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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 1896)
TIT13 ( mATTA TXA.TLV 111310 : RATrilDAY , DKC'EMHICH 5 , 1SOO. THE KINDNESS OF GODDARD GOODENOUGH. Ily John J. a'Hock.t. W. l-v 8. < i M'fliiri * Comr > ttny. ) The girl hail fainted. Tlit. ' I.\liiKlon nvrinic cnblc ear wns at Tv.--nty-tMrd stU'et ' and liiondway whin tills orcum-1. There was noihlnij pxtrnuidliiary In llio mere fact. Tlin mornliiK papers reported that three or foui iiollecnii'n had aticcuinbcd the day be- foriThl wns a yomiR plrl of sllRht phynlnup and exceeding dcllcary of constitu tion , If her color told thu tuilh. She \\nfl -Bln ( pcrnllarly attractive , althoURh that haa notlilnt ? to do with her falntlns. ItVns 4 o'clock In thn afternoon of the Uth day of thin morclleiw perfrrutlon of thf mil ) . Now York City hail Rasped uiuler it. 'writhed under It , fainted under It. tiled timlir -It , for In Hfons of cases thn vital ( lame was . .fltirnchod by the Insufferable heat. Kven on the dictly ship of limadnay and In rcla- 'tlvely cool spots where ut tlmet ) blessed little pulfK of wind came as fleeting , but welcome visitants , the therinomctilc tube Inhumanly rcslsterrd UC degrees. In the "better dono" portions of the city It ranged nt lerord-bicakliiK hclfihtH. Small wonder that the slender Klrl nhould filnt. . She had been showing symptom * of d ! - tress all the way up town , but had fought bard to hold out until nho reached her dealt , nation. A OIIIIK man next to her In the car liad' regarded her closely new and then over tho. corner of hl paper. When she col lapsed , ho supported her until the car was stopped. Then the policeman nt the CTOSH- InK , who , In obedience to Nattiru'H first law of Eclf-prcservatlon , had unbuttoned his coat dcxpltv the fact that ho thereby revealed a wilted calico shirt and n rotund but un- wllteil stomach , came forward and the mif- fciliiK girl was taken Into a chemist's ahop hard by. It wns a haven of refreshment after the burning outer air , for It was shady and cool. A thin , shiny black cat uprawlcd with abamlon on the mosaic floor In the effort to expose as imieh of her * flame an possible to Its cool contact. There were no electric fans In the shop , but two counters were Entirely devoted to soda anil mineral \\atcr fountains , and the quantity of cracked Ice In use at them had a salutary Influence on the temperature. Thty put the poor thlni ; In a chair at the farthrst. and hence tbe coolest , end of the hop , and two clerks began devoting thcin- t-clves to her relief. Towels wet with Ice water were applied to her head and wrlstti The policeman had sunk on oni > Knee by her side anil looked the picture of municipal benevolence. Hut the scrap of paper and lead pencil In his hands showed he was waiting for a chance to Ret the girl's name and address , In case of a fatal result. An ambulance bail been summoned from the New Yoik hospital. Hut when It ar rived the gill refused to go in It , with a faint but decided gesture of repugnance. Sbu was neatly dt raged In KOIIIU light sum mer fabric nnd looked more than re- Hpcetable. The young man had remained close at hand , a sympathetic looker-on rather than csslilant In the charitable endeavor to bring the girl around. Possibly because others Hormed td know perfectly what to do , while lie , like many anotber , hud only n willing heart and ignorant hands In an emergency. The girl 'n raising her heavy eyelids may have recognized the young man cs her neigh bor on the car. lie had a winning , kindly uxpicrolan. At last the girl moved to rise , raying In her weak voice that she felt well iniough to K3. In getting to hei feet her hanO went forth and unthinkingly aim grasp , d the young fellow's arm. Ho crooked It firmly that she might feel Its stout sup port and they walked slcwly to the door. A hansom had drawn up In front of the shop with a view to the likely need of ItH servlnes. ' Do you mind coming with me In that cab to my home ? " the girl cald to the young man , In a low voice , but wistfully , dlflldcntly. "I am afraid to go alone and a policeman In the cab would look too badly. I am sorry to trouble you co much , but I fear I may faint again and I feel that I can trust you , that you are a gentleman. " The young man. who was not without a leaven of Good Samarltanlam , at once ns- Kcntcd. and. after gently helping her Into the cab. climbed In himself. When he asked the girl where where he should tell the driver to go she answered In a weak , voice : "Tell him to drive up to Central park and take a turn In there first. The air may help tnr and then Iv'll I ' give my hntne ci'drcas. ' " During the drive uptown the girl said little. Her head leaned wearily against the aldo of the cab nnd her cyoa remained closed. Hut soon after thoj had entered the park and the air circled about them more freely she cat up. Then she began to speak to her companion In a llrmrr voice and with great eainrfltncbi. There wca u singularly soft , moving quality In her voice and It was ox- ( | U' ltely modulated. Dellrato , earnest , o.ldly fascinating , she affected the young fellow pathetically. "I know nothing of human nature , " she mid , "and I feel that you are a kind , honor- ntde. self-eonlldent man. You have pity for the suffering. At all events I am going to tell you something. Hut you must promise "IT WAS NOT TUB HBAT THAT MADE MB FAINT. " me never to betray what I shall say , whether you grant my rcquenl or not. That you can do without hesitation. Will you ? " "Certainly. " replied the young man , sym pathetically "I ehould rrnpect any con- IIclcnoo you repcbcd In me , without a given pronilitf. And If I can help you I shall bo glad to do HO , " ' The girl heaved n long sigh of relief anil her eyes wlowly closed again , as If the effort of imikliiti her communication was over powering her at the start. Then , with a quick compression of her lips , she began : "It was not the heat which made mo faint. At leant not that alone. It wiu the mental strain I have been going through for the past ten hours. 