Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-08-29
}ActTess Who Was Not Active,

|
want to enter the theatre for just
! moment. care nothing for the play,
but must see Miss Una Howard.
II have no money, but | must see
| Una. Will you give me ticket? |
have walked 300 miles to- see her, and
must"
He waited for my answer. but
could only disappoint him.
II cannot blame you" said he, s0'-
rpwfully, "but must see Una Will
you be Sc kind al to wait one half
hour"
He returned sooner than he prom
ised.
All breathless with haste, his hat
goue and the empty sleeve torn away,
he threw q half-eagie upon the board,
and snatclEing ticket was off before
| could pass him the change.
Wondering what This strange man
could know or want of the peerless
Una Howard, closed the Office and
entered the theatre.
When l entered, Una had Just come
upon the stage, and the applause that
greeted her was stiM echoing through
the hall.
She raised her eyes, and was
startled by the change that came over
her face. Her gaze was riveted upon
some object directly in front. There
stood the one-armed man, his burning
devouring eyes looking full upon Una.
/ Whittier and whittier grew Una. With
a faint cry she tottired and fell TO-
ward the blazing lights.
| With the strength Of a giant the one
armed man dashed aside everything in
his way, and leaping upon the stage
caught the fainting woman in his arm
and sn,tched her away Just as thu
fame began to lick up her Light dralS
cry.
"Oh. Una Una! have saved youI"
he cried, frantically kissing her pale
lips. Look upon me, Una! Once more
only once more, and then am gene
forever!"
"Silence!" said rough-lcoeing
man, who had just come upon the
scene, at the same time firmly grasp
ing the only arm the poor man had.
Come with me- my mani"
Easily as one could shake of the
grasp OF a babe, did this strange be-
Ing shake off the grasp of the officer.
Touch me not!' he exclaimed.
flercely. II took the money-stole it,
IL You will. and will go with you soo1
but notn ow. Stand off, or I'll fling
you off the stage!" U. ,9
He kneeled by the side Of thu uncon-
sclous Una. and in the most imploring
accents entreated her to loob upon
him "just once more"
His prayer was answered.
The beautiful eyes opened, and =
smile OF recognition played about her
lips. 4
With a cry Of Joy the strange man
rose to his feet. a...
There, sir constable, I an = ready.
Do with me as you like. l stole the
money that | might see her, and now
| sir, | am harmless now" NJ,
| | care not what comes next. Come,
Una had now recovered, and as the
officer and the prisoner passed of the
stage, she whispered to me: Follow
them and release that man at any
cost"
I FASTENED to do her bidding. A
purse Of gold opened the officers heart
and hand, and the man was free.
"Tell Una I thank her." said he;
"and give her my best wishes for her
happiness and my farewell"
That was the last Of the strange
one-armed man, and no word Of him
ever passed Una's lips, save when she
thanked me for procuring his release.
Who was he? Whence did he
come? Where did he 60? What was
he to Una Howard?
In a quiet little village in old New
Hampshire spent a summer month.
Plumbing among the rubbish that
filled the old farmhouse attic l found
a pile Of village papers, printed years
ago, and now my search is over.
"On the 18th instant, by Rev. John
H, Bert Howard to Miss Una De-
foe, all Of s..
while the people were leaving the
church an officer arrested the BRIDE
groom on charge Of murder. He es-
| capped during the night, and Is still at
large. The beautiful bride Is pros
trated by the blow; but every atten-
ton is paid to her by our townspeo-
pie, and hopes are entertained for her
recovery"
I read no further. knew enough