Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-06-05
While the Play
/. Was On
By Virginia Leila Wentz
Copyright 1905, by Bca.rix Reado

AheS CuHlS Ill rather lute-tnp nrSt
act was well under way. The girl In
her soft evening gown swept quietly
down the aisle and took the scat indi-
Gated by the usher with serene noise
lessncss. The man with waxed mus
taches and flasly diamond studs fol
lowed ostentatiously. He sat down,
much TO the annoyance OF the party
directly behind, after unduly pompous
delay. Ostentation and pomposity were
in Mr.. Smarts line.
Mechanically the girl drew out her
opera glusscs from their bag, but she
did not use them. Instead, with lit
tie sigh Of content, she leaned back
against her wrap, gorgeous thing,
ernine lined, belonging to her aunt,
which she had been coaXcd into wear
ing. The lights of the house were low.
and rs she leaned for Il second Il bill
lowy mass OF chiffon and lace against
the erminc, her heavily dashed cyelids
half closed, and she smiled family.
All, 1t was so good TO be fautlcssly
dressed from the top of her head TO
the tip Of her shoe all at once-iust
once sure Of herself all around. Not
as it had always been with her down
In dear old Kcntucky-a gown achieved
Just as her hat was going out of FASH
Ion, new wrap when her evening
! dresses We're beginning to look Il bit
worn, boots little shabby just us she
was able to get fresh gloves and veil
Her eye fell OH the billowy blouse of
her bodice. How al her life she lad
loved lace-rcal, cobwebby lace. And
erlnine TO nestle against--thc lordly
feel of the thing"
Well, HOW She was In the way To
have 1t ALL This months visit with
her aunt in New York had been fecrlnd
In results. Dances ami dinners. SUI
pers, theutcr parties, had filled the
hurrying dnys and nights, but still
with her auut's worldly irsistcucc, she
had found time TO engage herself to
the IMAM beside hc.. capital, my
dcnr!"her aunt had said when she heard
the news, kissing her lightly OH the
cheek. "You sec. Alberta, / knew wha,
was doing when sent for YOU to
Kentucky, and you had only to come
to conquer. Or course Mr.. Smart isn't
exactly paragon OF beauty, and hes
Il bit new but think of his cool little
million, his yacht, his horses, his splcn
did motor and all that sort of thing
Oh, I'll be proud of you yet, my pool
little southern niece"
.Beastly stupid playw broke in upon
Alberta's reyerie. Mr. Smart spoke in
n voice trinc louder than convcn.
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows Slightly
and then nodded her head in indifcr.
cnt acquleScencc. AS Il matter OF fact
she hadn't noticed single bit of 'bnsi-
ness on the bonrtls nor heard II single
line. Now, however, she raised lie.
glasses. 1t gave her right hand some
occupation. 1t hud been lying peril
ously close to his, she observed.
During the second act the man fidg-
eted more than ever. Come" he said
finally; don't let's waste any more
time OH such twiddle twaddle. It's
weak tommyrot. Well run up and or
der our supper instead"
But girl with an crmlnc cloak
thrown over the back OF her chair was
leaning forward, her elbows resting on
her knees, her chin in the cup OF her
two hands. Her eyes were strangely
wistful rs she watched the players OF
the stage.
no" she whispered oddly without
turning to Smart; II like 1t. Lets
stay"
Twas a simple enough little scene
that she watched; homcly enough
setting. too-a lane hcdgcd With wild
roses and honeysueklc, Mt one end Of
which stood white cottage, sunny in
the light of carly morning Just out
side, by the hollyhocla bushes. was u
man fair and strong. looking like a
young god In his splendid strength. He
was catching up a child playflilly ana
holding 1t high In the air us Is The way
with proud fathers. Then out of The
cottage, rosy, smiling, came II girllSli
figure with her sleeves rolled UP and
an apron on. to say goodby to her lord
before he went to his days labor. The
sire kissed his child and set him down.
patting the curly head Then lie drew
the woman TO him. "Goodby. and God
bless you, dear, till l come home TO-
night" he said in voice softened with
reverence.
There We're actual tears in Alberta's
eyes. Homely as was the setting, sim.
pie rs was the scene, 1t had brought to
Her n revelation. After all. that was
the real sum of life, was 1t not, dcal
God-l9yc and Il home and clear, I'M
bartered conscience?
"Well, If you still want to stay, I'm
going out for a whisky ana Soda"