1 have done a great wrong to my husbind. You need not ask my lijoU.yo Ir tha. ! You may guess It , It wait it mad thing to do , and , -unlcM It Is repaired this very night , my liapplmsa for Hfo Is ruined , He Is an executor with two othvra for ( he rotate of u very wealthy woman. There Is to bo a meeting at his rooms tomorrow of ( ho executors and the heirs of the estate In regard to the disposi tion of certain thing * of vnat Importance. Necessary docuiccntu relating to this trans action were taken out of the safe deposit vaults yesterday by my husband and the other two exi'cutoru and my husband took them to liU home. He U a lawyer and he had to study out two or three points with these drfciimcnlii close at hand to refer to. "In my frenzy over his treatment of me I took tlu < ie documents away this morning- after he hnd left hl room to go down town. I knew that their lotia would ruin him. I left n note for him that I had been called out of town by a telegram from my ulster. .Why I should iwve dime tulu , tvtieu I meant never to return to him , I do not know. Hut It w.u a piovldrncc , for It gives me a chance to rectify my fntal mistake , If you will usIst me. I have discovered that my heller was wholly wrong nnd that I had done n leirlblo" tlir girl put her hand to her eyes and seemed overcome at the thought for a moment "n terrible Injustice to one of the llniflt men that ever lived. " It wan naturally u very trying confession for a devoted wife to make , and that she should feel the greatest reluctance to It was to be expected.hr \ narrative was full of patisrs , liesllntloiiG and dlllleulty. Hut when she would master this repugnance she went on quickly ami her speech was not only fluent but full of feeling. The young man respectfully walled In silence till eho should recover her control , though consid erably affected by her emotion. "I know him better than uny one living , " she resumed. "If he were to find out what 1 have done , even If I returned with the box of documents , showed the hatefully specious grounds for my suspicions , confessed my fault and plead forgiveness , ho would drive me from him , anil never look at , or speak to , me again. He Is one of those stern , un yielding men who cannot forgive an Injustice and too good to forgive a fault. "Here la where you can be of greater as sistance to me than I ever dreamed a mortal could. If I can get that box back to the very place from which 1 took It before he returns tonight , he will never know that It has been touched. Tomorrow , I come back after this visit , apparently to my sta ter , and all will go on na before. He has no Idea that I ever entertained a doubt of him. I daio not take It back myself for fear , In some way. lie should discover what I have done. If hU distrust were aroused In the slightest degree , ho would get the whole thing out of me , despite myself. And this worry and prostration from the heat would make imi afraid to attempt It , lest I should hi ? overcome again. I am not strong , and this strain linn quite unnerved me. You must see with what effort I am letting you know the situation. After ruin had fallen on him. I meant to declare myself , h'o wronged wife , as Its author. Oh , It wan a hideous wrong. You must despise me al most as much as I despise myself. The "GOODENOUOH SPRANG KOIUVAHO AND GRASPED HIS LIFTED HAND. " only excuse l.s that It was a mad act of n woman who loved her husband to distraction and felt that she had been cruelly wronged by him. Hut , as I say , you can make thla dicndful state of things right once mere. You can prevent my life from being one of constant misery. Will you do this ? Heaven has thrown you In my way , as It for this very purpose. I assure you solemnly , It In volves no peril for you. Will you save me ? " Shu spoke the words with Intense feeling , turning her brilliant , greenish cyc on him with the look of n hunted fawn. The young man felt the grasp of their magnetic tu- tuislty. "If I can do anything to relieve you I certainly will , " ho replied , a little nervously. "Hut you must see that I cannot promise absolutely until I know what you wish mete to do. " "Simply this , " returned the young woman quickly , but In low. excited tones : "Take back that box for me. Listen ! Ho will not return before 10 this evening. Wo live on the top floor of No. , East street. My husband's ramo Is Wheeler William Whcaler. There Is no one else In the boune at present. The care-taker comes In the morning and Icavca at 7 In the evening , when the private watchman comes on duty. It Is only the fear that somebody might sec me with the box and It would reach his care that keeps mo from going. I will give you my latch key. Go there at 8 , open the door with It and go at once to his rooms. In his bedroom Is a tall , upright folding bed. Take the box you will have to get on a chair to do It and put It on the shelf made by the foot of the bed when It Is turned up , about two feet from the right-hand side , and with the lock turned to the wall. That Is exactly where It was taken from nnd It wns placed In that way. If you knew how keen an olxicrver my husband Is sou would under stand why I am so particular about these petty details. It will not take you ten minutes to do It. Then bring mo back the key. There Is no danger. To secure you parfectly against even the remote possibility of It I will give you a letter saying I asked you 10 undertake an Important commission for mo to my husband. Hut If you can gent nt the time I say It Is the unllkcllest thing In the world that there will bo any need of It. "Oh. I know what n favor I am asking of n perfect stranger , " exclaimed the young wife with great feeling. "Hut I nm working for my life's happiness and you are securing It for mo. If you have the noble generosity to aid mo In this way. If you refuse , you , who could pity a strange woman who was only suffering from sunstroke , to whom can f look for help ? I do not want to appeal to anything bii * your heart , but I swear to you that If you refuse I will kill myself sooner than face the consequence