Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-06-21

given that evening. Phil had an anx- tous time pending the settlement of these questions, but in due course all of them were disposed of in the most suc- ceSsful manner, as was sufficiently proved by the crowd of partners who Hooked round Mrs. Lorimer as soon as she made her appearance in the ball. room. Blanche had, indeed, quite for gotten the mystery of No. 24 in the ex- citement of the ball, when it was re- called to her by the sight of their neighbor standing in the doorway. Her heart beat fast as she noted-what woman ever fails to do it?-that his eye followed her round the room with glance of interest and admiration.
 "Now," she thought to herself, "he will ask me to dance, and I 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 a distance, and for once at least that little lady retired to her room not altogether satisfied with herself.
 It was again a brilliant, moonlit sum- mer's night, and Blanche threw herself into a capacious chair by the window prior to disrobing. She was commenc- ing somewhat petulant complaint upon the shortcomings of the evenings entertainment when suddenly she was pulled up short by g. low, blood-curdling vail from the adjoining room.
 Blanche started up white and fright ened.
 "Phil, what was that?'
 Pnfo Ia e4 pain became articulate, and once more the womans 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:
 "I'll do anything, Frankl I'll never tell anybody you are my husband. Only let me go!'
 Blanches 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? 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 a faint, smothered cry:I
 No! no! never! will not go back into that horrible box! had rather be killed outright!'
 There was absolute silence for a second; and Blanche and Philip stood breathless; then came muffled shriek of agony.
 "No! mol oh, no, Frank! I did not mean it! I'll do what you like! Don't kill me! Help! Helpl'
 With cry of righteous rage Phil dropped his wife's hand and dashed across the balcony. He shook the closed windows vigorously, regardless of everything save the frantic desire to prevent a hor rible 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 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 un- fortunate woman?"
 A feeble moan struck on his ear "Where are you?'' he cried, q will help you"
 "Oh, let me outl let me out!' came tt hin in feeble-it seemed almost dying -tones.
 "You brute!" cried Lorimer, beside himself with excitement and indigna tion.
 At this moment the room was invaded by motley crowd in all stages ot deshabille, for after Phirs departure Blanche had raised an alarm in such in was swarming into No. 24. uncertain whether murder, fire or sudden de att was the cause of the midnight dis turbance.
 Ut is his wife," explained Phil, fran tically. ''He's been trying to kill her \ She Is hidden here somewhere" 5 "Here! here! Oh, am dying!" '"The trunki' cried some one. Witt one accord they bore down upon th' huge black trunk; every ones fingers were thrust forward to unbuckle tht straps, the moaning growing fainter and fainter, till, as the last fastening gave way, it ceased altogether.
 "We are too 1ate," cried Phil. as h. threw open the lid. ''The poor thing il -" He stopped, started back ant | looked around him in bewilderment The rest of the company crowded for ward and peered into the trunk.
 "Why, it's empty!' they exclaimed il chorus.
 ''Gentlemen! gentlemen!" cried thu
 suave voice of the hotel proprietor iron the door. "What does this mean?"
 eve don't know," cried everyone, 'un certain whether to be greatly amused or intensely indignant
 "This gentleman" continued the pro 1 prietor, indicating his guest of tn, seraphic countenance, who stood smil ing silently, ''this gentleman is Della
 were Darcey, the celebrated ventrild