Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-02-25
CHAPTER yI.-CoSrrNuEp.

MI. McLane they hao NOT met NJ aii'
nor did they again, on that now I'M
clouded wedding journey. once encoun-
ter her. II was easy to trace the wan
derings Of this Manhattan magnate and
his lovely wife. Their movements were
the subject of daily paragraphs In the
papers from San Diego to Seattle, and
not until they had left Coronado Beach
did the Merriams 60 thither. Not until
the McLanes were heralded at the Pal
ace in San Francisco did the happy
couple move on to Monterey, and there
one morning as they were at breakfast
the papers were brought in and there
wns sensation. Merriam had not yet
begun to appear at table with that in
fallible symptom Of the long-mnrried
couple-a newspaper for his own en-
tertainment and silence for his wife
and he and she were glancing about the
great apartment md exchanging hap
DIV. low-toned condolences about their
surroundings and possibly their fellow
sojourners.
A man at an adjoining table, however,
had opened the sheet and suddenly ex-
claimed: "My God!" and this instantly
attracted the attention Of his wife, who
had rcsignedly accepted the situation
and was finding such consolation rs she
could in studying the occupants Of the
room. He began to read aloud: "Mr.
John Harold McLane. of New York, who
with his charming young wife has been
spending a few days in this city, was
shot and dangerously wounded while
stepping into his carriage In front OF
the University club ut late hour last
night, his unknown assailant escaping
in the confusion that followed. The
ball, evidently q heavy one, struck him
with such force that the shock felled
him instantly. He WINS carried into the
clubhouse again, where Drs. Storr and
Humphrey, who were present, made
prompt examination. II was found that
after striking full force and partially
destroying the contents Of fiat pocket
book in his overcoat the ball. detected,
evidently, had torn Its way round under
the skin of the left breast and hurst Its
way out below the armpit. Bleeding
was profuse and the shock severe. yet
the physicians think that the chances
are in favor Of his recovery.
"There In much mystery about the
affair. The coachman says q man and
o woman walked up and down In front
Of the club on the opposite side OF the
street full half an hour before Mr.. Nc
Lane came out, he being accompanied
by friend who had formed one Of their
party at whist. Instantly the strange
man left the side Of the woman, hurried
across the street. and, placing his left
hand ON Mr.. McLnne's shoulder, turned
him sharply. and accosted him in low,
somewhat angry tone. The moment he
spoke Mr.. McIane struck furiously with
his right hand at the Others face, then
thrust II into his overcoat pocket, where
later pistol was found. It was at this
instant that the other fred. The car
riage horses. startled, attempted
to run, and by the time the
coachman had regained control
Of them they were some dis
lance down the street. On his return,
Mr.. McLane was being borne into the
club. Quite little crowd Ind gath
cred, but nobody but himself and the
friend referred to, who was some
what intoxicated, had seen anything OF
the shooting. A neighbor said he saw
n man and woman hurrying round the
corner, but that was the last of them.
The police have q clew which they re-
fuse to divulge. Mrs. McLane, who
was attending the brilliant reception
given at the residence Of Hon. j. L. San
bourne, was not informed Of the trag-
edy until an hour later, and was pros
trated by the shock. At three n. IN.
the wounded man was resting under the
influence Of opiates."
Breathless, Merriam listened, his face
paling. and breathless Florence watched
him. When the reader had finished
and his wife began to ask questions
Florence said no word. Her dark
pathetic eyes were fixed upon her hus-
bands pallid face, then timidly she
stretched forth her hand. "Randy,
deari" she whispered.
Merriam reused himself with sud
den start. "Forgive me, Floy. Floy
darling! But this IL q dreadful shock
win you mind my getting q paper"
and he looked appealingly about him
A waiter sprang forward. DID the cap
tain wish nnything7 The morning pa
per? Certainly. Which onef oh, any
one-all Of them in fact; and present
Ii they were brought, as was the break
he read on through paper after paper
fast, and the breakfast grew cold while
grewsome details In one and all. yet moi
the details he sought.
And Florence had lost all appetite and
was intent only on him, waiting almost
meekly for him TO speak. Some Of tn,
papers declared the injuries mortal
Randy passed the papers one after an
other without comment 10 her. a. b
read them. she took each as II came
obediently. helpfully. but folded and
laid I, by her side. then returned to hel
wordless study Of his troubled face. A
last the fourth sheet was finished, ant
with = long Sigh he turned aud saw
her. ..My darllngl my dar!ing!" b
whispered. a great shame and sorroV
empowering him ~ be noted the In
tenIlfy Of her sympathy miugiing will
~ mournful sense Of her utter moth
ness 10 him At the moment. ~oh
Finrence. how could be 80 forgetfu
o. ton? But I have had q dreadful
shnck. yon do not know what thil
n'strs whstii would mean u McLan.
lse'.l &c noW--sa ] cannot ten you'