Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-08-31

They came in rather lhtc-the first
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
lessness. The mar with waxed mus
taches and lashy diamond studs fol
lowed SYSTEMATICALLY. He sat down.
much 10 the annoyance OF the party
directly behind, after unduly pompous
delay. Ostentation and pompos!ty were
in AIr. smart's line.
Mechanically the gil 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, a gorgeous thing,
ormlne lined. belonging to her aunt.
which she had been coaxcd into wear
ing. The lights of the house were low,
and as she leaned for n second, a bill
lowy mass of chiffon and lace against
the ermlne. her heavily dashed eyeiids
half closed, and she smiled family.
All, 1t was so good to be faultiessly
dressed from tho top Of her head to
the tip of her shoe all at once-just
once sure Of herself all aroundl Not
as it had always been with her down
In dear old Kentucky-a gown achieved
Just as her hat was going out Of fash
ion, n 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 eye 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 or the thlngg'
Well, now she wns In the way to
have It 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
h%urrying days and nights, but still.
with her aunt's worldly lnsistence, 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, l knew what
I was doing when l 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
a 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 pool
little southern Nicer
"Beastly stupid play" broke in upor
Alberta's reverie. Mr.. Smart spoke II
a voice a trlfe louder than conven
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows slightly
and then nodded her head In lndlGfer
ent acqulescence. AS a matter Of fact
she hadn't noticed a single bit of "busl
ness" on the boards nor heard a single
line. Now, however, she raised heI
glasses. It 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 twlddle twaddle. It's
weak tommyrot. Wen run up and or
der our supper instead"
But q girl with an ermine cloak
thrown over the back Of her chair wa
leaning forward, her elbows resting on
her knees, her chin In the cup Of her
two hands. Her eyes were strangely
wistful MS she watched the players on
the stage.
mo" she whispered oddly without
turning to Smart; II like It Let's
stay"
Twas a simple enough little scene
that she watched; a homely enough
setting. too-a lane hedged with wild
roses and honeysuckle, at one end OF
which stood a white cottage, sunny II
the light OF early morning. Just out
side. by the hollyhock bushes, was q
man fair aud strong. looking like q
young god I'm his splendid strength. He
was catching up q child playfully and
holding It high In the air, as is the way
with proud fathers. Then out Of TIC
cottage, rosy, smiling, came a girllsl
figure with her sleeves rolled up and
an apron on, to say goodby to her lord
before he wen 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. TIL l come home to
night" he said In a voice softened with
reverence.
There were actual tears In Alberta's
eyes. Homely as was the setting. sim
pie as was the scene, II had brought to
her a revelation. After all. that wa
the real sum Of life. was It not. dear
God-love and a home and a clear, un-
bartered cOnscience7
swell. II you still want TO stay, I'm
going CIT 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 scarcel
II I'm not back by the time the cur
tain goes up don't get frightened. III
be here before the bloomln' things
over"
As he was turning out IN the aisle un-
consciously even to herself Aiberta'i
- ST.. S.. - - 80