The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-05-06
INTERRUPTED.

fellow, who held carefully in both hands
a fowerpot containing a most beautiful
azalea in the full bloom of its pink bios
SONS. The maid involuntarily smiled as
she saw the lovely flower, and the smile
was answered by an engaging one from
the young man.
"Is Mrs. Courtland at homer
"No, sir"
"Mr. Courtlandy'
"No, sir. They are at the theater."
An expression of disappointment cross
ed the youths face, and he hesitated as
if puzzled.
"Won't you step imp
After an instant's pause the man did
so, threw comprehensive glance about
him and said, Il promised to deliver
this plant to Mrs. Courtland herself,
but it's a long way up, and l believe I'll
leave it."
He had one of those pathetic voices in
which there is an unconscious appeal,
and this, together with his frank blue
eye and pleasant manner, created sym
pathy for his disappointment in the
maids heart. So she received the plant
carefully from him and was about to
place it on hall chair when the man
gently interposed, Excuse me; I'd rath-
er you'd put it in a safer place"
"Surely," and as the plant was heavy
the maid went slowly down the long
hall, turning her back completely. The
man dropped card on the chair, pushed
the door to with loud slam, and with
astonishing agility and hghtness sprang
up the staircase, disappearing before her
return.
"Well, he might ha waited, she NUT
tered, throwing the card into the silver
salver, and the man, who paused in the
hall above, heard her descend into the
| basement.
He smiled, listened, stepped into the
dimly lighted library, passed through
two dressing rooms into the bedroom
beyond, turned up the gas slightly, and
with a alightning glance took in the apart
ment and its appointments. AS he had
calculated, the room was prepared for
the night, so he ran little chance Of
being disturbed.
He touched nothing until he caught
sight of a gray coat thrown carelessly
over a chair. This he seized, thrust his
hand into the inside pocket and drew
forth with evident satisfaction letter,
which, hastily examining, he kept. He
then replaced the coat with precision,
lowered the light, listened intently and
prepared to descend, when the click of a
night key was heard in the lock.
The owners of the house had returned.
A pause. Footsteps on the stairs.
Double portieres draped the doors. He
slipped between them.
Mrs. Courtland entered, turned up the
light and with negligent grace threw of
long opera wrap, revealing that she
was beautiful woman in full evening
dress, tall, slight, blond. Fer a full
minute she gazed at herself reflected in
the cheval glass, then discontentedly sal
down before it and commenced unclasp
ing the ornaments from dress and hail
and arms.
A well built man with plain face an6
fine carriage entered and stood silently
regarding her.
"Tired, Gertrude?" Mr.. Courtlant
asked kindly.
"No."
"Sicky'
"No."
"What thenY'
"Bored; so bored"
: "Why not have gone to the opera"
81 have heard 'Lohengrin' until
E hate it,"
Gertrude" tenderly, "you are no
5 unhappy? You love mef"
q Eyes" indifferently.
, "Then what troubles your
, Nothing Everything is so tedious
70 am weary Of people, weary Of clothes
weary of myself"
e "And weary of meT'
His wife did not answer, perhaps di
not hear.
Mr.. Courtland pondered intently, lool
q ing at her curiously as she unwound
" long scarf from her throat. Suddenly h
T crossed the room, and taAing up the gra
II coat put his hand into one of the pockets
&c "Where is that letter.
le "What letter." asked his wife, startle
!, by the sharp tone of his voice.
le 1.-THE letter l left in the pocket of tn
coat"
The man behind the portieres startet
m 81 saw no letter" replied Mrs. Cour
land, rising.
"You have stolen It'll" his voice increa
ing in harshness as with mechanics
= courtesy he handed her the scarf she /
e. fall.
r. "Richardr
+ "Stolen It, say"
He was a powerful man. His bro
grew heavy, his dark eyes glOwed, b
hands trembled, he looked brutal, and
10 he strobe up to his wife the woml
shrank.
no ''Richard, what is itY Why are you
rb stranger
is The man concealed became intense
he interested.
1t Mr.. Courtland, seizing his wife's arm
T. forced her down before him.
10 'Give it up" he spoke thickly.
led "Richard, swear do not understa
ise you"
We "Give IL up" he reiterated.
ort "Heaven help met He will kill me-
lrS for her husband suddenly made m,
scing movement, as though TO seize
throat.
'se "Stopp And with excitement the m
eil burst out from behind the portieres.
ler The three attitudinized in amazed
lence.
"Who are you2" asked Mr., Courtlai
The man hesitated, then answered 81
try ply, "Jonas Crane"
and "Ohl' cried Mrs Courtland, "take ca
alls He may be armed
res The young man smiles. Il sho
in think, ma'am," he said quietly, ''yo
he'd be more afraid of him than me.
to hadn't "a thought he'd hurt you, I'd ne
given myself away"
EN- Mrs. Courtland looked bewildered,
liac her surprise she had forgotten her
aus; bands anger.
"What are you doing here" she ash
ie' "Well," he replied respectfully,
as lief not say"
"Yes, but you must say. You are
thiesg'
Nom"
,o., We'll, then, whatY' asked Mr.. Co
80 80 land.
sion lion well, sir, - said the youth cheerfr
taTv ~ work for Boyton"-naming a g.
WY tailor-"and before he sent your
home he wore 1t courtin his lady fri
and left letter in it. 1t was not
i. kind Of letter " looking down modei
on ''for others TO see, and l undertoo
or, oiA' get it without lettin you know he'd '
from sasr,,ed so mad Tbs It,. ,,,.,.,,,t
inful -, 'N- "''