The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-06

possibility Of it, / will given you a letter
saying / asked you to undertake an inn
portant commission for me to my hus-
band. But il you can go at the time
/ say, il Is the unlikeliest thing in the
world that there win be any need Of it,.
"Oh. | know what fayer am ask
ing OF a perfect stranger exclaimed
the young wife with great feeling. but
am working for my life's happiness,
and you are securing ii for me, If you
have the noble generosity to aid me IN
this way. III you refuse, you who could
pity strange woman who was only
suffering from sun-stroke, to whom can
look for help? | do not want to appeal
70 anything but your heart, but / swear
to you that il You refuse / will kill my
self sooner than face the consequence
OF my own reckless act, Oh, will you
not do this, for the love of Heaven, for
helpless, distracted womanY
She bent her eyes imploringly upon
him, grave, clear eyes, strange, compell-
ing, fascinating eyes. It was the alb
surdity Of the thing which the young
man had most in his mind. But the wo-
mans precautions would secure him if
worst came to worst. 1t seemed cruel
not to render the assistance to a frail
sweet woman, nervous to the brink Of
prostration over the impending loss Of
her life's happiness. The final threat Of
self-destruction, moreover, had such a
ring Of determined purpose that it decid-
ed him to accept this strange commits
sion at any cost.
Il will do it," he said, with deliber-
alton that argued better for the accom-
pishment of the task than a promter,
more enthusiastic assent
''Then if you will tell the cabman to
drive to No. ~, Lexington avenue, I can
tell you anything else on the way" she
said with a deep sigh of relief. Il can
not repay you for your kindness, but
God may"
On their way to the number indicated
she asked the young man to call at the
Lexington avenue house at quarter Of
eight that evening and she would have
the latch-key, the letter and the box
ready for him. 1t was the residence, she
explained of one Of her most intimate
woman-friends. Before they arrived at
the house, which proved to be one Of the
respectable, non-committed brick abound
ing in that section Of Lexington avenue,
she slipped a five-dollar bill into his
hands to pay the cabman with when he
had set him down where he wished to
go. She also begged him to give this
address to the cabman before they ar
rived at the house, and to bid him drive
on Mt once as soon as she got out, since
her friend knew all Of her men ac-
quaintances and might make curious in
quiries if she saw her drive up with a
stranger. OF course, her coming back in
a hanson would excite no comment. All
Of which was very reasonable and most
becQmingly circumspect, so that he readi-
~ did it. When the ''cabby" had taken
him to his club he paid him for his part
OF the drive
He dined at his club terrifying himself
fer his mission of the evening by bottle
Of champagne. At the appointed time he
himself at the Lexington Ave
nue. House The lady answered the bell
herself did not invite him in, but gave
him at once the latch-key, the letter and
the box Of documents She told him she
would open the door for him on his return.
and begged him to hurry back as soon as
he had restored the box to it's place A
cab stood at the door, which
she had provided to facilitate his course
The box was of black morocco, about
fourteen inches long, by FIVE inches wide
The young fellow felt no special interest
in it outside of its Importance to a wo-
mans lifelong peace. The cabman drove
his horse at a walk, and when urged to go
faster said his horse had gone lame and |
he didn't like to tax him too much. He /
lad been paid by the lady, who evidently |
'hrank from placing herself under any !
money obligation to her friendly assistant |
rs a lady naturally would
When he got to the house the young /
nan told the cabman he could go, but /
he fellow said the lady had paid him
or the return trip, saying the gent was
II hurry and he wouldn't want to look /
around for another hanson
THE beast has been rested up and /
AN take yer back at a better gait, sir,
le said cheerfully, with a grin.
G0odenOugh first rang the bell He
vas willing to help the lady as far as he
ould without certainly compromising
limself, but he did not intend to run UNI
Necessary risks. If anyone came, he would
SIX if Mr.. Wheeler was at home, and if
lie was not, would then ask to go to his
DOM and write a note for him. After n
ime, as no one responded, he pretended
% discover his key with some surprise,
md boldly let him in.
He found the rooms without any diff
Iculty from the directions Mrs. Wheeler
lad given to him. and they exactly an,
wered her description of them. He got
chair and placed the box carefully on
he tor Of the folding-bed, just as she had
sked him to. He nearly dropped it while
Icing this, owing to a pardonabIe ner-
Greatly relieved, he went back to the
Dther house The "cabby'' was as good
Is his word, ana apave back rapidly, the
lorse showing no disposluv1. To be "dazy"
N any one of his legs The lady opened
he door at once, received back her key
md unused letter, and wrung his hands
With warm feeling.
Il cannot thank you enough. This
must be life-secret between us. But
4 you will give me your card, shall be
glad to make your acquaintance after |
get back to my husband. I beg you to
accept the small token Of a womans graf
tude toward n generous man"
Fg