The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-04
Two SeRtimentaliStS.a


nalist, the Sentimentalists were WON
derfully persistent in thir sentimental-
ty. Thus the Actor might frequently
be seen pacing up or down the north
the pay e1nent and his lips invoiuntarily
twitching in betokenment' of a state
of unconscious mental ecstasy. Many
people, of course. declared that he did
it for purposes of advertisement. but
those who knew him better POINTED out
that he loathed publicity. and had even
been known to stay away from gu
gantic benefit performance, under the
patronage of royalty, because his name
had been printed upon the programme
In too large type. se W
The Sporting Journalist had long been
the butt of Bohemian circles. This
proud position ne owed, partly, to the
fact that he was short-sighted and rath-
er deaf, but still more to his avowed en-
thusiasmrin matters of the heart. The
love stories told daily by police court
reporters in the halfpenny press had an
irresistible fascination for him; his book
shelves were stuffed with volumes of
the latest erOtic verse; he had even been
seen to dab his, eyes over the trials or
the virtuous heroine, as set forth in the
synopsis of an Alhambra belief.
All in good time. the Actor and the
Sporting Journalist fell in love. The
Actor was the first to fall, and he came
down with an uncommonly heavy thud.
Her name was Marjorie Allandale, and
she had secured, mainly ON account of
her nice appearance, a one-line part IN
the new poetic drama at the Royal Col
ontaI Theater in which the Actor was
playing the juvenile lead. Her younger
sister, Joan, was also engaged for the
poetic drama, but. being an inch shorter
than Marjorie, she had to be content
with a walk-on and an understudy
Both of the girls were new to London.
and nothing was known of their private
histories in dramatic circles. Their good
looks, however were a sufficient guar
anfaR and after the f1rGf F6hRaFSal the
Actor met them outside the stage door
and gave them a few gracious words.
To all outward appearance, he was,
during this interview the COOL calm,
collected man of the world. The wave
in his hair suggested poetry; the tilt of
his soft hat was the indication of per-
feet breeding and good taste. He felt
as he turned down Middle Temple Lane,
that he had played his part we'll; he
assured himself, as he began to mount
the stairs, that he had made an excel
lent impression; but, alasl he knew, as
he adjusted his tie in front of the glass
that he had fallen in love with two girls
instead of one
When the Sporting Journalist came
in, full of poetic fervor, engendered by
writing two columns of descriptive mat
ter about an international football
match, the Actor put the case before
him in the frankest possible manner.
My heart" he said, standing in front
of the open window and gazing down
INTO the DARK, wet court, IS rent III
twain, and the two parts have gone to
different owners -
The Journalist, who was looking for
his slippers under the sofa, knelt up
expectantly.
Marjorie" said the Actor, "is the
most soulful. Joan, on the other hand,
is younger and" He paused for a
word.
"'Fresher.'' suggested the Sporting
Journalist. feeling his socks to see if
thew were damn.
For one whose duty it was to mold
public opinion in the columns of news-
papers, he was not possessed of very
striking vocabulary.
mo. mo-" said the Actor. ''They are
both as sweet as meadow-grass. in
spring time. But Joan is more"
''Saucy," suggested the Journalist.
"Don't!" groaned the Actor. and he
threw himself on to the sofa in a way
that showed an intimate acquaintance
with drawing room comedy. I think"
he added; after a pause, impression
isn't quite it, either . e.
Better ask EN- to tea. said the
II will" said the Actor, Under the
influence of short-bread and chocolates.
they may develop traits OF character
which will enable me to decide between
them"
The tea party was quite a success
The girls charmingly arrayed in fash
and chatted about their papa and man.
ma in the most engaging manner posi-
BILE. After tea the Journalist sang
little, and both Marjorie and Joan
at once from Fleet street to Covent
Garden. So then he offered to sing
again, but the Actor struck in hastily
and recited a long poem by Rudyard
Kipling This collaborative effort hav.
ing been duly applauded a pianoforte
solo, and "a delightful OCCASION" as the
Journalist said when writing up his
diary the same evening, was brought
to a brilliant conclusion by the singing
of duet by the Misses Allandale, en-
titled o, When We Two Were Hay
ing!'" It is probable that he should
have written 'Maying," but, as has been
When the girls had said good-by and
prattled their way downstairs. the Actor
clasped his hands ecstatically before
him and demanded the Journalists
The Journalist somewhat helplessly
stroked his chin. At last Marjorie" he
said, lis a peach"
But JOAN exclaimed the Actor. throw
ing out both his hands; what of the in
comparable Joan?"
Wen, I think Joan isis an apricot"
pronounced the Journalist.
DO you think she is sweeter than Mar
jorie?'
II don't know. There's not much diff
ference between the sweetness of a peach
and an apricot. is there?"
"Oh, confound your similesI I only know
that I love them both-love them to dis
traction
80 do l." said the Journalist. thought
fully.
You? Impossible!'
IT'S quite true.
But you've only seen them for about
two hoursr'
Il loved them from the first moment I
saw Them" rr
''wen, now come to think of it, said
the Actor, so did II
For the space of half an hour they sat
and smoked in silence. Then the Actor
washed and they both went out to din
ner. Il