The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-28
KIDNAPPED.

half dozen squares when L noticed n cab
drive hastily by me and stop suddenly q
few yards ahead. Scarcely had the horse
come to standstill whom two figures
darted out of the vehicle and approached
me with heavy strides l hurried on, but
had not gone-a dozen steps when detain-
ing hand was laid on my shoulder, and,
turning with start, felt myself sudden
ly gagged, and, unable TO scream and too
frightened to attempt resistance, the two
men-tall, muscular fellows, with heavy
black masks completely covering their
faces-in less time than it takes to relate
lifted me into the cab, then jumped in
after me.
felt myself being driven rapidly off, I
knew not whittier. All the dreadful tale $
of murder and abduction which had ever
heard of or read about trooped through
my dazed brain.
The blinds of the cab were down, max
ing it impossible to see into the streets
through which we passed. The moments
seemed like hours. On, on, oni Would
we never stop Once or twice l tried to
rise to my feet, thinking it might DO posi-
bic to burst open the door and spring to
the ground. l was hold down with grip
of iron, white one of the men whispered:
At last we stopped. One of tho men
opened the door and vanished from sight
in the inky blackness of night, while tho
other hastily passed his arm around my
waist and clasped my hands with wise
like grasp. Unable either to speak or
move, could only pray-pray harder thai
l had ever done before in my life
Tho masked chptor who had left us pres
emily returned with n lamp. Twas hustled
out of the cab and led UP narrow alley
into what appeared to be woodward
We crossed this arena, went up two flights
of steps and across passageway, finally
stopping before a door, which was I'M
locked, while the cloth which covered my
face was removed and I was thrust inside
and the door locked and boited again.
l found myself in a large, brilliantly
lighted and handsomely furnished bed
room. Exhausted and wretched, l sank
into an easy chair and tried to collect my
thoughts
One hour succeeded another, and still 1
sat waiting, wondering, trying to think
that / would soon be missed at home and
rescued. But even as thoughts of rescue
fitted across my mind l knew how i'm
probable was the chance of amy one having
seen me enter the cab, and even had my
captors been noticed how impossible it
must have been to any one to keep track
of the cab in its long and crooked course
| heard no sound--saw no one. Finally,
toward morning, wornout nature asserted
herself and l sank into deep sleep.
When l awolle, it was broad day. The
sun streamed in through the windows and
played ftfully on the carpet. / watched it
idly for few seconds, as half waking PEG.
pie are apt to do. Then suddenly notic-
ing the strange room and my peculiar po-
sition in Il chair, a remembrance of the
terrible ordeal of the preceding night
flashed across my mind, and 1 started up
in alarm. l looked out of the window,
but only saw an unfamiliar courtyard
which furnished no clew to the part of
the city my captors had carried me.
Soon the sound of footsteps outside the
door arrested my attention. The bolt was
drawn back, the key turned in the latch
and the door opened. 7 saw a tall, gaunt
woman of the middle class, seemingly
about so years of age, dressed in shabby
mourning, standing there. She carried in
her hand tray, containing hot coffee,
rolls and fried chicken, which she set down
upon the table, with the words:
Eat this little bit of breakfast now,
and you'll feel BETTER
l sprang toward her.
"Tell me-, cried, "why ap I here9
What will they do to me? Who"--
She cut me short by saying in a not I'M
kindly voice:
81 am not able to help you or answer
your questions. 1t may turn out all right. {"
Presently she carried away, almost I'M
tasted, the tray containing the breakfast.
nta in ba n 81, h,o,,
ner and toward night a cup of tea.
The long hours passed by, and still no
assistance arrived. l tried to read. On
the table were several fresh magazines, but
I could not fix my thoughts on any sub
ject long enough to interest myself, and 1
finally gave up to my gloomy meditations.
1t grew dark again at last and perhaps
was about 8 O'Clock when the sound of
voices and heavy steps outside the door
aroused me, and Immediately afterward
two mon, my masked captors of the night
before, entered the room and advanced to-
ward me. They still wore masks.
In the glare of the gaslight noticed
that their clothes were new and of fashion
able cut and their hands white and evil
IDENTIFY unused to toll. My heart was in
my mouth. l confronted them, resolved
to defend myself to tho last.
They gazed at me attentively, and one
OF them exclaimed with dreadful OATH
sit is not the right one!''
They conversed together for few mo-
ments in a low voice, and one of them
presently said politely:
PLEASE put OH your hat and shawl and
accompany us. 1t is all mistake"
did so, and we three proceeded down
the stairway, across the courtyard and
through the alley, again entering the cab,
where l was treated less like prisoner and
with more ceremony than the night before.
We drove rapidly along and in a short time
stopped at the identical spot where had
been seized. The driver opened the cab
door and politely handed me out of the ve-
hicle, which. when 1t had landed me, drove
off again, the two masked men remaining
inside
Ten minutes later was at home and
had scarcely stepped over the threshold of
the door when swooned away.
l afterward learned what a search had
been made for me during those "a hours
when was in captivity and how no trace
whatever of my whereabouts had been
found. From that day to this 1t has never
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