Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-27
A TRAGIC COINED Y
From the London Sketch,

They parted at the place where the at
tendant was tearing off halves of tickets,
and the last words audible were: Darling
you will arrange it If you CAM" and Yes,
dear, certainly, If it is possible; but 1 rely
on YOU"
One of the speakers was soon shown to
seat in the stalls, and after gravely settling
down, began to look about her occasionally
getting up and trying to see what was hap
pening to the other speaker. Shortly after
wards she turned suddenly. A man was
getting ready to sit down In the stall beside
her. While apparently admiring the act
drop, she carefully studied the newcomer
with the corner of her eye. He was young
ish, had well-cut clothes, white necktie
a bit out of date in shape, and was rather
good-looking-a great deal better-looking
than the man she had just left, bald fell
low Of middle-height and middle-age. The
newcomer hastily took off his overcoat
and accidentally dragged his dress coat half
Off in his clumsy proceedings She put out
her hand, as though intending to help, but
withdrew 1t. He observed her movement
minute later her handkerchief fell, and
the thought flashed through his mind that
a lady's desire had quite as much to do
with Its fall as the force of gravity and So
while STOPPING to pick it up he studied her
intently, wild thoughts surging in his mind
ms seemed rather like the beginning of an
adventure. something really to brag about
to those fellows in the Middlesboroueh CIuh
VINO were never properly overpowered by
MS tales OF metropolitan conquests He felt
.nat ne could describe her as a woman
handsomely dressed, obviously orite a ladv
not. perhaps. classically beautiful. hut
Weii-oullt. with an intelligent face, and
Dark hair cleverly dressed Perhaps her
amiable. D~e-i Ae''
The younefsh mon cow, h,,
kerchief She said Thank you" demure-
~, ana ne sat for a minute or two won
oering how to begin the conversation. ANY
remark about the heat seemed too com
monplace. She also appeared a little en-
oarrassed. but 1t was clear to him that
something was going to happen. CaIcu-
i ia1 MS rushed through his mind concern
supper for two on swaeeer scaleShad he
enough money in his pocket? he wondered.
Inc people began to troop In. There was
pienty OF time before the curtain rose,
Tor he and she had arrived at the advsr-
tised hour, and the event was the produc-
ton OF French play. which, as every.
BODY knows, is always half an hour late.
At last she broke the silence, and, lean
ing toward him. said timidly:
ing?' '''-S GWEN
He jumped. What q prodigious affair,
s What thrilling adventure! And clearly
she was a woman OF the world. of the
whole world! He could hardly keep his
voice steady while he answered Eyes. I'm
quite alone tonight, quite lonely"
o, ShG gave little sniff at quantity cut.
uly mounted with rubies. and then muir
INJURED. Would you mind-that is, would
you De SO kind?-I mean, should be very
ice."
He grew hot and cold: even for a mo-
ment the dreadful thought came through
nus mino that perhaps, after all. 1t was
NOT to be real adventure, for she might
convinced him that the thought was I'M
Just. While he was still fumbling in his
miho tor some reply, gallant but not
!.atuous, amiable and not too gushing, an
interruption came from the passage of
TWO people who were seeking their stalls
and hghting stoutly from seat to seat
ruthless concerning dresses and regardless
OF toes At last they had gone by, one of
them leaving an intoxicating, abominable
steam Of scent behind her. The young
man looked up eagerly. With a desperate
enort to combine a tone OF enthusiasm
and qutte-accustomed-to-th this sort f-thine
air. he replied. Madam, you NAV com.
mand me In anything" and waited, breath
less.
A look that bewildered him came over
her expressive face, a CLEAN of Something
Ike malice seemed to flash in her eye mo.
mentarily, a subdued twist of the LID sug-
gested suppressed smile.
'sooAO you iulnU changing SeatS?" She
murmured, little timidly
oh. certainly he replied, getting up,
rather puzzled.
"Oh. not with me-" she said, rather slow
~, and then went on with a rush: Its
with my husband. They've put our seats
separately. and do SO like sitting next to
him. and his Is a much better seat than
yours. It's Be- over there, on that side"
She rose. turning her back on him, and
beckoned and beamed to the man on the
O. p. side. and then sat down, and turning
round. continued: Really, I'm very much
obliged to you. It's very kind of YOU"
Oh not at ALL he replied. and after
pause added emphaucally. in state of ex-
ASPIRATION. IT'S quite pleasure"
Such a look Of mild. innocent, coquettish
reproach came into her eyes that he felt
desperately Inundated. and CROPPED for his
hat under the seat and snatched up his
coat and started without a word. but dis
tinctly noticed a ring OF mischief in her
voice as she called out, Thanks ever SO
much, and you'll give my husband the
voucher, and there he Is just at the end Of
the row. Goodnight"
II thoughts could be fatal. the bald man
of Iniddle-age and middle-height with
whom the dispossessed stranger changed
scraps OF paper would not have lived to
reach his wife and hear her. when he ar
rived. say, gleefully, Didn't I manage it
beautifully, darling?'
And then the band played.