of my own reek- loss not. Oh , will you not do this , for the love of heaven , for a helplcsa , distracted woman ? " She bent her eyes imploringly upon him , grave , clear eyes , strange , compelling , fascinating eyca. It was the absurdity of. the thing which the young man had moat In his mind. Hut the woman's precautions would eccuru him , If worst came to worst. It seemed cruel not to render the ns- ststanco to a frail , sweet woman , nervous to the- brink of prostration over the Impend ing Icjh of her life's happiness. The final threat of self-dcstructlru , moreover , had such a ring of determined purpose that It decided him to accept this strange com- inUsInn at any cost. " 1 will do It. " he said , with n deliberation that argued better for the accomplishment of the task than a prompter , more enthusi astic assent. "Then If you will tell the cabman to drlvo to No. , Lexlngtcn avenue , I can tell > ou anything else on the way , " she said with a deep sigh of relief. "I can not re pay jou for your kindness , but God may. " On their way to the number Indicated she sV d Hie young man to call at the Lex ington avenue hout > c at a quarter of 8 that evening and she would have the latch-key , the Utter and the box ready for him. It was the residence , she explained , of one of her most Intimate women friends. Hefore they arrived at the house , which proved to bo one of the respectable , non-committed brick ones abounding In that section of Lex ington avenue , uho slipped a K > bill Into his hand to pay the cabman with when ho had set him down where he wished to go. She also begged him to give his address to the cabman before they arrived at the hoiibo , and to bid him drlvo on at once au soon as tlio got out , since her friend knew all of her men acquaintances and might make curious Inquiries If she saw her drlvo up with a stranger. Of course , her coming back In a hansom would exclto no comment , All of which was very reasonable and moat be comingly circumspect , eo that ho readily aid it. When thu "cabby" had takeu him to bin club ho pftli ) him for his part of the drive. Hi dined nt his club , fortifying hlmscl for his mission of the evening by a bottle of champagne. At the appointed time he presented hlmsqlf nt the Lexington avenue bous" . The lady answered the bell herself did not Invite him In , but gave him at once the latchkey , the letter and the box o [ docu mente. She told him she would open tin door for him on his return , and begged him to hurry back as soon as he had restored the box to Its place. A rubber-tired cab stood at the door which she had provided to faclll late his course. The box was of black morocco , about four teen Inches long by five Inches wide. The young fellow felt no special Interest In I outside of Its Importance to n woman's life long peace. The cabman dro\o his horst nt a walk , nnd when urged to go faster salt his horse had gone lame nnd he didn't care to tax him too much. He had been paid by the lady , who evidently shrank from plac Ing herself under any money obligation to her friendly assistant , as a laily naturally would. When he got to the house the young man told the cabman he could go , but the fellow said the lady hai ! paid him for his rcturi trip , saying the gent was In n hurry , am wouldn't wont to look ciound for another harsom. "Tho beast has been rested up and I can take ycr back at it netter gall , sir , " he sail cheerfully , with a grin. Goodcnough llrst rang the bell. He wat willing to help the lady as tar as he couli without certainly compromising himself , 1m he did not Intend to run unnecessary risks If any one came he would ask If Mr Wheeler was at home , and If he was not would then ask to go to his room * and wrlti a note for him. After a time , as no one responded , he pretended to discover his kc > with some surprise and boldly let hlmscl In. He found the rooms without any difficult ) from the directions Mrs. Wheeler had glvci to him , and they exactly answered her de scription of them. Ho got a chair and placet the box carefully on the top of the folding- bed , just as she had asked him to do. He nearly dropped It while doing this , owing to a pardonable nervousness. Greatly relieved , he went back to the other house. The "cabby" wts as good as his won and drove back rapidly , the home showing no dlspcsltlon to be "dazy" on any one of h'o legs. The lady opened the door nt once , re celved back her key and unused letter nnr wrung his ban M with warm feeling. "I cannot thank you enough. This must be n life secret between us. Hut If you will give me your card I shall be glad to makt your acquaintance after I get back to m > husband. I beg you to accept this small token of a woman's gratitude toward n gen erous man. " The young man had given her his card , " .Mr. Gotldard Goodenough. " with bio club addrcre In the corner. An she said thcae last words she drew an opal scarfpln from her corsage. It was a stone that eecmed to burn llko a coal and It was surrounded with tiny , but brilliant , diamonds. In vain Gcod- cnough sought to escape sucW n cwtly pres ent. She forced It upon him nnd ho took hH leave , followed by her ardent thanks and low-voiced blessing. Somehow after It was all over Goildard Goodcnough had moretlmo to reflect on the strange proceeding. The quality of one's thought upon n deed U so different , accordIng - Ing to which side of It the thinker is on. Ho began to feel an odd rcstlvencsa , not unlike solicitude. He could not rest easy at his club , despite the aid of two or three drinks absorbed with a view to greater com posure. Ho determined to go around by .Mr. Wheeler's rooms a little after 10 to see If there was any evidence of his having re turned. Hut , as his restlessness became more pronounced , he decided to flrat go up to the Lexington avenue house and recon- nolter there. This with no definite aim In his mind. When he had got within a nhort distance of the house , on the other Bide of the street , ho was surpiUcd to see a coupe In front of It , with a steamer trunk on the box. As he halted In the shadow , wondering