The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-08

draw the curtain on the scenes OF this
little domestic dramal Willingly would
l record the final exeuRt OF the charac-
tiers from the stage of action by telling
you that our hero, Horatius Cobb Jr.,
transacted his business at Dumping
Ditch and returned TO the bosom of his
family IN peace and happiness. Fain
would pronounce the sweet epilogue:
'All went well and the goose hung
high" and then lay down my black
ened pen for aye Alas, it cannot bel
Fate hath willed otherwise.
Emily Cobb arose unusually late that
morning, but in excellent spirits. She
was a worthy spouse, was Mrs Cobb;
in fact, she possessed all the essential
elements Of those peculiarly feminine
attractions which are characteristic of
good woman and dutiful and de-
voted wife. Cobb had appreciated
! these features when the two were chill
/ dren together. and when finally, in the
( course of human events, it became
/ proper and consistent for him to be-
! tray his admiration for such truly
! beauteous traits, he did so, and conse-
| Guently two more hearts beat as
one"
After Mrs. Cobb had partaken of her
morning repast of omelets and coffee,
she gave the servants directions for
preparing Mr.. Cobb's dinner. and talk
ing novel strolled into the garden for
q quiet period of enjoyment Now it
was just in the time of the year when
roses were beginning to bloom, and as
the worthy lady stepped from the
verauda she noticed a blossom of ex-
Quisite fragrance and beauty near by.
She plucked it. Others there were,
which she gathered also. and twined
them into a sweet garland-emblem of
love and innocence. PeTchance rs she
fingered there amid the perfume of
natures tiny flower gods, her heart
was touched with the simplicity and
sweet suggestiveness of their beauty.
Mayhap her thoughts stole lightly back
to the time when little Emily-not
Cobb then-kisSed the blushing petals
of the first spring rose; or later, when
upon one occasion she knelt before the
altar in virgin loneliness, garland of
pure white blossoms upon her breast
the bridel All, who can tell what
fancies surged through her mind? We
can only guess what were her thoughts
when. turning, she whispered softly to
herself: Poor man! he works so hard.
| will place these upon his desk SO that
he will find them when he comes bone
to dinner" and tripping lightly away
towards Mr.. Cobb's apartment, she
hummed a snatch of merry song.
She had just finished arranging the
roses in a vase and had stepped back
with a satisfied smile to survey her
work, when her eyes rested upon d slip
of paper that had fallen upon the rug
at her feet. 1t was her Horatias' unfin-
ished note. Picking it up she slowly
read its contents:
my DEAR EMILY: 1 have gone to Dump
ling Ditch and will not return"
That was all, but was it not enough?
Could it be possible-could she believe
her eyes? Again and again did Mrs.
Cobb peruse this brief but cruel, all
so cruel. note. Gone to Dumping
Ditch, never to return! The letter was
unsigned. Was it not possible that it
might be mistake? Nay, nay; she
knew that handwriting too well to be
deceived The characteristics of Hora-
titus Cobb's hieroglyphics were too
marked to be mistaken! Woe was |
Mrs. Cobb! A thousand, yea, a million /
thoughts flashed through her fevercd |
brain. Her head grew dizzy; her |
heart throbbed fercer and fercer,
her bot temples dropped upon
her heaving breast. The cool breeze .
that stole softly IN at the window
laden with its verDal balms revived the
lady somewhat, but it did more. 1t /
blew from the table piece of brown
Geographic message Cobb |
had received. That told the story!
What cry of amazement burst from
Emily Cobb's blanched lips as she read
those fateful words! HE died last
night" All, who was he, and what
had the death Of a man TO do with her
husband-her Horatius? will dis
posed Of" Alas! cruel words what
dark and bloody deed do re cover?
Who was this WIN? hated rival
some scheming Mephistopheles whose
wicked devices had been the source Of
annoyance to Mr. Cobb, Or was he;
well, never mind; the thought is too
terrible for utterancei Come imme-
1iately." What an imperative injunc-
ton. Who dared 70 exercise such an
explicit command upon the stern
horatius; who save his loving wife?
And then the. signature: "Ara0clIa
Pinkcheek-" Great heavens. Swift
IS lightning the inevitable thought
dashed itself upon her Was it pos
sible! Could It be true? Was her
aoratius false? On, misery OF
niseries. No! no. And yet there were
lie hated words in his own haBdw-it-
ng compelling a conclusion. An, IN
happy humanity; ye too, too weak
flesh. With cry Of agony and rage
hat was appalling, Emily Cobb threw
her arms wildly above her head and
ell a shapeless mass upon the floor;
,he had swoo1ed
CHAPTER II
Her scream aroused the household,
Ind the servants rushed b-eatblessly
o the spot from which it issued. There
hey beheld poor Mrs Cobb stretched
uu length upon the floor, bla1ched