The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-08-21
MALIBA'S ESCAPE.

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Nine. Matilda, the famous tragic actress
sat In a private room of q hotel, studying
a drama in which she was to play tho
leading role.
Floral offerings from her many admirers
decked the superbly furnished apartments,
while she, with her golden hair arranged
with artistic carelessnoss, her picturesque
pompadour tea gown, looked what the
world everywhere acknowledgement
of her art.
This hour before dinner was perhaps tho
only one in the day she could call her own,
and she usually spent 1t luxuriating in q
lounge before the fire. But something In
the act she had just finished brought to
memory her brief married life, with its
misunderstanding and fatal end; also tho
vision Of a curly headed lad who calls her
mother on her rare visits to her northern
home and for whose sake she has striven
SO successfully for the worlds good will.
The grand blue eyes, as renowned as her
art, grew misty with tears that glistened
and fell in the freight Again she re-
hearsed the scene In which the heroine,
finding herself at the mercy of vengeance
seeking husband-who wrongly imagines
himself betrayed-wildly implores him to
spare her life for tho sake of her innocent
child.
1t will need all the power and passion
OF which she is mistress, and as she closes
the book her eyes sparkle, and her cheeks
glow with the prophetic sense Of success.
The door suddenly opened, and a voice
rather apologetically announced lie Doc
teur de Vigny." Ere she could decline to
receive him at this unwelcome hour her
visitor pushed lightly by the astonished
waiter and entered her presence.
Tall, dark and sallow, with eyes Of pc
culiar brightness and with remarkably
sunken checks, he yet presented distin-
guished appearance, though his coat was
by no means Of conventional cut Break
ing into a thousand apologies, he ex-
planned the cause Of his visit Madame,
/ have made the science Of medicine q life
long study and have discovered variety
of remedies for all affections arising from
exhaustion Of the brain power. You, ma
dame, believe, are suffering at present
from this cause.'
He drew paper from his pocket, and
turned 1t down at paragraph in which
the press announced 1.-THE glad arrival of
Nine. Matilda in the French capital, with
er she had come to consult specialist re-
specting the impaired state of her nervous
system, the result of the long and marvel
ously successful run Of the late play"
She smiled rather ooldly as she returned
the paper. He was evidently some infatu,
ated quack who, after lengthy preamble
concerning his impoverished circum-
stances, would conclude by begging sub
scription toward the intended publication
of medical treatise, which, of course,
would never appear.
~ am afraid this paper overrates my
exertions, but what of your cure?'
He drew shabby morocco case from his
pocket and laid two dark, sinewy hands
across it before answering. Then she no.
ticed for the first time his wildly bright eye,
rehecting some hidden fire.
"a bnffled genius" decided the success
full actress, and sho addressed him more
kindly. KS
~ shall be very pleased to try your rem
edy and recommend it to others If 1t prov,
successful"
"For this very reason have sought SC
distinguished patient, knowing that
| when 1 had effected cure your fame
might herald my own. The chief merit o.
my treatment" he continued, 'is It's sim
| plioity." Then lowering his voice he wen
on; 1T mainly consists In aInputating tn,
affected member and thoroughly cleansing
the seat of disease. In your case, madame
1t will necessitate the removal of tho head
SO as to regulate the activity Of the cere
/ brnl organs" He opened tho case and re
vealed glittering, highly tempered dis
| 5ecting knife.
In an instant the truth flashed upon her
She was in the presence and virtually ii
the power Of a monomaniac. For minut,
only the deliberately furnished room swan
giddily around her, but summoning tn
sang froid Of which she had more than al
ordinary share, and which had borne he
SO successfully through tho varied expert
ences of her early checkered career, sh
said as calmly as possible:
~ had better then summon my maid Il
assist me-"
Hastily intereepting her action, he plant
ed himself between her and the door.
Madame, he replied, with profoun,
bow and deeply respectful manner, sit /
not my rule to allow third person to as
sist at an operation, as they invariably ex
cite the patient, nor Is there occasion 70
any unnecessary preliminary preparation.
Coneealing herapprehension, she locke,
around for means of escape. Not one pre-
scented itself.
The sole entrance to the room wa
guarded by her unwelcome guest. He
maid hau leave OF absence Tor at least al
hour.
The apartment was situated in the NOR
private part of the hotel, SO that to delhi
erately ring or call for assistance woul,
perhaps but expedite matters before he'll
could arrive, and her fear rendered her in
capable of offering direct bodily resistance
She must temporize SO as to gain time an,
opportunity.
"Haye you effected many curesf" sh
asked pleasantly, resuming her seat witt
the peculiarly graceful manner that WI.
SO well known.
Disarmed by her composure, he seatc
himself, too, though within touch Of tn
door.
VERY many" he replied, land SO ex
peditiously that they were scarcely awar
of 1t themselves. In one Instance the fac
wore a smile, even after the head had beef
replaced"
A wilder light leaped from his eyes.
"But the world is ignorant. Never a
yet have been allowed to witness the re
suit Of my remedy. In your case 1t shal
not be So"
Her breath came nd mt hurriedly, q
| sl,s M afft,ed the mar p n, sxara 7alt