The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-20

Not real lions, of course. We mean those who condescend to. enliven social deserts and who are hunted for with a fierce cross fire of monogramed notes, whose names are paragraphed as dis tinguished guests" until they ring with the classicism of Greek myth; the breed that once sometimes gapes to find sp- ping bouillon in mere creased trousers and Intoxicating between the crowds shoves, "Ah of course" "Indeed?" very true" T see!" quite like any ordi- nary man.
 At some functions there is to be found the lionette.' It is feverishly whispered that some one present once did some- thing terribly remarkable or clever Which he Is uncertain, unless 1t be the tall man of the prematurely gray hair What he did is vague, but something "arteestic" Is rumored. Still, you go away pleased at having seen the pre- maturely gray hair and convinced that he must be awfully clever and so in teresting! Such is the lionette-an in- ferior and meretricious< substitute.
 Dournay had returned, a royal lion. after having been for many years so his elders said-an internal club. At thirty-two. suddenly tiring of being tired. he had enlisted for service in Cuba and drifted then to Luzon. where he became national property. Every one has heard of his march through the wilderness and the foolhardy stratagem whereby he cap tured an insurgent arsenal and some much needed personages;! also how he rejected military advancement and re- sumed private citizenship, informing one warm admirer that all the recognition he wished was to pass unrecognized, to be allowed to dine at his own table and to have his malaria in peace.
 Dournay had left civilization as that very rude young man. Three years later he returned as that eccentric genius" He was known to say anything or nothing, to do whatever he pleased, but no more; his name became a syno- nym for the unexpected. Meeting the pretty Larson woman on Twenty-third Street. wringing her hands over a lost parcel, he grumbled something about the advantages of the c. O. D. system and handed her over to a policeman.
 ''Woman hater!' exclaimed Mrs. de Seyne, after he had sulked through five minutes in her opera box. Why, he hardly sees usl He strolls about at receptions exactly as If he were killing time among the groups In that downtown waxworks place. Simply fascinating! It isn't his eyes, though they're big and black enough; 1t isn't his mouth. though l ueCldVG IUdL 9ulI6 Iuc (Oh, those poor FilipinosD My dear. it's his manner-he's so stunningly impoliter'
 Yes" returned the other. who had known him ever since his dancing class days; "very distinguished indeed. It's surprising how army life improves a man."
 Yes. returned the other. who had known him ever since
 Dournay had been seen constantly at the opera that season, lounging co sys- tematically from box to box that it be- came quite understood he was there soleS for the fulfllment of social obliga- tions. At least, he did not trouble to cor rect the rumor. Indeed, it was reported trust wrangle. "Still, consolidation has its advantages, witness the department store.' Dournay had added lavonically. And tse opera house."
 Therefore when he emerged on Broadway upon the last night of the season his sulky mood may have been due to the passing of a very conven- tent social function. Moreover, having walked downtown to consume time, he was disgusted to find himself in the very 1oodtide of things. For three blocks there stretched a picket line shouting librettos at a ten cent reduce
  tors with euchre hands of tickets clung doggedly to the crowds Hanks. Dour- nay, caught in the current which surg ed across the cab-lined curb, drifted through the double swing doors into the lobby and testify wormed through the press into it's stagnant outskirts where evident loungers gaped up al the magic names flashing from the red and blue announcement bills, or bent over portraits of toreadors, high priests, Juliets, lagos and Siegfrieds murmuring, She's simply immense as Brumhilde;" Do you remember when we saw him in 'Faust?" But wait till you hear her Garment Still, for the last time there swarmed the multitude of glossy hats and scarfed cultures with all the undimmed sparkle of an opening night; still rang the voices sharp and peremptory as ever, Opera hbrettos. book of the opera! All the French and English words! Correct translation of to-nights opera!
 The turmoil distracted Dournay moreover he abhorred being on time He edged his way back to the street peevishly decided to forego the first act.
 When he returned the lobby was dumb, and save for the uniform who tore his ticket at the inner doors not soul was in sight. Dournay climbed one flight of wide, red-carpeted stairs