Nebraska Newspapers

    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
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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
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4Mpm.l."k 1IIIU , Mont & I'UKOI Bud Ux. 4OJpnt :
4:33pm : Denver Kxpieus 4lipm :
7:05pm..Nebraska : Local ( ex Sunday ) . . . 7:4jpui
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ll:10am . I'nclllo Junction l.ocnl . li:19 | > ia
_ . . Fust Mull . 2Wjm
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10:4rnm : . KaMcrn nvurcxH . 3:40pni
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6:40.im : . Kt. 1'nul Llmltril . 9:03piu :
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_ HAST. " I _ " -
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; :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 : >
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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 .
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I uve I K. C. . ST. J. & C. II. I Arrives"
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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 *
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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
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IRV Jin coiiivm or inr
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Omnliandtcrlker do thh suctekifullx
"liy not you/
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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