, 1897-04-03

the plano. He hated it with a deadly
hatred. and Ii Is not surprising that be
seized the opportunity to escape when
the misguided virtuosa said to him:
Can | count upon your escort Monday
evening, dear? l have promised to plsy
a iantasie from Henry Will at Nine. la
Marechale's. Are you fond OF Henry
VIII.'?'
"Yes-siuce I've learned to feel for
him."
The intended sarcasm passed unno-
ticed. as his wife thought he alluded to
the bold harmonies Of The modern
school.
The marchioness, however, was oblig-
ed 10 go unattended to Nine. la Mare
chale's. Monday evening. at 10 o'clock,
she dropped her husband at his club,
and, extending the soft little hand that
was so o o to torture poor Henry
WILL" she said to him:
will you call for me? l play at half
past II. No applause would give me so
much pleasure at yours
The marquis bent his head over the ex-
tended hand, and disappeared without a
word.
He played at the club and lost, so
heavily, in fact, that he 500 found him
self wishing he had gone to the recep-
ton, thinking that ever Henry VIII"
would be preferable to this. From
Henry VIII" to think OF his wife was
bpt a short step. and he determined to
go after her. For o will remember
that Elizabeth Aida Marcelline de Lon
guerne, ava from II piano, was a very
charming little
Hardly conscious OF what he was
doing, the marquis allowed himself to
be driven to the house Of Nine. la Mare
chale. Not caring to enter at once, he
remained outside. listening to the hid
eous fantastic being performed by his wife.
1T is half-past H." he thought 10 him
self. ut is she playing-those discords
are unmistakable. Anne Boleyn and
Catherine Howard are at last avenged.
Henry the Eighth, go thou to thine OK
ecution!"
The noise Of a passing cab momentari-
ly drowned the sound Of the piano, and
the marquis forgot his wife's musical
shortcomings in mental contemplation
Of her shoulder, her arms, her eyes, her
Mxuriant hair.and her other PROJECTIONS.
This vision appealed to his aesthetic
side. He felt that he had been too exact-
ing in the face of so many alluring
charms.
by Apollo! il a piece Of i'll luck
should come my way, Id get no more
than l richly deserve. What II her heart
is wrapped up in those little black hero
glyphics with the long necks! She loves
me with a constancy that is really touch
ing. 1 can put up with a little music;
at any rate. l shall not care the less for
her account OF it. Poor woman, how
abominably she plays! But they applaud
her. And IL have played the coward.
l will wait outside here for her, II it
takes an hour, to make up for it."
But his ardor was doomed to be damp
ened by q fine, cold rain that now began
to fall. Suetone Amentor grew impa-
tient and was conscious that he was get
ting tired. He had waited a full half
hour. Just then he noticed a coupe
come out Of the courtyard and draw
up near the kerb behind a line Of car
riages. This rain will not last long,"
he said to himself; "in all probability,
the last guest to arrive will be the last
to 90. l shall wait in her coupe and
rest"
Taking advantage of the absence Of
the coachman, who had sought shelter
in a ~neighboring doorway. he entered
the coupe. II was a bijou little convey
ance. upholstered in blue silk and OK
halinS 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 slumber-
ed l can not say. but he suddenly awoke
as the coupe drew up in Nine. la Mare
chale's courtyard.
The door was thrown open and
young woman Of extraordinary beauty
approached. When she saw that the
coupe was not empty, she suppressed an
exclamation, and. hastily divesting her.
self Of her wrap, threw it in upon the
astonished occupant.
Are you mad. to throw off your cloak
here in the COURT exclaimed the young
man, who had escorted her to he car
risge. THE air is freezing"
II am suffocating," she replied; and.
stepping hastily into the coupe, she clos
ed the door with a bang.
"If you care to drop in at mothers, 1
will go with you"
mo. no; l have changed my mind. I
am tired. Goodnight. l am going direct
ly home"
The coupe rolled rapidly away. The
marquis did not stir. Not a word was
spoken until they reached a dark street,
when the lady withdrew her mantle.