Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-11-03
INTERRUPTED.

OiOckf hutu RAuhluH HAdHCeA ~ n NoM OF
handsome houses which stood in their
sameness, dark and stately, selected the
third, mounted the high steps and au-
t~horitatively rang the bell.
Il was early spring, the air was soft.
the night still, and the sharp clang echoed
for a moment before the door was opened
by a trim waiting maid. The moonlight
revealed TO this maid a boyish looking
fellow, who held carefully In both hands
a howerpot 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 n from
the young man.
sis Mrs. CORTLAND at homer
mo, SIR"
'Mr. Courtland7"
"No, sir. They are at ne theater."
An expression Of disappointment cross
ed the youths face, and he hesitated as
II puzzled.
Wont you step iny"
After an instant's pause the man did
80, threw a comprehensive glance about
him and said, II promised to deliver
this plant to Mrs. CORTLAND herself,
but it's n long way up, and 1 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 tho
maids heart. So she received the plant
carefully from him and was about to
place it on q 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 on the chair, pushed
the door to with a loud slam, and with
astonishing agility and lightness sprang
mp the staircase, disappearing before her
return.
''Well, he might ha' waited, she NUT
tered, throwing tho 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 tho bedroom
beyond, turned up the gas slightly, and
with lightning glance took In tho apart,
ment and it's appointments. AS he had
calculated. tho was prepared fol-
the night, so he ran little chance OF
being disturbed
He touched nothing until no caught
sight Of a gray coat thrown carelessly
~r~ar a ,hnf~ Tksn lao ao4wa1 klTr,uk he
hand into the inside pocket and drew
forth with evident satisfaction a letter,
which, hastily examining, he kept. He
then replaced the coat with precision,
lowered the Hight, 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. CORTLAND entered, turned mp the
light and with negligent grace threw off
a long opera wrap, revealing that she
was a beautiful woman in full evening
dress, tall, slight, blond. For a full
minute she gazed at herself reflected in
the cheval glass, then discontentedly sat
down before it and commenced unclnsp-
ing the ornaments from dress and hair
and arms.
A well built mar with a plain face and
fine carriage entered and stood silently
regarding her.
"Tired, GertrudeY' Mr.. CORTLAND
asked kindly.
sNo."
"SickY'
"No."
what Them
Bored; so bored"
'Why rot have gone to the operay'
81 have heard Lohengrin' until
hate It."
Gertrude" t%enderly, "you are moi
unhappy? You love mey"
eyes" indifferently.
''Then what troubles your
Nothing. Everything is so tedious.
! am weary Of people. weary CT clothes,
weary Of myself"
''And weary Of mel"
His wife did not answer, perhaps did
not hear.
Mr.. CORTLAND pondered intently, look.
ing at her curiously as she unwound O
long scarf from her throat. Suddenly he
crossed the room, and taking up the gray
coat put his hand into n of the pockets
where 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 mar behind the portieres started.
Il saw no letter, " replied Mrs. Court
land, rising.
'fYou have stolen itF' his voice increas.
ing In harshness as with mechanical
courtesy he handed her the scarf she let
fall.
"Richardi"
''Stolen It, / sayl'
He was a powerful man. His brow
grew heavy, his dark eyes glowed, his
hands trembled. be looked brutal, and as
he strobe mp to his wife the woman
shrRnk.
Richard. what Is ita WIN are you 50
strangey
The man concealed became intensely
Interested.