The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-08-22
While the Play
Was On
By Virginia Leila Wentz
Copyright, 1908, by Beatrix Reade

They came In rather late-the first
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 fiashy 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.. Smart's line.
Mechanically the girl drew out her
opera glasses from their bag, but she
did not use them. Instead, with lit
tie sigh OF content, she leaned back
against her wrap, a 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
Lowry mass Of chiffon and lace against
the ermine, her heavily dashed eyelida
half closed, and she smiled family.
All, it 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 1t had always been with her down
In dear old Kentucky-a gown achieved
Just as her hat was going out Of fash
lon, a new wrap when her evening
dresses were beginning to look a bit
worn, boots little shabby just as 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 laceI And
ermine to nestle against-the lordly
feel of the thingP'
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'h aunt had said when she heard
the news. kissing her lightly on the
cheek. you see, Alberta, knew what
I was doing when sent for you to
come up from that poverty stricken
Kentucky, and you had only to come
to conquer. OF course Mr.. Smart isn't
exactly a paragon of beauty, and he's
q 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 Nicer
"Beastly stupid playP broke In upon
Alberta's reverie. Mr.. Smart spoke In
a voice a trifie louder than conven-
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows slightly
and then nodded her head In indiffer
ent acQuIescence AS a 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 f1dg-
eted more than ever. "Come," he said
finally; "don't let's waste any more
time on such twiddle twaddle. It's
weak SOuHuJEOI "0 II Eun ny nAO O3-
der our supper instead"
But a 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; 81 like it. Let's
stay"
Twas a simple enough little scene
that she watched: homely enough
setting, too-a lane hedged with wild
which stood a white cottage, sunny in
the light Of early morning. Just out
side, by the hollyhock bushes, was |
man fair and strong. looking like q
young god In his splendid strength. He |
was catching up a child playfulIy and |
holding it high In the air, as Is the way |
with proud fathers. Then out Of the |
cottage, rosy, smiling, came a girlish |
figure with her sleeves rolled up and
an apron on, to say goodby to her lord |
before he went to hi9 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. Il
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 1t not, dear
God-love and home and clear, I'M
bartered conscience2
"Well, If you still want to stay, I'm
going out for a 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 scarce!
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 IN
even to herself Alberta's
eyes swept him from head to foot
stumbling physique, obtrusive Jewels
and ALL She shuddered Involuntary,
pressing his ring which she wore rath-
er sharply into her flesh. -.
Oh, II only the. orchestra would play
that Spring Song Of Mendelssohn's!
She had been trying 50 hard to shut
Robert Harvey out from her life, and
his fetched him so wildly before her!
But. II live with Idas, then we two
~ H. -
hand
Those were the words from Stephen
Phillips 'Marpessa" which Harvey
lad been wont to set to that music, say
ng, '"They seem to be made for each
'ther-just like you and 1, sweetheart"
How ever In the world had she made
herself able to give him up? It was
her cursed love of luxury, she told her.