Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-11
MALIBA'S ESCAPE.

Nine. Matilda, the famous tragic actress,
sat in a private room of hotel, studying
drama in which she was to play the
leading role.
Floral offerings from her many admirers
decked the superbly furnished apartments,
while she, with her golden hair arranged
with artistic carelessness, her picturesque
pompadOur tea gown, looked what the
world everywhere acknowledgement
Of her art.
This hour before dinner was perhaps the
only one in the day she could call her own,
and she usually spent it luxuriatng in n
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 the
vision of n 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 rs her
art, grew misty with tears that glistoncd
and fell in the freight. Again she re-
hearscd the scene in which the heroine,
finding herself ut the mercy of vengeance
seeking hushand-who wrongly imagincs
IlAIll0'il wv llNllN llllDl'lNS MN W
spare Ter life for the 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 checks
glow with the prophetic sense of success.
The door suddenly opened, and voice
rather apOlOgGtiCally announced lie Doc
tcur dc Nigny." Ere she could decline to
receive him mt this unwclcome 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 Il 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,
1 have made the science of medicine life
long study and have discovered variety
of remedies for all affections arising from
exhaustion of the brain power. You, ma
dame, 1 believe, are suffering at present
from this cause"
He drew paper from his pocket, and
turned it down at a paragraph in which
the press announced 'the glad arrival of
Nine. Matilda in the French capital, with
er she had come to consult specialist re-
speeding tho impaired state of her nervous
system, the result of the long and marvel
ously successful run of the late play"
She smiled rather cOldly as she returned
the paper He was evidently some infatu
ated quack who, after u lengthy preamble
concerning his impoverished circum-
stances would conclude by begging n sub
scriptiOn toward she intended publication
of a medical treatise, which, of course,
would never appear.
81 am afraid this paper ovcrrates my
exertions, but what Of your curc?"
He drew u 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,
rejecting some hidden fire
"A baillcd genius, decided the SUCCESS.
full actress, and she addressed him more
kindly.
81 shall be very pleased to try your rom.
edy and recommend it to others if it prove
successful.
81 For this very reason have / sought sc
distinguished a patient, knowing that
when l had effected a cure your fame
might herald my own. The chief merit OF
my lItllllltul, uC CuHlluuCu, Is us Sill
pLcity." Their lowering his voice he went
on: at mainly consists in amputating the
affected member and thoroughly cleansing
the scat of disease. In your case, madame
it will neccssitate the removal Of the head
so as to regulate the activity of the cere
bral organs" He opened the case and re
vealed u glittering, highly tempered dis
secting knife.
In an instant the truth flashed upon her
She was in the presence and virtually IL
the power of mOnomaniac. For II minute
only tho deliberately furnished room swan
giddily around her, but summoning the
sang froid of which she had more than al
ordinary share, and which had borne hel
so successfully through the varied expert
ences of her early chcckercd career, sht
said as calmly as possible:
81 had better then summon my maid tt
assist me-
Hastily intercepting her action, he plant
ed himself between her and the door.
Madame" he replied, with profound
bow and deeply respectful manner, lit j.
not my rule to allow third person to as
sist at an operation, as they invariably ex
cite the patient, nor is there occasion fo
any unnecessary preliminary preparation.
Concealipg her apprehension she looked
around for means of escape. Not one pre-
scented itself.
Tho sole entrance to the room wa
guarded by her unwelcome guest. He
maid had leave of absence for at least al
hour.
Tho apartment was situated in the NOR
private part of the hotel, so that to delib
erately ring or call for assistance woult
perhaps but expedite matters before hell
could arrive. and her fear rendered her in
capable of offering direct bodily resistance
She must temporize so as to- gain time ant
opportunity.
"Have you effected many curesP" sh
asked pleasantly, resuming her scat wit
the peculiarly graceful manner that wa
so we'll known.
Disarmcd by her composure, he seate
himself, too, though within touch of tn
door.
NTyaVsrr