The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-17
ION to hear NordIca with her. In the

,Ion to hear Nordica with her. In the
afternoon she dressed and went to a
tea, wasted some hours over visit TO
her dressmaker, and when evening
finally came she arrayed herself for
the sacrifice. 1t was no fun at all to
fluff out her golden hair when there
was no one there but Dolly to remark
upon the effect, and then Dolly was
painfully matter of fact She would
wear the violet silk with the yellow
lace cascades. even if there was no
body there to tell her it was the pret-
tiest dress that ever a pretty woman
wore. 1t was sort of solemn salts
faction to he making herself lovely
without the encouragement of an ad-
mirer sitting over in that big chair, his
knee over the arm and a cigar in his
mouth, but at the mental picture she
smothered an irrelevant sob. Dolly
looked at her acutely.
"I-believe am about to take cold,''
faltered the little mistress menda-
ciously. My throat feels so queer"
When she entered the box and threw
her great white cloak in a luxurious
heap in the chair behind her Mrs. Rip
ley glanced over her with a look of
decided approval.
"You were never prettier, Betty
she whispered, land then it is so SEN
sible of you not to be foolish about
having Tom Ellis dangling after you
everywhere you go.'
THAT is what we agreed only thil
morning." said Betty in a burst Of
confidence. and then she grew sudden
ly silent.
Her eyes, sweeping the crowdeG
house, had fallen upon Tom Ellis in &
group of men down near the footlights
AS the moments went on she began t.
feel aggrieved that he did not even
glance toward the Ripley box, although
he surely had known of the invitation
She was glad when the music began,
because her throat still had that queer
feeling, and her lips wanted to tremble.
Nordica's superb presence and her sing
ing failed for the first time to absorb
Betty's attention. She would not look
again at that group down near the
stage, but she could not keep from see
ing them in her minds eye. She was
glad there were others in the box who
felt like talking. She did not want
Mrs. Ripley to regard her too closely
after the drop of the curtain. The hum
of conversation began in moment,
and she half turned toward those near
her, seeming to listen, although she
heard not a word Still she would not
look below her
"Boow came a frivolous exclamation
at her shoulder, and she started vic.
lently. The rich. blood surged into her
face She did not need to see whose
hand was resting on her arm.
"Why, Betty Ellis" cried one gay
voice, you don't mean to tell me you
are actually blushing over Tom, you
ancient married woman, you! The
bushes are for the buds"
"Then they are for Betty" said Tom
CALAMITY. "What rosebud ever looked
sweeter than she does this minute?"
"Tomr she demonstrated, and he
laughed and sat down beside her.
When the others were absorbed in
themselves again he whispered to her:
"Forgive me, Betty, if l bored you by
coming. just couldn't help it. I had
forgotten all about the Ripley invita-
ton until saw you in the box. came
along just to be doing something"
Don't" she begged, and the eyes
that were lifted to his were full OF
tears. He covered her hand moment
with his and waited; then, when she
had slyly wiped the moisture from her
lids and had swallowed that trouble
some lump, she whispered: 81 was just
mistaken after all. l don't believe in
preventive measures like this. We are
not tired yet. Let's just wait until
we are"
Done, Betty" he agreed rapturously.
You are so sensible"
"Sensiblew interrupted Mrs. Ripley,
turning quickly at the word, which
had drifted to her ears. isn't she so.