Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-06-02

1
sible. Come, Truxton come"
In short time the two were seatet
In box ct the theatre IN
When the great act finally came Har
court leaned far out on the box rail
Ing. awaiting the dancers appear
ance, which was heralded with
dreamy waltz by the orchestra and
the suffering Of the calcium. Then
q figure leaped lightly into the sill
very patch Of radiance. Il was clothed
in a spangled costume, long and Of
apple folds, while covering the whole
there fell from the crown Of the head
yard upon yard Of the thinnest illu-
sion.
Now the swaying figure was like
burning gold. now like shining silver.
At the next moment 1t looked as II
bathed in blood; then changed to fiery
red. Next followed such a rapid sue.
cession Of colors as seemed beyond
mans ingenuity to produce. And
finally total darkness prevailed. Dis
tant thunder began to rumble. with
faint flashes of lightning. Louder
and louder 1t grew, brighter and
brighter became the lightning, each
time bringing into view the undulat-
ing figure Of the dancer. Then came
a binding fash, followed by a deafen-
ing roar. The bespangled figure fell
to the floor, writhing in apparent
agony. A few CHASTITY contortions,
the uplifting of snowy arm and the
dance was over.
Harcourt sat through II all, en-
tranced. He seemed to have forgot.
ten everything save the mystic, gyrat.
ing figure. The evolution from one
stage to another of the dance en-.
thralled him. Even when II was all
over he remained sitting, his eyes star.
ing at the stage curtain. But Trux-
ton finally reused him, and once out
on the street, Harcourt turned to his
friend and said:
"Jove, Il was wonderful"
They walked on. Truxton wondered
at the others silence, but said moth.
ing. When they reached Harcourt's
home Truxton noticed his friend turn
suddenly round, and selling him by
the arm. cried out:
my God, Truxton, must go back!
It was my wife. had forgotten"
Truxton expostulated with him
tried to lead him up the steps into his
home; but Harcourt was determined
to 60 back to the theater, and Trux-
ION, despairing of changing his mind,
1t last consented. and together they
retraced their steps to the place Of
ITO think that in the
wonder Of II all I should forget she
was my wife!" Harcourt repeated
lgain and again.
The dancer had left when they
cached the theater. The manager was
Itanding In the lobby, and Harcourt
'pened up q conversation with him.
lie was a gruff man, and in few
words told that the dancer would re-
GIVE no one, nor would she conde-
cend to accept written matter other
han that relating to her vaudeville
After this Harcourt tried his best
o secure an interview with the dancer.
lie went to the theater night after
light, waiting at the stage entrance
o see her come out.
One evening he came home, and TAX.
1g a revolver from his pocket. laid
upon the table before him.
you'll dance for the last time to-
light, Nyganza," he said half aloud.
Your agony will not be feigned. The
ghtning will strike in earnest to-
light"
He put the weapon into his pocket,
onned his hat and coat, and went out
ito the street.
As the door closed after him Chain.
3, the butler, rushed up the stairs
I'd along the hall to the rooms which
re-. Harcourt had chosen to occupy.
. raped at the door. 1t was eau
ously opened. A few moments
conversation followed. Then
rs. Harcourt cried out:
"Order the carriage, Chalmers, quick.
III Marie to get ready with all speed.
must reach the Alcazar before"
The door closed and Chalmers bound
through the passage.
Mrs Harcourt succeeded in getting
box directly back of the one her
Isband occupied. There was but
In silky curtain between them.
When the glittering figure appeared
%. Harcourt moved still closer to her
sband, her eyes wild. her breath
ming quickly. Her mind was cen
ed upon reaching over and touch
: him-to speak q word that would
! him she was not there upon thu
Ige, but in the box behind him
Idy to forgive and forget But She
lid not The very knowledge Of
J impending tragedy turned her into
hing Of stone.
rhe vivid flashes Of mock lightning
v began to light up the stage. The
lnder was gradually becoming loud
The figure on the stage was twist
: swaying grating.
rhe final great fash was about t.
mine the stage. In the short inter
Of darkness Harcourt raised hil
oIver into nlaca. nointinR n NJ thu