Democratic messenger., 1893-12-09
Not at all, madam" replied Il

Does the lady in the next room
give much trouble ?"
There is no lady in No. "a, madam !;
only gentleman who arrived ycster-
day Anything can get for YOU.
madam p
mo, thank YOU"
Here was mystery. M lady in
No. -, and vet that was undoubtedly
Il woman's voice last night, II was
most extraordinary, and Blanche
communicated the result of her invcs-
tigation with intense trcpidation. Phil.
however declined TO be interested in
the affair or Ia discuss it in any way.
81 his wife was forced to keep her
conicctures 10 herself, and they we've
of Il nature n,thing hut ila,tering TO
the male occupant of No. -.
II was again brilliant. moonlit
night, and Blanche threw
herself into a capacious chair by the
window prior to disrobing She was
commencing somewhat petulent
complaint upon the shortcomings Of
the evenings entertainment when sud
denly she was pulled up short by a
low, blood curdling wall from the
room.
Blanche started up white and
frightened.
Phil. what was that 2
Before he could reply the moan of
pain became articulate, and once more
the woman'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 gruii, unin-
telligible reply, and then once again
the piteous, pleading voice
I'll do anything. Frank I'll never
tell anybody you are my husband
Only let me go!"
Blanche's grasp on her husband :
hands frightened. Philip listened not
less intcntly than she did.
"IIave pity, Frank. have pity /,
Don't you remember that you used To-
say you loved me? Why are you 5"
cruel now? never did you any harm
oh, let me out cant bear IL You
can have all my money, every penny ;
only don't let me 60 back :"
a brutal, unqualified oath was the
sole answer To this appeal it was fol
lowed by faint. smothered cry
mo no never. will not go back
into that horrible box had rather
he killed outright -
There was absolute silence for Il
second and Blanche and Philip stood
brcathlcss; then came II muillcd shrek
of agony.
NO, no, oh, n", Frank . did not
mean it I'll do what you like q. Don't
kill me . Help. Help"
With Il cry of righteous rage Phil
dropped his wi:e's hand and dashed
across the balcony. lie shook the
closed windows vigorously. regardless
of everything save the frantic desire
to prevent horrible crime
\ dead silence had followed the
woman's last cry, aud when at last
Lorimcr forced the windows and
bounded into the room he found il in
darkness. except for the streak OF
weird moonlight that followed him.
In the darkness he could just discern
the figure Of man standing by Il
huge black trunk.
What is the meaning of this? p ask
ed the man, advancing. but Phil push
ed him roughly aside.
"What have you done with that
unfortunate woman
A feeble moan struck his ear.
Where are you?" he cried, Il will
help you."
"Oh let me out let me out came
10 him in feeble-it seemed almost
dying-tones.
"You brute :" cried Lorimer, beside
himself with excitement and indigna-
tiOn.
At this moment the room was invad
ell hy a molly crowd in all stages of
dishabille, for after Pills departure
Blanche had raised an alarm in such
incohcrerent fashion that halt the
hotel was swarming into No. "a.
uncertain whether murder, fire or
sudden death was the cause Of the
midnight disturbance.
1T is his wife," explained Phil,
iaantically. Hes been trying to kill
her. She has hidden here somewhere. -
Here here Oh. | am dying ~
"The trunk - cried some one. With
one accord they bore down upon the
huge black trunk every ones fingers
were thrust inrward 10 unbucklc the
straps, the moaning growing fainter
and fainter, till. as the last fastening
gave way. it ceased altogether.
I'VE are too laie," cried Phil, rs he
threw open the lid. "'lhe poor thing
Is lie stopped. started back and
lmkcd around him in bewildcrmenl.
The rest of the company crowded for
ward and pcered into the trunk.
"Why, its empty y they exclaimed
in chorus.
"Gcntlcmen gentlemen - cried the