Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-05-08
INTERRUPTED.

VIZ eShacA VI &hdtibOu avenue huu oAxty
third street, walked slowly along the
block. then pausing glanced at row OF
handsome houses which stood In their
sameness, dark and stately, selected the
third, mounted the high steps and au-
thontatively rang the bell.
II was early spring, the air was soft.
thenight still, and the sharp clang echoed
for q moment before the door was opened
by trim waiting maid. The moonlight
revealed to this maid a boyish looking
fellow, who held carefully in both hands
flowerpot 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.
"Is Mrs. Courtland at homer
"No, SIR"
"Mr. CourtlandY
"No, sir. They are at the theater."
An expression of disappointment cross
cd the youths face, and he hesitated as
II puzzled.
won't you step inT
After an instant's pause tho man did
him and said, 81 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. 80 she received the plant
carefully from him and was about to
place 1t on a hall chair when the man
gently interposed, Excuse me; I'd rath-
er you'd put II In q 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 o loud slam, and with
astonishing agility and hghtness sprang
mp 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 ths gas slightly, and
with q alightning glance took in the apart
ment ane Its appointments. As he had
calculated, the room was prepared for
the night, 80 he ran little chance of
being disturbed.
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 intently and
prepared to descend, when the click Of q
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. Ccurtland entered, turned up the
light and with negligent grace threw Of
q long opera wrap, revealing that she
was q 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, Gertruder Mr.. Courtland
asked kindly.
"No."
"SickT
"No."
"What Them
Bored; 20 bored"
"Why not have gone to the operar
81 have heard Lohengrin' until !
hate It,"
Gertrude" tenderly, "you are not
unhappy You love meY
eyes" indifferently.
"Then what troubles your
Nothing Everything is 90 tedious.
lam weary Of people. weary Of clothes,
weary Of myself"
"And weary of meY
not hear.
Mr.. CORTLAND pondered intently, loot
ing at her curiously rs she unwound Q
long scarf from her throat. Suddenly he
crossed the room, and taking up the gray
coat put his hand into one of the pockets.
'sWhere Is that letter.
"What letter. asked his wife, startled
by the sharp tone of his voice.
"The letter left in the pocket OF this
coat"
The man behind the portieres started.
II 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 Let
fall.
"Richardr
''Stolen It, I sayr'
He was . powerful man. his brow
grew heavy, his dark eyes glowed, his
hands trembled, he looked brutal, and as
he strode up to his wife the woman
shrank.
Richard, what is ita Why are you 20
stranger
The man concealed became intensely
Interested. -....
Mr.. Courtland, seizing bis wife's arms
forced her down before him.
'Give 1t up," he spoke thiokly.
oRichard sxroar do uof understand