San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-08

"Confound it," he muttered, ST don't like
ID; wish | hadn't been in such hurry to
accept his invitation
He remembered Miss Ethel very well;
handsome girl she was, too, but not hand
somer than her sister, Mrs. Wilson. "Of
course, they couldn't have asked Nettie they
don't know her. I'm hanged, though, if
think it's the thing to invite a married maj
without his wife. wish I'd told heri How
ever I'm in for it now, suppose"
He left the train and went to theatre
where a great artist was playing Shake
spearean dramas, and bought two places ihr
"Cymbeline." Then he went OH to his Off g.
All morning, however, he was absent MIND
and low spirited; he let several good oppS
tunities on the exchange pass unnntice
About noon he made a sudden resolution.
81 shan't dine with them at any rate; I'll go
home and take dinner with Nettie; I'll COM
promise on that" He sat down and wrote:
DEAR WILSON, am very sorry, but l
find it impossible to get away in time to take
dinner with you this evening. l shall join
you at the theatre, though, and therefore en-
close the three tickets for yourself and the
ladies, to whom please make my compli-
ments and regrets at being obligedto forego
a part of the pleasure of the evening. Faith
fully, WHEATLEIGH.
Comic opera was a form of entertainment
which John Wheatleigh loathed, yet here he
had consigned himself to enduring three
hours of jingling music and prancing women,
while refusing to go with his wife to witness
noble play.
He put the three tickets into an envelope
with his note and sealed it, thinking to HIM
self meanwhile: Il wish there was some way
out of the whole business-I might say was
ill-poor little Nettiel Nine Rouquette' in
deed Pshawl"
Than he called messenger, dispatched his
letter, and in so doing laid the train to a
pretty mine which by evening might explode
with formidable result.
You will probably guess what John Wheat
leigh did in his absent minded, self reproach-
full state of mind, so there need be no secret
about it. He was reckoned one of the shrewd-
est men on the Cotton Exchange, yet he did
now what shrewd and keen witted men
sometimes do-committed an egregious
blunder.
He had in his pocket six theatre tickets.
All were red. and of the same general APP
pearance. He enclosed the two tickets he
had bought for his wife and one operetta
ticket in the note to his friend Wilson, and
thus the three tickets he retained, one for
himself and two for Nettie, were all for
Nine. Roquette."
When he came home to dinner Nettie met
him with smile. Gould you get the tickets
John, dear' Oh, I'm SO glad! Cynthia will
go. How wish, though, it was your
Indeed, l wish it was, Nettie. l would
break this engagement tonight if l could,
but Wilson is an old friend and would not
like to offend him."
"And | wouldn't like to have you either,
dear. l was cross this morning, wasn't II |
was sorry for it, though, afterward. Please
forgive me, John, dear-you are always
COOL to me" and she put her arms around
his neck and kissed him Aren't you WELL
John3 You look pale"
Yes, quite well, Nettie; little headache
that is all"
Mrs Wheatleigh was not quite dressed
when her husband came at o'clock to bid
her good-by. ''l'll try to be back as soon as
you are, Nettie," he said as he kissed her
He was on the stairs when his wife called to
him, John, you haven't given Inc the
tickets.-don't come back back; I'll run
down to you"
He fumbled hastily in his pocket and drew
out the three tickets. Nine. Roquette-
that's mine"-he heard Nettie on the stairs
these other two are hers-don't come down,
dear; there they are"
"You foo ish boy" said Nettie, you are
sure you are quite well, John? There-good
night"
Cynthia was not ready when the cab
requiring great preparations; presently,
though, she came running out
How are you, dear Nettie?-so good of
you to think of me so often Isn't Mr.
Wheatleigh going' Just we two9 How NIGEL
What is 'Cymbeline,' Nettie' Shakespeare,
isn't itl don't think ever read it's it a
tragedya How NIGEL"
mo, Mr.. Wheateigh couldn't go to might"
explained Nettie, "he had an important en-
gagement with business friend at the club"
Cynthia ratified on, telling Nettie of all her
comings and goings since their last meeting
until they reached the theatre They entered
the house, and Nettie handed her tickets to
the man at the gate.
You're in the wrong place, ladies'" said
he; these tickets don't belong here"
Dear me-" said Nettie, where are wel
Did the cabman make a mistake? Aren't
you playing 'CymbelineT"
Eyes, ma'am, but these tickets are for
Nine. Roquette,' at the uptown house. The
address is on your ticket-please step aside
moment, ladies'"
"Oh, how provoking!" said Nettie. How
could John have made a mistake! He knew
it was 'Cymbeline' l wanted to see-we
talked of it quite awhile"
Perhaps they will exchange them at the
box Office" suggested Cynthia.