The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-01
THE EVENING STORY
AT the Matinee.
(By Harriet Lumnlis Smith


alter, looking alternately from the dial
of her watch to the door, and then
back again. The air of vexation
which would have made an nl-natured
to her prettiness. A young man,
modify surveying life sized photo
graph of Maud Adams, hanging high
on the wall, allowed his attention to
creasing the smooth forehead where
frowns hardly seemed at home
People were hurrying in. The or
chestra was playing. In q minute the
despairingly at the watch, hopefully
toward the door. But there was no
sign of Violet, and the red in Pegsy's
cheeks deepened.
sit was so foolish to leave Violet to
buy the tickets Peggy told herself,
| swallowing uncomfortable Jumps in her
| throat which would not stay swell
lowed. 1t seemed incredible that she
should not have foreseen what now
she saw SO plainly. OF course Violet
would be late. She vas always late
Her promise to be on hand meant alb
rivals were never her fault. Invari-
ably she came full OF excuses which
no reasonable person could refuse to
accept, but there never was an &C.
casion when excuses could be dis
pensed with. Peggy blamed herself
for not having taken this into account
in her planning.
blinked and swallowed. TITS a shame"
she declared. just as the young man
at her side uttered ar impatient ex-
clamation. Involuntarily they turned
and stared at each other and he lifted
his hat. "I beg your pardon he said
interrogativelv.
CT didn't mean to say it out loud
Peggy explained. "But I thought it
waiting for friend
$50 am IT, said the young man
gloomily. "Ie promised to be on time,
but he never .s,'' he sighed.
"And neither is Violet" Peggy ex-
claimed. "And how could have been
so foolish as to leave her to bring the
tickets, 1 can't imagine"
Haven't you got your tickets,
even ?" asked the young man with SYM
pathy.
mo; of course not. I shouldn't
wait If had. Have you yours y
ct and displayed them. She looked
enviously at the cardboard slips. ooh.
who do you waltz she cried. ct
wouldn't. Very likely he won't come
till the second act, anyhow"
perhaps he won't" said the young
man thoughtedlly. He looked at the
tickets and then at Peggy. Then he
| Adams.
ut seems a pity for you to miss the
opening of the play" said the young
man diffidently. with a second tick
in with me? Since your friend has two
tickets you need not feel any scruples
as far as she is concerned. And we
can adjust matters at the first inter-
mission"
| There was a long pause. The young
man began to be afraid that Peggy
was too muck offended to reply. He
| turned his eyes from the picture on
But Peggy was not angry. Her eyes
were shining. her hands were clasped,
| her lips parted.
s'Do you-do you think it would be
awful of me to say yes?' Peggy in
Quired anxiously.
ST think it would be very sensible of
you" the young man replied, and that
seemed to settle the question.
| They went IN swiftly and took their
seats Just as the curtain went up. And
Peggy straightway forgot her escort,
and the unconventionality OF her ac-
ton in accepting his invitation, and
| laughed and cried and enjoyed herself
after a fashion inconprehensib1e to
the blase theater-goer. The young
| ton to what was taking place behind
the footlights. Instead he watched
Peggy.
at the end of the first act, and glad
that Peggy was rather slow in coming
| back to the world of reality
"Oh," she exclaimed at last, with
start. ct forgot She looked at him
| guilty..
'I'I step out into the lobby and see
| if Rodman is there said the young
man, with no signs of citation at the
prospect. "And you might look around
He returned after a brief absence,
suspiciously cheerful mo sign of
Rodman," he said, taking the seat be-
side Peggy. "Have you discovered your
Peggy nodded. "I've discovered
her" She said with an infection that
puzzled him. But"
But she isn't alone She's with
young man."
"Where?"
"over by the second box. The girl
in blue and white
The young man looked and whistled.
"Rodman, by all that's wonderful"
He bent a little nearer. Shall we
Peggy stole a glance at Violet's di-
rection before she answered. Then
her eyes dropped demurely- They
seem to be enjoying themselves" said
Peggy. 81 almost think 1T would be
pity to interrupt them"
THAT" said the young man with
feeling, express my sentiments ex-
actly.''
man with Peggy wondered irritably
why the deuce they couldn't have add
ed another act or two. He felt very
unhappy as he helped her on with her
wraps. He did not know her Name
and size did not know his. He could
not presume On a chance which had
made it possible for him to do her
favor. He might never see her again.
His sigh was go suggestive of melan-
choly that Peggy looked at him visit
fully, with an impulse to be comfort
ing which is implanted deep In the
heart of Ewes daughters.
"Why, Peggy!"
An expansive lady in black satin was
| Pe9ev started guiltily. "Oh. good af-