Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-07-20
While the Play
Was On

BY Virginia Leila Wentz

They came in rather late-the farst
act was well under way. The girl In
her soft evening gown swept quietly
down the aisle and took the seat indi-
Gated by the usher with serene noise
lessness. The man with waxed mus
taches and hashy diamond studs fol-
lowed ostentatiously. He sat down,
much to the annoyance Of the party
directly behind, after unduly pompous
delay ostentation una potnposity were
In Mr. Smarts line.
Mechanically the girl drew out her
opera glasses from their bag, but she
did not use them. Instead, with O 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 q second, bill
lowy mass Of chiffon and lace against
the ermine, her heavily lashed eyelids
half closed, and she smiled family.
All, 1t was 30 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 aroundl Not
as 1t had always been with her down
In dear old Kentucky-a gown achieved
just as her hat was going out Of fash
ion, a new wrap when her evening
dresses were beginning to look bit
worn, boots little shabby just az she
was able to get fresh gloves and veil.
Her eye fell on the billowy blouse Of
her bodice. How all her life she had
loved lace-real, cobwebby lacel And
ermine to nestle against-the l0rdly
feel Of the thing"
Well, now she was In the way to
have 1t all. This months visit with
her aunt In New York had been fecund
In results. Dances and dinners, sup
pers, theater parties. had filed the
hurrying days and nights, but still,
with her aunt's worldly insistence, she
had found time to engage herself to
the man beside her. Capital, my
dearp her aunt had said when abe 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 paragon OF beauty, and he's
d 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 niecer'
"Beastly stupid playp broke In upon
Alberta's reverie. Mr.. Smart spoke In
voice trihe louder than conYen-
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows slightiy
and then nodded her head In indiffer-
ent acquiescence. As matter Of fact,
she hadn't noticed single bit of ''busi-
ness" on the boards nor heard single
line. Now, however, she raised her
glasses. 1t gave her right hand some
occupation. 1t had 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 on such twiddle twaddie. It's
weak tommyrot. Well run up and Or
der our supper instead"
But girl with an ermine 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 as she watched the players on
the stage.
mo" she whispered oddly without
turning to Smart; II like 1t. Let's
stay"
Twas a simple enough little scene
that she watched; homely enough
setting, too--a lane hedged with wild
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 a
man fair and strong. looking like a
young god In his splendid strength. He
was catching up child playfuily and
holding It high In the air, as ID the way
with proud fathers. Then out Of the
cottage. rosy, smiling. came a giriish
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" be said in voice softened with
reverence.
There were actual tears In Alberta's
eyes Homely as was the setting, sim
pie as was the scene, 1t had brought to
her a revelation. After all, that was
the real sum of life, was It not, dear
God-love and home and a clear, I'M
bartered conscience2
"Well, If you still want to stay, I'm
going out for whisky and soda"
Smart laughed unctuously, laying his
heavy hand on hers as the curtain
dropped on the second act. you don't
seem up to conversation tonight.
might as well have taken your aunt out
old lady's a corker when talks scarcei
II I'm not back by the time the cur
tain goes up don't get frightened. I'll
be here before the bloomin' things
over"
As he was turning out In the aisle I'M
consciously even to herself Alberta's
eyes swept him from head to foot
physique, obtrusive jewels
and all. She shuddered involuntarily,
pressing his ring which she wore rath-
er sharply into her flesh.
Oh, II only the orchestra would play
that Spring Song" Of Mendelssohn'sl
She had been trying so hard to shut
Robert Harvey out from her life, and
this fetched him 80 wildly before herI
But. IL live with Idas. then we two
On the low earth shall prosper, hand in
hand
Those were the words from Stephen
Phillips "Marpessa" which Harvey,
had been wont to set to that music, say.
ing, They seem to be made for each
other-just like you and I, sweetheart"
How ever In the world had she made
herself able to give him uD1 II was