The Iola register., 1891-10-09
I.ay friends at the theatre tina,


night.
When arrived there she was already
seated in her box, looking radiantly
beautiful. She was attired in some soft.
sheeny. cling primrose stuff. and the
brigand's jewels l had given her
through Guido's hands, flashed bril-
liantly on her uncovered neck
and arms. She greeted me with
her usual childlike enthusiasm as / en-
tered, bearing the customary offering-a
costly bouquet, set in holder OF mother
of-pearl studded with turquoise, for her
acceptance. / bowed to her lady friends,
both Of whom l knew, and then stood
beside her watching the stage. The
comedietta played there was the airiest
trife-it turned on the old wDrn-out
story, Young wife, an aged, doting
husband and a lover, whose principles
were, of course, of the "noblest" type.
The husband was fooled (naturally) and
the chief amusement of the piece ap-
peared 10 consist in his being shut out
of his own house in dressing-gown and
slippers during pelting storm OF rain,
while his spouse (who was particularly
specified as "pure'') enjoyed luxurious
supper with her highly moral and virtu-
Gus admirer. My wife laughed delight
edly at the poor jokes and the stale epi-
grams, and especially applauded the
actress who successfully supported the
chief role. This actress, by the way was
brazen-faced Jade, who had q trick OF
flashing her black eyes, tossing her
head, and heaving her ample bosom
tumultuously whenever she hissed out
the words Vecchiaccio maladetto at
her discounted husband, which had an
immense affect upon the audence-an
audience which entirely sympathized
with her, although she was most induo-
itably in the wrong. l watched Nina
in some derision as she nodded her fair
head, and beat time to the music with
her painted fan. bent over her.
"The play pleases your" asked In
low tone.
"Yes, indeedl' she answered, with a
laughing light in her eyes. "The hus
band is SO drolll 1t is all very anus
Ing"
"The husband is always droll l'' 1 re-
marked, smiling coldly. at is not
temptation to marry when one knows
that as q husband one must always look
| ridiculous"
She glanced up at me.
''Cesare! You surely are not vexed?
OF course It is only in plays that 1t hap
pens sol"
"Plays, cara mia, are often nothing
but the reflex of real iife," said. but
| let us hope there are exceptions, and
that all husbands are not iooiA"
She smiled expressively snd sveetly,
toyed with the flowers had given her,
and turned her eyes again to the stage.
l said no more and was somewhat
moody companion for the rest OF the eve
ming. As we all left the theater one of
the ladies who had accompanied Nina
said lightly.
You seem dull and out of spirits,
ConteP"
! l forced smile.
Not |, signors! Surely you do not
find me guilty of such ungallantry?
Were dull in your company l should
prove myself the most ungrateful OF my
sex.''
She sighed somewhat impatiently. She
was very young and very lovely, and, as
far as knew, innocent, and OF more
thoughtful and poetical temperament
than most women.
That is the mere language OF COM
pliment," she said, looking straightly at
|
are q true courtier! Yet often think
your courtesy is reluctant"
looked at her in some surprise.
Reluctant? Sisnora, pardon me II
do not understand"
81 mean," she continued, still regard
ing me steadily, though faint blush
warmed the clear palor OF her delicate
complexion, "that you do not really ike
us women; you say pretty things to US,
and you try to be amiable In our CON-
pany. but you are In truth averse to our
ways-you are sceptical-You think we
are all hypocrites."
laughed little coldly.
Really, signora, your words place me
in q very awkward position. Were 70
tell you my real sentiments"
She interrupted me with touch oi
her fan on nv arm, and smiled gravely
You would say, Yes, you are right
signora 1 never see one of your seA
without suspecting treachery.' All
Sipnor Conto, we women are Indeed full
of faults, but nothing can blind our in
stinct!' She paused, and her brilliant
ewes softened as she added gently, :"
pray your marriage may DO very happy
one."
Twas silent was not even courte
Gus enough to thank her for the wish
was half angered that this girl shoult
, have been able to probe my thoughts Sc
quickly and unerringly. Was l so bat
: an actor after all? / glanced down
her as she leaned lightly on my arm.
.Marriage is a mere comedietta, II salt
:, abruptly and harshly. 'We have seel
. it acted tonight In few days shal
!. ! play the part of the chief bufoon-il
= other words, the husband"
And laughed My young companion
7 looked startled. almost frightened, ant
: over her fair face there fitted an ex
= preston OF something like aversion.
did not care.-why should I?-and ther
was no time for more words between us
for we had reached the outer vestibul
! Of the theatre.
Ny wife's carriage was drawn up a
y the entrance;-my wife herself was steE
:. ping into it. / assisted her, and ais
her two friends, and then stood with ur
covered head at the door wishing theI
!. I all the s'felicissima notte." Nina pu
y her tiny jewelled hand through the cal
y riage window,-I stopped and kissed
lightly. Drawing 1t back quickly, sh
:, selected q white gardenia from her boz
i91 ouet and gave 1t to me with bewitcf
II ing smile,
=, Then the glittering equipage dashe
- away with . whirl and clatter OF pran'
. ing hcofs and rapid wheels, and stoo
'e alone under the wide portico OF the th'
atre-alone amid the pressing thronG
n of the people who were still coming OF
Of the house-holding the strongly
IN scented gardenia 10 ny hand as vague
ID as fevered man who finds strane
st flower in one of his sick dreams.
a After minute or two l suddenly re-
9 objected myself, and throwing the bio