The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-29


 in the pirouettes of the dancers; leaning far forward. she looked at the stage through her lorgnette. and did not notice that some one had entered her private box. until he said in loud tones:
 Good evening""
 The marauise started when she heard Vajdar's voice, and then began to laugh
 Her features were so we'll trained that they always expressed the contrary of what was going on in her heart. When she was angry. she smiled; when she giowed with desire, her face displayed in- difference. and a languishing expression when her heart felt nothing, in the mo- ment of greatest self-sacrifcing passion she was capable of showing to her lover the countenance of a fury. and she threw kisses at him whom she was about to de ceive. Now. when she was frightened, she laughed.
 Had she not thought that vajdar would come hither? Had she noticed the com nissary of police In front Of his house? Did she know that the latter had instruc- fions. and the nature thereof?
 Vaidar remained concealed behind the rnarchioness in the back part of the box, where he could not be seen from the au- ditorium.
 'sMarquise. you know that I have been banished from Vienna and driven to Hun gary, where everybody hates me. Can I thus hope for single happy hour? 1t seems as if 1. with living body. must suffer the torments of damnation. I must give up the only career for which am fitted, world in which was at home my future. But what Is most insupport- ai,e to me is that I am to leave you. You are to me more than life"
 Have you seen the princeg'
 No. neither will see him. This blow aimed at my head comes directly from him.
 why should the prince do this?'
 And what reason can he have for re- venging upon youT
 The reason is .you'.
 This you explained the answer. The marchioness bent nearer to him. It fat tered her cruel heart to see the down trodden snake licking her foot with its bifurcated tongue. She did not consider that the snake also possessed poisonous fang. es
 What do you want from me. my little foolr'
 T wish to speak with you tonight con fldentiaily. and without being disturbed.
 'fVery well: come after the play to the secret door. and will admit you"
 oh. you can not put me off as easily as that l desire certainty"
 Shall I take an oath?''
 Then would not believe you at all. Give me the key of the clock case. so that when you come home l myself can unlock the secret door.
 The beautiful Cyrene appeared as if she were highly pleased. But she trembled.
 'I am afraid that you win be guilty of some piece of foolishness in my rooms. :"
 This could also happen here in your private box
 You will not shoot yourself here before my eyesg'
 The marquise laughed very much. per- haps about the caprioIes which were be- ing then performed by the grotesque dancer on the stage.
 ''Oh, by no means, my angel, will do this. This would perhaps even amuse YOU. What could do is very simple and prosaic. could sit down in the front part of the box opposite you. The police ernissary, whom l have eluded. is now looking for me in the pit, Just as the de- ceived one in the game looks for the little whistle which had been attached to his coat. I escaped from him at the entrance because knew for certain that he would not allow me to enter your box or any other. This is always the rule in such cases. The honest man who down there is trying to find me on earth or In heav- en--in the pit or in the galleries-were he to see me at the railing. would immedi- ately hasten hither. We'll, does the Mar ouise Caldariva desire the eclat which would result from Benja min Vajdars be- ing arrested here in her box. and from tomorrow tracing the connection between the arrest of Prince Cagliarfs Secretary and the swooning of the Marchioness Cal dariVaT
 The marcshioness looked at the speaker with g reductive, love-intoxicat sd expres- sion. This look was full of secret poison aqua Toffana, Urari, and whatever oth- CT secret deadly poison had been discov- cred.
 There. take it." she said. smiling kind ly. and tearing the little steel key from the string which she wore around her Esck; and when handing 1t to him. she bent so far towards him that he could feel the warmth of her breath as she whispered:
 But be wise."
 Yajdar kissed the hand extended to him and withdrew. The beautiful Cyrene. however, again bent forward from her box and participated warmly in the gen eral applause. It might have been sup posed that he applause was intended for the grotesque danceY, but it was herself whom she applauded.