The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-06-21
While the Play
Was On
BY Virginia Lells Nentx
Copyright. 100, hy beatfia keeds

act was well under way. Ihe Eifi th
her soft evening gown swept quietly
down the aisle aud took the scat indi.
Gated by the usher with serene noise
leNsncss. The man with waxed mus.
taches and fasny diamond studs FOL.
lowed osten,atiQAly He sat down,
much 20 the annoyance OF the party
directly behind, after unduly pompous
delay. ostentation and pomposlty were
In Mr., Smart's line,
Mechanically the girl drew out her
opera glasses from their bag, but she
did not use them. Instead, with a lit
tie sigh OF content, she leaned back
against her wrap gorgeous thing,
ermine lined. belonging TO her aunt
which she had been coaxed into wear
Ing, The lights Of the house were low,
and as she leaned for second, bill
lowy mass OF chiffon and lace against
the ermne, her heavily lashed eyelids
half closed, and she smiled family,
All, il was so good TO be faultlessly
dressed from the top OF her head to
the tip OF her shoe all at once-just
once sure Of herself all around! Not
as II had always been with her down
In dear old Kentucky-n gown achieved
Just as her hat was going out OF fash
ion, new wrap when her evening
dresses were beginning TO look a bit
worn, boots a little shabby just as she
was able to get fresh gloves and veil.
Her eve fell on the billowy blouse OF
her bodice How all her life she had
loved lace-real, cobwebby lacel And
ermlne TO nestle against-the lordly
feel OF the thingr
Well now she was In the way to
have II all. This months visit with
her aunt IN New York had been fecund
In results. Dances and dinners, sup
pers, theater parties, had filled the
hurrying days and nights, but still,
with her nunt's worldly inslstence, she
had found time TO engage herself to
the man beside her. capital, my
dear!'her aunt had said when she heard
the news, kissing her lightly on the
cheek. "You see, Alberta, knew what
was doing when sent for you to
come up from that poverty stricken
Kentucky, and you had only TO come
TO conquer or course Mr.. Smart isn't
exactly a paragon OF beauty, and he's
bit new, but think OF his cool little
million, his yacht, his horses, his splen-
did motor and all that sort Of thing
Oh, I'll be proud Of you yet, my poor
little southern niece"
"Beastly stupid play" broke In upon
Alberta's reverie. Mr.. Smart spoke In
voice trlfe louder than conyen'
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows slightly
and then nodded her head In indllfer
ent acquIescence. AS matter of fact,
she hadn't noticed n single bit of "busi'
ness" on the boards nor heard single
line. Now, however, she raised her
glasses. II gave her right hand some
occupation. 1t had been lying peril
ously close TO his, she observed.
During the second act the man fdg-
eted more than ever. Come" he said
finally; don't let's waste any more
time on such twiddIe twaddle. It's
weak tommyrot Wen run up and or
dor n,,r sunuar instead "
But girl with an ermlne 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
wlstful as she watched the players on
the stage.
NO" she whispered oddly without
turning to Smart; 81 like 1t. Let's
stay"
Twas simple enough little scene
that she watched; n homely enough
setting, too-a lane hedged with wlld
roses and honeysuckle, at one end OF
which stood white cottage, sunny In
the light of early morning. Just out
side, by the hollyhock bushes, was q
man fair and strong, looking like q
young god IN his splendid strength He
was catching up a child playfully and
holding It high in the air, as Is the way
with proud fathers. Then out OF the
cottage, rosy, smiling, came glrllsh
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 he drew
the woman to him. "Goodby, and God
bless you, dear, till come home To-
night" he said in voice softened with
reverence.
There were actual tears IN Alberta y
eyes. HOmely as was the setting, sim
pie as was the scene II had brought TO
her revelation After all, that was
the real sum Of life, was II not, dear
God love and home and clear, un'
bartered consciencef
"Well. II you still want TO stay, TN
going out for whisky and soda,
Smart laughed unctuously, laying bis
heavy hand on hers MS the curtain
dropped on the second act. "You don't
seem up to conversation tonight. ]
might as well have taken your aunt ont
old laay's corker when talks scarcel
II I'm not back by the time the cur
tain goes up don't get frightened. III
be here before the bloomin' tbings y
over"
As he was turning out IN the aisle I'M
consciously even to herself Alberta's
eyes swept him from head 10 foot
shamblIng physique, obtruslye Jewels
and all. She shuddered involuntarily
pressing bis ring which she wore rath'
er sharply into her fesh.
Oh. II only the orchestra would play
that "spring Song OF Mendelssohn'sl
She had been trying 80 hard 10 shut
Rober, Harvey out from her iife, and
this fetched him 10 wildly before her'
But. II I've with IdaE. then We two
Z on the low earth shall prosper, hand Ia
hand