davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
The Slave Of SiIenceG Si;E5s 7i;z;zs

aisle, and the organ doomed out. There was
little delay at the altar for the father Of the
bride had not yet arrived, and there was dis.
position TO give him a little latitude. Only Lord
marlborough rebelled
Let's get on" he said. "Darryll may be half
an hour late. One can never tell. And I've got
a most important appointment at Tattersalls at
half-past two"
Beatrice had no objection to make-she would
have objected TO nothing at that moment. In
inc same dreamy way. presently she found her
sell kneeling at the altar, and a clergyman was
saying something that conveyed absolutely moth.
ing to her intelligence. Presently somebody was
fumbling unsteadily at her left hand, whereon
somebody great deal more nervous than she
was trying to fix plain gold ring Someone at
the back of the church was making disturb.
ance.
The officiating clergyman raised his head in
protest. Except the eNhortation, the ceremony
was practically finished. A policeman appeared
out OF somewhere and seemed to be exostulating
with the intruder. Just for a minute it looked
as II there was going to be an open brawl.
II tell you ] must go up" somebody was say.
ing, and Just for moment it seemed to Beatrice
that she was listening to the voice of Mark Vent
more. 1T is Il matter of life and death"
Beatrice glanced up languidly at the silly So
cety faces, the frocks and the flowers. Did she
dream, or that really the pale face of Mark
that she saw? Mark had burst from the police
mamie was standing now hatless before the
altar
The ceremony must not go on" he said,
breathlessly. There was nameess horror in his
white face. "I-I feel that am strangely out
of place, but it is all too dreadful"
Beatrice rose to her feet. There was some
tragedy here tragedy reflected in the ghastly
face of her groom. And yet on his face was a
suggestion of relief, of vulgar triumph.
What is it?" Beatrice asked Tell me-
could bear anythhg-now!"
Your father!" Mark gasped. "We had to
burst open his door Sir Charles was found in
his bed quite dead He had been dead for some
hours when they found him.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

Nothing. / have said too much Tha, is
quite between myself and-and could possibly
have had nothing TO do with my fathers death.
Oh. if only Mark had arrived five minutes soon
er!'
Berriugton knew exactly what was passing
through Beatrice's mind.
"a great pity, indeed" he said quietly. What
difference moments make in our lives. Still
"Still there is always the doubt Beatrice whs-
pered eagerly. A constant throng OF people
passed through the great hall where the death OF
Sir Charles was already forgotten. 81 am living
on the doubt, Colonel Bennington; am ] or am |
not married to Stephen Richford?"
"T could not say" Bennington replied. "I have
very little knowledge of these matters. As far
as | could see, the marriage ceremony was com
pleted. the ring was placed on your finger there
for -"
Therefore you think that ! am married. Be
atrice said. She was twisting the gold badge Of
servitude on her finger nervousy. 81 am going
to find out for certain The service was not
quite finished; there was eXhortation, there
was no signing of the register. Surely | am free
if it is my desire to be free. After what l found
today -"
Again Beatrice paused as if aware Of the fact
that she was saying too much. There a GER
tain expression of relief on her face as she saw
the figure of Mark approaching.
"Wel have you done anything?" she asked
eagerly. "Have you made any great discovery"
az have only been partially successful" Mark
said "I have identified the writing with sigma
ture of guest in the visitors book. The lady
came only yesterday, as the date is opposite her
writing She came without maid and with
very little luggage, and she called herself Mrs.
Beacon Light"
Beacon Light" Beatrice said reAectively ut
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
MARKJ FTJT SHOT OF
RlChTORD

On the carpet, in contrast to the crimson
ground, lay what looked like a telegram 1t
was half folded but there was no mistaking
the grey paper. Beatrice picked up the message
and fattened it on her hand Then she read it
with puzzled face. Suddenly fash of umi-
nation came upon her.
rs it possible" she muttered chat he could
have known? And yet the date and the day!
Why, that coward must have known all the
time She sent for her maid and arranged to
Stephen Rchford drove up. He looked anxious
and white and sullen withal, and he favored
Mark with particularly malevolent scowl Rich
ford knew the relationship that had existed at
one time between Mark and eBatrice
81 suppose you must be excused under the cir
cumstances for racing off with my wife in this
fashion" he said hoarsely. 1t seemed to Mark
that he had found time to drink somewhere
though as rule, that was not one of Richford's
failings. "Where is she?'
"She has gone to change" Mark said. ''Tbis is
a very unfortunate business, Mr.. Richford."
Richford shrugged his shoulders with an as
sumption of Indifference. His hand trembIed
slightly.
"Sir Charles was getting on in years." he said
"and Sir Charles had not troubled to give very
great attention to the question of his health. In
fact, Sir Charles had gone it steadily But il
seems to me that so long as the doctors are
satisfied as to the cause of death -"
"I am not at all sure the doctor is satisfied y
Mark said significantly. whats the matter?o
Nothing, nothing" Richford stammered
Nothing more than twinge of that confounded
neuralgia of mine"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

