The times., 1899-08-06
STAGE STORIES.
Fnir Erchange.

IN the cheapest OF Broadway's restau-
rants-which are not SO cheap as those On
Sixth Avenue-they came together One
was tail blonde with great. dark eyes
and fgare that attracted attention anon ?
scores OF picked women. A novelist would
have called her -'oueeniy;'' common man
would have alluded TO her as "a magnifi-
cent creature another woman would
have said that she was coarse" The
diner whom she met was directly her op-
DOsite-slight. girlish. timid. Each greet
ed the other with enthusiasm.
Hello, Margyi" Quoth the creature"
How are you, Dick, replied the timid.
The last 10 speak had risen and she sat
down again, making room for her az
quaintanee, though not because space was
lacking Dick took a vacant chair al
the other side OF the table, but only after
creating no end OF confusion in the distri-
button Of a feather boa q fur muff, q pair
OF bright-colored gloves, a c,osely-roiled
umbrella, a pocketbook, and a scented
handkerchief Quite ignoring the obseque-
ious waiter, she leaned upon both elbows
and addressed her companion.
so you've sued for diyorce?"
Yes"
Cruelty"
And non-support. / was at liberty all
last season and he never sent me penny. -
-HuHph." The attendant, having du-
ties more important than deyoting his at
uentiOn TO domestic difficulties, had desert
ed. The "creature" raped on her glass
with knife FOR him. In an instant he re-
turned and took her order-clam cbowder,
olives, half a roast duck, potatoes, corn,
peas. egg plant, salad, and a vermouth
cocktail When the waiter had got be-
yond hearing the younger woman remark
ed: Your case is going first rate. isn't
it,"
Yes answered the other, digging the
interior from bit of bread. Wills de-
fence Is only bluff
Margaret flushed.
Her vis-a-yis pushed over her wrist the
crust bracelet she had made. Say she
ouerieo you're stuck or him, amt you?'
The blush deepened.
"Oh." exclaimed the blonde sYoa
needn't be ashamed. I don't want him
your husband amt bad sort Of chap"
Hes not such a gentleman as yours"
Gentleman The creature" shifted
"C0nceited little puppyi"
4 don't think he's conceited-"
You haven't lived with him. Half an
hour every morning TO tie his cravat and
tsS-~he has TO come 10 me 10 ask In thai
baby voice OF his il the thing looks well.
"But that"
If anyone pays him compliment be
blests about il for week"
But be never struck you?"
This time the Creature" laughed "I'
he'd ever tried IL I'd have broken so rnaay
bones in his delicate body that he'd have
70 hang himself on g nail when he shaved. y
John useu 10 beat me every time he got
fua.'
Hes a fine, strong fellow"
And he never VIII work. Even after
the 'Puss in Boots company closed last year
and he was forced TO took for an engage,
ment he didn't help me-"
And yet you said he wasn't z gentle
man
We'll. / stood It as long as could and
when ] could stand il no longer ! applied
FOR divorce
Divorce" The blonde was drawine
hearts on the fablecloth with the aid o,
an untrimmed hnger-naii
i couldn't put up with him any more q
Hunlphi I'd put up with him all right. "
And az this questionable jest she laughed
again. Then the waiter brought her din
ner. all together as she had ordered IL
and she assisted him in spreading It before
her
he was good 10 me when ! was sick. y
unused the smaller woman And when
got better he never complained because
didn't feal like looking after him as
had ought TO-" But the creature" did not
hear her. Just as Margaret was folding
her napkin. carefully and precisely. her
conpanio1 leaned toward her with q sreai