The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-22

but to stop eating. grow pale, grieve
yourself sick. or accept the attentions
OF a man who bores YOU nearly to
death. But IL you are married, there's
lots more fun in falling out You can
disagree. get mad. stamp your FOOT
go about with your head up in the
air for day or two. then assume a
martyred expression, and the fun be-
gins. Flowers. fruits and candy are
propitiously offered: you relent lit
tie at first, then smile graciausig, and
you are embodied in the arms of your
beloved And the last state of that
man Is worse than the first. Let
Eveiyn's brother TIE Washington and
| suppose things will go right"
The long-iooked-for night had ar
rived, and guests were rapidly assem-
bling They had been requested TO
appear In colonial costume. and the
effect Of rich brocade, rare lace. sill
yer buckles and powdered hair was
novel and beautiful. Behind the
scenes all was hustle and activity, and
everything gave promise OF success.
Just as the curtain was about to rise
on the cherry tree scene q note was
handed to Edith. who with Grace had
to appear only In the wedding. Hasti-
ly opening II, to her dismay she read:
Dear Miss Edith:R
l find 1t impossible to take my part
a. Washington. A slight indispesition,
coupled with stage fright. and desire
Of two very silly young people, have
forced me to take this step. Don't
tell Evelyn. / send my makeup,
Get Claude In my place.
Hastily,
! WILL STEWART"
CLAUDE had been invited by Edith. al
though Evelyn had protested against
It. Quickly summoning him from the
audience, Edith explained her predica-
ment, adding: please take the part.
Claude. know you and Evelyn have
had a difference. but she will not
know. II you desert us. what shall We
do
CIaude's face paled slightly. but he
answered.: Yes, I'll do 1t. for your
sake. Miss Edith. Tell me as best
you can what is required of me-"
oh. thank you." answered Edith.
fervently. You have saved us from
everlasting disgrace. Fancy what Ne
would have done without Washing
toni
The charades were over. Everyone
expressed themselves delighted. The
counting and wedding scenes. Of
course, came In for the greatest
praise. all agreeing that Evelyn made
the daintiest widow Gusts and that
the acting of Washington reached the
climax of excellence in this. Pariors
were being cleared for the minuet,
which was to be danced by the guests,
led by Lord and Lady Washington.
Evelyn crossed the hall. going to the
iressing-room for her fan. when she
felt some one touch her lightly on the
arm. "Wili you dance the minue,
with me, Evelyn" Claude was ask
Ing. Before Evelyn had time to re-
cover from her surprise he continued:
please DO not think could help this.
Your brother was taken lick and !
took the part to help Miss Edith. But
oh! Evelyn, when stood by you In
the wedding scene and thought OF
what We had been to each other, and
that few hasty words had driven
US apart. felt that / must speak
again. II there no hope for me ?
l love you. dear, even a. Washington
loved the woman he made hts WIFE,
II evidently consented to be welded
I 10 yoasa ~shils age Evelyn said, with
Q happy nmile. land a. Washington
never told I lie. Lady Waahingtou
must not act one. Well 20 through
| the wedding scsna again, DEAR, bui
! tho pexs tixAe y want ~ know that