The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-29
AN EVENING OFF
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

:
Priscilla laid Gerald junior in his
crib, tilted the bottle to just the a
proper angle and snatched soft lit a
tie handkerchief out of her belt just
in time to prevent very bitter tear a
from dropping down on to the wee '
pink cheek on the pillow. i
Gerald senior had just gone out, s
slamming the door as most males do. !
considering the same fitting finale !
for a marital row. This was their
first quarrel. and Priscilla felt that
the earth was shaking under her feet.
She slipped into a kimono and sat
down by the window. 1t was not quite
dark, but the street below was very
quiet; so was the little flat-just
soft, contented sound from the crib in
the corner. The silence added to her
loneliness. OF course little Gerald was
the dearest, sweetest. most precious
darling in the wide world, but after
she had cooed and kissed and patted
and rocked all day, to say nothing Of
the ceremonious bath and airing in the
perambulator, she felt 1t her privilege ,
to associate with people Of her own ,
age, after baby had settled himself to
sleep all night; preferably Gerald /
senior, but-and this was what the
trouble was all about-he had drug
store. and no one could be trusted
with the precious prescription factory
from a. m. until II p. m. daily but
himself. Priscilla was left to amuse
herself as best she could.
Suddenly someone threw up win
dow in the building next door and
strains of music came floating over
to her She raised her own window
in order to hear better 1t was
waltz, and, looking up, she caught
glimpse now and then of passing
dancers.
Gerald junior was sleeping now. She
took away the bottle, covered him
snugly-and then she went to her
desk Long ago she had tucked away
an engraved card somewhere in
pigeonhole She found it under the
baby's weight chart.
: Mr.. and Mrs. Reginald ST. Clair
STUDIO DANCING
Glasses Tuesday and Friday
From until ii.
Private Lessons as Arranged.
e Nestor Building. Philadelphia.
J. How she had coaxed Gerald to go!
n He used to love dancing! How mar
t riage changed men! 1t was different
u with women. They didn't lose all 70
nance in two short years.
L; Then she thought of something. Why
n not go to dancing school alone? Many
women did!
O She rolled baby's bed as quietly al
g she could to the window and pulled
l. the shade to the top. II she left {
bright light burning in the room sht
n could look over at him after ever!
h dance to make sure he was all right.
"A In a few minutes she was dressed
# in a yearold white gown and blacl
is slippers and stockings, but she fel
"a like Cinderella in satin and crysta
going to her first ball.
, The preliminaries were . little try
ing to timid Priscilla, but the deligh
q of dancing more than made up TO
the effort. AS she had planned. afte
a. every dance she went to the windo'
for a peep at the baby, who lay, a
she had left him, sound asleep in hi
bed close to the window.
rv Priscilla laughed softly to hersel
ce How splendidly her plan had worked
I'd Two hours of pleasure like this ono
,e. week would keep her going hui
Nv dreds Of lonely evenings at HON
mr. alone. What Gerald does not kno
| IL. uI,~ n
lis smiling. I'm not doing anyone in tn
world bit Of HARM
~ The class work on a new one-ste
Nv took a little Longer than usual al
m. by the time 1t was over Priscilla Wa
he frantic with anxiety. She mac
cd straight for the window and locke
re- down at Baby Geralds window.
gh She put her hand suddenly to h
Ter mouth to stihe scream. She wi
Just in time to see two masculil
re- arms lift baby from his bed and di
ing appear.
ley She had locked the door and no OF
his else but Gerald had key. But &c
he aid had no pepper-and-salt clothes. al
md the two arms that held her precio
the DaDy were enCaSeu III rough tWccu
len Priscilla ran! Like a fash she W
ife. down the stairs, out on the stree
all then up the stairs Of her own bull
rity ing. The door of her apartment W
ogs standing open and-Gerald junior W
,rb- gone!
ogs She tried to reach the telephone, b
the floor was waving and everythl
was dancing before her eyes. She :
down an instant until things shot
.dv get steadier-then quietly faint
ton away.
+, :, The next morning Gerald senior I
CIV holding one Of Priscilla hands. Ba
Gerald lay cooing in his crib
everything seemed delightfully."- pea
,,on full and happy to the little woman
- bed. IF you don't mind, Ger1
-, dear, will you please tell me all o
Ti again how you rushed home for ba
when you got the message W
-, grandmother was passing throw
~, town and wanted to see her OF
10 greatgrandson
So ne told her again.
Whose coat had you on dear =
Sam 5. my clerks ] had only
minutes to get 10 the train and IN
nave rush / got the wrong one
-dlze And you're sure you don t m
lend nv going to dancing schoOi?'
-k,r