Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-07-08
WHILE THE
PLAY WAS ON
Alberta Read the Secret OF
Her Own Heart.
BY VIRGINIA |. wENrz.

her soft evening gown swept quietly
down the aisle and took the seat indi-
Gated by the usher with serene noise
lessness. The man with waxed mus
taches and flashy diamond studs fol-
lowed stentatiously. He sat down.
much to the annoyance of the party
directly behind, after an unduly POM
pous delay. Ostentation and pompos-
ity were In Mr.. Smart's line.
Mechanically the girl drew out her
did not use them. Instead, with lit
tie sigh of content, she leaned back
against her wrap, gorgeous thing,
ermine lined. belonging TO her aunt.
which she had been coaxed into wear
ing. The lights of the house were low.
and as she leaned for second, bill
lowy mass of chiffon and lace against
the ermlne. her heavily dashed eyelids
half closed. and she smiled family.
All. It was so good to be faultlessly
dressed from the top OF her head to
the tip of her shoe all at once-Just
once sure of herself all around! Not
as 1t had always been with her down
in dear old Kentucky-a gown achieved
just as her hat was going out OF fash
ion, new wrap when her evening
dresses were beginning to look bit
worn, boots n little shabby just az she
was able to get fresh gloves and veil.
Her eye fell on the billowy blouse of
her bodice. How all her life she had
loved lace-real cobwebby lace! And
ermine to nestle against-the lordly
feel OF the thing"
Well, now she was In the way to
have 1t all. This months visit with
her aunt in New York had been fec
und In results. Dances and dinners,
suppers, theater parties, had filed the
hurrying days and nights, but still,
with her aunt's worldly insistence. she
had found time to engage herself to
the man beside her. Capital, my
dear! her aunt had said when she
heard the news. kissing her lightly on
the cheek. you see. Alberta, knew
what was doing when sent for you.
and you had only to come to conquer.
OF course Mr.. Smart isn't exactly a
paragon of beauty, and he's a bit
new but think of his cool little mill
lion. his yacht, his horses, his splendid
motor and all that sort of thing. oh,
I'll be proud of you yet, my poor little
southern niecep'
"Beastly stupid playW broke In upon
Alberta's reverie. Mr.. Smart spoke in
voice a trihe louder than conven-
tional good form allows.
The girl lifted her eyebrows slightly
and then nodded her head In indiffer-
ent acquiescence. AS matter of fact,
she hadn't noticed a single bit OF
business" on the boards nor heard u
single line. Now, however. she raised
her glasses. 1t gave her right hand
some occupation. It had been lying
perilously close to his, she observed.
During the second act the man tidg-
eted more than ever. Come" he said
finally; don't let's waste any more
time on such twiddle twaddle. It's
weak tommyrot. Well run up and
order our supper instead"
But girl with an ermine cloak
thrown over the back Of her chair was
leaning forward, her elbows resting on
her knees, her chin In the cup of her
two hands. Her eyes were strangely
wistful as she watched the players on
the stage.
NO." she whispered oddly without
turning to Smart; II like 1t. Let's
stay"
Twas a simple enough little scene
that she watched, a homely enough
setting. too-a lane hedged with wild
roses and honeysuckle. at one end OF
| which stood white cottage. sunny In
| the light of early morning. Just out
side. by the hollyhock bushes, was O
man fair and strong. looking like a
young god in his splendid strength. He
was catching up q child playfully and
holding 1t high in the air. as is the way
with proud fathers. Then out Of the
cottage, rosy. smiling. came girlish
| figure, with her sleeves rolled up and
an apron on. to say goodby to her lord
| before he went to his days labor. The
sire kissed his child and set him down
| patting the curly head. Then he drew
the woman to him. "Goodby and God
| bless you, dear. till come home to-
night" he said in voice softened with
| reverence.
| There were actual tears In Alberta s
eyes. Homely as was the setting. sim
pie as was the scene, 1t had brought ia
her n revelation. After all. that was
the real sum of life. was It not, dear
| God-love and home and a clear. un
bartered conscience?
| "Well, IL you still want to stay I'm
going out for whisky and soda,
Smart laughed unctuously. laying his
heavy hand on hers as the curtain
dropped on the second act "You dom
seem up to conversation tonight.
might as well have taken your aunt
out. The old lady's corker when talks
Bcarcel If I'm not back by the time
the curtain goes up don't get brighten
ed. I'll be here before the bloomin
things over"
AS he was turning out In the aisle
unconsciously even to herself Alberta's
eyes swept him from head to foot
stumbling physique. obtrusive jewels
and all. She shuddered involuntariiy