what thn ! meant , the door opened and n tall , spare man. with a clcoe-trlmmed black beard , came down the steps and opened the coupe do > r. He then aw Mrs. Wheeler come down the steps , the two entered the carriage and It rolled swiftly down the avenue. Goodenough waa thoroughly aroused now. Of course It could have been the lady's brother or some male relative. Hut the man's appearance had not been as convinc ing an endorsement of character aa the lady's. With a sudden resolve the worried young man crossed over , mounted the steps and tugged at the bell. The house was perfectly dark. Ho got nc answer to his ring , nor to the others which he gave. Leaving the house , still more perturbed In his feelings , ho encountered the policeman whose "beat" It wns , and Inquired of him who lived In the house. "Tho cook across the way , " said the police man , "says It's a foreigner and his wife. They've only been thereabout a month. The hcuso was unrentcd when they took It. Hc'e a tall , black feller. She's ! delicate like , but she's got a pair of eyes In her head ! She can use 'cm , you bet. " The police-man swung his locuat and grinned , as If the lady had vouchsafed him a glance or two. "Illack eyes. I suppose , " ventured Good cnough , a a feeler. "HIack nothing , " retorted the officer. "Green. Green , 'like a cat's , nnd they've got a grip to 'em , too , like a cat's claws. Friends of your'a ? " "No , " replied Goodcnough , hastily. "I probably mistook the number of the house. I never heard of this couple. Good night , ofllcer. " Ho turned and walked away. Ho was pretty well rattled now , and his confidence In Mrs. Wheeler was thoroughly .shaken. Ho had recognized her beyond the possi bility of a doubt. He had been accessory to ho knew not what. Ho went round by Wheeler's rooms. There was a light In the windows on the top floor. Ho must have ecmc homo about the time she had said. This looked a little better. Hut Goodenough was still troubled enough to act on a plan he had thought out on his way , one rather creditable to BO quiet and conventional a young man. He rang the bell , with a ecnso that ho was getting pretty well mixed up In ether people's affairs. After time enough to admit of uomeoiie coming from the top floor the door was ( lung open. A tall , hand some young man of about 30 , modlshly , but quietly dressed , ntod regarding Goodeiiough with u clear , penetrating gaze , He had , to Goodcnough , a foreign-American look. "Is Mr. Wheeler In ? " ached Goodcnougb , briskly. "Yes , I am ho , " replied the ether tersely. This was encouraging. Mr. Wheeler had materialized all right , Qoodcnough pro ceeded on llio lines ho had mapped out. "I am from the , " he said , with some assurance , mentioning onu of the leading dally papein , "and would like to see you for a few minutes , If convenient , " Ttie young man had the air of not under standing the reason of this , and was not particularly cordial , Hut he evidently made up his mind quickly , for he replied , with hardly any hesitation , "Very well , Will you cotno upstairs to my room ? Though I don't sco what the - can want of me , " He led the way to hla sluing room and Invited the "reporter" to l > o seated , dooilc- nough flckrtcd A tlmlr which commanded n vlrnv of the bedroom and the bed. In a swift glance he saw 'that ' the box was there , and also saw that It must have been re * marked and moved by Mr. Wheeler , for It was several Inches 'nearer the slile of the footboard than he had left It. He breathed more freely. It wna probably all right , ami ho was half sorry he had come. He must not "queer" the poor wife and upoll all he had done In her behalf by uny false move. "Mr. Wheeler , " he said , with the easy , nomcwlmt familiar air he Imagined n re porter would assume , "there has been n report handed In at the office that some Important move Is meditated by n large estate of which you nre one of the executors Can you give any details about the mattci for publication ? " ' The other young man had sat perfectly motionless , hl eyes fixed on Goodenougli unwaveringly. He kept them still more steadily , In fact , rather piercingly , fixed on him a ho replied , with some decision : "You will have to be more specific. I haven't the least Idea to what you refer. " "Tho report was that you and the other two executors had withdrawn Important documents from the safety vault , nnd were to arrange the details of this transaction with the heirs , very soon. " returned Goodc nough , trying to meet the other's scrutiny with nonchalance. The young man had taken In his visitor In every detail. Hefore answering him he quickly arose , stepped to the door of h'.u apartment and locked It ; then locked the door to the bedroom. Goodcnough began to feel that he was In for an adventure. He wns not absolutely comfortable. The young man came back , stood In front of him. and , letting hla right hand swing around toward his hip pocket , remarked with great deliberation : "I have nothing to do with any estate , I have never been un exec utor and know nothing whatever of the sub ject of which you speak. " "Perhaps , " returned Goodenough , n little lamely , ' but acting on the Inspiration of the moment , "It may have been your wife who s the person Interested. " The young imin'H expression showed n trace of Irritation , but hU coolness did not forsake him. "I have no wife , and never had one. Will you please to state at once who the devil you arc and what the devil you are after ? " These questions were put savagely and were render d unduly or nt leait unpleasantly Miiphatlc by his drawing a small six-shooter 'font his pocket with a buslnces-liko manner. Ho held It with his finger on the trigger. "I am afraid , " said Goodenough , feeling a .nnvcment of temper himself , but striving to retain Ms composure , "that 1 am a tre mendous fool. You may help to convince 'lie of It. Hut flpjt , do you object to telling mo what that box of documents Is doing on iop of your folding bed ? " . He wns so confident that Mr. Wheeler had scon the box , from the fact that It had been