The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-30
PART T.
~
A Woman of Mystery.
CHAPTER I.
A Bride of Five Hours.

This from the manager of the Hote
- to his chief clerk. "somethine
wrong in room Sl?'
Eyes. sir. I've just sent for a de
tective. You were not to be round anC
the gentleman is desperate. But very
anxious to have it all kept quiet; very
anxious I think we can obllge hin
there, or. at least, Wen try. Am
right, sir7'
7'Of course, if
"Oh, it's nothing criminal. The
lady's missing, that's all; the lady
whose name you see here.'
The register lay open between them
the clerks finger, running along the
column, rested about halfway down.
The manager bent over the % page; b,
read out in decided astonishment
"Why, they are
"You're right; Married today il
Grace church. A great wedding; the
papers are full of it. Well, she the
lady. They registered here a few min
utes before clock and in ten min
utes the bride was missing: 1t s a ,queel
story Mr.. Ransom tells. You a pe5te.
hear it, All, there s our man. Per
haps you'll go up with him.
HYou may bet your last dollar or
that muttered the manager. Ant
Joining the newcomer. he made sig
nificant gesture which was all thai
passed between them till they stepped
out on the second floor:
"Wanted in room Sl?' the manager
now asked. , ;,
"Just so. That IS the door. Knock
or, rather. I'll knock, for I must hea1
his story as soon as you do. The repu
tation of the hotel
eyes, yes, but the gentleman g wait
ing. All, that's better.'
The manager had just knocked.
An exclamation from within, hur
ried step, and the door fell open. The
figure which met their eyes was start
ling Distress, anxiety and an impa
thence almost verging on frenzy, dis
torted features naturally amiable if no
handsome
"My wife, fell in gasp from hi
writhing lips.
eve haye come to help YOU ,int
Mr.. Gerridge was the detective. ere
late the circumstances. sir. Tell u!
where you were when you first missed
her,
Mr.. Ransom s glance wandered pas
him to the door. 1t was partly open
The manager, whose name was Loomis
hastily closed it. Mr.. Ransom showed
was to this effect:
81 was married today in Grace
church. At the altar my bride-you
probably know her name, Miss Geor-
gian Hazen-wore a natural look, and
was in all respects, so far as any one
could see, a happy woman, satisfied
with her choice and pleased with the
eclat and elegancies of the occasion
Halfway down the aisle this all
l felt 1t suddenly st1tfen. | was not
alarmed, but I gave her quick look
and saw that something had happened
What, [ could not at the moment de.
termine. She didn't answer when ]
spoke to her and seemed to be mainly
concerned in getting out of the church
before her emotions overcame her. This
she succeeded in doing with my help;
and, once in the vestibule, recovered
herself so completely, and met all my
inquiries with such a gay shrug Of the
shoulders, that should have passed the
matter over as a mere attack Of nerves
If | had not afterwards detected in hel
face, thru all the hurry and excitement
of the ensuing reception, a strained ex
preston not at all natural to her. This
was still more evident after the con.
gratulations of certain guest, who, !
passed on; and when the time came fol-
her to 60 upstairs she was so pale and I'M
like herself that I became seriously
alarmed and asked if she felt well
enough to start upon the Journey we
had meditated. Instantly her manner
changed She turned upon me with a
look l have been trying ever since to
explain to myself, and begged me not
to take her out of town tonight but to
of hot al rpbo .orb+
for a few, days before starting on ou1
travels. She looked me squarely in the
eye as she made this request and, see
ing in her nothing more than feverish
anxiety lest I should make difficulties
of some kind, I promised to do what
she asked and babe her run away and get
herself ready. to go and say nothing to
any one Of our, change of plan
toward her own room, but pres
emily came hurrying back to ask
If would grant her one more favor
Would be so good as not to speak to
her or expect her to speak to me till
we got to the hotel; she was feeling
very nervous but was sure that a few
minutes OF complete rest would entirely
restore her; something had occurred
wanted to think out; wouldn It I grant
her this one opportunity of doing sol
1t was startling request, but she
looked 80 lovely-pardon me, I must
explain my easy acquiescence-th ]
gave her the assurance she wished and
went about my own preparations. some.
what dlsconcerted but still not at all
prepared for what happened afterWard
had absolutely no idea that she meant
to leave me.'
Mr.. Ransom paused, greatly affected:
but upon the detective asking him how
and when Mrs. Ransom had Deserted
him, he controlled himself sufficiently
to say:
"Here; Immediately after that silent
and unnatural ride. She entered the
office with me and was standing close
at my side all the time I was writino
our names on the register; but later
when l turned to ask her to enter the
elevator with me, she was gone. and
the boy who was standing by with or
TWO bags said she had slipped into the
reception room across the hall. Rnt I
dldn' It find her there or in any of the
adjoining rooms. Nor has ANYBODY
slnce succeeded in finding her. She has
left the building-left me, and-O
y GU want her back againg'
Ihls from the detective, but verv
drlyl y. H. '' WY
own 1nclinations in thus abandoning
me so soon after the words which made
US one were spoken. Some influence
was brought to bear on her which she
felt unable to resist. have confidence
enough In her to believe that. The rest
IS mYSterY-a mySterv which r on,