The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-20

with marked deliberation. He had al- ready sauntered half way around the semi-circular promenade of small. sunken doors set with brass plates. when he stopped. frowned and retrac- ed his steps. then sauntering in the op- posite direction entered the first box whose door stood conveniently open.
 The hostess rose with greeting. He sank into chair and suffered himself to be engaged in one of those conver- sations whereof Miss Vandershot com plafned: He doles you out a mouthful of sulky monosyllables like cold char ity." To which Parshay, the cynical retorted: And like charity it more than covers a multitude of sins"
 Later than usual?' Dournay echoed lazily. Dare say you're right; I hadn't noticed" His hostess had dropped her fan. He permitted two eager youths to spring forward, bending inquiringly over to save appearances. then sank back and petulantly waited for the act to close. @f
 The opera was 'Le Cant" De Lorge, the pride-blown/ favorite of King Francis. had just paused in his stroll through the royal gardens to spurn Blanche, the obscure lady in Waiting. with a haughtiness which clearly fore shadowed his ultimate surrender and
 
 pits in Act 3. Dournay hardly noticed the moonlit scene of terraces and mar ble. He was rehearsing an entr'acte call and certain words which must be said to might if ever. Yet when the cur tain fell and the lights sprang up he continued his 'indolent lounge and even lent languid hand to the gale of ap- plause which greeted the trio lowing before the curtain.
 He leaned back, waiting for the next few moments to pass. Those moments Of stir and semi-dispersion when an au- dience breathes 'Ah!" and begins to drift as if still under the music's spell: when promenades swarm; when in the depleted circles stands figures gazing down into the auditorium, and opera glasses swerve to and fro like search- lights playing about & habor, in sarch of friends-or enemies. As usual he | found himself under the scrutiny of many | quarters and smiled sourly. divining the qualification of his hostess as she watch ed levelled glasses gravitate toward each other in disucssion of her guest. Must you go?" she protested, as she | rose.- "Oh, you restless army men! Then good night. for I suppose we don't see you again. except. of course"--and she smiled-"on the other side of the house.
 Dournay grumbled something about | liking different points of view and stalk ed forth, coldly furious. What right had she, with her effusive smirk, to study l his comings and golngs?
 On the promenade matters were made worse by several people turning to stare after him. and the two girls to whom he bowed whispered suspicously as he re- | passed. Tonight he was dogged more | than ever by the conviction that his slightest act was a matter of common | talk among the boxes. He wrathfully | turned his back. climbed to the dress cir cle and descended its steep slant, where. 1 like the Blessed Damoze. he leaned out from the plush bar of heaven and sur veyed his past goddesses.
 Yes. there they were, some engag ged. | some wived, some divorced. scattered among the double horseshoe of boxes-the never understood; whose interest in him | had sunk to the bare question. What sort of woman will he marry" Also. Dournay recognized several mello ved | matchmakers who were want to en rage | h''n in motherly conversations, and some effusive mamas at whose hosptalities | he always baked As with fame, so with matrimony: our chances come when we care least-in need, denial: in success. | supedfuty.
 Dournay suffered his eyes to swerve to | a central box wherein sat a white figure attended by several young men He ex- haled contemptuously. Boys mere boys. they were. all of them, wing for the lead in some passage raillery. And with