Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-18

go t0 tne AIcaZar aC once. l must S6L her out of that place as soon as pos sible. Come Truxton come"
 In a short time the two, were seated in 8 box at the theatre.
 When the great act finally came liar court leaned far out on the box rail- ing, awaiting the dancers appear, ance, which was heralded with a dreamy waltz by the orchestra and the sputtering of the calcium. Then figure leaped lightly into the sil- very patch of radiance. It was clothed in spangled costume, long and of ample 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 If bathed in blood: then changed to fiery red. Next followed such rapid suc- 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 it grew, brighter and brighter became the lightning, each time bringing into view the undulat- ing figure of the dancer Then came | a blinding flash, followed by deafen- ing roar. The bespangled figure fell to the floor, writhing iu apparent agony. A few ghastly cortortions, the uplifting of snowy arm and the 1 dance was over "t-- ~@ 1 Harcourt sat through it all, en. 1 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 1t 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, 1t was wonderful" l They walked on. Truxton wondered at the others silence, but said noth- ing. When they reached Harcourt's home 'Truxton noticed his friend turn suddenly round, and seizing him by the arm. cried out:
 My God, Truxton, must go back! I It was my wife. I had forgotten"
 Truxton expostulated with him tried to lead him up the steps into his home; but Harcourt was determined to go back to the theater, and Tux ton, Gespairing of changing his mind, at last consented and together they retraced their steps to the place of amusement ITO think that in the wonder of 1t all I should forget she was my wifei" Harcourt repeated | again and agaln.
 The dancer had left when they reached the theater. The manager was standing in the lobby, and Harcourt 1 opened up conversation with him. He was gruff man, and in few l words told that the dancer would re- I ceive no one, nor would she condo ! scend to accept written matter other than that relating to her vaudeville engagements.
 After this Harcourt tried his best to secure an interview with the dancer. He went to the theater night after to see her come out.
 One evening he came home, and talk ing revolver from his pocket. laid 1t upon the table before him.
 You'll dance for the last time to- night, Nyganza." he said half aloud. Your agony will not be feigned. The lightning will strike in earnest to- night"
 k He put the weapon into his pocket. donned his hat and coat, and went out I into the street
 As the door closed after him Chalm- CTS, the butler, rushed up the stairs and along the hall to the rooms which Mrs Harcourt had chosen to occupy. He rapped at the door. It was cau- tiously opened. A few moments breathless conversation followed. Then Mrs. Harcourt cried out:
 Order the carriage, Chalmers, quick. Tell Marie to get ready with all speed. I must reach the Alcazar before"
 The door closed and Chalmers bound. ed through the passage.
 Mrs. Harcourt succeeded in getting box directly back of the one her husband occupied. There was Bdt a thin silky curtain between them.
 When the glittering figure appeared Mrs. Harcourt moved still closer to her husband, her eyes wild, her breath coming quickly. Her mind was cen tered upon reaching over and touch ing him-to speak word that would tell him she was not there upon the stage, but In the box behind him, ready to forgive and forget But she could not. The very knowledge o1 the impending tragedy turned her into thing of stone.
 The vivid flashes of mock lightning now began to light up the stage. The thunder was gradually becoming loud. CT. The figure on the stage was twist. ing, swaying, gyrating. N
 The final great flash was about to illumine the stage. Tn the short inter. val of darkness Harcourt raised his revolver into place, pointing 1t at the spot where he knew the dancer to be-
 Arthur"
 The revolver fell from his grasp He turned round. his face deathly, his