Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-02-22

u.
When l left the club and climbed
into hanson; it was with half
defined notion of going to Southamp-
ton and making myself nuisance
to Jimmie Halstead overnight. Jim
mie is a great friend of mine, and
SO, naturally, l considered myself at
liberty to make life burden to him.
Financially, 1 was untroubled;
mentally-well, to be brief, / 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
1 had told the cabman distinctly
Waterloo. Then l had allowed him
to slip entirely out CT my thoughts.
When he stopped jumped out me-
chanically and entered a doorway.
At ticket window l threw down a
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" said, inpatient
1y. Not caring whether l ever
reached that place, !. was naturally
anxious to start; it is characteristic
of the clubman.
beg your pardon2"
South"
My gaze caught glimpse Ct an
ornately frescoed wall, fuller 9Th
portrait of a prominent actress then
it fell to the diagram before me-
Recognizing the hand of Fate, l ac-
cepted the situation. After I'll, what
does it matter whether you 20 to
Southampton or the matinee if your
heart is broken and your life is
wrecked?
Orchestral" I asked.
Eyes, sir; one left lie The only
seat in the house, and you're lucky
to get it, l took it back from a young
lady only five minutes ago. Thank
you"
l glanced with some interest at
the slip of pasteboard; 1 fanciei it
would be nice to know what theatre
/ was attending. It was the Comedy
My seat was rather far back, and
| pushed my way by a dozen rustllng
women with Savage satisfaction at
the annoyance 1 was causing. The
house was dark as pitch, and on the
stage man and two women were
talking before huge fireplace.
For awhile. I watched the charsc-
ters on the stage walk and sit and
walk again; 1 even tried once or
twice to fix my attention on what
they were saying, but with no sue
cess. 1t was all a meaningless jun
Bile Of words: But the theatre was
restful, the darkness was conducive
of reverie, and after a short time
had forgotten my whereabouts.
My dreaming was disturbed by a
iloise 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 Nth the lady's.
"0h!" said she.
'fBeg pardofi," said I.
We gazed at each others ii dis
tinguishable features for an instant
pray don't bother, said the lady,
softly.
mo trouble at all, l muttered.
IT'S of no consequence" she muir
INJURED, somewhat eoldly, 1 thought.
81 can find them when the lights go
up"
Yes / answered, vaguely, when
the lights go up"
The lady was staring fixedly It
the stage; l could see that and no
more. 1 mentally blessed ca the
opera glasses, and in turn fixed my
attention on the actors. But it
wouldn't stay there; instead, it per-
sisted in returning time and again
to. the neighbor on my right
turned my head the fraction of an
inch and strove to distinguish her
features. But all that rev arded ME
was grey oval in the surrounding
gloom.
Suddenly I heard a sob-an I'M
mistakable sobi Strange sounds
greeted me; snifies and sobs ~ d
slight rustlings on every hand; The
whole house was in tears! Plainly
the play was an affecting one;
almost wished | had given it my at
tention.
Unconsciously l extended my hand
across the little space that divided
Us. 1t rested on fold of her dress.
I heard another SOB, and then-a
little warm hand, tightly clutching
damp handkerchief, rested on
mine!
MY heart leaped into my throat;
then it subsidized and beat convul-
siyely. For a bare instant the hand
remained. Then it fiuttered away
and heard startled gasp from its
owner
II beg your pardon!" I whispered
entreatingly.
There was no reply. OF course
she was terribly offended; | coult
expect nothing else. Perhaps SHE
was alarmed.
MADAM. I whispered. II hat
no intention of annoying you. /
lit was all an accident, believe me
If my presence alarms you-if ]
causes you any annoyance, vii
leave instantly.
There was moment Of silence
The actors on the dimly-lighte'
stage driveled on.
pray, don't leave on my &C
count, said my neighbor in low
mufied tones. II assure you You
| presence does not affect me In tn
| least =