this?" asked
the man, advancing, but Phil pushed
him roughly aside.
What have you done with that I'M
fortunate woman
feeble moan struck on his ear
"Where are you?" he cried, Il will help
you
ooh let me out let me out" came to
him in feeble-it seemed almost dying
tones.
"You bruter' cried Lorimer, beside
himself with excitement and indigna-
ton.
At this moment the room was invaded
by motley crowd in all stages of
deshabille, for after Pills departure
Blanche had raised an alarm in such IN
coherent fashion that half the hotel
gas swarming into No. "A. uncertain
whether murder, fire or sudden de th
was the cause of the midnight dis
turbance.
cit is his wife," explained Phil, fran
tically. hes been trying to kill her.
She is hidden here somewhere"
Here here! oh, am dyingi7
1.-The trunk cried some one With
one accord they bore down upon the
huge black trunk; every ones fingers
were thrust forward TO unbuckle the
straps, the moaning growing fainter
and fainter, till, as the last fastening
gave way, it ceased altogether.
1--WE are too late" cried Phil, as he
threw open the lid. ''The poor thing is
-" He stopped. started back and
looked around him in bewilderment.
The rest of the company crowded for
ward and peered into the trunk.
Why, it's empty they exclaimed in
chorus.
Gentlemen, gentlemen" cried the
suave voice of the hotel proprietor from
the door. What does this mean?'
I'VE don't know, cried everyone. IN
certain whether To be greatly amused
or intensely indignant
This gentleman, continued the pro-
prietor. indicating his guest Of the
countenance. who stood smil-
ing silently, this gentleman is Della
we're Darcy, the celebrated ventrilo-
quist. who win appear tomorrow even
ing at the Winter Gardens He has
been amusing you with a little private
There vas most gratifying attend !
auce at the Winter Gardens on The fol-
lowing night 10 witness Delaware Oar /
sey's entertainment. for, IS the poet
tells US
Great are the uses o advertisement
But neither Philip Lo-iu~r nor his
wife was among the audience. They
had eft Edeu-cB->ea b~ an early train
-London Truth.
PERSONAL AND iMPERSCNEl. +