Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-07-05
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE KANSAS JULY NO-IWElE PAGES

ing with ruthless hands the cushion on
ner uptuTned face, and the curtain
began to descend on the death scene.
An electric thrill ran through the
audience, the horror and despair Of
the tragedy before them seemed sud.
denly real and tangible; the scream,
strangled in its birth, that came from
the beautiful singer seemed an appeal
to them for help; and then an amaz.
ing thing occurred.
In the excitement of the scene no
one had noticed the sadden arrival
in the hall Of DR.. Harrowden, who,
pale and breathless, stood watching
the descent of the curtain, until, ap.
parently overpowered by impulse, he
ran up the hall, leaped up to the stage,
and, springing across the footlights
threw himself upon the Count.
In the desperate struggle that en-.
sued, momentary as it was, before
q" paralyzed ON okers rushed to
separate the combatants, no one no.
ticed that Eva herself had not moved
and lay still under the cushions.
There was the fash of a knife, an
exclamation from DR.. Harrowden
and then, as he dropped, stabbed In
the shoulder, a dozen hands were on
the Count, and, though he fought
with the limitless strength Of mad.
man, he was overpowered at last by
numbers, and carried off the stage,
bound and helpless.
DR.. Harrowden, whose faintness
was only temporary, had risen already
and, disregarding the help offered,
h'm, hurried to the couch and raised
the cushions.
Eva lay there insensible, with the
marks on her white neck where the
Counts fingers had gone near to SUI.
locating her.
DR.. Harrowden bent and laid his
ear to her lips and heart.
"She is not Dead" he said briefly,
Garry her to her room. will ut.
tend to her"
Wondering EXPLANATIONS broke out
on all sides, What had happened?
Had the Count really attempted Eva'a
life? How had the doctor been aware
or her danger and a thousand other
questions and surmises. Later, when
Eva, very weak and i'll, had recovered
consciousness, she told the story OF
the Counts strange, wild love for her
an inGatuation which had seized him
when they first met in the opera
House at Milan, of her inability to
shake off the influence which he ex.
ercised over her, in spite of her dread
and dislike for him, of his appearance
at the castle when she was arranging
Il cast of "Othello," and imperous
de.land to be allowed to remain there
and to play the title role,
slow can everthank you enough?"
she said to DR.. Harrowden, when, af-
ter many days of suffering from the
Counts stilletto wound, he came, at
her request, to see her. ut was a mir.
acle that you should have saved me as
you did. A moment longer, and it
would have been too late. How did
you guess that his acting was reality2"
"4ne thanks are due really to your
SELF" he said gently. "Your kindness
in singing to that poor little child
was the cause of your preservation.
| went to see her that evening and
found her just awakened from a
strange dream of you, which had left
The impression on her mind that you
were in danger. The beautiful lady
with the angel voice, she called you.
She would not be comforted until /
promised to go up to the castle and
md assure myself thatno harm threat
med you, Her persistence gave me
! touch of anxiety, and ii came to mo
with a sort of tuition, as ! watched
he count, that he was mad. | lell
ure he meant mischief, It seems al
most as II the child had second sight;
'ut these condolences do occur some.
ines"
"And STILL" said Eva, ut is to you
owe my life. You risked yours for
nine. Oh! tell me how to thank you I
81 dare ask nothing" he said, "since
dare not ask too much"
But in their silence hope and
romse lay. And there are some who
ay that the most beautiful singer OF
he day will exercise the prerogativc
hat her pre-eminence gives to her,
nd will make romantic MARRIAGE
emmy Pictorial Magazine.