Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-07-27
LOVE TORTURED TO DEATH.

smoking room. Pereira, the we'll known
theatrical manager, with marble-white
high collar and loud cravat, stood in
front of the hearth, holding a glass OF
curacao in hand.
Everything depends on the plot" he
said. "A drama that cannot be sum-
married in five minutes is of no account.
When an author comes to me at break
fast time to talk over new piece with
me l tell HIM, before he begins, that if
he cannot give me the plot within the
time it takes me to eat an egg, his work
is not worth consideration"
Il am not a dramatic author" said
Maurice st. Clair, the tall attache of the
Russian embassy, "but if you will per-
NIT me, Pereira, | will give you the
synopsis of narrative that | am sure
you will be able to utilize. But the time
consumed in eating an egg seems to me
too short to cover the details of any
tangible plot"
well, I'll make it two eggs" rejoined
the theatrical manager good naturally;
but | tell you beforehand, like the man
about to be guillotined, that l have my
suspicion of tales told by men of your
meter. Well, out with it!
'The story was the sensatio of Vienna
when | was stationed at the Russian en-
bassy there. At that time there lived in
the city specialist in heart diseases, DR..
Theodore Arnold, man about 40 years
old. who was an Apollo, always dressed
in the height of fashion, with finely cut
features and carefully trimmed blonde
beard. He was in all respects a type of
Austrian manhood, but he had the eyes
OF an Englishman, cold and blue like
steel, when betrayed phiegmatic nature.
Zone day DR.. Arnold was called to at
tend She daughter of Russian family
named Skebelow. The expert physician
at once detected a dangerous heart dis
ease. Dr. Arnold was captivated by
Miss Masha Skebelow, who was a tall
and exceedingly beautiful brunette. Ac-
customed as he was to the examination
of patients, he felt embarrassed when
he had to place his ear to the fair breast
of Masha and to knock on her heart.
DIR. Arnold fell passionately in love
with Masha Skebelow. He sued for her
hand, was accepted, and the marriage
took place within q month. Immediately
after the wedding the Skebelows lett
Vienna to seek amusement in other cities.
Young Mrs. Arnold charmed society
with her ravishing beauty and amlable
manners. Her health was so fully re-
stored within month after the marriage
that she could attend all social enter
tainments. and even balls, her husband
permitting her to dance at times"
despite the heart disease?' asked
Manager Pereira.
Eyes; the young woman was so greatly
improved that even as physician DR..
Arnold allowed his wife to waltz. This
was a fatal mistake in a physiological
sense, for the dashing young Capt. Won
Blasewitz was always most conspicuous
on the ball programme of the charming
Russian"
'Well enough" said Pereira, inpatient
"; "the dramatis personae are in place,
now forward to denouements, as we say
in theatrical parlance."
Zone day the doctor found a package
of letters"
(Which brought the husband the con-
viction that he had been betrayed"
Certainly"
''The husband, of course, wreaks ven
geance?"
BY one of those crimes which are
never discovered.'
"'How, then, was it found out ?"
''From the lips of DR.. Arnold himself
a confession provoked by the insuppres-
sible longing to free the conscience
''Out with the plot, Maurice; leave out
all psychological reflections"
''Masha," continued st. Clair, "was not
entirely restored to health, though her
husband had treated her for more than
two years. AS gradual as was her CON
yalescence. so gradual was to be her de-
cline. This was the physicians revenge.
He controlled his anger, and contented
himself to play the role of husband who
is suspicious and watchful. In this way
he filled Masha's soul with fear and
anxiety. So he watched her like cat.
A mysterious power laid obstacles IN the
way of every attempt at rendezvous.
Correspondence was interrupted, and love
was poisoned.
This life. full of excitement and Wor-
nv. gnawed away at the heart OF Masha.
The doctor was killing his wife step by
stem in the same way that he had almost
effected a complete cure. Hours OF anX-
ietv and despair were followed by long
days of lonesome sadness, which forced
the blood into the heart. And while he
watched the progress of his satanic treat
ment with diabolical delight, he tortured
his victim with his hypocritical despair.
Before half a year elapsed the at
lacks of his wife patient were OF daily
occurrence, the beating of the heart be,
came almost audible. the disease had tull
sway. The end came soon enough; one
nipht DIR. Arnold rushed into the house,
and acting like a maniac, he screeched,
Madame, / know all. Capt. Won Blase-
WITT is your lover Ia,
Poor Masha turned pale as death.
Kill. mel she begged. He had i her 'e1a IN IN
the Condition he had longed for so many
months. I will never lift my hand
against against my wife, madame. Your devoted
lover has paid the penalty for both of
YOU. I have just fought duel with nm.
/ have killed him.
"Masha sank to the floor unconscious;
but the doctor had lied. He had not
hurt a HAIR of the redoubtable captains
head. who was known all over Vienna
as crack shot.
J-,ol+ baSida the DrOStrate