The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-02-23

/ 70 DC interested IN the hIltilf or 10 discuss
It in any way, so his wife was forced 10
keep her conjectures TO herself and they
were OF a nature anything but ilattering TO
the male occupant Of No. "a
As the day wore on, the keenness OF her
interest in the handsome stranger and his
mysterious companion waned somewhat
before the more enthralling problems con
nected with Blanches costume for the dance
which was 70 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
focked 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 u was recalled 10 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 its-that his eye
followed her around the room with glance
Of interest and admiration.
Now" she thought to herself, "he 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
to her room not altogether satisfied with
herself
IL was again brilliant, moonlit night
and Blanche threw herself into "A capacious
chair by the window prior to disrobing
She was commencing a somewhat petulant
complaint upon the shortcoming Of the
evenings entertainment when suddenly
| clt t.p1laI 81, L..
curdling wall from the ad Joining room.
Blanche started up, white and frightened
"Phil, what was thatsv
Before he could reply the moan Of pain
became articulate, and once more the wom-
ans voice reached them i'm low, distinct
tones through the open window.
Frank, let me outi Have mercy on mel
Oh, let me outl'
A mans voice again in grufT, uninteli-
| BILE reply, and then once again the piteous
pleading voice;
I'm do anything, Frank I'll never tell
anybody you are my husband. Only let me
gor'
Blanche's grasp on her husbands hand
frightened. Philip listened not less intently
than she did
Have pity, Frank, have pityl Don't you
remember that you used to say you loved
me? Why are you so cruel nowf / never
did you any harm. Oh, let me out l can't
bear It'll You can have all my money, every
penny; only don't make me go backm
brutal, unqualified oath was the sole
answer to this appeal; it was followed by a
faint, smothered cry.
mo, no, neverl will not go back into
that horrible box l had rather be killed
outrightw
There was absolute silence for second
and Blanche and Philip stood breathless;
then came mufiled shrek of agony.
mo, mol oh, no, Frank did not mean
It'll I'll do what you likel don't kill mel
Helpi Helpl"
With n 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 n 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 1t 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 thiss" asked
the man, advancing, but Phil pushed him
roughly aside
what have you done with that unfor-
tunate womany"
A feeble moan struck on the ear "where
are youY he cried, II will help you"
"Oh, let me outl let me outr' came to
him in feeble, it seemed almost dying,
tones
You brutel" cried Lorimer, beside him
self with excitement and indignation.
At this moment the room was invaded by
n 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
1T is his WIFE" explained Phil frantic
ally. Hes been trying to kill her She is
hidden here somewhere"
"Here herei OH l am dyingr"
1.-THE trunkr' 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 IL ceased altogether
I'VE are too late" cried Phil as he threw
open the lid. THE poor thing isl 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 emptyr' they exclaimed in
chorus.
"Gentlemeni gentlemenr' cried the suave
voice of the hotel proprietor from the door,
"What does this meanr'
I'VE don't know cried every one, I'M
certain whether to be greatly amused OF
intensely indignant.
This gentleman, " continued the proprie-
tor, indicating his guest of the seraphic
countenance, who stood smiling silently.
this gentleman is Mr.. Delavere Darcy.
the celebrated ventriloquist, who will ap-
pear tomorrow evening at the Winter gar
dens. Has he been amusing you with lit
tie private rehearsali"
There was most gratifying attendance
at the Winter gardens ON the following
night TO witness Mr.. Delaware Darcey's en-
tertainment, for as the poet tells us.
Great are the uses OF advertisement.
But neither Philip Lorimer nor his wife
was among the audience. They had left
Eden-on-Sea by an early train.-London
Truth.