The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1902-08-28
MqubikeCk, The HOD-TQIleI.
BY SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author of Jack Robbins of America, I'm ths
China Sea- Two Gentlemen of
Hawaii ++On a PaIss
Charge Etc.

CHAPTER III.

NIaubikeck, when we had started
from the Garden, had directed the
or1ver to a certain weI-known hotel
much frequented by show people, and
knew where we were being taken.
But what is this Ma1ignf's hold on
the signorina?" asked Where does
ne get his authority over her?'
Mia shuddered and crOuched closer
to the stalwart frame of Maubikeck.
He IS my master by my faith r's
Will, she said in a voice that was
touching in it's plaintive sweetness.
And your father was performer
like yourself, was he not, signorfna ?''
L said.
death when we reach my rooms"
one thing was certain: No matter
how severe, harsh or tyrannicaI
MaHgni might be, he certainly was
not niggardly in regard to Nita's com
fort Number 112 was but the first
of suite OF four rooms, one of which
was a parlor, one a coy little dress
1ng-rOom, and the other two bed
rooms, one for Nita and one for the
old bag who served her.
She stepped rather YEARLY, 1
thought, and sank into a chair be-
tween Maubfkeck and me, resting her
mead in her hands, as if she felt pain
in the temples
had taken my card from my card
case and handed it to her
NoASIOI1nd, 1 Sa1Q, Il nave become
interested in the mystery that seems
to surround you, and beg you will
allow me to assist you and Maubikeck
IN your efforts to unravel it. That will
tell you who 1 am
Wen, Signor Wilberton,'' she said,
twiring the card in her hand, Il sin
cerely thank you I am greatly I'M
nerved by what has occurred, and can
not understand it. My life is in dan
ger, and alone 1 am unable to combat
my unknown enemy
Now, see here 1 said assuming
the authority of a detective 81 saw
something tonight which will be of
material interest and aid TO MS in This
matter, but to get at it right, 1 must
know all about your life
Nita passed her hand over her brow.
and after moment spent in thought
began: 1 remember little about NV
mother She was, as 1 can see her
now, an ordinary wOman-of course
an Italian She died when 1 was,
perhaps, seven years of age. Then my
rather took me to Madame De Longs
school, and placed me there as
regular neutrality-suspicious.. Madame De
Longs school is in Albany Ny life
there was very pleasant, 1 took con-
siderable interest in my lessons, and
advanced rapidly When 1 was four
teen, l was suddenly called from Ma
dame De Longs to a hotel in Utica.
L remember it we'll. 1t stood near the
railroad, and believe they called it
Bags Hotel Barnum was in Utica
on that day, and; as you know, my
rather was Barnum's principal trapeze
performer.
ON this day, my father had grown
dizzy and had fallen from his trapeze.
and had sustained injuries which, the
surgeon in attendance said, must
cause his death. 1 was taken at once
to my fathers room. 1 reached there
just one hour before he died MaIfgnt
was with him when 1 arrived and
my father signif1ed a desire for us
to approach together. My father
spoke to Maligni in a tongue 1 did
not understand. have heard the |
same language since but cannot recaII
enough of what was said at that time
10 translate or to understand. Then |
my rather put my hand in MaIfgni's
and told me in our own language that |
ne was going to die, and henceforth |
L was MaHgni'S. Maligni would take
his place and would take care of mo |
L remember that 1 sobbed a great deal
and kissed my father, and that a sur |
geon came and other men, and then
my rather died Maligni attended to /
everything, and had my fathers body
taken to Italy for burial. He took me |
there also l never went back to
Madame De Longs. MaIfgni informed /
me tha1 under the terms of the con-
tract oy which he took me / was RI
I'LL the place of my father and become
an actress on the trapeze. Oh, the
shame of it nearly killed me! I went
ana pleaded with him, but all to no
purpose He was not to be moved
by my tears or my prayers and in
the house at which we lived he had
one room fitted up as a trainine-roor |
here was compelled to go throueb
the severest kind of physical training
70 perfect myself for the trapeze Al
nrst refused to wear the tights and
was severely logged. Maligni is
cruel man, and would kill rather than
be thwarted- Well, you do NOT nao[7 |
to be told the details of my hard life |
Suhce to say that after nearly four
years OF severe training, 1 am before
the public IN a role that I hate and
oesplse But what can 1 do? Maligni
: my absolute master. If 1 ran away
rom MIN, he would capture me and
Drlng me back to my degrading life
What can do?''
Nita paused here as if she
weary had taken a small note-bool-
rom my pocket, and was Jottins down
All the important points of her storv
|