The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-06-06

what she had said. vet IT seemed to
me that she regarded me after that
as one who was more In her confidence
than others and TO whom she might
look for protection from some i'm
/ pending evil Still ] could not under
stand what she meant by the key
note" and she avoided the subject as
II It were fraught with great personal
danger When I asked her 20 explain
she -trembled and shook her head
NO one would believe me-, she said
at IS so strange, 50 weird And he
would kill me He has threatened to
and I know he would
Your nerves are overwrought," I
replied Unless 1 misjudge the man,
he would not know one end of are
i vOlver from the other, and this is not
the age for that sort Of thing, any
way"
But you don't understand" she in
sisted, laying her hand on my arm
as If that gave her confidence, but
nevertheless looking about her in a
| frightened way. He has the key
mote
That's what you said before" L
returned, taking both her hands and
/ holding her in front Of me. What
do you mean by it? Tell me frankly.
III believe you and III help you
IF 1 thought you wOuld?" she said,
doubtingly.
She seemed on the point Of telling
me her story, but evidently thought
better OF it.
Wait" she said. you shall see
for yourself. He is coming tonight,
and VIII hide you behind the curtains.
But don't let him kill me- If he tries
to do It, knock him dOwn-brain him
drive him away from the piano at all
cost"
There was a world OF pathOs in the
earnestness with which she said that,
and for the first time I began to un-
derstand the affair. There Is key
note to everything, as science has
demonstrated. just the right chord
viii make a glass SILVER into a million
pieces. If the keynote OF the largest
building could be discovered, the
structure might be crumbled into dust,
and 1t is not an unknown thing for
articles in the vicinity Of great organs
to fall in pieces. Indeed, I myself have
felt the sudden emotional thrill that
comes from the striking of a certain
chord.
That evening I was carefully con-
cealed behind the window draperies
when Weston called. and it is needless
to say that my interest was intense.
She shuddered as he drew her toward
him, but remained passive in his en-
brace.
Tomorrow" ne said, "we will be
quietly married.
NO" she replied. and 1 could sec
that it was only with an effort that
she forced herself to say it.
'But 1 insistl- he exclaimed. twill
no longer run the risk of losing you,
and you promised yesterday"
I've changed my mind she an
swered, shortly.
Have a care!" he returned, menae-
ingly, releasing her and moving to-
ward the piano.
Whether it was my presence that in
spired her know not, but for the first
time as she afterwards told me, her
spirit was reused and she dared him.
xiii me If you wilt" she cried
''Since the fatefuI night since you first
accidentally struck that chord and
saw the effect II had on me I have lived
in almost constant fear Of death OF
insanity, which Is worse. have trem-
bled whenever you have touched the
keys even IN the presence of others.
You have played, as it seemed 10 me,
on the live nerves OF my body and from
very fear forced me TO acquiesce in
whatever you proposed, but I am
! through with IL. viii not marry YOU
tomorrow or at any other time
Think again. he said. softly. but
nevertheless threateningly. as he
seated himself at the piano and idly
ran his fingers over the KEYS. Re
member. This is a power I viii have
always. I have no fear that L viii kill
you, but wherever 1 may find YOU
can inflict upon you the excruciat ting
torture that you dread. Even at the
altar this chord"
He never finished the sentence. for
as he spoke she uttered a sudden CRY.
Her face became deathIy white and she
swayed and shook like a leaf. / sprang
from behind the curtains, but before
L reached him he had struck the chord
again and with a moan she collapsed
and sank IN a heap on the floor
I did not handle him very gently.
and when the others came in, attracted
by the noise, he was in a mt condition
to interview doctor. He said when he
left that he wOuld find an opportunity
TO carry his threat into execution and
| that she never would be able to escape
that chord so long as both he and she
/ lived.
She and her father left for Euro
Pean trip week later and Weston dis
/ appeared soon after. He intimated
that it was his purpose to follow them.
/ If he did, and her father remained in