Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1904-06-24
The SHILLING and The
BALPOllIET'S INVITATION


by the way" / said carelessly.
have you room TO accommodate a
club dinner party-about twenty PEG
ple?"
Yes he had the very room; would
care to see it?
would. Beryl graciously excused
me and we made our way to the ban
quoting hall in question. Once inside
1 told him quickly the state Of az
fairs, and as be listened l had an OBJ
ject lesson in mobility OF the Italian
countenance. 1 produced my card and
declared soiemnly the money should
be sent to him the first thing on the
morrow. He gazed at the card doubt
fully-eyen suspiciousIy-and I felt
was lost
A flash of inspiration. took Sir
John Kenway's invitation from my
pocket and thrust it into his hand tri-
umphantly.
Now, will you trust ne2H I asked
The crested notepaper. the impos-
ing address and the contents OF the
letter turned well nigh certain defeat
into glorious victory. The proprietor
bowed almost abjectly and entreated
me to forgive his original hesitations
He would have the bill sent to my ad-
dress. and I would send the ridiculous
amount when it suited ny gracious
purpose.
Pay the bill, Jack. dearest" she
said. I've been looking over the the
alter list. and If you want to please
me you'll take me TO see The One
and Only Girl" at the Frivolity. l
daresay We can get seats, as it's been
running long time"
l informed Beryl that l had settled
with the proprietor outside l gave
the waiter sixpence out Of the shill-
ing, and he looked al me with a mild
ly disappointed gaze
When the bus deposited us at the
Frivolity door the hordly sum of four
pence remained TO me-
laid my plans with desperate, con-
summate cunning. requesting Beryl Ia
stay in the theater yestibHle for mo
ment while l inquired if any upper
circle seats remained.
Have you two-upper-circles
stammered, as my turn came at last
How l wished the encyclopedia, Off
cious commissionaire might be hope
lessly in error.
But he wasn't There were plenty
of seats-good seats. too.
How many. sir?" inquired the
clerk.
Two" groaned.
He handed me the tickets The hor-
rible moment had come. and with an
air of almost conscious guilt thrust
my signet ring through the barrier.
Trust me till the morning" | en-
treated. I've left my money at home |
and my fancee is with me-" In what |
fearful suspense did l await his reply. |
Sorry, sir" came the tateful words,
but I daren't do it,"
Happy thought. Again withdrew
Sir Johns invitation from its resting |
place Inscribed in the bottom left /
hand corner was my name and ad-
iress. What a virtue is method
in titled people.
For the second time the crested
of my only swagger friend
urned the fortunes Of war. got my
tickets and bounded up the stairs with
oyous steps.
How | reveied in The One and
Only Girl" How l laughed at the
okes. of the comedian, and how ap-
,lauded the efforts of the artistes,
cit like the victorious general tasting
ne delights of home after a hard won
When the curtain had come down
or the last time breathed a sigh OF
relief.
But my ordeal was not over. for
yhen we emerged l perceived. to my
ismay. that it had been raining and a
light drizzle was still falling.
Then came a great. final blow.
TASK. dear. think you can take
ne TO the station in cab said
'eryl. after glance AZ the weather !