The southern sentinel., 1904-04-28

mans ingenuity to produce. And
dnally 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
. binding Hash. followed by deafen-
ing roar. The bespangled figure fell
to the floor, writhing In apparent
agony. A. few ghastly contortionR
the uplifting OF snowy arm and the
dance was over
Harcourt sat through It 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 1t was al
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:
"Joye, it was wonderful"
They walked on. Truxton wondered
1t 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:
Ny God. Truxton. l must 60 backi
II was my wife. had forgotten"
= Truxton expostulated with him
tried to lead him mp the steps into his
home; but Harcourt was determined
to go back to the thsater, and Truxs
ton. despairing Of changing his mind.
At last consented, and together they
retraced their steps to the place Of
amusement ITO think that In tho
wonder OF 1t all should forget she
was my wlfe!" HaFcourt repeated
again and again.
The dancer had left when they
reached the theater. The manager Wa
standing IN the lobby. and Harcoprt
opened up = conversation with him
He was . gruff map, and in q few
words told that the dancer would =.
ceive no one. nor would she conde-
seend to accept written matter other
than that relating to her vaudeville
engaSements.
After this Harcourt tried his best
to secure m interview with the dancer.
He wenr to the theater night after
night waiting at the stage entrance
to see her come out.
One eyening he came home. and TAX
ing = revolver from his pocket. laid
a kAhp~ p>ae~nss> hirn
you'll dance for the last time to-
might. Nyganxa," hes said half aloud
ssYour agony will not be feigned. Tho
lightning viii strike in earnest r.
night
He put the weapon into his pocket,
donned his hat and coat, and went out
into the street
AS the door closed after him Chal1k
ers, the butler. rushed up the staixs
and along the hall to the rooms which
lfrs. Harcourt had choseA to occupy.
He raped 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 gettins
q box directly back Of the ono her
husband occupied. There was but
thin silky curtain between them
When the glittering figure appeared
Ms Harcourt moved eth closer to her
husbands 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.
reaoy to forgive and forget But she
conld not The very knowledge Of
the impending tragedy turned her into
= thing of STONE
The vivid flashes of neck lightning
now began to light up the stage. Tho
tapnder vas gradually becoming loud
er. The figure On the stage was twist
inx. sEayinx gyratinE
The flnal great flash was about -
illumfne The stage. n the short Inter
val Of darkness Harcourt raised his
revolver into plaee. Dosnting 1t 1t the
spot where he knew the dancer to BE-
Arthur"
The revolver ten from his grasp
ne turned round. III face deathly, hia
eyes opened 70 their widest
''Constance!" ~ cried softly. Cor
stances"