moved , that he hoped to force his hand by showing thus abruptly his own knowledge of It. Despite the young man's control hla countenance betrayed the moat utter surprise. Recovering himself quickly he raised the re volver , covered Goodenough with it and said sternly : "Take the key out of my pocket and open that bedroom door. Take down the box and bring It here. If you make the alightcat movement , except to do this , I promise you I will shoot , nnd there will be great likelihood of my killing you. That would bo highly disagreeable at this hour of the night , and here , especially as I am more than half disposed to to take you at your word and believe that you arc only a fool. " "I can assure jou that I have no doubt on the subject now , " replied Goodcuough , with conviction. "Hut If you will allow me to explain " "I shall assuredly do that , " the other re plied , emphatically. "Hut later. First , this box. How came you to know It was there ? " "I put It there myself , " blurted out Goole- nough , sheepishly.He had "opened " the door , and ns he glanced dt the box , which seemed to his excited vision even nearer the edge than when he had first Been It , he said , boldly : "You must know that It Is there , for It Is much closer to the side than where I put it. " The young man 'glanced quickly nt the box. Ills- nostrils flared , and though he retained his astounding coolness , the color In his cheeks growfainter. . ' "We will dlscuis that later. " he said , In cisively. "Since you put It there , you can take It down and throw It Into the street through the bedroom window. You have as much Interest as I In handling It care fully. " Goodcnough got the chair , climbed up and possessed himself of the box. Impressed an he was by the other man's manner , he was not without a distinct sense of foolish ness. The box was nearly a foot nearer the side of the footboard. Of course , It could not have traveled there by Iteelf. It might nil bo a splendid bluff on the part of thla cool young man , for some reason best known to himself. Ho took the box carefully , however , being as much concerned with carrying out these second explicit directions as to Its disposi tion as he had been the IIrat. As ho took It , ho felt a little crawling movement under his lingers , which were grasping the bottom of the box. In his wound-up condition. It was almost enough to make him drop It. Hut the hot. white face of the young fellow nnd the fidelity with which he kept him covered with the pistol were aids In control. "Hold It as steadily as you can , and don't let It drop. Pitch II out of the window , but put your arms through first ! Do not throw It from the Inside of the room , " said his host. Heartened by which advice , though tremb ling with excitement. Goodcnough reached the window , stretched well out and Hung the box Into the street. A frightful detonation followed. This was accompanied by the crash of shattered panes of glass In the neighboring windows and Its sharp crackle ea the fragments dropped to the sidewalk. The windows of Mr. Wheeler's apartment rattled with the concussion , but were not broken. With ai face as white as a sheet and h'fl legs bo weak he could scarcely stand , Goodc * nough tottered to the nearest seat anil fell Into It speechless , regarding the young man with an expression of horror. The other still kept his pistol pointed nt him , but seemed much more at ills ease , as If re lieved notably. "Ycu will not object to my searching you , probably , after this little eplsqde , which ap- liarently , " he laid a stress on the word , "has liecn moro of a oiirprlse to you than to me. You must admit that I have reason for mis trusting n stranger who kindly provided mo with such a companion for the night as that little ti.x ! Do not bo alarmed , " he continued , lightly. "I am nearly certain that you were only a dupe. Hut one must .ako ordinary precautions. " Ho quickly went through Goodcnough's pockets with his leftliand. while he kept the cocked revolver aimed at him all the tlmo with his right. Naturally , the pockets re vealed nothlnB more dangerous than a natchsafc and . pocket knife. Goodenough lad kept his arms stretched straight up all the time with the mcst earnest spirit of co operation. "Yes. You are only a fcol , I think , " the other remarked , when he had satisfied him self as to the contents of the other's pockcls. Sven that unflattering remark may have to bo qualified when I hear your cxplana- lon , If you arc not criminally Involved In bis attempt on my life , 1 Ghould suppose . -on would bo as eager to make It us I nm to icar It. Where did you gc-t that scarf-jdn ? " 10 asked suddenly. "That , " replied Goodcnough , sarcastically ho was gcttliif ? bis wind now , "was given no by your wife through gratitude for my ( Induces In restoring the box of documents so nccce ary to you as executor of this great estate. Her life's happiness depended an my getting It back before you had noticed ts absence , and putting It Just where you lad left It. " "Olgal" exclaimed the young man , nod- ling his head , "I was sure It was she. I am lot surprised that she fooled you. I must ulroady apologize for quoting you so literally ignlnst yourself. Come Into the other room mid let me hear hew aho worked her little ; ame. What a woman ! " "I certainly want to tell you the whole hint , ' , and you can doubtless throw some Ight on my dark end of the btory , " replied Joodenough , as ho followed his host , who lad pocketed his pistol and preceded him nto the witting room. The young man poured brandy mid soda nto two Ir.ug glasses , and presented one to [ ioodenoiigh , who accepted It with alacrity ind took a big draught from It. The young nan , who had not lost his sangfroid through- jut , was now the dcbannalr host , u imieh at auo ICH If he were enttrtalnlng an agreeable md habitual evening caller. Ho pushed a tray of Humlan vKiirr"ft ! as Inrso ns one'f little ( Inner towni.1 his guest nini , having lit one himself , listened m. t attentively , rtllh- out Interrupting him onto , whlkGoodeaorRh , who bcRftn by