Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-11-01

stead Of talking to him.
Mr.. Samson and Mrs Warrington ex-
changed quick chances. They had
worked their scheme beautifully so far,
ana Iheo's lack of opposition was ar
otAer point gained. When the curtain
finally fell, the whole party rose, and
Mrs. Warrington hurried herself and
Ihec into their wraps under the plea
that they must not be longer than was
necessary, as Theo was afraid of losing
her beauty sleep.
The girl had, in consequence. nothing
to say, and when they reached the vesti-
bule they found themselves in the crush
OF the audience issuing from both stalls
ana dress circle. 1t had been a full
house, and the crowd was dense. Mrs.
Warrington found little difficulty in eff
fecting the separation she had planned.
and carrying off her husband with her,
and for few minutes Theo did not in
the least realize that she was alone with
Mr.. Samson. 1t was he who enlightened
her, with well-acted concern.
II am afraid we have missed Mr.. and
Mrs. Warrington. The crush is so great,
it is not wonderful" he said. "WilI you
take my armf We do not want all the
party separated"
No, thank you!" Theo replied. draw
| ing back hastily. Il am quite safe here
behind the door. Please go outside and
! find them. T1ey must be waiting for
us on the pavement"
He returned after some minutes, pur-
posely spent outside to lengthen out the
time
q am afraid they must have driven
on 70 the restaurant he said. Il can
not see them anywhere. I think the
/ only thing NC can do IS to take a han
som and follow
Iheo bit her lip, but it was better to
regain her aunt's chaperonage as soon as
possible than TO be left alone with Mir.
Samson; so she consented to his suggcs-
ton, and stepped into the hanson he
| had secured
Gouzala's was cnly a few minutes
drive. TO her relief. and she FASTENED ont
Of the cab and into the restaurant with
cut noticing much where she was. But
10 Mr.. and Mrs. Warrington were to bc
seen, though Mr.. Samson, apparently as
anxious as herself, paraded the whole
place with her. Indeed. had Theo not
been engrossed with trying to find her
aunt, she would have realized that ne
was walking her to and fro amongst the
little tables as ii TO be stared at by the
people already having supper.
Well" he said at last, ut is very
extraordinary! / told Mrs. Warrington
| where l proposed having supper, and
thought, of course. she would come on.
| think tho only thing we can do is to
engage table and order supper. By the
time it comes, they must have turned
up"
f.1
half relieved to get out Of the range of
the enquiring glances which she was be
ginning to observe. Now that she had
time to look about her, she became more
and more uncomfortable The luxurious,
lighted place seemed to be full of men
i'll evening dress who stared as coolly
as though manners were not necessary
here. And the women were over dressed,
and seemed all of one stamp. Theo
looked at their bare shoulders and the
diamonds flashing on their necks and
arms, and at the dainty, painted faces,
and instinctively drew her cloak little
closer to her. She saw that the fem
mime portion of the community were ex-
quisitely dressed, but their gowns would
lave suited ball room and the whole
tone Of the place struck her as strange.
Mr.. Samson ordered an elaborate sup
per, which took some time to arrange
with tho waiter, and longer still to bring,
but still Mr.. and Mrs. Warrington did
not appear Theo's uneasiness increased,
until she felt helplessly that she wanted
to cry with annoyance and the hateful
ness of her whole position. At last Mr..
Samson urged her TO eat something at
least of what he had ordered, without
waiting for the rest of the party, and
out of courtesy she forced herself to
drink the champagne he had poured out,
and to swallow some of the rich food.
II am very sorry all this should be
wasted, Mr.. Samson" she said firmly, at
last. II cannot think how the misunder-
standing occurred, and / am sure my
aunt viii be as vexed as anyone that
Your hospitality should be so sighted
But I really must ask you to call me a
hanson, and send me home now. 1t is
evident that they are not coming here,
but must have gone home when they
missed u.s."
"Of course, if you would rather go
home, I will take you,' said Samson,
with apparent courtesy. 81 could not
think of allowing any lady to drive home
alone. By Jovei 1t is late tool Past
12-getting on for onei"
"Oh, it cannot be so late as that" said
Theo unueasily, her heart beginning to
throb. They would have closed the res
taurant."
Not Gonzala's-it is very late
PLACED" said Mr.. Samson, with a peculiar
smile. ALLOW mel" He offciously Of
fered to draw her cloak round her, re.
gardless of her quiet refusal, and Theo
noticed with dismay that he was looking
at her with an admiration as open as
that of the men at the tables near, to
which she had so objected.
It was a relief TO find herself in a
hanson again, and on the homeward
road, though it necessitated her being
alone with him. She did not hear what
direction he gave the cabman, or notice
where they were going, for he at once
began to make her the proposal of mar
rage which she had SO carefully avoided
hitherto.
miss Theo, I've been trying to get
into your good graces long time, and
think you know why" he said. 'I'm
u plain man, and / can't make pretty