The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-11
MALIBA'S ESCAPE.

bthv Ill u private TpOIIl OI u nOCcI, SCuuylnO
drama in which sho was to play the
leading role.
Floral offerings from her many admirers
decked the supcrbly furnished apartments.
whilo she, with her golden hair arranged
with artistic carclcssncss, her picturesque
pompadour tea gown, looked what tho
world everywhere ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
of her art.
This hour before dinner was perhaps tho
only ono In the day she could call her own.
and sho usually spent it Illustrating in u
lounge before the fire. But something in
tho act she had just finished brought to
memory her brief married life, with It's
Misunderstanding and fatal end also tho
vision of u curly headed lad who calls hcr
mother on her rare visits to her northern
home, and for whose sake she has strivon
SO successfully for tho world good will
|. The grand blue eyes, MS renowned rs her
art, grow misty with tours that glistcned
and fell in tho freight. Again sho 10
hearscd the scene in which tho heroine,
finding horsclf mt the mercy of q vengeance
seeking husband-who wrongly imagines
himself bctraycd-wildly implorcs him to
spare her life for the sake of her innocent
child.
1t will need all the power and passion
or which she Is mistress, and as sho closes
tho book her eyes sparkle and her checks
glow with the prophetic sense of success.
Tho door suddenly opened, and u voice
rather apoiogctically announced ''Lc Doc
tour dc Vigny." Ere she could decline to
receive him ut this unwclcomc hour her
visitor pushed lightly by tho astonishcd
waiter and entered her presence.
Tall, dark and sallow, with eyes of ne
culiar brightness and with remarkably
sunkcn checks he yet presented n distin-
guishcd appearance, though his coat was
by no means OF u conventional cut. Break
ing into thousand apologies, he cx-
planned the cause of his visit 'Madamc.
l have made the science of medicine a life.
long study and have discovered "a variety
of remedies for all affections arising from
exhaustion of the brain power. YOU ma
Dame, L believe arc suffering at present
from this Cause
He drew Il paper from his pocket, and
turned it down ut paragraph in which
the press announced "the glad arrival Of
Nine Maliba in the French capital, With
ct she had come TO consult q specialist re-
spcctiDg the impaired state OF her nervous
system, the result of the long and marvel
ously successful run of the late play"
Sho smiled rather coldly as she returned
tho paper He was evidently some infatu-
ntcd quack who, after u lengthy preamble
concerning his impoverished circum-
stances, would conclude by bcgqin9 n sub
scription toward the intended publication
OF medical treatise, which, of course
would never appear.
81. am afraid this pnpcr oycrratrs nv
cxcrtions, but what of your cureY'
He drew shabby morocco case from his
pocket and laid two dark, sinewy hands
across II before answering Then she no
tlced for the first time his wildly bright eve
rejecting some hidden fire
a bai1ied genius, - decided the success
full actress and she addressed him moro
kindly
II shall be very pleased 10 try your rem
cdy and recommend it tn hers if il provo
successful"
For this very reason have sought so
distinguished patient, knowing that
when l had effected cure your fame
might herald my own. The chief merit of
my treatment" he continued, sis its sim
plicity" Then lowering his voice he went
on: 1t mainly consists in amputating the
alcctcd member and thoroughly cleansing
inc seat OF disease. In your case, madame
III VIII neccssltatc the removal of the head
SO as to regulate the activity of tho cerc-
bra! organs" He opened the case and re-.
vcalcd glittcring, highly tempered dis
secting knife
In an instant the truth flashed upon her
enc was III the presence and virtually In
tho power of Il monomaniac Form minute
only the deliberately furnished room swan
giddily around her, but summoning tho
sang froid of which She had more than an
ordinary share. and which had borne her
SO successfully through the varied expert
ences OF her early chcckercd career she
said as calmly Us possible:
Il had better then summon my maid TO
assist me-
Hastily intcrccpting her action, he plant
ed himself between her and the door
Madame, " he replied, with profound
bow and deeply respectful manner, sit is
not my rule to allow Il third person to as
slst at an operation, us they invariably OK
cite the patient. nor is there occasion for
any unnecessary preliminary preparation"
Concealing her apprehension, she looked
around Tor means of escape. Not one pre-
sentcd itself
The sole entrance to the room was
guarded by her unwclcomo guest. Her
maid had leave of absence for at least an
hour.
Ihe apartment was situated In the more
private part OF the hotel, so that to DELHI
eratciy ring or call for assistance would
perhaps but expedite matters before help
could arrive and her fear rendered her in
capable OF Offering direct bodily resistance
She must temporize SO as 10 gain time and
opportunity.
Have you effected many curcs?" she
asked pleasantly, resuming her seat with
the peculiarly graceful manner that was
so well known.
Disarmed by her composure, he seated
himself, too though within touch of the
door.
Very many" he replied, "and so cx
peditiously that they We're scarcely aware
of IL themselves In ono instnnno IL -.