The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-19
MALIBA'S ESCAPE.

Nine. Maliba, the famous tragic actress.
SIT In a private room of hotel, studying
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 carelessness, her picturesque
pompadour tea gown, looked what the
world everywhere acknowledged-queen
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 luxurlating In a
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 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 glistenod
and fell In the freight. Again she re-
hearsed the scene In which the heroine,
finding herself at the mercy Of a vengeance
seeking husband-who wrongly imagines
himself betraycd-wildly implores him TO
spare her life for the sake Of her innocent
child.
1t will need all tho 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 "Le Doc
teur do 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 pe-
culiar brightness and with remarkably
sunken cheeks, he yet presented distin-
guished appearance, though his coat was
by no means of a conventional cut Break
ing into a thousand apologies, he ex-
planned the cause of his visit. Madame,
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, / believe, are suffering at present
from this cause"
He drew paper from his pocket, and
turned IL down at O paragraph in which
the press announced "the glad arrival OF
Mime. Maliba In the French capital, with
or she had come TO consult a 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 coldly as she returned
the paper. He was evidently some infatu
ated quack who, after a lengthy preamble
concerning his impoverished circum-
stances, would conclude by begging a sub
scription toward the intended publication
OF medical treatise, which, of course
would never appear
II 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 IL before answering. Then she no.
ticed for the first time his wildly bright eye,
re6ecting some hidden fire.
"a baflled genius" decided the success
ful actress, and she addressed him more
kindly.
II shall be very pleased TO try your rem
edy and recommend IL to Others if it prove
successful"
"For this very reason have sought so
distinguished n patient, knowing that
when / had effected a cure your famo
might herald my own. The chief merit Of
my treatment, he continued, sis it's sim
plicity." Then lowering his voice he went
on: ut mainly consists I'm amputating the
affected member and thoroughly cleansing
the seat Of disease. In your case, madame,
1t will nccessitate the removal of the head,
so as TO regulate the activity of the cere-
bral organs" He opened the case and re-
vealed a glittering, highly tempered dis
secting knife.
In an instant the truth flashed upon her.
She was in the presence and virtually In
the power of IA amonomaniac. For minute
only the elaboratcly 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 checkered career, she
said as calmly as possible:
Il had better then summon my maid to
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, "it is
not my rule to allow a third person to as
sist at an operation, as they invariably ex-
cite the patient nor is Gln.- occasion for
any unnecessary preliminary preparation"
Concealing her apprehension, she looked
around for means of escape. Not one pre-
sented itself.
The sole entrance TO the room was
guarded by her unwelcome guest. Her
maid had leave of absence for at least an
hour.
The apartment was situated in tho more
private part of the hotel, so that to delib-
eratcly 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 telnporize SO as To gain time and
opportunity.
Have you effected many curesf" she
asked pleasantly, resuming her seat with
the peculiarly graceful manner that was
SO well known.
Disarmod by her composure, he seated
himself, too, though within touch of the
door.
Very many" he replied, "and so ex-
peditiously that they were scarcely aware
Of IL themselves in one instance tho face
wore smile, even after the head had been
replaced"
a wilder light leapcd from his eyes.
But the world is ignorant. Never as