Clearly it is our duty to find out who wrote
that letter." Mark observed. "It was written
in the hotel, probably by somebody dining here
last night 1t is just possible that it written
by someone who staying in the MOTEL. In
that case we easily ascertain the name OF the
writer by comparison"
The speaker paused significantly. Bennington
agitation deepened. With all her distress and
sorrow, Beatrice did not fail to notice it,
perhaps you will go down to the office and
see at once, Mark" Beatrice suggested.
Ventmore went off obediently enough. Ber-
rington stood watching him for a moment, then
he turned to Beatrice and laid his hand gently
on her arm.
believe me, this is not going to help anybody /"
he said in low voice. "Unless | am greatly
mistaken, I know who wrote that letter. What
connection she had with your father and what
the secret was between them shall perhaps
never know. But the lady who wrote that let
te4---"
"Ah," Beatrice cried, with fash of sudden in,
spiration, 'it was the grey lady, sure of it "
"You have guessed correctly" Bennington went
on. at was the person whom you have elected
to call the grey lady. II was great shock to me
to recognize that handwriting. The secret is not
wholly mine TO tell, but for long time l have
been seeking the grey lady. had not the remot.
est idea that she and Sir Charles had anything
in common; little did dream that she was here
in this hotel last night. But whatever may be
the meaning OF this mystery, if there has been
foul play here, the grey lady is quite innocent OF
1t. Don't ask me to say any more, because
cannot, dare not"
Beatrice nodded in sympathy. The brave
grave soldier by her side was terribly agitated
indeed Beatrice could not have recognized him as
being capable of such display of emotion.
al am going to believe in you both" she said
probably the grey lady was the last person Ia
see my father alive. She may have told him some
terrible news; she may have given him the shock
that killed him. But there was another whC
knew"
''What do you mean by that" Berringtor
asked.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
B%Eed
MNike
JOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOO OQOOOOOOOOOOOOOO6T

De disputed. One man was in nv fathers room
aIter MS death. That man saw nv father living
tnefe' ana he crept away without giving the
snei'est aarm. You may sueer, you may say
tnat such a thing is impossible that the man I
aIIude to would have nothing to gain bv such
course; but as ! said before. I am going 20 prove
u. Look at this telegram | hold in my hand.
~ was sent before ten o'clock today TO the person
10 Whom It Is addressed II evidently relates 60
some stock Exchange business The address is
quite clear; the time the telegram was delivered
Is quite clear, too; and by the side of my fathers
Dooy found the telegram. which could only
nave been dropped there by the party to whom
II was addressed. So that party knew that my
iather was dead, and that party made no alarm.
why Richford stammered ''Nvhv. because
well You see It is quite possible to explan--'
~ IS not" Beatrice cried "The telegram is
addressed TO you. II was you who called on my
father; you who found him dead And in your
agitation you dropped that message. Then you
grasped the fact that if the marriage were post
poned 1t would never take place You locked my
iathers door; you said nothing; you made up
your mind to let the ceremony 20 on That ao-
counts for your agitation, for the fact that YOU
nave been drinking Cowardly scoundrel, what
nave you to say to thsl"
What are you going to do?" Richford asked
suenly. "'NN
Unless you release me here and now" Beat
rice cried, II swear by Heaven that I am going
to tell the truth"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