glvliiR his full nnme nnd d- drews. recounted the whole story of his con- necllon with the box. "I enn hmdly bin me you , " he xnld. when OoodPiiounh wa * through. "You were sim ply too Quixotically kind to a fniclnntlnR and helple fl woman. It won a manly In stinct , geneioiitly obeyed , A ( 'lexer woman , that. Slip inun have made up moe' of her story while she was with > ou In the cab. Everything , > ourself Inrlnlod , played Into her hand. The Mnry. under the circum stances , was plAiislldrcnmiRh. . If she hid not got you tu do It , siio would have not some one else , or have done It herself. So don't feel too badly over It. No hniin bP8 been done. "That dark man with her Is imdoubtrJIy one of' these Russian nihilists who nre skilled In making explosives raid Infernal machines. It was an excel'ent ' brand he selected on this occasion. And the , levllUi ! craftiness of making the little box PO that It would run along on Its own leg } ! All It wanted wns a start In life. If II had dropped from the top of the bed to the floor , ns It certainly would haxe done had you not called , the Infernal thing would have exploded without a doubt. It made quite a nice hole In the street and damaged plenty of windows. The police will prob ably be up here BOOH to know If we can give any Information about it. I supprHO you will allow the whole truth to come out. The cabman will piobably tell wlnt he knows , although I'm not sine how far ho was In himself. These nihilists arc won derful beings. I fancy It was consideration for mo n ore than for you that made her select a lubler-tired cab and older tin cabby to drive hero plowly. She didn't wan the little bomb 'to waste Its sweetness on the desert air' by only annlhllatini ; you nnd the cab on the street. "Hut joti are probably curious to know the why nnd wherefore of this attempt 01 my life , " continued the young man , after taking a pull at , his brandy nnd soda. Ik blew a fragiant puff of Latakla from hit , fat cigarette and stretched out more com fortably In his chair. " 1 nm Prince Serge Mnlatopsky , n Rus slan. I have been In this country six months. Here I assumed the name of Wll Ham Wheeler , feeling that with my In come , a very small one , nnd my manner o life , my title would only be In the way Russians learn to speak English so wel that they can hardly be told from the na tlvts. I add a little to my Income by writ Ing. "Shortly before 1 left Russia , by n mere stroke of luck I discovered a Nihilist plo against a high official who wan n stauncl worker against these miserable revolution Ists. Owing to this discovery , the ring leader , a young Russian , was put to death He and this Olga Haranoff , your beguiling women of the cab , were engaged to bo mar rlcd. 1 have learned lately tnat she solemn ! } swore to have my life ns a Joint amend to nihilism and herself for her lover's cxccu tlon. "About a month ago , " continued tin prince , "I needed a secretary for some work I had In hand. This young woman presen ted herself. I had never seen her before I must admit that she filled the bill ad mirably. Prompt , neat , quiet and never a mistake. Naturally , she got to know my habits thoroughly. As a matter of fact , I am as methodical as an old virgin , and in many respects as regular as a clock. I In variably return home about 10 , for In stance , and retire at 12. "She was a fascinating woman , " Bali Prince Malatopsky , thoughtfully and with a faint smile , "captlvatlngly proper. With n child-like Insensibility to conventionali ties she was , on the other hand , so modest that she would not allow me to touch her ungloved hand. I did not know then what an aching hatred for me helped to fortify her In this maidenly reserve. In subtle ways , she was wonderfully alluring. I think It was very natural for you to meet her wishes In the cab. During the day I am out a great deal and It was my own suggestion that she should have a key to the apartment and come In and do the writing at any time. "A fortnight ago I received a letter from St. Petersburg telling me that Olga Da ra no ft had gone to America , and that she had sworn not to return to Russia until she had sent mo to my forefathers , I am afraid now , thanks to you , that she will not keep that oath. A minute description of the woman was given and I recognized my invaluable secretary at once. "A week ngo 1 told her that the work was done , and with imme pretty compli ments on her efficiency nnd regrets that I no longer had any need of her services. I discharged her. She made no lemur and showed no trace of dissatisfaction. She asked for a letter of recommendation. Thld wc probably to see If I would betray any disinclination to vouch for her char acter , which would , of course , have shown that I knew moro of her than I had let on. [ gave her n most flattering letter. She landed me spontaneously the key of the apartment and went her way. Of course she lad had another key made before this and that Is the one she gave you. There may be more out. I had better have the lock changed. "Well , " concluded the prince , blowing care fully another round cloud of smoke from his mouth. "I hive not seen the fall' Olga since. I engaged one of the keenest detectives I could got to shadow her constantly and re port to mo every evening i t la o'clock ; flrat , , lwt he ehould not bo observed , and secondly , that this little devil , who Is more cunning than n dozen detectives , might not work borne ; amc late. Considering what ho mval have ibscrved today I am surprised that he should lot have been here before this. Now we lave got something definite to hold her on. \ clear case In fact. I nm anxious to see him to find out the promptest way of getting her u-restcd. Hut It Is only 11 o'clock. There 10 Is now , I fancy , " ho exclaimed , with moro animation than ho had yet shown , as n knock was heard at the door. "I'll tell you. Go nslde the bedroom there and stand Juat out of sight. I would llko to see how ho will tell the story of today ns compared with your version. I've never had a chance to test him thoiwughly before. " Goodenough