Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-08

so unexpectedly that Her Grace gave
a funny little shrek which set even
the boxes themselves in a roar OF
laughter. OF course such a perform
ance. unprecedented as it was and un-
rehearsed, could not be encored, and ths
grande mode act, lasting the rest OF
the evening and to which the other
two were merely preliminary, began
promptly at ten O'clock.
This was in some respects the most
Illuminating act have ever seen in or
out of an opera house. It was educa-
tional to an extreme degree, and
really cannot see how, with such op-
portunies to study the manners and
customs of polite society within their
reach, the people of 1887 can help de-
veloping into Chesterflelds and Chester
fielderines of the most accomplished
sort. For an hour and half all was
hustle and activity in the grand tier.
Gentlemen were running in and out OF
the boxes continuously. The social
handshake of the hour, consisting Of
the gripping of the two little fingers
hiSA III hhV tlI anu tAt AWAouAlAtk VI
the thumb downward was constantly in
evidence, and every attitude which
true gentleman or perfect lady would
strike in the course of five minutes of
small talk was demonstrated with such
frequency that none but a dullard could
possibly fail to acquire it by contagion,
to say nothing of a little practice.
Divorce Drama in a Box
keep your eyes on Box No. o." an
nounced the usher. This, ladies and
gentlemen, is one of the most interest
ing features of our social exhibit. Box
No. 9 is occupied by the late Mrs. D.
Vorce De Cree. Outsiders have fire.
quently wondered how divorced MEM
bers of society greet each other when
they meet. You will now be able to
see for yourself, as Colonel De Cree
is about to enter his ex-wifes box to
congratulate her upon her engagement
to Judge Cuttem, who granted her ap-
plication. Box No. 8, ladies and gentle
men,"
Every eye was turned in that direc-
ton, including my own, and my heart
was warmed by what I saw. Colonel
DE Cree entered and, after shaking
hands warmly with the lady from
whom he had just been separated, was
presented to the Judge. From their
manner one would have thought that
they were all three Of them the closest
of friends. The late Mrs. De Cree in
quired affectionately after Colonel De
Cree's mother, who had been awarded
to him by the courts, and the Colonel
laughingly suggested to the Judge that
if he wanted a best man at the ap-
preaching nuptials he begged he would
command him. 1t was a delightful
touch and not without its pathos.
Don't forget me, madame" said the
Colonel as, after the five minutes chat,
he rose to depart.
Never, Colonel" replied the lady,
with a very pretty heightening of the
color of her cheeks. "And don't you
forget me either-will your"
mot while the alimony holds, my
DEAR" said the Colonel gallantly, as he
made off. That's what I meant"
laughed Mrs De Cree, with smile.
The applause was deafening, but as in
evey other case there were no encores.
At half-past eleven a tinkling bell
announced that the social exhibit was
over and in twenty minutes the boxes
were empty. Society gone, the students
below and above were released and as
they filed quietly out I heard one of
fbaIn a voIpep woman aDnarentlv from
the suburbs, say
"Its been particularly delightful
evening tonight. I didn't hear bar Of
music. Did you?"