Evening journal., 1911-03-20
ADemonstratlon
BY DoRoTHEA HALE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

much of his time abroad. Paris being
his favorite place of residence. He
was a frequent visitor at the opera and
the theaters. Indeed, they were his
world One night on the stage Of the
Opera Comique he saw his fate. One
Of the singers. Mile. Clochette Verdier
was the impersonation of modesty. Of
decorum, of all that is gentle and fem
mime.
Ainsworth requested a theatrical
friend TO take him behind the scenes
and introduce him to the lady. This
was duly granted, and Ainsworth
found Mile. Verdier the same shy,
unassuming creature she was on the
stage. She was rather petite and
dressed off--and usually on-the stage
in very simple attire. her hair especial.
ly being plainly done. When AIMS
worth looked at her admiringly her
eyes dropped 10 the floor and she stood
before him a living statue Of limo.
cence
At the end of a few months, dur
ing which Ainsworth gave Mile Yer
der all of his time that she was
able to spare Of her own to be with
him. he found himself desperately in
love with her and made her proposal
OF marriage II was accepted, and
Ainsworth was inordinately happy. He
told his Gancee that it would not be
necessary for her 10 remain on the
stage-that his father was a very rich
man.
Ainsworth senior was but twenty
two years older than Ainsworth junior,
but he had always been very liberal
with his son and had told the boy that
when he wished to marry he would
provide for him. 81 don't wish you 10
be in hurry to get me out IF the way.
Dick the parent had said. I'm good
for twenty or thirty years yet, but !
shall not trouble you because still
live When Clochette asked Dick II
his father would object TO his marry
ing one on the stage Dick told her
that his father had come very near do
ing the same thing himself before he
married his mother
Dick wrote his father about his en-
gagement. and his father replied sym
pathetically that II the description he
had received OF the lady were correct
he would have no objection whatever
10 the match and would provide for
the couple literally. The elder Aims
worth was a widower. with no other
1 child except Dick. end he promised to
settle half of his estate on his boy on
/ the day Of bis marriage But he
said In closing his letter. Il must make
| the acquaintance Of your fancee be.
Z fore giving my approval. and I am
sorry to say shall not be able tc
cross the ocean for several months
yet"
This last part OF his fathers letter
was the only part Of It that interfereC
with Dicks comfort He was yer,
much in love and desired to be mad,
happy at once. II troubled him tina
his dear. modest little Clochette shoulC
continue to be the target for the eye
OF the young bloods OF Paris. al
would gladly have had her leave it a
once. hut she declined to do so unit
they were married. SO Dick wat
forced to wait till his father coulC
come over and all should be settled.
At last he received the welcome
news that Mr. Ainsworth would sal
on a certain date and go direct t.
Paris on his arrival at Havre Dicl
waited FOR the day of arrival feverish
ly. He had no doubt or his father
approval of his ladylove. Such unai
fected sweetness would charm an!
man. Besides. Dick knew that his IA
ther had a keen insight into character
especially OF women. He would a
once recognize Clochette's moral wortl
would see how different she wa
from many women on the stage.
On the day OF his fathers expecte,
arrival Dick received a telegram from
him inviting his son TO sup with hin
at cafe on the Champs Elysees. MI
Ainsworth would not arrive before II
p. m. and his son was to go to tn
cafe at II. At the appointed hou
Dick went to the cafe aud asked TO
his father. The proprietor announces
that NJ. Ainsworth had engaged a prl
vate room. but that he had evidentl,
been detained, since he had not We
arrived.
Dick impatiently walked back an,
forth for an hour. when waiter step
ped up TO him and bade him follow
him. He led the young man to an up
per story and. stopping at a certain
door. threw it open
The sight young Ainsworth behel,
startled him. Around a table on whicl
were the remains Of a supper sat
company OF men and women all tn
worse for wine. But this was onl
the beginning of what Dick saw. A
one end sat his father. evidently tn
host. while the crownlng feature o
, the scene was woman dancing aroun
, the festive board
She was Mile. Clochette Verdier.
! Father. Clochettes' cried Dicl
I, aghast
The dancer stopped. looked from he
, hance to his father. got down from tn
table and walked angrily out of th
! room
Z MY son. said the elder Ainswortl
5 demonstration is better than persui
sion. I have been a long while 1
I Paris incognito studying your fiancee.
And that was the end Of Dick Ainl
; ~orth's dream OF love-at least tbs
dream. He had another later. but TIL