steps in the direction of Mark, who advanced
now without further opposition.
Beatrice stood there with her hand to her head
as if trying to understand it all. She was terri
bly, white, but absolutely composed
did you say that my father was dead?' she
asked.
II am afraid So" Mark stammered. "He-he
has been dead for hours Il came on here as fast
as / could, hoping to be i'll time to -
He paused, conscious Of the fact that he was
about to say something terribly out OF place
Just for an instant Mark had forgotten that he
and Beatrice were not alone. He was going to
say that he had hurried there in the hopes of be-
ing in time to stop the ceremony. And Beatrice
had OWNED it, for she flushed slightly. II
seemed terrible thing, but already she had
asked herself the same question Was she real
ly married to Stephen Richford? Was the cere
mony legally completed? The thought was out
of place, but there it was.
Don't you think we ought to do something|
Mark asked
"Of course" she cried. 1T is wrong to stand
here Take me home at once, Mark"
1t was a strange scene strangely carried out
The bridegroom stood rresolute by the altar
feeling nervously at his gloves, whilst Beatrice
with all her wedding fnery about her, clutched
Mark by the arm and hurried him down the
aisle The whole thing was done, and the
strangely assorted pair had vanished before the
congregation recovered from their surprise
"Come back!" Richford exclaimed. "Surely il
is my place to -"
Long before Richford could reach the porch
his wife and Mark had entered hanson and
were on their way to The Royal Palace Hotel
ne story had got about by this time; people
stopped to stare at the man in tweeds and the
bride in her full array in the hanson.
"Did you manage to see my father, after all p
Beatrice asked.
"No, tried to do SO; you see, had to wait
for him. He was very late, SO fell asleep. II
was after eleven today when / awoke TO find 81,
Charles had not left his room. ventured e
suggest that he had better be reused or he woulC
be too late for your wedding Nobody coulC
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

make him hear so the door was broken in. He
was quite dead"
"TIe died in his sleep, suppose" Beatrice
asked
That nobody can say yet" Mark said. "The
doctor we called in was very guarded Nobody
seems to have been in the bedroom, though the
sitting-room adjoining is not locked, and last
night ] lady come out of it, lady in
grey"
"A lady in greyl" Beatrice cried. "What a
singular thing, Markl Do YOU mean TO Say it
was the same lady who sat next TO you in the
Paris thoatro?'
"Well yes" Mark admitted. at was the
same. | have not told anybody but you, and it
seems to me that nothing will be gained by men.
tioning the fact"
Beatrice nodded thoughtfully. She could not
identify the grey lady, the Slave of Silence, with
anything that was wrong. And yet it was
strange how that silent woman had come into her
life. She must have been known to Sir Charles
or she would never have ventured into his Sit
tingroom. IF she was still staying in the hotel
Beatrice made up her mind to seek her out
There was some strange mystery here that must
be explained. 1t was uppermost in Beatrice's
mind as she descended from the hanson and
passed through the curious group of servants into
the hall.
The place was silent now: the very baroness
and desoaton of the scene sickened Beatrice to
the soul. No guests were here now--they were
not libly to be. A polite manager saying
something to the bride, but she did not seem to
heed
"Mr Marius is talking to YOU Mark said
He wants to know if he can do anything"
"Mr Marus is very kind" Beatrice said
YEARLY. 'I should like to see the doctor sup
pose that he is still here? May see him at
once?"
The doctor came in, rubbing his hands softly
together He regretted the unfortunate OCCASION
but when he had been called in, Sir Charles was
long past mortal aid.
"You are in position to be quite sure of
that" Beatrice asked.
ooh, quite" DR.. Andrews replied. Cones ex-
perience tells that. Sir Charles was quite stiff
and cold. / should say that he had been dead
quite four hours when the door was broken
down"
just for instant the doctor hesitated and
his easy manner deserted him.
"I must see Sir Charles regular medical man
before | can be quite definite on that point"
he said II have no doubt that death was caused
by natural means, at least | no reason at
present to believe anything to the contrary"
In a vague way Beatrice felt uneasy. If this
gentleman was not actually concealing something,
he was not quite so satisfied as he assumed to be-
II should like to see my father, if ] may"
Beatrice said quietly.
The doctor led the way to the bedroom and
closed the door softly behind the girl. His face
was little grave and anxious as he walked down
the stairs
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13

