Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-12-09
Continued.
MARIE CCRELL

Lady Winsleigh tonight, Philip am
not tired-and / shall be pleased to &c
to the theater."
"All right" responded Philip cheer
fully. 80 let 1t be! Only / don't be-
),.ge you'll like the piece, though II
certainly won't make you cry. Yet
doubt II 1t will make you laugh, either
However, 1t will be new experience
for YOU"
And a new experience 1t decidedly
was,--an experience, too, which
brought some strange and perplexi"e
results to Thelma of which she never
dreamed.
She went to the Brilliant, accom-
panied by Lady Winsleigh and her
husband, Neville, the secretary, max
ing the fourth In their box; and dur
ing the first and second scene OF the
performance the stage effects were 80
pretty and the dancing 30 graceful
that she nearly forgot the bewildered
establishment she had ut first felt at
the extreme scantlness of apparel worn
by the ladies of the ballet. They rep
resented birds, bees, butterflies, and
the other winged denizens OF the for
est-world, and the tout-ensemble was
bO IuITy-llhG anu Dllllluhb Win bWit
movement, light, and color that the
eye was too dazzled and confused to
note Objectionable details. But In the
third scene, when a plump, athletic
young woman leaped on the stage In
the guise Of humming-bird, with q
feather tunic 30 short that 1t was a
mere waist-belt OF extra width,-a
hesh-colored bodice about three inches
high, and pair of blue wings attach
ed to her fat shoulders. Thelma
started and half rose from her seat
In dismay, while hot tide of color
crimsoned her cheeks. She looked
nervously at her husband.
II do not think this Is pleasant to
see," she said in low tone. Would
1t not be best to go away? II think
! would rather be at home"
Lady Wlnsleigh heard and smiled
little hooking smile.
Don't be silly, child" she said of
you leave The theater just now you'll
have every one staring at you, ThaG
woman's an immense favorite--she is
the success OF the piece. She's got
more diamonds than either you or ]"
Thelma regarded her friend with u
sort OF grave wonder, but said moth
Ing In reply. II Lady Winsleigh liked
the performance and wished to remain,
why,-then politoness demanded that
Thelma should not interfere with her
pleasure by taking an abrupt leave.
So she resumed her seat, but withdrew
herself far behind the curtain of the
box, In n corner where the stage was
almost invisible to her eyes. Her hus-
haa al bnn hnu nd ,ul,I
"I'll take you home II you wish II,
dear only say the word"
She shook her head.
CLARA enjoys It'll" she answered
somewhat plaintively. I'VE must
stay"
Philip was about to address Lady
Winsleigh on the subject. when sid
denly Neville touched him on the
arm.
Can | speak to you alone for u
moment, Sir Philip" he said In q
strange, hoarse whisper. "OutsiGe the
box--away from the ladies--a matter
OF Importance"
He looked as IL he were about to
faint. He gasped rather than spoke
these words; his face was white as
death and his eyes had confused
and bewildered stare.
Certainly" answered Philip
promptly, though not without an ac-
cent Of surprise and, eXeusing their
absence briefly to his wife and Lady
Winsleigh. they left the box together.
Meanwhile the well-fed "Humming-
Bird was cmperlng eXtravagantly be-
fore the footlights, pointing her too
In the delighted face OF the stalls and
singing In loud, coarse voice the
following refined ditty--
"Oh my ducky, oh my darling, oh my
luck. duck, duck!
II you love me you must have little
pluck, pluck, pluck!
Come and put your arms around me,
kiss me once, twice, thrice.
For kissing may be naughty, but, by
lingo! 1t Is nice!
Once. twice thrice!
Nice, nice, nice!
Bliss. bliss. bliss
Kiss, kiss, kiss!
kissing may be naughty, but It's meet"
There were several verses in this
graceful poem and each one was hailed
with enthusiastic applause. The
"Humming- Bird" was triumphant, anu
when h long was concluded she OK
ecuted startling pas-seul full Of
quaint and astonishing surprises.
reaching her superhest climax when
she backed of the stage on one portly
leg, kicking the other in regular time
to the orchestra. Lady Winsleigh
laughed, and leaning towards Thelma
who still sat In her retired corner, said
with n show of kindness
You dear little goose! You must
get accustomed to this kind OF thing
1t takes with the men immensely
Why, even your wonderful Philip has
gone down behind the scenes with Ne.
yille-you may be sure of thatl"
The startled, pitiful establishment In
the girls face might have touched q
less callous heart than Lady Win.
sleigh's but her ladyship was pre-.
pared for 1t and only smiled.
Gone behind the scenes! To see
that dreadful woman!" exclaimed
Thelma In low panied dice. ooh no
Clara! He would not do such thing
Impossible!"
well, my dear then where is he!
Ja hnc hnnp pnpa nntia fa,, ,,,l,uk 40