Iclt that another disagreeable role , that of eavesdropper , was being as signed him and once more his kindness led him to accept It. Some consideration Is due to a man whom you have nearly blown to pieces. Ho had barely placed himself out of sight when Prince Malatopfs'ty unlocked the door leading Into the parsiigeway and Hung It widely open. He had hardly done eo before i tall , spare man , who had llrst darted a swift glance around the room , sprang on him with the greatest fury , clutching hU throat In his flngcrc. At the same time ho put a Uncwy leg behind the prince's and flung him violently to the floor. At the first sound of the affray Goodcnough started Into tbe sitting room. He was Just In tlmo to see the dark man raise his right hand with a knife In It above the fallen prince. Goodcnough sprang forward and grasped thla uplifted hand with both his awn , before It could descend. The dark man who seemed madly des perate , foiled In his attempt , sprang to his feet llko a cat , and finding that ho could not wrench his right hand from the other's left , let drive a terrific blow with his left which caught Goodcnough straight between the eyes. It knocked him senseless. At the same moment there watt the sharp crack of a pistol. When he came to ho found himself stretched on the bed , with Prince Malatopfsky at hid side , calmly applying a towel wet with Ice-water to his head. Ho looked iiround , dazed , trying to recall the events which had preceded his lapse of conscious ness. "Good , " said the prince. In his cool , en couraging voice. "You will bo all right now. No greater harm than n big bump between your eyes , and I have sent a messenger boy ilown to Delmonlco's with a note to-the chef to kindly xetul me a raw steak ! That will help to mend the countenance. " Ho passed i small vlnalgrcttc uch as women use , tin ier Goodcnough's ncso while saying thin , and the pungent salts helped to ck-ur his head. "What a pleasant evening this has been for you ! I seem to bo the favorite of fortune tonight , and you thu victim. Thank you for saving my life Just now. That may be some : oasolatlon after your previous efforts In my llrectlon. Are you all right ? " "Yen , " said Qoodcnough , though ho was Feeling all wrong , his brain throbbing and i dull pain In his head. "Hut the that man ! Where Is ho ? That was the fellow who was with her tonight. Look out for Ulm , " "My dear follow. I liax-o looked out for ilm , " nald Prince Malatopfsky , HmllliiB jcntly. "He la lylnj. In there , " and ho save J i. Tfios. B. Reed Vn-'Wt , if n inf - ( ! ' < , ! ial il menus to bo Cmigrc u'in. In " w \ I I 1'ur 1897 tlic SpenfciT < > [ thv IIoiw of Krprcson'ativeill \ullc of the rein - $ ) * in > mtliility lli.it B n-.s with jmci nr-ti tin- hard wotk involved liy liMi position. HU article is tnstrurttvr ns > well m cnU'ttaining , nnd it gives 11 ckai idea of The Life of a Congressman ifl Dminc ; 1897 nlso Hon. Henry Cnliot Lodge \\ill picture "The Life of a Srtttlur ; " I'oslmnMcr-Uenernl Ison will tell nliout " ' 1 litKnily Pajsol the 1'oM-Oftirc ; " Atlninry-Cu-ncral llnnniin will ilcsfnlic llio dulic * per- t.iining to his nflice ; nnd Si-notary llcrlx-'tt will contribute1 a striking article on " Unildirg a NYnr-Slup. " One of the most beautiful CALENDARS issued ( Ills year . will be Riven to each New Subscriber to Tim Companion. It U innde. up of lour Clmunlni ; I'lctiirts In coloi hrnulidillv executed. II * uln.in 10 by iInHics. \ . The Midlcct * nre dullKhtftilly nttraUUe TfiU Cnlviulnr l piibllilicil r\cln lvclv l > y Till ! YovritM CUMI-ANIOK ntul could not be sold in Art Stores ( or U-.ss tlinu One Dollar. Subscription Price of The Companion , $1.75 a Year. rX-A C iVv.3 New Subscriber * who will cut out thU illp and iond it at one 12-Color with nun * and addreis and $1 76 will lecflve : ] 1'REC The Youth Companion erery wetk from the ttm tub- > crlptlon 1 r c ivrd till January l. I8J7 ; Calendar rurn Tliankiflrlng , Chtlitmai , N w Your' * Double humbers ; FKCC Our Attitllc 4TAid ; Calcndir for 1897 , a VrautlfnUjr colorrd louvcnlr Thn mo t co Uy girt of IU kind The Conpanlon hat ev r o3rredA \ FREE. And The Companion 02 Wteti , A full year , to JMI. 1 , 1898. THE YOUTH'S COMPANION , 20J Columbus Avc. , Boston , Mass. BRIGHT'S DISEASE Is the most dangerous of all Kidney Diseases. Pains in the Back , Irregularities in the Urine , Swelling of the Limbs or Abdomen are the first symptoms Has proven , in thousands of cases and for many years , to be the Peerless Remedy for this dreaded disease , It relieves promptly and works a permanent - manent cure FOR S LC IVCRYWHtRt. PRICE , 31,00 PER DOTTLE THE DR.J. H. MCLEAN MEDICINE CO. , ST. LOUIS , MO. a careless slile.noil toward the sitting room , "with an undigested linllct In Ills .system. I Imagined he might be a friend of Olgn'e. This Is her field-day. The beggar died In great pain , I am happy to say , anil enntlng mo In a very Impolitic way. He was not n thoroughbred llko Olga. We found n ticket on him for Montreal. She Is probably on her way there , anil will wait for him In that city. If she gets there. lie must have wished to HFSiire himself of the HUCCCS.I of your en deavors In behalf of that lady. Wln-n he Haw that they had failed he attempted this rcoklcES coup. How pleased Olga Haranoff will bo when uho learns that he would have succeeded In blowing me to atoms butTer Tor you. and that this beggar would have killed mo except for your friendly pres ence ! "Hut now , my dear fellow , " said Prince Malctopfsky. with buslncss-llkp directness , "I have got to go to police headquarters with the olllccr out there to send advices along the route to have my active country woman arrested at the first point they can grab her. I ehall try to see If I ran prevent our passing the night In a station house. It Is too bad that your kindness should liavc led you Into such a muddle , but , cf course , I can not regret It too deeply and I know jou nre too good to do so. This vin aigrette. " ho said , with a genuine look of merriment , ns he held up the dainty bauble , "Is the