onel Bennington; Stephen Richford had slipped
off somewhere. Mark had not failed to notice
the restlessness and agitation of his manner.
81 think have got rid of everybody" Berring-
ton said. "Gt has been most distressing bust
ness, and am afraid that there is worse to come.
DIR. Andrews has just telephoned. He has seen
Sir Charles medical man. and they have decided
that there must be an inquest"
81 am not surprised" Beatrice said coldly, "I
have been to my fathers room looking over his
papers. And | found letter that puzzles me.
II was written last night as the date shows, in
the hotel on hotel paper, and evidently delivered
by hand, as the envelope proves. Look at this ~
Colonel Bennington held out his hand for the
envelope He started slightly as he looked at the
neat, clear handwriting. Something was evident
ly wrong here, Mark thought. The Colonel was
man of courage, as he very well knew and yet
his fingers trembled as he glanced interrogatively
at Beatrice before he drew the letter from the
envelope.
Yes Beatrice said; 'I want you to read it.
brought it down on purpose
There does not seem to be much" Bennington
said. "As there is no heading and signature, the
letter may be intended for anybody"
"Only my fathers name happens to be on the
envelope" Beatrice said quietly. PRAY read it
aloud"
bennington proceeded to do so. There were
only two or three lines in which the writer said
that she must the recipient of the letter with
out delay, and that it was Of no nse to try and
keep out of the way. Bennington looked grave
and trembled as he handed the letter back to
Rea trice.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters

Beautiful Beatrice Darryl Is doomed to marry stephen
Rchford against WILL her father requires
the financial assistance OF the younger 20 him
from ruin. The girl Is in love with Mark Ventmore,
who has Venice To study art The girl not know
Ing the real distress Of her father wrote to Venmoe
week before the date fixed for the wedding, and had
told Of the circumstances but had not heard from
him, and Is about to submit tho wedding with Rich.
ford great supper Is in the course Of preparation
at the Royal Palace Hotel and the girl weared be-
yond of the docfl prospect ahead Of her, Is
seated awaiting tho arrival Of the guests, when
strange rather elderly and dressed in grey, en-
tered tho room In bewildered manner and said II
have made mistake. These great corridors are con
fuslng. SO you Miss Dnrryll I suppose may con.
gratulate yoi" ono Please do not, II l can help
you TO nnd way 7 will do What Is your
manner at does not matter. You may call me the
Slave OF the White Bond The woman disappeared
The wedding dinner is under way and the unhappy
girl has managed TO con6de her troubles TO old fam
iy friend Colonel Berriugton and while they are talk
ing they are interrupted by walter, who raj her point
edly thrust wine card under the girls nose.
on 1t was written the words, 'In the conservatory
beyond the drawing room" She recognized the writ.
ing as that Of Mark and when she found her way to
ths appointed spot. she met by Mark him
seif' who had been smugGled into the place In the
gse OF walter The situation is discussed, but the
g'rl says she fenrs It is too late to mend matters
ana during the conversation 1t develops that the mystic
ros woman In grey has also encountered by Col
hcHihgton and by Mark. On the following day the
guests are assembling for the wedding, but the alb
sence OF Sir Charles Darryl has attracted some at
.ention Mark has gone on TO Investigate, when Rich
iofu enters the room In which the girl Is waiting lie
10 c'eary IN disturbed frame Of mind. and tries to
account Tor his condition by sudden Illness but the
srl is sure that he is hiding something.
. nos anything happened to my father?" she ask
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
c n AP TER VI

@7EATRIcE came down from her room
presently, dressed in black In her
---Sz4 hand she carried not only the telegram
NR5fM but letter she had taken from the
dressing table of the dead man.
The little group in the hall had by
this time been augmented by the presence of Col.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
{ H A PIT Err v

r. GARK VENTMORE repeated his state
M ment three times before anybody SEEM
.1 ed to comprehend the dread meaning
SssGSy of his words. People looked at one
another if unable to take in what
had happened. There was a strange
uneasiness that might have been taken for dis.
appointment rather than regret. Somebody lit
tie more thoughtful than the rest gave sign to
the organist who had begun to fill the church
with volume of triumphal music. The silence
that followed almost painful.
Then as if by common consent, every eye was
fixed upon the bride
Beatrice had turned and walked down the altar
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
{ n A PIER IV-Confinued

OXFORD started violently. With all
his self-control he could not hold him.
self in now. His white face took on
a curious leaden hue, his voice was
Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-13
c H APT WI

In lCHFORD stood there shaking and quiv-
| N erlng with passion and yet not free
0Fz5s5sl from the vague terror that Beatrice
GssszEsey had noticed all along Beatrice could
not na..LI L. l. -.
The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-08-09
BLACK HAND VICTIM FOUND.
Followed in His Flight From Italy a
Few Weeks Ago.

