Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-05-14

Here was mysteryl No lady In No. a.
and yet that was undoubtedly a woman's
voice last night 1t was most extraordinary,
and Blanche communicated the result of
her investigation to her husband with in
tense trepidation. Phil, however, declined
to be interested in the affair or TO discuss
1t in any way, so his wife was forced to
keep her conjectures to herself, and they
were of a nature anything but flattering to
the male occupant of No. "a.
AS the day wore on, the keenness of her
interest in she handsome stranger and his
mysterious companion waned somewhat
before the more enthralling problems con.
nected with Blanche's costume for the dance
which was to be given that evening. Phil
had an anxious time pending the settle
ment Of these questions, but in due course
all of them were disposed of in the most
successful manner, as was sufficiently
proved by the crowd Of partners who
hocked around Mrs. Lorimer as soon as she
made her appearance in the ballroom.
Blanche had indeed quite forgotten the
mystery of No. "A in the excitement of the
ball, when 10 was recalled to her by the
sight Of their neighbor standing in the door
way.
Her heart beat fast as she noted-what
woman ever fails to do iti-that his eye
followed her around the room with a glance
of interest and admiration.
Now" she thought to herself, she will
ask me to dance, and shall be able to put
some searching questions TO him"
The hope, however, was doomed to dis
appointment. The stranger contented him
self with admiring Mrs. Lorimer from a
distance, and for once that little lady retired
N he al bar xyif
herself
II was again a brilliant, moonlit night,
and Blanche threw herself into capacious
chair by the window prior to disrobing.
She was commencing a somewhat petulant
complaint upon the shortcoming of the
evenings entertainment, when suddenly
she was pulled up short by a low, blood
curdling wall from the adjoining room.
Blanche started up, white and frightened.
phil, what was thatS"
Before he could reply the moan Of pain
became articulate, and once more the wom-
ans voice reached them in low, distinct
tones through the open window.
Frank, let me outl Have mercy on me!
Oh, let me outn
A mans voice again in gruff, unintelli-
BILE reply, and then once again the piteous,
pleading voice:
"Pll do anything, Frank Ill never tell
anybody you are my husband. Only let me
gop'
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
mei Why are you so cruel now | never
did you any harm. Oh, let me outl / can't
D al.
penny; only don't make me 20 backr'
A brutal, unqualified oath was the sole
answer to this appeal; it was followed by
faint, smothered cry.
mo, no, never! will not 20 back into
that horrible box! had rather be killed
outright
There was absolute silence for a second,
and Blanche aud Philip stood breathless;
then came muifled shrek Of agony
mo mol oh, no, Frank did not mean
It'll I'll do what you likel don't kill mel
Help Help
With "A cry of righteous rage Phil dropped
his wife's hand and dashed across the bal
cony. He shook the closed windows vigor-
ously, regardless Of everything save the
frantic desire to prevent "A horrible crime
A dead Silence had followed the woman's
last cry, and when at 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 a huge black
trunk.
"What is the meaning Of this2" asked
the man, advancing, but Phil pushed him
roughly aside
what have you done with that unfor-
tunate woman
A feeble moan struck on the ear. where
are you" he cried, 81 will help you"
"Oh, let me outi let me outl' came to
him in feeble, it seemed almost dying,
tones.
"You brutep' cried Lorimer, beside him
self with excitement and indignation.
At this moment the room was invaded by
a motley crowd in all stages Of deshabille,
for after Pills departure Blanche had
raised an alarm in such incoherent fashion
that half the hotel was swarming into No
"a, uncertain whether murder, fire or sud
den death was the cause of the midnight
disturbance
The means and cries redoubled on the en-
trance of this rush Of rescuers.
at is his wife" explained Phil frantic
ally. Hes been trying 70 kill her. She is
hidden here somewhere"
"Here, herel OH | am dyingw
1.-THE trunk cried some one. With one
accord they bore down on the huge black
trunk. Every ones fingers were thrust for
ward 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 com
pany crowded forward and peered into the
trunk
"Why, it's emptyp they exclaimed in
chorus.
"Gentlemenl gentlemen cried the suave
voice Of the hotel proprietor from the door
"What does this meanW
1--WE don't know" cried every one, un-
certain whethpp to be greatly amused or
intensely indignant.
"This gentleman" continued the proprie-