New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-21

where |
describe it. of meeting with you, Miss Keith, and
hearing of my position, he very kindly suggested
my accompanying them there, sharing their
house. and seeking some sort or employment Tor
the short time that remained before we went to
Oxbr!dge Rudolf to 40 the same
This offer accepted. We all moved to NJ
together. and after tramping the town Tor lew
days eventually found work as accountant IN
Of the departments OF the stores. This only
obtained because the real accountant was III at
the time NV wages were To be sixteen shillingS
a week Rudolf got situation at ten shngs.
1t was very meagre, but we saw ourselves in
fair way to exist until the university terms be-
gan But just then an unooked-for calamity oc-
CURED. Mr. Won Halle missed getting the work
which he had calculated upon. and found himself
in a strange town, without friend, ana without
the prospect Of an income with my wages and
Rudo.ts. our weekly income now only amounted
to one pound and six shill.ngs. Won Halle had
little a very little, money in hand. Somehow we
could manage to keep the wolf from the door
All might yet have been wellIall might nave
defnable something.
''One day. shortly after our arrival at NJ,
a stranger called at the house stranger, that
Is 10 me. He was shown at once into the small
back room; but | CHANGED to come along the
passage at the moment Of his arrival, and
noticed that he started and put his hand % ms
face, as though not wishing to be seen. Yet /
received clear impression of what he was IKE.
He was short slight. but misunderstanding
man, very dark. and of that exceedingly foreign
cast Of feature which we associate with the Tar
tariC or Monaghan tribes
Il proceeded into the front room and sat down
with book. Throughout the evening | heard
the sound of voices in earnest conversation In
the next room. Now and then Nine. Won Halle
came in. but otherwise | was left to myself. She.
| noticed looked troubled | had before gath
cred that the mystery, whatever 1t was, was
distastefu to her, nay, even serious distress.
When night came retired at my usual hour.
Rudolf and | shared the same bedroom. lie
came upstairs very late, his entrance into the
room partly Weakening me- | opened my eyes
frIh frc N ha n no
floor. his hands cenched, his face white. and MS
eyes flaming with excitement. | was too sleepy
t. this more clearly than as In dream.
Next morning thought II was a dream. Now
know 1t nothing Of the kind
Matters went on In this way for several
weeks-poverty and mystery-pOverty and mys-
terry. | could have made up my mind 10 the
first. but the second dsliked 1t went against
my English grain. The visits of the stranger
continued. and always. rs It seemed interfered
with our domestic peace. | became more and
more convinced that Nine. Won Halle was rem
dered exceedingly unhappy by them. And this
reused not only my irtensest sympathy on her
account. but increased my feeling OF devotion TO
her.
We'll, To hasten on to the eliminating point,
one evening turned my key in the latch and
entered the house and came upon scene which
flashed upon my brain and lies there still as in
delibic and vivid as though had but beheld II
yesterday. The door Of the back sitting-roOm was
wide open. | heard Nine. Won Halle cry ont. and
| saw confused group If men graphing. as II
There were Won Halle. Rudolf. the Mongol, and
strange man whose face | did not see AT all.
What ala see was that confused horrible rush
and the geam of a knife savagely uplifted In
the air Whose hand held that knife do not
know Whether Rudolf Won Hae's or the Mon
gors. am utterly unable 10 judge. II was just
a fash. no more. Then came heavy fall,
ghasty cry. the door was banged to. and Nine.
Won Halle came flying along the passage 10 fall
half fainting into my arms. had not time 10
speak To utter one word 81 the amazement and
1. In I heForp
from me- ard casting herself at my feet. c.asped
my knees with her arms. and cried 10 me In
piercing whisper
save u.s. Hubert Save us all. For mercys
sake. save us"
"Mstakng her meaning. attempted 70 push
pas, her and To rush 70 the back sitt!ng-room.
surprising my assistance was in some way re-
qurei But she seized mo and hung with all her
weight upon me.
40, there Hubert. Not there" she cried.
And just then heard the key turned IN the
door and knew was purposely locked out.
Nine won ale to her feet and tottered T. the
room. | following Again was about TO speak
when she rushed forward and laid her hand upon
my mouth.
Not A word Hubert" she whispered. Not a
word, Sit 10y mo and listen. Don't speak"
Pulling me- 10 "A seat by her side and far
from the wall 81 the other room as possible. she
looked into my eyes with the most passionate
cntreaty have ever seen in a human face.
"'Do you love me. Hubert? She asked
Indeed. madame" faltcred. I'm the same low
-; were in difficulty, in despair. would you
save me and help me-"
Il could only answer 10y pressing the hand
which was to me as my mothers
"'WIll YOU do what tell You now. 10 1t. and
trust me-
Il vowed would with an intensity Of emo
tion.
You have rich friends Hubert, Get me
money Ten pounds viii Dee enough. Get me
money e. escape Ask no questions. but - ana
do IT, Creep out II this house now AMI never
,,rr 80 mo
will pack Your things and have them con-
ycy,d - that hous' close by In the n'Nt street.
where YOU once Thought Of taking room There
WI meet You tomorrow morning or tn"
money Afterward get lodging As FAR away
from this uoichborhooi rs YOU can. You hear
No iIubort' You uri'r9t1nd? Ar! remember
you have promised. For M, 1t Is matter Il he
All mi. she had whispered into my ear with
AN intensity ~ uttcrauce which cannot d describe.
Even ~ she spoke the !mppssihty ~ the
task she had imposed upon me had risen 70
my mind But such was her WILL her imQetu-
osty. her distress that could not have uttered
word Of hesitation had I wished 1t. There
was the task. | must - and perform H. rose
to M feet I'm silence.
Just ,hcr the dead hush in the next room
was broken by a sound: heard the cauti us
trampl!ng II feet and the cautious slow drag
Of something heavy across the floor sick
ming horror seized upon me. Something ~ X
may have - own itself In my face. At any rate,
Mime Won Halle hurried me- To- the door. and win
one last .mpcrious whisper II For my sake"
pushed me- over the threshold and out Into the
street.
once out I'm the open air. confused and horri~
fled though | was my mind fixed its"lf upon the
thing To- hc done for the SAX. ~ Mime. Won Halle.
with a resolute exclusion Of any too searching
IN ught upon that event But how t. pro 'eed'
Nine Won Halle has spoken of my rich friend.
Yes, | had rich friends | had my uncl" and
his circle But my old hlm" wa; on The eastern
side of Yorkshire aud what | had Ia accp n
ulisn had t. Doe done before i1oruNg. Morr1v -.
was without money; had not sNpence about
me
Il began To- wander on through ,h" streets.
my head down ana my thoughts ABSORBED in
agonizrl schcmln". Md while Zach plan IN turn
vas cXtinguishcd in despair. the memory Of
Nine Won Hac's distracted face. passionate en-
treaties and imperative gestures remained Viviily
before me Then night fell BY that time | was
sick with hunger ana giddy with fatigL". my
brain becoming proportionately ovcrNrou sh.. Il
WAS a quiet night; the streets looked strange
and unreal In the moonlight. passed along