The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-06-20


play" said Mildred as she did her hair
up In a psyche.
81 have nothing to say about It'd
Nothing at all-not a word" emphat'
lcally declared Marjory.
whatever do you mean?" question.
ed Mildred. Everybody Is raving
about 1t. This mornings paper stated
1t is the best drama prodsced in
years. fully expected to hear you
rant about It"
THAT might all be true. but I re-
iterate that l have nothing-no com
ments to make on last nights master
piece"
"Marjory, you are exasperating.
Speak, Explain! Never before have
heard you claim that you had nothing
to say, be the subject what 1t may"
How can | criticise a production
that l have never SEEM" innocently
inquired Marjory.
do you mean to say you didn't 60
to theater last night with Bob. after
all your wild anticipatlons and prepar-
atom" demanded Mildred.
Il went to theater with Bob last
night, but | didn't see the play"
calmly vouchsafed Marjory.
Kindly give me the answer to this
riddle. You seem to enjoy PROFOUND
ing conundrums."
II didn't intend telling anybody
about this affair" began Marjory q
think Bob Is sensitive about 1t, and
know my feelings on the subject. But
you have a way about you of making
people tell things they have firmly
made up their minds to keep a dark
secret-so here goes.
"On arriving at the theater, he
reached In his full dress coat pocket
for the tickets, turned pale and ex.
claimed: Heavens! left them In my
business suit He rushed to the
ticket office. Not seat to be had In
the house. Even the scalpers had
nothing.
Marjory,' said Bob. I'll take you
to the ladies' parlor. You wait there
I'll jump In machine, ride home, get
the tickets and return before you
know I'm gone. I'm beastly sorry that
| was such an idiot as to forget those
card boards. You won't mind, little
girl, will you?
$50 l retired to the waiting room
and waited. Never was an apartment
better named. Ladies' came in and
ladies' went out. Still waited. Be
tween each act fused with my hair
and powdered by nose so the ladies
would not be suspicious Of my lengthy
stay One congenial woman with her
mouth full of hairpins turned to me
and said: Isn't this play divineT And
rolling my eyes upward, truthfully
answered, Simply unheard Of
Near the close Of the third act Bob
appeared. Poor boy, / felt sorry for
him.
Had a deuce Of time he gasp
ed. all out of breath. gave the
chauffeur orders to beat 1t" on the
way home. Got held up for speeding
Had all kinds of trouble to straighten
1t out. Guess my family thinks I'm
crazy. the way rushed in and rushed
out. Such a miserable evening for
you, Marjory. Pm mighty sorry. 1t ia
too late to go In and see the finish
isn't itf
Most certainly It is I agreed.
Then Bob said, Well, let's go and
have a good supper-a regular blow
out-and see II we can forget my
asininity'
"The lights, the music, the gay sur
roundings and the delicious repast put
us in good spirits and by the time the
finger bowls were served we were
quite exhilarated.
"As I was buttonlng my sixteen-lncb
white glove. imagine my dismay upon
seeing Bob turn CHASTITY white for the
second time that evening. and hoarse
ly and pathetically gasp, 'Marjory,
left my money In my other suit
"He was a complete stranger in that
restaurant. He didn't know any of the
guests, either. He couldn't pay the
bill. He couldn't tip the waiter. Think
Of our chagrln.
Finally spied Mr.. Worthington
whom l knew in prehistoric times. We
waited until he passed by our table
Then I explained to him our humiliat
Ing predicament OF course. he gladly
loaned Bob the necessary sum. But
the embarrassment! Most awful"
"You poor poor child" laughed MIL
ired. Such an evening! It certainly
was exciting. But, l wager, Bob and
you with your senSs of humor will
have as much sport talking about 1t as
II you had had a normal evening""
Maybe We WILL" said Marjory. ANY
way, we are really going to see the
play tonight That is, II Bob doesn't