The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-23
ADVENTURE In ACAB.

were times when the marquis, Surfelted
with Schumann, tortured by Mendels-
sohn, and dead weary of Saint-Saens.
even enyied the good fortune of his
servants, who could escape the instru-
ment of torture.
viii the marquis please settle my
account?"
Are you going to leave u.s."
''Yes, sir, on account Of"
THE piano? know-you have had
enough of it,"
IF it were only enough, could stand
1t, but it's too much; it is driving me
crazy"
II understand"
You are not angry. then?"
THE deuce. no! but how can re-
place you?"
Il know man who would suit the
place-he is quite deaf"
Lucky dog!"
Even the neighbors were driven to re-
bellion. Petitions and threatening let
tiers poured in daily. until at last the
poor marquis determined to move to
some isolated quarter near the bar
racks, where the cornetists and drum
mers were sent TO practice scales.
1t is scarcely to be credited. but the
marquis deeply deplored the absence of
better rival to his wife's affection than
the piano. He hated it with deadly
aired. and it is not surprising that he
eized the opportunity to escape when
the misguided virtuosa said 10 him:
"Can | count upon your escort Mon
day evening, dear? have promised to
play fantastic from Henry VIII at
Nine. la Marechale's. Are you fond of
Henry vIIl.%"
"Yes-since I've learned to feel for
him"
The Gptende1 sarcasm passed unno-
ticed his wife thought he alluded to
the bold harmonies of the modern
school.
The warehouses. however. was
obliged to go unattended to Nine. Ia
Marechales. Monday evening at ten
O'Clock. she dropped her husband at his
club, and, extending the soft little hand
that was so soon to torture poor Henry
WILL" she said to him:
will you call for me? play at half
phSt IL. wv q piduSS Npulu give illS SO
much pleasure as yours"
The marquis bent his head over the
extended hand. and disappeared with
out a word.
He played at the club and lost, 50
heavily, in fact, that he soon found him
self wishing he had gone to the recep-
tion. thinking that even Henry VIII"
would be preferable to this. From
Henry Will" 10 thinking of his wife
was but a short step. and he deter
mined TO go after her. For you will re-
member that Elizabeth Aida Marcel
line de Longuerne, away from piano.
was a very charming little woman.
Hardly conscious of what ne was do
ing. the MARQUIS allowed himself to be
driven to the house of Nine. Ia Mare
chale. Not caring to enter at once, he
remained outside. listening TO the hid
eous fantasia being performed by his
wife. 1T is half past eleven" he thought
20 himself. at is she playing-those
discords are unmistakable. Anne
Boleyp and Catherine Howard are at last
avenged. Henry the Eighth, go thou
TO thine execution"
The noise of passing cab momen-
tarily drowned the sound of the piano.
and the marquis forgot his wife's mu-
steal shortcomings in mental conten-
plation of her shoulder. her arms, her
eyes, her luxuriant hair. and her other
PROJECTIONS. This vision appealed to his
aesthetic side He felt that he had been
too exacting in the face of so many al
turing charms.
by Apollo! IL a piece of ill-luck
shonld come my way. I'd get no more
than richly deserve. What if her heart
is wrapped up in those little black
hieroglyphics with the long necks! She
loves me with a consistency that is really
touching. | can put up with little
musici at any rate. shall not care the
less for her on account of it. Poor
woman, how abominably she playsl
But they applaud her. And IL have
played the coward. l will wait outside
here for her. II it takes an hour. TO make
mp for IT."
But his arCior was doomed TO be damp
eped by fine. cold rain that now began
to fall. Suetone Amentor grew impa-
fient and was conscious that he was get
ting tired. He had waited full half
hour. just then he noticed q coupe
come out of the courtyard and draw UP
near the kerb behind line of carriages.
This rain will not last long" he said
60 himself; "in all probability. the last
guest to arrive will be the last one to go.
shall wait in her coupe and rest"
taxing advantage or the absence OF
the coachman. who had sought shelter
IN a neighboring doorway, be entered
the coupe II was bijou little convey
ance. upholstered in blue silk and ex-
haling an aroma of youth and elegance.
The marquis settled back in the corner.
which was still warm, and availed him
self of a wrap that had been left behind.
and In that blissful state Of comfort he
soon fell asleep. How long he sum-
bered I cannot say, but he suddenly
nwoke N the coupe drew up in Nine. Ia
Marechalc's courtyard.
Thedoorwas thrownopena nda young