Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-06-08
INTERRUPTED.

1t was early spring, the air was soft,
the night still, and the sharp clang echoed
for moment before the door was opened
by q trim waiting maid. The moonlight
revealed to this maid a boyish looking
fellow, who held carefully in both hands
a fiowerpot containing 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.
s'Is Mrs. Courtland at homer"
"No, SIR"
"Mr. CourtlandF'
mo, 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 in?"
After an instant's pause the man did
so, threw comprehensive glance about
him and said, "I promised to deliver
this plant to Mrs. Courtland herself,
but it's long way up, and 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 a card on the chair, pushed
the door to with loud slam, and with
astonishing agility and lghtness 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 alightning glance took in the apart
nent and its appointments. AS he had
calculated, the room was prepared for
the night, so he ran little chance of
hainG dist1lr.hnd
He touched nothing until he caught
sight of gray coat thrown carelessly
over 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 inte1tiy 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 off
long opera wrap, revealing that she
was beautiful woman in full evening
dress, tall, slight, blond. For full
minute she gazed at herself reflected in
the cheval glass, then discontentedly sat
down before it and commenced unclasp-
ing the ornaments from dress and hair
and arms.
A well built man with plain face and
fine carriage entered and stood silently
regarding her.
"Tired, Gertrude?9 Mr.. Courtland
asked kindly. N
ssNo."
'sSickY'
mo"
"What thenT"
Bored; SO bored"
why not have gone to tho operag
Il have heard 'Lohengrin' until
hate it."
Gertrude" tenderly, '-you are not
unhappy You love meF'
EYES," indifferently.
"Then what troubles your"
Nothing. Everything is SO tedious.
am weary Of people, weary Of clothes,
weary of myself"
'sAnd weary Of meT'
His wife did not answer. perhaps did
not hear.
Mr.. Courtland pondered intently, look
ing at her curiously as she unwound q
long scarf from her throat. Suddenly he
crossed theToom, and taking up the gray
coat put his hand into one of the pockets
Where is that letter.
What letter." asked his wife. startled
by the sharp tone of his voice.
1.-The letter l left in the pocket of this
coat"
The man behind the portieres started
81 saw no letter" replied Mrs. Court
land, rising.
"You have stolen itr' his voice increas
ing In harshness as with mechanical
courtesy he handed her the scarf she lei
fall.
i'Richardg'
stolen it, say!"
He was powerful man. His brow
grew heavy, his dark eyes glowed, hil
hands trembled, he looked brutal, and o.
he strobe up to his wife the woman
shrank.
Richard, what is its Why are you Sc
stranger
The man concealed became intensely
interested.
Mr.. CORTLAND, seizing hiswife's arms
forced her down before him.
"Give it up" he spoke thickiy.
Richard, I swear / do not understand
you"
aGiye it up" he reiterated.
Heaven help mel He will kill me-
for her. husband suddenly made men
acing movement, as though to seize her
throat.
...Stopla And with excitement the mar
burst out from behind the portieres.
Tho three attitudinized in amazed 81
Fence.
.sWho are you?" askel Mr.. Courtland
The man hesitated, then answered sim
ply, "Jonas Crane"
''Ohp cried Mrs. Courtland. "take care
he may be armed
The young man smiles. 81 should
think, ma'am," he said quietly, you'll
be more afraid of him than nc. If
hadn't a. thought he'd hurt you. I'd nevel
given myself away"
I Mrs. Courtland looked bewildered. II
her surprise she had forgotten her hus
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