The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-04-13

When l Lett the club and climbed
into hanson, it was with a half
defined notion of going to Southamp-
ton and making myself a nuisance
to Jimmie Halstead overnight. jim
ME is great friend of mine, and
so, naturally, l considered myself at
liberty to make life a burden to him.
Financially, l was untroutled:
mentally-well, to be brief, I had
been thrown over two days before
by the dearest girl in the world, had
engaged passage on the next days
steamer for South Africa, and was,
In fact, fit companion for none save,
possibly, some sore-headed denizen
of the Geological Gardens bear pit.
/ had told the cabman distinctly
Waterloo. Then l had allowed him
to slip. entirely out OF my thoughts.
When he stopped l jumped out me-
Chemically and entered doorway.
At ticket window l threw down
sovereign.
After a moment. as nothing in
the shape of a ticket was forthcom-
Ing, ! looked up, to find the occu-
pant Of the box observing me
curiously
Southampton" I said, Inpatient
ly. Not caring whether | ever
reached that place, l was naturally
anxious to start; it is characteristic
Of the clubman.
beg your rardon?"
'South-'
My gaze caught a glimpse ct an
ornately frescoed wall, a full-lersth
portrait OF prominent actress; then
1t fell to the diagram before me.
Recognizing the hand of Fate, ac-
cepted the situation. After al, what
does it matter whether you go to
Southampton or the matinee if Your
heart is broken and your Lille is
wrecked?
\ orchestra I asked.
Yes. sir; one left. It's the only
seat IN the house, and you're lucky
10 get 1t. | took it back from young
lady only five minutes ago. Thank
vow"
the slip OF pasteboard; l fancied it
would be nice to know what theatre
was attending. 1t was the Comedy. |
MY seat was rather far back, ana
l pushed my way by a dozen rustlins
women with savage satisfaction at |
the annoyance l was causing. The |
mouse was dark as pitch, and on the |
stage man and two women were
talking before huge fireplace.
For awhile l watched the charac-
ters on the stage walk and sit and
walk again; l even tried once or
twice to fix my attention on what |
they were saying, but with no sue
cess. 1t was all meaningless jun
BILE of words. But the theatre was
restful, the darkness was conducive
u reverie, and after short time |
had forgotten my whereabouts.
My dreaming was disturbed by
noise beside me. The lady on my
right had dropped her opera
glasses. l leaned forward to grope
for them on the floor, and my head
came in contact With the ladys.
ON" said she.
Beg pardon" said 7.
We gazed at each others il dis
features for an instant
Pray don't bother" said the lady,
softly.
mo trouble at ALL" | muttered.
Its of no consequence, :" she muir /
somewhat coldly, l thought. {
i can find them when the lights 60 {
up"
Yes | answered. vaguely, when t
he lights go up
The lady was staring fixedly It 7
he stage; could see that and no I
more. l mentally blessed CD the
'pera glasses, and in turn fixed nv
attention on the actors. But it
stay there; instead, it per- I
listed in returning time and again /
0 the neighbor on my right, tic
urned my head the fraction of an d
mob and stroye to distinguish her | b