The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-14
a Wicked Worpap.
CHAPTER I.
A Mysterious Tragedy.

CHAflHh IL
A Mysterious Tragedy.
A dead man! A chastity spectacle
huddled upon the gayly carpeted floor
Of a room at a fashionable hotel in a
certain large city. Dead! Yes, there
was no doubt, for the body was quite
cold and fast growing rigid.
On table beside the chair in which
the man had evidently been sitting,
stood tiny wineglass and a vial la
beled laudanum; the glass showed
traces of the poison and the man had
died from its effects.
He was stranger to the house; had
called the evening before and secured a
room, retiring to 1t Immediately, having
first requested to be called In the
morning in time for the six o'clock
Western train. But when the hour ar
rived for him to be aroused, and the
servant went to awaken him, he did
not respond to the summons. Hour
after hour passed, and still the
stranger failed to make his appear
ance; and finally the proprietor Of the
house, alarmed at the strange silence
within the room. hurst open the door
of the chamber, revealing its CHASTITY
occupant.
The affair was enshrouded in mys-
terry. The door of the room was
locked on the inside; there was but
one window, opening out upon small
balcony, and this window, though
closed, was not fastened; but the room
was in the third story, and could not
be reached from without except by
the aid Of long ladder, and certain
exposure would follow such an at
tempt.
They crowded about the doorway
of that chamber of death-the terrified
servants and guests Of the hotel; while
inside two police officers guarded the
body, awaiting the arrival of coroner.
At last Coroner Jackson and DR.. Dud-
ley were announced. An investigation
revealed the truth Of the statement al
ready made-that the deceased died
from the effects of an overdose OF laud-
anum."
Il wonder who she isl" observed the
doctor, grave, cynical looking man,
as he stood beside the body, discussing
the strange affair.
Coroner Jackson looked surprised.
Il don't understand you, DOCTOR"
he returned.
The physician smiled sardonically,
his dark, rugged face growing sterner.
"Of course there's a woman at the
bottom ofithis tragedy" he explained.
"Since I have practiced medicine, l
have had plenty of experience, but I
have never come across an affair Of
this sort-for it's suicide, of course;
that's plain to be seen-but there was
always woman in the case! A
daughter of Eve at the bottom Of the
mystery, as, indeed, they are con-
cerned In most of our troubles"
Coroner Jackson shrugged his Shout
ders. .,,,r ,F4 ~
SWELL, perhaps so, DOCTOR" he VEN
tured; but"
Gentlemen"
There was the rustling of silken
drapery in the corridor without the
odor of frangipanni, and DR.. Dudley
started forward, as lady stepped over
the threshold.
A slight, graceful figure, in trail
ing, robe Of gray silk. with a broad
brimmed hat, andslong, sweeping gray
plumes. A woman beautiful as a
dream! The childish little face as fair
as the daintiest lily, with faint pink
on the dimpled cheeks; a mouth like
a scarlet pomegranate blossom, white
teeth, and dimpled chin; eyes large,
lustrous, like black velvet, yelled by
long, sweeping dark lashes; while
strange contrast!-her hair was the
color of gold, and waved over a low,
broad brow.
DR.. Dudley removed his hat, bowling
courteouslyt hut as, his eyes fell full
upon the face of the lady he started as
with an electric shock, and a dull red
flush stained his dark face for an in
slant.
Where have I met herr" he NUT
tered to himself. by Jove! | know!
There's no installing that face among
a thousand!'
But the lady-quite unconscious of
his close scrutiny-advanced to the
center Of the roum near where the
dead man lay, paused irresolutely, and
DR.. Dudley observed that she did not
turn her eyes in the direction of the
corpse upon the floor.
"Sir!"
The low, sweet, vibrant tone stirred
the heart Of every man present.
Il have ventured here because II
have just arrived in the city, and as
soon as l reached this hotel | was in
formed of the-this awful affair, and
I'-her eyes searched the room, with
a nervous hunted look in their lustrous
depths, resting at last upon the white,
upturned face of the dead man.
She darted forward with low cry
Of horror.
ut Isl" she walled. ooh, Barton!
Barton my husband"
She fell upon her knees and pillowed
the dead mans head upon her breast,
moaning, wailing!
rs he really dead? Is there no
hope?" she cried, wildly, glancing in
10 the faces Of the men who stood near
in respectful silence. II must see a
physician"
DR.. Dudley came nearer.
II am physician, madam" he OBJ
served, "Dr. Morris Dudley, of this
lily. 1 have mads an examination,
lnd-I regret exceedingly--but-he is
lutte dead-an overdose of laudanum,
"Oh, Heaven" she groaned, 81
cared this! hate warned him re-
but he would not desist!