fair Olga's. H lias mast appro priately helped to revive you. for shecan't nave any ill will toward you. You did jour xht to help her aa long as you could. " It was proven later that she hadn't any III will toward him. for when that fragile , modest young woman was assigned Siberia 'or a lifc-resldrncp as the ultlmatn outcome of that hct day's machinations , before "lie obviated thn need of so tiresome a journo ) ly poisoning herself , she wrote1 a letter to Goddard Uoodennugh which brought out strongly n graceful trait In her singularly composite character. In It she deplored with perfect simplicity that ehe should hnvo jccn forced to seemingly misuse the noble clndncss ho had so chivalrously whown to icr In her distress. In the same bieath In which she deprecated his entertaining any larsh feeling toward her , since In very ruth , ho felt his kindness deeply , she de clared that ho would die with gladness could a ho have the crowning bliss of holding or one moment a dagger In her hand wlicoe dado was burled In MuIatopfHky'a heart ! She had sworn to the dark man , her ns- oclatL . whom she had over kept at arm's ength though he was madly In love vlth icr , that In caao of Oooilcnough's failure , f ho would sccuro hero this happiness , even vicariously , she wculd marry him at once. ( loodcnongh was not wholly abjured being cliul , but ho was moro warily benevolent , lu Is a staunch friend of I'rlnco Malatopfsky vho docs not take It nt all III that ho Is cry fond of wearing his opal scarf pin. Ji odt-nough also prc&crve' Olga Haranoff's otter an a reminder of the most exciting -veiling of hl life. In the beginning. 1" > mcd to feel that ho ought to check an In- llnntlon to think with pity of the poor ady , but later , ho deliberately admitted his fcclliiK of compassion for her as a per- ictual Inmate of his heart. This again la duo to hUi kindness , wlth.ut doubt. H Christmas < Wft of ( Bovbant Silver will , of course , be more lugi./ prized than the product of some unknown maker. Anything with the GORHAM Trade mark is a matter of pride , always never any doutt of its Ster ling quality'--nothing but praise for its artistic beauty. Cf Cf Cf Cf Cf Cf Cf Cf Cf CfCfCf Too Goatlftr Dry Coodt Storct-Jcwetert only , C. S. S. E , Cor. 15th and Douglaa. RAlLWAKlfflE OAR1) ) i ( IirilLlNaTON & MO. ItlVUH.IArrlvciT Oinalmi Union Depot , Kill At Muhon tjlf. | Unialiii 8:3T : nm Denver KM'ress.T ShSjiun 4Mpm.l."k 1IIIU , Mont & I'UKOI Bud Ux. 4OJpnt : 4:33pm : Denver Kxpieus 4lipm : 7:05pm..Nebraska : Local ( ex Sunday ) . . . 7:4jpui . . . .Lincoln l.ucal ( ex. Sunday.liiSVmu 2S pin..l''ast Mall ( fur Lincoln ) dully. . . i itvrs { CHICAGO. HUHLINOTON & Q ( Arrive ? OnialmUilun | ; Depot , 10th A Jluton SU.J Oniuha HlOin. : | ) . . . . . . Chit-lino I\IIIIMI , . 4i : | > ir > 7 : Oj > m..Clilcnio ami St. Luulx I\IIH-SB. . k.buum ll:10am . I'nclllo Junction l.ocnl . li:19 | > ia _ . . Fust Mull . 2Wjm Leaves ( CHICAGO , MIU & ST. PAUL.IArrlvci" Omiilml Union Depot , loth & Muson Sls. | Omaha 6:30pm . Chlcneti I.lmltei ! llOOnni..ClilcnKu : Kmircea lex. jSuniliiy ) . . . IiUp l > nves [ CH1CAC1O & NOHTllWlIST'N.IArrlveai OmiihnUnlmi | Depot , loth .4 MUBOII Sta./ / 10:4rnm : . KaMcrn nvurcxH . 3:40pni 4.43pm . Vc tlljulri ! Limited . KMOpiu lK\ni : \ ] . Si. I'atll i\iircvi ! . 9:30iini : 6:40.im : . Kt. 1'nul Llmltril . 9:03piu : 7:30am. : . . . Carroll & Slmix CII.V local . .11. 10pm C:3Ppm : . Onmli'i ClilcaKu Bpeclnl . 8:00ain : . . . . . . .Mlhtourl Valley l.ncil . l > ; SOan > I.ervcn ( CHICAGO. It. I * I'ACIKIC.jArrlvciT OmalialUiilon Depot. 10th & Mason ijta. ( Omiitia _ HAST. " I _ " - 10-IOniii. . Atlantic ixpii-8a : lex "Bund.iy ) . . B:3pa 5r ; :00pm : . NlKht HxprchH . Sl.r.uii : : 4 : & ( 'pm. ' . . . Chicago Vof lllinlo.1 MinttC'l. . . . Itflput 4SOim. : . .St.I\nJl _ VcMllnueil Llrnlteil. . . . l:35piu : " " _ _ WEST. _ "CHrp'm.Oklnlionui & TexaB \ . ' \ ( ex. Sun..10:33arr ) l:40pni : . Colorado Lliimcu . 4:0upin Leaves I C. , ST. I' M. & o. | ATrlves Oinalml Depot. . IStli nnil Webster SIB I Omalin S.Uam. . . .Sioux City AccommoJatlon. . . . 8:00pm : > 12:39pm. : . . Sioux City Kxpiers 'ex. hun..UC5ani ) : C15pm . Kt 1'aiil Limited . a.-IOaia Leaves" ) PT7 n. ft M6T V/.T.LGV I Arrive Omalial Depot , 11th find \ Vfller SIB I Omaha 3.C jiin I"aM Mull nnil ICxpresx . . 5COpiu 3:03pm : . . . ( ex Hut ) \Vyu l'x ( ex MOM ) . . . . 6:00pm : 7&Oam..Firmont laical IhiiiuluvH. unl . Tr.0nni. : . . .Norfolk Hilirc-Fs ( ex Hun ) . . . . .10:23nni : Ij'.lEpni St. I'aut lixvitae. . . ; . , . . . ailuani I uve I K. C. . ST. J. & C. II. I Arrives" UmaliiilUnlcn l > ci > . .t , ICtli S. Mason BID. | Omaha TTCEnm . . " . " .Kninns City Day Ilxpnvn. . . . . Iil0piti 10Xiiii.K.JJLNlglit ; ( ) | ix. via U. p. Trun a. G:30.uu : I axca'l MISSOl'IlI PACIFIC. Omulinl _ Hepot , 15th.nit W iTr Sin. 3'00 [ > m..NeLiaFka & Kam.uk I.lmlteil i:2Ciun ) : Knriean City l.xprt'BH ; ; liin ) Nelinuku I.ocal ( > , Him.t. . ' Leaves I " HIOUX CITY & 1'ACIFIC. Omahnl Dopol. 15th dinil WrtiiitiJJUfc CMInni Kt. 1'aul Llmltetl Leaves I "SIOUX CITY & PACIFIC. ( Arrive * Omaha ] Inlon Depot , 101 h & Ma on S . ( Oinaim CM4am si. I'uul 1'ubwnKer llilOpm 7.gOam Hloux City ru iitter : OSpm > i 5HILMi J.- -S-L l > nul ' | M11 | < 4'1 jjjjjf0- " " Leavtal iTfTlON PACIFIC. J Arrived OmalmtInlonI ] _ > epat , 10th & Mason H B. | Onmha g.jOnm Overlnml Limited 4:45prn : C'35nm..lltnt'co & KtrimiBli'K I.x ( ex Hun ) . . 3Minn : E:3Vitm..aruni : ! Itlnrid Ksiireiia ( ex. Hun ) . . 3:5 : pir S:30pin. : .Fnnt _ Mnll . _ . . . . . .lOiiOam f rvcsT " WAI1ASII HA IMVA V J A rriveT Oii , nha Union IJepot , 10th & Mason Sin. ! Omii.'i * it:30ain : HXKKK > < > < > OCKQ ) TOTRADCO $ Hate You liOSCLL r1 X Anything rt i TORCNT DO VOU WAN ( APOS1HOM SOME HELP TO BORROW MONEY TO LOAN MONEY IRV Jin coiiivm or inr . . . OMAHA BEE. Omnliandtcrlker do thh suctekifullx "liy not you/ The Bee Publishing Co. OMAHA , O-O-O-O-OOO-O-O-O-OH The Perfume of Vfolots Thu purity of the lily , thu clew of tlio rose , and thu llimh of Iluhu comLiluu lu I'OZZONI'I vvondroim Powder