The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-02-20
Ihey Go to ''The Cause" a Problem
fiay, but Warren Thinks
It's Rotten.

i
| It's Rotten.
Want to go to the theatre to-
night Warren threw down a cou-
those-he's always getting passes"
What is it, dear-what play?"
Some sort of problem play or
other. The Cause l think it's called"
Inc Couse! Oh, that's what I've
been wanting to see so much!''
| I'm, l thought that was about
your style. You're always keen on
those psychological stunts. Well,
you,n 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.
i Don't care where it is. Lots of
men go to the theatre in business
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 | am all right. If you don't,
We'll stay at home.'
And Helen realized the futility of
saying anything more. 1t was Just
$40 when they reached the theatre
and the play was announced to play
at $40. The usher led them down
the red-carpeted aisle to 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 orches-
ira and all the boxes were taken.
She turned and looked up at the bal
conies-they, too, we're filled.
Helen was keenly conscious that
all the men around them were ins
evening clothes. She wanted to call
Warren's attention to this but re-
Trained, knowing it would only irri-
tate him.
A beautifully gowned woman with
her escort now swept into the row
in front of them. Helen caught the
subtle odor of a French perfume as
blond hair was deliberately dressed
with jeweled combs, her gown, cut
very low, displayed the ivory white
neck and shoulders.
She was unquestionably very beau
tiful. And her escort, a tall, fault
lessly groomed man, was bending to-
ward her with evident pride and adj
miration.
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 to the stage
The scene was the library of an
English country house. A young wo-
man in an exquisite pale blue morn
ing gown, (the kind you never see
flowers in a vase. Helen, who in |
spite of all her idealistic tendencies
was a realist at heart, often wonder |
ed at the Tack or realism of stage |
gowns. Possibly it was because the !,
actress insists on very beautiful and
expensive gowns regardless of their
suitability.
"The Problem turned out to be |
the inevitable triangle one-the love
of a man for woman not his wife. /
And the first act closed with an af
fecting scene between the husband
and wife The wife. who does not
know of her husbands faithlessness,
is piteously trying to regain his
love.
love.
Helen was glad of the applause
and the repeated curtain falls. as it
gave her time to wink back the
tears before the lights flashed up. |
Even then she bent over her pro- /
gram as though intent on the cast of !.
characters.
Act 1.-THE drawing room the |
next evening" she read aloud. "Act |
lila lodging house in Cover street |
six months later Well. it's staged
beautifully, and John Hargrave is |
very good-don't you think so?"
''He's all right" assented Warren, |
"only he overdoes it in parts"
Helen made several further COM
ments on the play, the setting and
the actors, but as Warren only an