The Irish standard., 1904-04-09
, Loves
Awakeninq
Copyright. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,
ALBERT J. KLINcK


paper. the wife toying with costly
fan. The light from the single lamp
hardly penetrated to the corners of
the large room, and the fire in the
CRATE had burned so low that it was
all but out.
"Yes," the wife said, sit is time
change took place. We cannot agree.
There is no comfort for either of us
here"
He went on rolling the paper in his
hands, his eyes averted, his lips firm
ly set.
"Why should we both suffer-" asked
Constance Harcourt, after a pause.
<There is no reason why we both
should not be happy. And if not both,
then one of us at least. But for once
am going to be selfish, Arthur l
am going to be happy. l am going to
leave you tonight"
He sat more erect in his seat, raised
his eyes to hers, but still sat ST.
lent.
at is the only way" she went on.
Eve are not at all suited to each
other. 1t has been some time in dawn
ing upon me, but see it all now. Mis-
takes will happen. OF course we are
neither of us to blame. 1 have packed
up a few of my belongings. l sup
pose you will allow Chalmers to con-
vey them from the house?"
His grip upon the newspaper became
more tense.
1There need be no scene when I
co." she continued. "Our little drama
has already been brought to a fitting
climax I'll Just slip out. That will
end it,"
Constance Harcourt rose from her
seat, cast the fan carelessly upon the
table, took up book that was lying
there, and left the room.
Arthur Harcourt did not move until
he heard footsteps in the room above;
then he reused himself and thought
over what his wife had said His
brow was furrowed at first, his breast
heaved. Then he laughed. 1t really
was such a huge joke. Constance 60
ing to leave him! Constance going
to. He laughed again. But his
1evity was suddenly cut short, for he
heard swish of skirts in the hall
way, and few hurried words spoken
in an undertone. A moment later
Chalmers, the butler, came into the
room, placed upon the table a tray
holding a bottle and a single glass,
and was abou. to withdraw when Har-
court asked:
ITO whom were you just speak
ing?"
Mrs. Harcourt, SIR" he replied.
<And what was the conversation
about?"
"She asked me would please carry
some parcels for her," said Chalmers
as she dressed for the street,"
Eyes. sir"
"Tell Mrs. Harcourt desire to see
her at once"
Eyes, sir" said Chalmers, leaving
the room.
Arthur Harcourt was walking up
and down when his wife entered. She
came in noiselessly, and he was not
aware of her presence until he heard
her "Well?' in high. clear voice.
-'You are carrying this farce too
far, Constance" he began.
'''You forget" she said. 1--WE have
already gone beyond the bounds Of
farce We have entered the realm of
drama"
BE careful that the end of it Will
not be tragedy" he said coldly. Where
are you going?"
~And it refuse to answer your
question:"
Where are you going?" he asked
again.
Constance said nothing.
-.Are you going to your father?"
perhaps, and perhaps not"
"Say yes or TO-" Harcourt demand
ed
II shall do neither"
Arthur Harcourt stood still. For
one awful moment his eyes were fierce
ly upon her. Then he stretched forth
his hands to clutch at her white throat
BUT she quickly Withdrew, closing the
door behind her and locking it from
the outside. Then she motioned tc
Chalmers, and led the way to an un
used wing of the large house. Here she
removed her gloves, hat and wraps
and turning up the lamp, addressed
the bewildered butler:
'"You are to tell no one Of my pres
ence here. When the opportunity
presents itself bring my meals to me
In case cook questions you, tell hel
so mind what have told her. Shell
understand. Should my husband ash
where you went with me, tell him
entered cab at the corner, and dis
missed you. You are positively not tt
tell him I am here. Do you under
stand, Chalmers?"
Eyes, Mrs. Harcourt, understand,
he replied.
For the next two or three days Ar
thur Harcourt was in q daze. H.
summed his friends, acted queerl.
when at his business, and when even
Ing came sat alone in the great room
that had been the scene of his last in
teryiew with his wife. He could no
mesa, he could not sleep. The mem
Eea6, he could not sleep. The memory
f6nhat evening chung to him like leech
There were times when Chalmers felt ex
a1eaaely sorry for his master, especial
Ey when he found him sitting alon'
in the evening. And it was becaus,
he felt this way that he one night ad
united Sam Truxton into Harcourt'
presence. Chalmers had strict orders
TO state that his master was at hom,
40 no one On this occasion. however