The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-07-25
The food and the insects were bad

The food and the insects were bad
enough; but the men were worse
perfectly detestable horrors"
How very unfortunate" said the
Honorable John Ruffin in q tone of
profound commiseration. And l was
under the impression that they were
charming full Of fire and passion and
Southern romance"
Il shouldn't wonder IL Il was that
that made them SO detestable," said
the Esmeralda thoughtfully. 1T was
perfect persecution"
Il cannot greatly wonder at It,"
said the Honorable John Rufin, look
Ing at her with some earnestness
The Esmeraida smiled at him, and
turned to the question of Pollyooly,
The rehearsals were in the morning;
and it was arranged that Pollyooly
should take the Lump with her to
them. But that during the perform
ance In the evening he should be left
In charge of Mrs. Brown. the police
mans wife. who lived in Pollyooly's
old lodgings.
These details settled, the Esmeralda
TOOK her departure; and the Honor:
able John Ruin accompanied her to
her motor brougham. On his return
ne said to Pollyooly. who was clear
Ing away the tea: Its amazing how
everybody seems to want you, Polly
ooiy. No sooner did Vance see you
dancing than he wanted to draw you:
and no sooner did the Esmeralda see
you drawn than she wanted you to
dance. Yet not one of them has
grasped the great, essential fact Of
your nature. that you grill bacon bet
ter than anyone in England"
Yes. sir" said Pollyooly.
At half-past eleven next morning
Pollyooly and the Lump came to Es-
meralda's fat in the Savoy Hotel. She
welcomed them with hugs and kisses:
and then drove them to the varolium
IN her motor brougham Poolyooly
held the Lump very tight as they
went through the long passages OF the
great building; and she held him
tighter still when they came on to the
big stage.
whirling week followed. There
were rehearsals every morning, re-
hearsais during which the Esmeralda
pulled or cajoled the band to the
highest pitch of excellence: there were
visits TO the costumer where Pollyooly
was decked out In the most beautiful
fairy robes. There were lunches at
wonderful restaurants where she and
the Lump ate strange and delicious
food.
The Esmeralda had been right IN
her choice of Pollyooly: she learned to
40 all that was required of her In
three rehearsals. She had but little
dancing to do. she was little more
than a decoration. charming foil to
the Esmeraldas dark beauty. On the
night OF the first performance Polly
ooly was much the less nervous Of the
two, for she hardly gave a thought to
the audience; she was only intent on
doing her part properly; and she did
her simple business as well as it could
be done She only became really
aware OF the audience when she stood
hand in hand with the Esmeralda,
bowling to the storm Of applause.
The Esmeralda was prodigious
success; and Pollyooly found her
pound week assured for many weeks.
At first the Esmeralda was very care
full to drive Pollyooly back to the
Temple Immediately after the per-
Torrance. Then she fell into the way Of
taking her with her to supper. Some
times one of her admirers had pressed
her for an introduction to Pollyooly:
sometimes she did not care to SUP
alone with one of them: and she would
say to Pollyooly. II want you to come
and play little red gooseberry to-
night"
At these suppers Pollyooly became
acquainted with some Of the most or
aamental members of the British peer |
lge, men whose ancestors had fought |
It Agincourt and Flodden or brewed
,eer for nearly two generations. She
vas too young to appreciate her great |
privilege; and she very much pre-
erred the suppers at which the Hon. I
'rable John Ruffin (between whom and |
! Peerage stood as many as nine !
ives: or as he himself preferred to /
Express 1t, a cat1 was host. because |
here was SO much more laughter at |
hem.
There are reasons for believing that |
he Esmeralda preferred them too:
not, why was he her most frequent
lost? And why did her eyes shine so /
much more brightly and her smiles
ollow one another so much more
uickly when she supped with him?
borrower. 1T was after talk with
'oilyooly about the cold resolution
nth which he combatted his creditors
hat the Esmeralda proclaimed 1t her
ancy to sup in little cafe in Soho
ather than in the SIMMER and more
xpensive restaurants in Piccadilly,
nd made this their practice.
But one evening he met them at the
tage-door Of the varolium. and said.
To-day is my birthday; and tonight
re sup at Princes"
t7ss< e..tisseN