The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-05-29
INTERRUPTED.

~ was early spring. Inc diT WAS SoLt,
the night still, and the sharp clang echoed
for q moment before the door was opened
by a trim waiting maid. The moonlight
revealed to this maid q boyish looking
fellow, who held carefully In both hands
q fiowerpot 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 al
~ssIs Mrs. CORTLAND at homer"
"No, sir"
"Mr. Courtland?'
mo, sir. They are at the theater."
An expression of disappointment cross
ed the youths face, and he hesitated as
If puzzled.
Wont you step ing'
After an instant's pause the man did
SO, threw a comprehensive glance about
him and said. Il promised to deliver
this plant to Mrs. CORTLAND herself,
but it's a long way mp. and I 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 a hall chair when the man
gently interposed, Excuse me; I'd rath-
err 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 or the chair, pushed
the door to with a loud slam. and with
astonishing agility and lightness 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 lightning glance tookin the apart
ment and It's appointments. AS he had
calculated, the room was prepared fo=
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 q letter,
which, hastily examining, he kept. He
then replaced the coat with precision,
lowered the Ight, 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.
MIR. CORTLAND entered, turned up the
light and with negligent grace threw OF
n long opera WRAP, revealing that she
was q beautiful oma in full evening
dress. tall, slight, blond. For 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 a plain face and
fine carriage entered and stood silently
regarding her.
'sTired, Gertrude?' Mr.. Courtlant
asked kindly.
NO"
"Sick?"
"No.-
"What them
'*Bored; go bored"
"Why not have gone to the operay'
81 have heard .Lohengrin' until
hate it,"
Gertrude" tenderly, ''you are no
unhappy? You love me-"
Eyes" indiferently.
s'Then what troubles your
Nothing. Everything is so tedious
am weary Of people. weary of clothes
weary of myself"
"And weary of meg:"
His wife did not answer, perhaps di
not hear.
MIR. CORTLAND pondered intently, lool
ing at her curiously as she unwound
long scarf from her throat. Suddenly b
crossed the room, and taking up the gra
coat put his hand into oneof the pockets
where is that letter.
What letter. asked his wife, startle
by the sharp tone of his voice.
"The letter ! left in the pocket OF tn
coat"
The man behind the portieres startet
= saw no letter" replied Mrs. Cour
land, rising.
"You have stolen iti" his voice increa
ing In ~harshness as with mechanic,
courtesy he handed her the scarf she i
fan.
@sRichardi"
4sStolen it, / sayw
He was q powerful man. His bro
grew heavy, his dark eyes glowed, b
hands trembled, he looked brutal, and
- strobe up to his wife the wOms
mhEank.
-sRichard. what is ita Why are you
1kEaAgey'
The man concealed became intense
fmtscsted.