Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-21
DAILY SHORT STORY
WANTED-A REHEARSAL.

gone down, amid tremendous ap-
lause. on a fitting tableau-the heroine
clasped in the heros arms; the villain,
vanquished. but defiant, glaring at
them from the papier mache arbor.
and the pair of secondary lovers in
dulging in expressive pantomime on a
balcony that threatened mOmentarily
to collapse
True love had run its uneven course
for an hour and three-quarters, and
after surviving a series Of idiOtic mis-
haps, absurd doubts and all the other
obstacles an enthusiastic amateur play
wright could put in its path 1T had
emerged unscathed and triumphant.
The orchestra was playing the latest
popular march as a sort of occasional
for the admiriDg relatives and friends.
Lady Gatacre. still in costume. sank
YEARLY into rickety wooden chair in
one OF the little anterooms near the
stage Sir Charles WiDdon climbed
pile of properties used in act i and.
perched there precariously, rested his
chin on his upturned palms and s'ir-
vcyed the lady thouGhtfully.
Il suppose I should apologize" he
began tentatively. Still l would like
to say Il word in self defense. May L.
go on" said Lady Gatacre coldly.
"Well, | thought the scene demanded
1t. IL seemed to make il more real. In
everyday life the man would have done
it,
"weII:' she said in challenge as he
paused.
"And and so I did, he said lamcly.
"And that is your excuse!' she ask
ed. with considerable asperity.
III need one. yes" said he.
Lady Gatacre regarded him Jelly. Her
nose was elevated the fraction OF an
inch.
Il suppose you realize fully the EN-
barrassing position you placed me in?'
she said.
Relieve me, 1 didn't intend to- he
demonstrated.
"Of course you heard that very au-
dible litter in the audience?" she went
on.
He nodded.
ut was none OF their business" he
complained.
If" she said quickly. you hadn't
made il SO apparent: IL you hadn't
paused, debated as it were. it wouldn't
have been quite so conspicuous. But
when you stopped and looked about
and -the-and then
Kissed you," he supplied. almost tri-
umphantly. ,su
"Oh, IL was too CHASTITY evident that
il was inpromptu.- she finished.
~ was perfectly willing to rehearse
of ,,rc hx, oil
1T was unfair OF you she said hot
IL. I'VE agreed to leave il out-that II
was ridiculous and unnecessary"
1T became quite necessary when you
appeared in that gown. I'm only hui
man. you know"
you are quite. inhumsn sometimes"
she observed.
Il couldn't help it," he said with
abject humility.
Your only excuse seems to be q re
iterated plea of responsibility" said
she.
Sir Charles scratched his head and
smiled hopefully.
81 am an irresponsible party. that's
a fact" said he. Look here. II I say
I'm sorry. do you forgive meT'
Sorry for what: For-for"-
'For putting you in an embarrassing
position; for the other. never"
Lady Gatacre frowned and flushed.
you'll have to be sorry for both be-
fore you're forgiven she said.
Then l shall die unabsolved." he de-
clared with 6nality.
1T seems to me you're making q bad
matter worse" said she.
well, turn about is fair plgy," he
replied. That is Just what you've
been doing the past three weeksf'
81 fear 1 don't. follow you" said
Lady Gatacre.
when we started reharsing this
time" said he, 81 was beginning to'fall
In love with you. That was the bad
natter Since we've been reheausing
you have completed. what was already
begun. That's 'theSworse.'
He looked at her'steadiiy. Lady Cat
acre studied the t1pe OF her shoe. He
could see her cheeks were crimson.
THAT was why kissed you as did
in the garden scene" he said.
Lady Gatacre did not deign TO hook
up from her shoe.
Are you really very angryr he
asked.
Very" she replied.
He slid down FRONT hts perch and
stood beside her.
what are the specific causes OF your
angeri" he asked.
Everything" shefsaid vaguely.
Are you angry because I said ]
loved your he questioned.
She was silent. ~
Are your he persisted.
Still she was silent
Sir Charles permitted himself q COW
eft smile.
IF it's only the kiss',- he began.
She sat up suddenly,
"It was the way you did itr' she
flashed, and her eyes again soughttthe |
shoe.
THE way ! did'it." he chuckIed. II
think well. ] bsNin't rehearsed II. you