Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-01-12
THE UNTENANTED SEAT

The Story of an Unexpected Meeting.
! Jack, that vacant seat positively an
noys me-"
| Mrs. Jack Kean emphasized her words
| by rapping her husbands hand smartly
with her fan.
Very sorry, dear girl; but it's not
my fault, is it? So don't make me sur
| fer
But isn't II provoKing think
| that, try as | could, | was only able TO
set three seats for tonight Yet, the
very next seat is empty; and as this is
the end of the second act, it will prob
| ably remain untenanted all the even
| ing, | may tell you between ourselves
| and here the little woman, leaning
slightly toward her husband, lowere3-Ssar
! voice a tone-"I particularly wanted TO
ask Dick Hilton, as Rita was to be with
us | know he admires her immensely;
and it would be such suitable match.
But lately, fancy, there has been some
misunderstanding between them. Ii l
could have got that horrd seat there, and
| Dick had Come-who knows?-they might
have made it all up, and settled it to-
night"
Change places with me till the curtain
! goes up again, please, Jack. want TO
| liven up Rita. She is unnaturally quiet
| tonight
You will have to wait until the next
interval There goes the light down for
the third act. AS it is almost dark, you
can liyen me up instead, by holding my
hand"
On the left of Jack Kean sat Rita St.
Clair, lost in thought. She was a lovely
girl, and more than one pair of opera
glasses had been turned in her direction
during the evening. The empty seat at
her sde-the only one i'll that crowded
house-had at once attracted attention.
Rita felt vaguely annoyed; though why
she could not have told.
She had grown To love Dick passionate
~; and had felt so certain of his love for
her. Only week ago, toward the end of
Lady Greenacre'S dance, when in the
conservatory he had told her he loved
her. At that moment the beautiful wild
, ow:, Mrs; Long, had hastily entered,
slmHng, but evidently much agitated.
She had kissed Rita an affectionate
good y and then; turning, to Dick,
asked him if he would be good enough to
see her to her carriage As Mrs. ST
Clnr Joined her daughter at that in
slant. Dick had no alternative but 10
comply with Mrs. Longs wish.
Within the next few days Rita heard it
casually mentioned at an lat home" that
MI Hutton had proposed to the fascinat-
ING, widow at Lady Greenacre's dance,
and had been accepted.
During the thru act OF the play Rita
telt' rather than saw, a man quietly take
NE pace al her side. She felt curOusly
disturbed 10y the advent of this new
conner: and found her attention wander
ihS from the stage, She wished SHE
could see what he was like. Her wish
Was soon gratitied for AT the fall of the
curtain the theater was once more n
PLACE of light. She turned slightly, 10
md Dick Hilton at her side, his eyes
wiStfully fixed on her face.
Rita'S breath came quickly: but she
managed 10 say somewhat composedly:
This is an unexpected pleasure, Mr.
hilton, as she gave him her hand.
n, II IS indeed: a great pleasure to me,
Miss st. Clair he answered
Just then Jack Kean caught sight of
him
What Dick, old man? Jolly glad to
See You, This is luck. We have been
swearing all the evening about that emp
y seat. as we wanted a fourth, and could
not get it,"
Yes" joined in Mrs. Jack; "and the
FUNNIEST part of it IS that l wanted to get
1t specially for you"
-, 1t must have been your wishing for me
mat brought me here. though mt so late
! an hour. said Dick The fact is. | had
almost decided not to come, although /
got my seat fortnight ago but | found
l could settle down to nothing, and. late
| though II was, came on.
All. there is our friend Mrs. Long and
/ her nance. he continued, bowling toward
I the beautiful widow. "''''
Mrs. Long-and-who?" said Rita.
! Mrs. Long and her tiance-over there
/ ~ taqt box. She = engaged to my eou-
! sin, Hilton. Had you not heardy'
Yes, | did hear that she was engaged
/ hut | Thought" 'eeV'
Again the lights went down. as the chr
tam drew mp. But in the darkness Dick
| began 10 see things more clearly.
w nat did y"u think?" said he softly.