The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-02-06

here the Judge looked up at the life size
painting of Lady Betty that hung on the
dining room wall ''You do lead me
around by my nose, madam, but this time
you have gone little bit too far. haven't
lost my temper in forty years, and |
shouldn't like to lose it, either. But I'll
teach you lesson l will indeed! I'll
teach any woman to take liberties with my
profession, my law practice! To take my
law books and affront the dignity Of the
law by removing them TO playhouse!
The very idea The impertinence of it!
| haven't lost my temper in forty years.
| shouldn like to lose my temper. p"
When the maid returned with the in
formation about the theatre he sent her for
his cigars and the evening paper, and
Herewith he sought to compose his nerves.
you may bring me my dressing gown
and slippers, he added
please, sir, think they have gone
with the other things, said the maid, and
then she looked astonished when he said
Good
1t was nearly time for the curtain to 80
up. The theatre seats were filled The
orchestra was playing the prelude and the
monologue artist had not arrived Lady
Betty WAS fitting about nervously, appre-
hensiye lest the artist should not appear
But she kept her apprehensions to herself.
She had not been general manager of all
kinds Of functions for charity benefits with
out learning that it does no good to spread
dismay among her colleagues, Then a
telegram came, stating that the artist would
be one hour late. She crushed the mes
sage in her hand and was about to send for
some man to make the announcement when
it occurred to her that she would take one
last look at the stage setting She would
70 behind the scenes and collect her ideas
where it was quiet and she could think.
As she stood in the flies a sight met her
gaze--a sight so unexpected that she stood
spellbound with astonishment. But Lady
Betty was woman Of resources. She
withdrew as quietly As she came.
Ladies and gentlemen, announced
the handy man who always made an
nouncements, while we are waiting for
the artist Of the evening, who has sent
word that he Is unayoidably detained, we
present tableau entitled 1.-The Book
worm |, viii furnish another proof Of
the cleveruess OF our estimable Chairman
Of the Entertainment Committee
Then the curtain rcse. There was the
beautiful library interior, presented ex-
actly a. il was familiar to many in the au-
dience who were personal friends of the
Judge and Lady Betty. The great book
cases, the rugs, the draperies, the great
marble Of Justice and the busts Of the legal
lights Of the century, the revolving book
case, the table with its artistic litter Of
books and magazines, the waste paper
basket. the judges huge easy chair and
f,otres,, bat there also, greatest and most
wonderful of all, there with his feet on
the fooIest, clad ia dressing gown and
slippers, his attention absorbed by the
large leather bound volume he was read
ing. sat the Judge himself
The curtain was up long enough for the
audience to appreciate the remarkable
,ableau and to burst iuto applause. The
Judge looked up over the dark sea of faces
for an instant, and the curtain was lowered.
1t was only an instant, aud it was over.
There was an encore that was sufficient to
call for a repetition of the tableau, and
when the curtain went up again the Judge
had disappeared
Darling precious lamb exclaimed
Lady Betty, into whose arms the Judge
had retreased You certainly are dear
Do you know you have saved my life?
Our monologue man is tardy, and don t
know what in the world was going to do,
and when came back here to think lit
tie by myself, there you were, 1t was
actually proYidential | was ready to cry.
Why, darling, what's the matter? Are
you mad2'
Madam, haven lost my temper in
80 years I shouldn' ike to lose it now!
Certainly not, dear, certainly not,
responded Lady Betty with great show Of
sympathy. The corners of Lady Betty
mouth turned up exasperatingly. You
took the part of The Bookworm simply
to perfection.