South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-03
SECOND YEAR OF
MARRIED LIFE.

Want TO go to the theater tonight?"
Warren threw down a couple of
tickets. Carson gave me those-he's
always getting passes"
What is it, dear-what play?"
Some sort of problem play or
other. The Cause think it's call
THE Cause! oh, that's what I've
been wanting to see so much
I'm, thought that was about your
style. You're always keen on those
psychologilac stunts. Well, you'll have
to hurry. I'm not going to dress"
"Oh, Warren, you're not! And
they're orchestra seats-F. That's
right down in the front"
Don't care where it is Lots of
men go TO the theater in business suits
nOw-you even see them in boxes.
And / wouldn't get into a dress suit
tonight if they'd give me the show"
But Warren
Now, see here, if you want me to
go as l am, all right. If you don't
Wen stay at home"
And Helen realized the futility of
saying any more. 1t was just $40
when they reached the theater and
the play was announced 10 play at
S:15. The usher led them down the
red-carpeted aisle 10 their seats.
Helen took off her hat and pinned it
on the back of the seat in front OF
her. Then she looked around at the
well-filled house There were hardly
any seats left in the orchestra and all
the boxes were taken. She turned
and looked up at the balcOnies-they,
two. were filed.
Helen was keenly conscious that all
the men around them were in even
ing clothes. She wanted to call War
rens attention to this but refrained,
knowing it would only irritate him.
A beautifully gOwned woman with
her escort now swept into the row in
front of them. Helen caught the
tubtle odOr of a French perfume as
she threw back her opera cloak. Her
blond hair was deliberately dressed
with jewelled combs, her gown, cut
very low, displayed the ivory white
neck and shoulders.
She was unqueStiOnably very beau
tiful And her escort. a tall. faultless-
ly grOomed man, was bending toward
her with evident pride and admira-
ton.
Helen felt suddenly very plain and
insignificant. Her simple little gown
seemed cheap and ordinary compared
to the expensive elegance of the one
before her.
The curtain rose now and Helen's
attention was turned 10 the stage. The
scene was the library of an English
country house. A young woman in
an exquisite pale blue morning gown.
(the kind you never see of The stage)
was arranging some flowers in vase.
Helen. who in spite Of all her ideaistic
tendencies was realist at heart, often
wondered at the lack Of realism Of
stage gowns Possibly it was because
the actress insists on very beautiful
and expensive gowns regardless OF
their suitab ility.
The Problem" turned out TO be the
inevitable triangle one-the love Of a
man for "A woman not his wife And
the first act closed with an affecting
scene between the husband and wife.
The wife. who does not know Of her
husbands faithlessneSs. is piteously
trying 10 regain his love.
Helen was glad OF the applause and
the repeated curtain calls, as II gave
her time 10 wink back the tears before
the lights flashed up. Even then she
bent over her program as though in
tent on the cast OF characters.
Act 1.-THE drawing room the next
evening she read aloud. Act III
A lodging house in Cover street six
months later. Well. it's staged beau
tifully. and John HaTgrave is very
eood-don't YOU think 500"
Hes all right" asserted Warren.
only he oyerdoes it-in parts
Helen made several further COM