The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-29

Deen no need to waste money or make
ourselves conspicuous.
Of course, we were conspicuous after
that alteration, which, as Barker was con.
cerned in it, had not, you may be sure,
been carried on in whispers. Everybody
stared at us, or [ thought they did, which,
as far as destroying my comfort went,
came to the same thing. Barker, too,
behaved disgracefully throughout the rest
Of the performance He did his best to
fiirt with Sophy, who, however, did not
encourage him, but though she kept say
ing, "Don't, Mr.. Barker" "You shouldn't
say such things" and "Do be quiet" he
went on saying the things-jokes ne thinks
them-and he wouldn't be quiet. He
talked to the girls next to him, whom
am sure he had never seen before, and
though they had so plainly resented the
advances of the Objectionable Character
they didn't seem to mind Barker bit,
while even the devotees, as l have called
them, smiled indulgently at him when he
made fun of the play.
How is it that Barker can do such things
with IMMUNITY? If | had talked to those
girls, which of course | would not have
done without an introduction, they would
probably have snubbed me, and if they
hadn't, Sophy would have been vexed, yet
she simply beamed on Barker As for the
other people, they would have told me they
had paid 10 listen to the actors, or some
thing equally cutting, yet they let Barker
chatter on without a murmur- How is it,
l say?
But to proceed. The drama dragged
itself to an end at last. The educationally
acquired gentleness of Gladys proved toe
weak to withstand her natural tendency to
homicidal mania inherited from her mater
nal great-grandfather, who once, when in
liquor, shot man of the Barker species
She killed all her husbands-she had three
| think-and most of her children, and
was led off to durance more or less vile
while the few surviving characters shook
their heads and sighed. Then the curtain
went down and we went out. to catch, as
| thought, bus for our suburb; but |
reckoned without Barker.
"Now, you two would like bit of sup.
per?' said he.
ooh yes, Algernon, please. l am SC
hungry" exclaimed Sophy, who always
was inclined to speak impulsively.
"My dear, | demonstrated, Hthere is nc
time. The last bus leaves St. Paur>
Churchyard at 11;30."
"St. Papls Churchyard !" broke in
Barker in his overbearing way. "Whai
on earth is the man talking about? You
'busses pass this corner
"Oh! Mr.. Barker. Don't you know
we save penny each by walking to St
Paurs?" said Sophy, very properly,
thought.
Barker burst into his brutal laugh
Though anxiety to save penny is not q
thing to laugh at, was not surprised-at
Barker-but why did Sophy laugh too
Really, women are incomprehensible.
"Oh hang the expense for once" he
said. "You can get up here and I'll stand
the extra two d. There'll be lots of time ,
shuddered as 1 thought of the number
of trains had been dragged into by the
collar all through Barkers idea of the pc
riod of time that amounted to "lots.
"But all the perforated bun places arr
closed l objected.
"Oh bother perforated buns, retorted
Barker ''It's my birthday, man, and, il
Miss Bell graciously consents, we will SUI
tonight on something stronger than per
forated bun. The 'Gargantuan is just
opposite.
1t was not RarkeF's birthday, unless he
had one in March as well as August, and
though the "Gargantuan" was just oppi
site, do not approve of that luxurious
restaurant 1t is perfectly respectable, Of
course, but-but-well, l don't think it is
exactly suited 10 people of limited, if suffi-
cient, incomes and quiet tastes, especially
when they are about to marry. Its spac-
iousness, aud its decorations. and its wait
ers and appointments generally, tend to
make girl disconnected with the humble
neatness of her future home. 1t was all
very well for Barker to say, and Sophy to
agree with him. that it was only once in a
way; but there is proverb about the thin
end of the wedge, and even as we crossed
the Strand to reach the "Gargantuan" was
full of dismal forebodings that Sophy would
some day ask me to take her there again.
! didn't enjoy my supper a bit We
only had steak and bitter beer, and won
dered how Barker dare order such simple
fare from such waiter in such gorgeous
saloon. | was sure that the waiter and
some of the customers, too, were laughing
at us because We were not in evening dress.
OF course it wasn't done openly; walters
seem to know by instinct that Barker will
tip them, and our man was outwardly most
polite, but I doubted his sincerity.
Sophy, too, behaved badly, or perhaps |
should say foolishly. Evidently uncon-
scious Of the ridiculous figure we were cut
ting, she seemed delighted with every
thing and showed her delight so plainly
that everybody must have noticed she was
mt mead fo that cort If thino