Middletown transcript., 1911-04-22
BY LEONARD CROCOMBE

that, it does not necessarily
imply that I wear long black
HAIR, siouch hats or loose ties; !
merely cultivate Bohemian
friends,
Now, Dolly's people are COM
mercial from tip to toe. Not that
Iwish to infer that they are the
worse for that merely state a
fact.
To be precise, Dolly father is,
or rather was, in the dim days
beyond recall (no one in Dolly's
family ever thinks of recalling
themD q prosperous grocer in q
large way Of business. After
years of hard work he accum.
ulated several thousands OF
pounds and retired.
Dolly is a dear, ambitious little
thing and, when I married her
she gave me to understand that
1 should be expected to get into
the best circle of society that our
or rather, her father's-money
and position would allow.
mentioned old friends. I can't
very well throw them over, !
demonstrated gently. They've
been good chums to me, and be-
fore I met you they helped to
make my lonely bachelor life
tolerably happy.
I suppose you are right IN a
way, admitted Dolly, gazing
thoughtfully into the fire. But
really, Gerald, most Of them are
SO awfully-er Bohemian, aren't
they?
And if they are? I queried.
You see, Geralds mother and ]
have been introduced to the
most charming people imaginable
and mother wishes me to enter
tain them here. There are
she reeled of a string Of names,
nearly all ornamented with a
handle of some description.
Dolly has a splendid memory
for handles!
I'm sure I have no objection to
entertaining them, I answered.
But l really don't see why they
should be above meeting Billy
Etanthrope and the rest of EN-
It isn't that, said Dolly.
Iasked her what it was then.
Oh, I can't explain, Gerald. l
don't want to hurt your feelings
in any way, but, as I've said be-
fore, your friends are so terribly
unconventional.
We did not discuss the subject
further that evening, but the
next day I had a really brilliant
inspiration.
Going round to my old
Bachelor Club, l met Billy Stan
thrope. Billy stanthorpe, when
he can secure an engagement, is
an actor. In spite of that he is q
very good fellow; one of the best.
Billy, I said, sitting down and
offering him a cigarette. I want
you to do some acting for me.
Billy looked at me in undisgused
Rmazement. That any one
should want him to act appeared
incredible. That they should
actually ask him to do so was be.
Vond his comprehension.
You're not working one OF
your rotten jokes on me Burk.
ington, old man, are your he
asked.
I assured him was not.
Then for goodness sake tell
me what you want. Prithee, do
not leave me to linger longer in
suspense. Suddenly he looked
serious. Say, old man, he whis
pered. You've not been writing
play, ! hopeS
I assured him that so far I was
Of the lucky few vino had escaped
the disease. He appeared re-
lieved. Then, determined to
keep my shameful secret no
longer, I told him all.
I knew that there had been
sundry murmurings around the
club about my unsociable attitude
since my marriage; but at last l
had hit on 8 plan whereby I could
vindicate myself. When I had
enlightened Billy he first of all
burst into ribald laughter, then
he looked serious, aud lastly, he
advised me to see a brain
specialist without delay.
7 treated his manner Of accept
ing my plan with naughty scern.
If you don't like to do it, Billy,
! said, you needn't.
It's horribly tempting, replied
Billy. Putt to the other fellows,
though, and hear what they say.
Later on. in the evening I put