Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-10-10
stead. proudly and passionately de-
clared her innocence.

Count Devas, the Italian singer VIII,
had already won universal applause 70
his wonderful rendering Of Othello
faced her, the madness of rage that wa
consuming him portrayed wildly IL
every feature of his face, in every
movement of his tense, nervous fingers
There was silence, intense, dead 81
lence for an instant as Eya's last note
died away and then, as she covered hel
eyes with her hands. the Count, with
one swift step, was at her side, press
ing with ruthless hands the cushion on
her upturned face, and the curtain be.
| gan slowly to descend on the death
scene.
An electric thrill ran through the
audience, the horror and despair Of the
tragedy before them seemed suddenly
real and tangible; the scream, strangled
In Its birth, that came from the beauti-
full singer seemed an appeal to them for
help; and then an amazing thing oc-
CURED.
In the excitement of the scene no one
had noticed the sudden arrival In the
hall of DR.. Harrowden, who, pale and
breathless, stood watching the descent
of the curtain, until, apparently over
powered by impulse, he ran up the hall,
leaped up to the stage, and, sprlnging
across the footlights, threw himself
upon the Count.
In the desperate struggle that ensucd
momentary ms it was, before the para
lyzed onlookers rushed to separate the
combatants, no one noticed that Eva
herself had not moved, and lay stiIl
under the cushions.
There was the fnsh of knife, an ex-
clamation from DR.. Harrowdep. and
then, as he dropped, stabbed In the
shoulder, dozen hands were on the
Count, and, though he fought with the
limitless strength of mailman. he was
oyerpowered at last by numbers, and
carried Off the stage. bound and helm
less.
DR.. Harrowden, whose faintness WAS
only temporary, had risen already, and.
disregarding the help offered him hur.
ried to the couch and raised the cush.
Ions.
Eva lay there lnsensible, with the
marks on her white neck where the
Counts fingers had gone near to suffo-
eating her.
DIR. Harrowden bent and laid his err
to her lips and heart.
"She is not dead" he said briefly,
Garry her to her room. Will attend
to her."
Wondering EXPLANATIONS broke out on
all sides. What had happened? Had
the Count really attempted Eva's life?
How had the doctor been aware of her
danger? And n thousand other ques-
tons and surmises. Later, when Eva,
very weak and i'll, had recovered con-
sciousness, she told the story of the
Counts strange, wild love for her, an
infatuation which had seized him when
they first met in the Opera House at
Milan, Of her inability to shake off the
influence which he exercised over her,
in spite of her dread and dislike Of him,
Of his appearance Mt the castle when
she was arranging the cast of "Othel-
To-" and imperious demand to be allow
ed to remain there and to play the title
role.
How can ever thank you enough"
she said to DR.. Harrowden, when, after
many days Of suffering from the Counts
stiletto wound. he came, at her re-
quest, to see her. ut was miracle
that you should have saved me us you
did. A moment longer, and 1t would
have been too late. How did you guess
that his acting was reality?'
"The 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 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 so up
to the castle and assure myself that no
harm threatened you. Her persistence
gave me touch of anxiety, and 1t
came to me with a sort of tuition, as 1
watched the Count, that he was mad.
| felt sure he meant mischief. 1t seems
almost as II the child had second sight;
but these condolences do occur some
times"
"And STILL" said Eva, sit Is to you
owe my life. You rlsked yours for
mine. oh! tell me how to thank YOU"