The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-01
AT THE MATINEE
nj HARRIET LuMxls SMITH.

a start, II forgot" she looked at him
guiltily.
I'll step out into the lobby and see
man with no signs of citation al the
prospect. And you might look
around for your friend"
He returned after a brief absence,
! s~uspiciously cheerful. mo sign of
Rodman," he said. taking the seat
beside Peggy. Have you discovered
your friend YETI"
Peggy nofded. 1--WE discovered
her" she said with an infection thai
puzzled him. But"
Well"
Blu she isn't alone. She's with a
young man"
"Where?"
over by the second box. The grrf
In blue and white"
The young maj looked and whis-
tied. "Rodman, by all that's won
derfnl." He bent a little nearer.
shall we disturb them?" he ques-
toned.
Peggy stole n glance at Violet's d.
rection before she answered, Then
her eyes dropped demurely. They
seem to be enjoying themselves" said
Peggy. Il almost think 1t would be
a pity TO interrupt them"
That" said the young man with
feeling, expresses my sentiments ex-
actly."
II was a short play. The young
neutrality-suspicious. ~frritabfy-
why the deuce they couldn't AVE
added another act or two. He felt
very unhappy as he helped her on
with her wraps, He did not know
her name, and she did not kno his.
- ia xrn
which had made II possible for him
to do her a favor. He might never
see her again. His sign was so sug-
gestive of melancholy that Peggy
looked at him wistfuiiy. with the
impulse to be comforting which is
. implanted deep in the hearts of Ewes
/ daughters.
why, Peggy"
An expensive lady in black satin
was smiling and holding out her
hand. Peggy started guiltily. 20,
good afternoon. Mrs. Ellsworth. De-
i lightfui. wasn't it,"
1 Adorable" said -the-expanstFe
lady, and looked expectantly In the
t direction Of Peggy's companion. Be
fore she knew 1t Peggy had taken
s the plunge. =.
MRS. Ellsworth. let me present
"Rutherferd.% whispered a voice in
/ her ear.
e my friend. Mr., Rutherford" said
Peggy BrazIngIy, but bIushing like a
x roge.
$50 PLEASED tn-meet ynu,-Mr-
e therford," smiled Mrs. Ellsworth.
e You must let Miss Dixon bring you
In to see me some day. I'm Always
e at home Sunday afternoons. I'm so
{ glad / ran across you. Peggy"
: And Rutherford had his own rea-
"a sons for being pleased at the encoun-
ter.
Violet telephoned Peggy that eve
: ming. What in the world happen.
ed to you, dear? was. OF time. o
we'll. might have been a few min,
e utes late. but nothing that would
It really matter. A heavy dray got stuck
. on the car track and delayed us
e But / happened to meet AN old frien6
e in the lobby, a Mr.. Rodman. And
queerly enough. the friend he was
r expecting didn't show up. so we sat
together and had a lovely time. Blu
e what detained you Peggy"
20. something unexpected happen
ed al the last minute" Peggy replied
g And she was smiling as she hung VI
q the receiver.
--it1was to Violet that Mrs. Ella
Ir worth went for information a month
q later. What about this young Ru
t, therford who Is always hanging abou
= Peggy Dixon? Are they ngaSe o
ID not?"
she says not--yet" laughed VIC
l. let. But the announcement won
le surprise anybody"
lie II knew It," Mrs. Ellsworth ex
,e claimed triumphantly. ." met then
lie at the theateF a few weeks age, an
when she introduced me she blushe'
~ In a fashion that gave the Who'll
d thing away. l told my husband Hbou
IL that evening. and said to him
Mark my words. Tom, that's as goo
h as settled"
1919