The Washington herald., 1913-12-28
Daily Short Story
SEATS AT THE OPERA.
BY HARMONY WELLER.

she uook out her season ticket for the
opera X
She and her brother had saved 51ring
the entire summer for the privilege OF
GCing every Friday night to the opera.
and then, when they had bought the
season tickets and paid for them, Dick
had been sent away on an extended busi-
ness trip to the West.
Madge. could have cried as she took
Out her ticket from the desk drawer and
transferred it to her opera bag. The
other one-that one Of Dick's-must be
left behind. II was a shame.
IL was while ,Madge was dabbing white
rose perfume on the tips of her dainty
ears that the idea came to her. She
would advertise her extra ticket and sell
II TO some one.
Who knows. Perhaps there is some
lonely girl in New York who will wei
come my company as much as viii
welcome hers"
Gong down on the subway that night
Madge drafted out. in her mind IN.
wording Of her advertisement. After that
she gave her mind over to the delight
OF Gioconda with Desunn. Caruso and
AmatO. She admitted during the evening
that II was selfish pleasure. but un-
doubtedly a comfortable one TO have thar
extra seat for her opera cloak ami
glasses.
II did not deter her, however, from
Paving her advertisement in the papers
the next day nor from contemplating the
pleasure or having girl chum beside
her at the next Friday opera
Madge was entirely optimistic about
disposing OF her seat.
1t was not more than she expected
then, when Elsie Wadsworth called in
the advertisement.
Il am only visiting in New York.
Miss Wadsworth told Madge, "and l
found myself too late to get a season
ticket want to hear all of the singers
while am here"
Il am delighted to have the prospect
Of your company" Madge said more or
less shyly. Il hope you will be able to
use the ticket every Friday-it is lone
some for me. So few persons really love
music as 1 do
II doubt if will miss one opera"
laughed Elsie. and I feel that we will
become friends"
Il am certain We will" affirmed
Madge.
They did become friends-fast friends.
Their acquaintance had matured rapidly.
meeting as they did every week at the
opera.
1t was not until the seventh week OF
the season that Elsie failed to occupy
her seat.
Madge was waiting anxiously lest the
curtain rise before her arrival. when a
tall good-looking man was ushered into
the chair beside her. The mutinous
glance with which she would have
greeted his appearance faded swiftly.
The man himself was supplying all the
beIligerence necessary in the situation.
II the lights had diminished a second
later Barney WadswOrth's disposition
would have Jared better during the dark
ness of the first act As it was. he had
barely time to put his hat under the
seat and arrange his long legs COM
fortably before the opera house was
plunged in darkness.
He is a rather grumpy person. de
cided Madge, and gave herself over to
the music.
Not so with Barney Wadsworth. He
had come to the opera meEely because
his sister Elise had flown into perfect
little hurricane of rage because he had
at first refused. And now. to cap the
climax. he was compelled to sit through
an entire act beside a girl whose face
seemed strangely alluring in the semi
darkness. yet one at which he had really
not obtained a good look.
Also. the scent OF white rose that
Madge had dabbed onto the tips of her
ears was stealing through WadswOrth's
senses. He was vaguely annoyed at this
little friend of his sisters for being mys-
magnetic. 1t was going to hurl
him out of his habitual indifference. He
felt that knowledge even before the opera
house was radiant with lights and he
could turn squarely toward Madge-
MY sister Elise he said in voice
SO low as not to startle Madge out OF
her music-attuned senses. asked me to
give YOU this" WadswOrth slipped a
tiny note into Madge's hand
She cast a glance of something like
relief into the eyes OF the man whom
she had adjudged an intruder. A smile
followed swiftly. Madge decided she
would like him.
4 second later she looked up from the
short note. Il am sorry Elise had to
miss hearing Martinelh," she said He
Is in splendid voice tonight"
rs he?" questioned Wadsworth. Il
am afraid l don't know the chap"
oh" Gasped Madge He is the won
ierfuI new tenor. Elise and l are mad
about him She gazed at the half-smil-
ng lips of the unabashed man beside
ler. and a sort of sigh escaped her lips.
tries to talk music to me-" laughed
Wadsworth. He turned comfortably in
his seat so that he could face her. Now.
would far rather hear you. for in
stance, sing Come Back to Erin that
his Martineni chap singing in 'BOheme'
IT whatever they are doing tonight.
Madge laughed in spite of herself.
1T is positively wicked TO waste a
Iood scat"
Il cannot consider the seat wasted.
Tor the time" he told her. In fact. 1
m most likely to want TO come again.
Madge looked her surprise and held up
he note Elsie had written her.
Your sister tells me that opera bores
ou almost as much as do girls She
aughed mockingly.
A dull red crept up TO Wadsworth's
empIes and he moved uneasily.
Il might cultivate a taste for good
music" he said with short laugh
And not for girIs?" Madge questioned
NTH an adorable pout.
That is already proving itself less
ifficult than the music" he told her
When the house was again plunged into
Barney wadsworth leaned
ack contentedly. The music. with Madge
eside him. and the scent Of white rose
;eaIing over him promised very won
erfuI hour. A second later his arm,
hrilled even to the finger tips.
A slight maneuver on the part OF
Iadge had brought her shoulder against
is She did not withdraw II and a
oft little sigh OF satisfaction fell from
er lips.
wadsworth bent his head to ask