The Union Republican., 1904-10-21
"ENGAGED"

cart.
Its his fifth or sixth trial, too
isn't it?' 1 asked, shaking out the
reins and tucking the rugs unasr Pol
ly's infinitestimal toes. Some people
never get serious"
Polly looked meditative.
We'll" she remarked, jabbing the
pin into her hat more securely, that
depends on what you mean by 'seri-
Gus An engagement may be serious
without ending in matrimony
Serious for the one who gels left?'
l asked swapping the whip yiciously
over the back of the roam.
"Nonsensel One always means to
be married when one gets engaa ed
That's what makes it an engage nent
Otherwise 1t would be merely -er-
that is"
Merely what?" 1 inquired, iooklng
up sidewise under Polly's hat.
"Oh, Irritation, or an affair." But
real bonaflde engagement is nothing
more or less than a dress reb.assssr;siil
for matrimony. Sometimes the or.gi-
nal rehearslng company are mar
ried at once; but generally the lead
ing man and the leading lady are
changed several times before you can
find two who just fit the opposing
roles"
why. Polly Lee, I'm surprised
suppose all your engagements have
proved invaluable experience. Doubt
less even this one, with me as lead
ing man, is proving"
Invaluable experience" acquiosced
Polly, nodding her feathers; ''oh, yes;
invaluable. I've learned everything
about the stage business of manag
ing man since l became engaged to
you. For instance, before then.
used to take the center of tie stage
on every occasion. I'd let man sit
like groom or an understudy beside
my accomplishments as a wAsiII' in
stead of letting him show off with n
four-in-hand or tandem, While
played the part of limelight and kept
up with the applause Why, what are
you whipping that horse forT'
Was I?' | snapped, a bit startled
It was the off horse. and it struck me
that he was more off than usual that |
afternoon.
81 was wondering" l snapped, |
how many rehearsals 1t took tt>>Sa9ke
you so letter perfect mean how |
many rehearsals before you graduated
at my expense"
Il haven't graduated yet" remarked
Polly.
jumped. oh"
"The commencement exercises don't |
commence until you 20 to the aLavil
That is when the rehearsals N I'D |
The curtain rolls up and the,E 5.fJy |
Dr. the comedy or the melody 5.s-
gins in real earnest" 49,
Wont you set the date for the |
commencement exercises, PollSxi I
pleaded softly. ~
"Have you no regard for etiquette,
Mr. Heavyfeather?' remarked Polly.
That was Mrs. Gadsby Victoria, and
ihe saw you
saw me what?'
saw you looking at me that way
ind trying to get hold of my hand"
Il didn't said Indignantly and
"a girls first rehearsal for matrl-
nony," went on Polly, ignoring me,
usually takes place when she is
bout seventeen. She is exactly like
young actress making her d9~It in
ruliet. She plays with fire, but with
tut poise or method. She rants and
ages and overdoes. There is nothing
ubtle about her. If she should mar
y the man that she thinks at that
ime she is madly in love with"
"Welly / had to prod Polly, for
ust then we turned corner in the
ircle and the authenticated Downing
,irl and Abingdon Dare flashed past
is, and Polly turned to stare after
hem.
We'll" she went on, there would
,e about as bad a smash-up as there
would be if the man who sold you
his team of horses hadn't tried them
n harness together before he mated
hem. Now, suppose both of those
we're off horses"
| smiled comprehendingly
ut takes several rehearsals to
make a girl letter perfect in the lit
lie game of matrimony. Tie first
ime girl falls in love all she knows
bout a man is that he is good
5altzer and wears the proper collars,
hat his hair curls at the edges, and
hat he doesn't tread on her fIocks.'
WAS your first leading man like
hat, Polly?"
"No-that is-Fve forgotten. But
hey're all alike. The girl who mar.
les her first love has life lesson be-
ore her. It's like taking the loading
art in a difficult play at few mo-
1ents' notice. She knows as much
bout handling a man as small boy
oes about handling gun, And a
nan that is badly handled is like a
un. The first thing he does is TO go
n-off to another girl"
Did he do that, Polly? | said
boxing at her sympathetically.
who said Polly.
Your first leading man. He must