Chicago-With his head almost sew.
cred and a stiletto wound in his heart,
the body of Rocco Fusaro, aged 80,
who arrived in Chicago three weeks
ago was found on the front steps of
his boarding house. The police be
lieve Fusaro left Italy to escape the
Black Hand society, only to be fol-
lowed and murdered.
In addition to this crime, the police
have these mysteries to engage their
attention: Edward Smith, a police
nan, was shot and killed within a few
feet of his home; John L. Barbour,
aged 40, was found dead beside the H.
linois Central railroad tracks; John
Naughton is dead after a fight, and
William Donovan dying from a bullet
wound in the stomach, after being at
tackled by footpads.
The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-08-09
new YORK MOB LAW
GOTHAM POLICE UNABLE TO
SUPPRESS OUTBREAKS BY
FiENDS.
INNOCENT MEN MUST SUFFER
Attack Nine Children-F athers and
Mothers, Driven to Desperation,
Defy Blue Coats in War
on Monsters.

New York-The spirit of mob ven
geance has seized the outraged citi-
zens of New York. Numbering 10000
in all, Infatuated men and ONE
in four different parts of ME
city, attempted to take the law in
their own hands because of the inabil-
ity of the authorities to cope with the
UNPARALLELED number of crimes against
women and children.
Nine attacks were reported to the
police. In one instance a moose was
placed around the culprit's neck. He
was about to be lynched when he was
rescued by the police. In another an
innocent man vas pursued by thou
sands in Harlem, beaten into insensi-
bility and is now dying.
In the Tenderlcin a man was at
tackled for trying to lure a little girl.
The police had to draw their revolv-
ers and use their night sticks to keep
the crowd from killing him.
Three men were caught attempting
to drag two young girls under a bridge
in the Bronx. A great crowd gathered
and stoned the men and the police all
the way to the station house. The
screams of another child in Brooklyn
saved her from a fiend.
A woman in the Bushwick section
of Brooklyn was attacked violently in
the Bronx, and almost strangled to
death.
Coroner Hamburger issued a state
ment, saying the police were unable
to cope with the situation and asked
that the sheriff be called on.
Fathers and Mothers In Mob.
The most desperate efforts were
made to lynch George Kestner,
charged with attacking S-year-old Sa-
die Hamburger, who lives with her
parents at 303 East N%inety-ffth street.
1t took all of the reserves of the East
back the mob.
1t was not an ordinary mob, but a
gathering of fathers and mothers, de-
termined to take into their W hands
the protection of their homes from
the ravages of the fiends VINO have
uCSi Attaching llttiG SIllo i oil par 70
of the city.
Three of the mob leaders, Joseph
Connolly, Henry Hardman and Chas.
Sorg, were arrested after the police
had pulled their revolvers and threat
ened to shoot. When they reached
Kestner he was unconscious on the
sidewalk. Connolly, Hartman and
Sorg were taken to the police sta
ton, where it was found that they had
been so badly hurt by the police in
their efforts to arrest them and pre-
vent the lynching that they had to be
taken to the Presbyterian hospital.
Later they were taken to the night
court in Jefferson Market. They we're
charged with attempted lynching and
then sent back to the Presbyterian
hospital.
The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-08-09
EJAPS
LEAGUE IS FORMED TO PREVENT
SEIZURE OF HERMIT KINGDOM.
VIRTUAL RULE BY DICTATOR
Attacks by Natives Likely to Be Ex-
tended Against All Foreigners
Many Fall In Clash.

Seoul-Korea is practically In
the hands of a dictator, Gen. Hasc-
gawa, commander of the Japanese
troops in the Hermit Kingdom.
Though there has been no formal dec
laration of martial law, the military is
in absolute control. So greatly are
the Japanese outnumbered, however,
that it is a problem whether they Will
be able to hold the people in subjec-
ton until reinforcements can reach
them from home.
Fears are entertained Of attacks,
not alone on the Japanese, but on all
foreigners in the country. The con-
sulates in Seoul are under heavy
guard. Troops are patroling the
streets, and all gatherings are broken
up as soon as they are discovered.
Despite these precautions, there is no
doubt many secret meetings are being
held to plan for a general uprising.
The situation Is more serious out
side Seoul than in the city itself. No
troops can be spared from here, the
interior garrisons are few and small.
and the people will meet with practi-