The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-09
ACERTA ERRAUDO.
BY ALBERT J. KLINcK,


 | BY ALBERT J. KLINCK. l(Copyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col The two had long sat silent. the husband holding a folded newspaper. the wife toy ling with a costly fan. The light from the single lamp hardly penetrated to the Icorners of the large room, and the fri In the grate had burned so low that II was all but out.
 Yes" the wife saii. ''it is time a change took place.'we cannot agree There is no comfort for either of us here" He went on rolling the paper. in hi' hands, lds eyes averted. his lips firml, set
 .swhy should we both suffer?' asked Constance Harcourt, after a pause. There lis no reason why we both, should not bt happy. And if not both, then one of us at, least But for once I am going to bt 4 selfish. Arthur. I am going to be happy II am going to leave you tonight
 He sat more erect in his seat raised his eyes to hers, but still sat silent.
 Tt is the only way" she went on. eve are not at all suited to each other. It has been some time in dawning upon me but I see 1t all now. Mistakes will hap l pen. Of course we are neither of us to blame have packed up few Of my Ibelonglngs I suppose you will allow Chalmers to convey them from the house.
 His grip upon the newspaper became | more tense. .... 1 There need be no scene when I go. she continued. 'Our little drama has ai- ready been brought to fitting climax. l I'll just slip out That will end it." l Constance Harcourt rose from her seat, cast the fan careiessly upon the table. ltook mp book that was lying there. and l left the room.
 Arthur Harcourt did not move until he heard footsteps in the room above; then I he reused himself and thought over what his wife had said. His brow was fur rowed at first, his breast heaved. Then he laughed It really was such huge joke. Constance going to leave him! Con- stance going to-. He laughed again. But his levity was suddenly cut short. for he heard a swish Of skirts in the hallway. and a few hurried words spoken in an uf- dertone. A moment later Chalmers, the butler. came into the room. placed upon the table a tray holding bottle and c single glass, and was about to withdraw when Harcourt asked: "To whom were you just speaking?
 Mrs Harcourt, sir" he replied.
 And what was the conversation about?"
 "She asked me would I please carry some parcels for her." said Chalmers.
 "Is she dressed for the street?'
 "Yes, sir"
 'Ten Mrs. Harcourt desire to see her at once"
 "Yes, 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 Oi her presence until he heard her well? in a high, clear voice.
 "You are carrying this farce too far, Constance" he began.
 You forget" she said. we have al. ready gone beyond the bounds of farce We have entered the realm of drama"
 "Be careful that the end of 1t will fIoi be tragedy" he said coldly. Where are you going?"
 'And if I refuse to answer you ques' tionT'
 .'Where are you goIng?" he asked again Constance said nothing.
 Are you going to your father?
 Perhaps, and perhaps not"
 'Say yes or mo-" Harcout demanded. "I shall do neither"
 Arthur Harcourt stood still. For onI awful moment his eyes were fiercely upoi her. Then he stretched forth his hand to clutch at her white throat, but sh 
 her and locking 1t from the outside. Thel she motioned to Chalmers, and led tn way to an unused wing of the larg house. Here she removed her gloves. ha and wraps and turning up the lamp, ad dressed the bewildered butler:
 "You are to tell no one of my presenc here. When the opportunity presents 1t self bring my meals to me. In case cool questions you, tell her to mind what nd my husband ask where you went wit me, tell him I entered cab at the corner and dismissed you. You are positively nc to tell him am here. Do you under stand, ChalmersT"
 "Yes. Mrs. Harcourt, I understand" lreplied.
 For the next two or three days Arthu Harcourt was in a daze. He summed hl friends, acted queerly when at his bus ness, and when evening came sat alon in the great room that had been the seen of his last interview with his wife. H could not read he could not sleep. Tn memory of that evening clung to him lik A leech Chalmers would enter the rOor Iuuietly, place the tray with It's decante and glass upon the table. and after dues tioring his master for further orders, a quietly withdrew. When chance pre- sented itself the butler would go to Mrs
 
 garding her husband. On these occasion Chalmers told much that was true am by way of elaboration related much tha was the reverse. The arrangement Mrs IIarcourt had planned was to him a nov city; he looked forward to it's denoue ment with a certain amount of pride fo the important role he himself was play ing. He could have apprlsed Harcourt o his wife's hiding place easily enough, bu so long as Mrs. Harcourt held an ope purse in her hand the butler was not Ro ling to make a fool of himself by doin so. There were times when he felt ex ltremely sorry for his master. especiall when he found him sitting alone in tn evening. And it was because he felt thl way that he one night admitted Sar Truxton into Harcourt's presence. Chal Imers had strict orders to state that hi master was at home to no one. On thi occasion. however, he saw fit to disobey reasoning that a quiet little chat with friend would be of great benefit to hi master.
 Upon entering the room Truxton starte at sight of the dejected figure fin the larg armchair. HArcourt looked bad enough i the daytime. but at night, in the yelloN glow of the lamp, he looked positivel ghastly.
 This I'll never do. Arthur" Truxton be I0ap Tv, epoinar to 10 frank wit