Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-07
"VIRTUOUS WIVES"
Owen Johnson's Sparkling Society Novel,
which is making such hit in ths movies.
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said, staring at the reflection of his
elongated bony figure clad in laven-
der pajamas. Good Lord, l should
have known betterl 1t was that
tricky music, or perhaps the punch
/ don't know which. Well, I'm in
for it-that's sure"
A shower did not relieve either
his ill-humor or the ache in his
head. Everything went wrong. He
had forgotten to put ont his boots
the new spring suit he had intended
to wear had not been returned from
the tailor, though they had sworn
an oath on it. To cap which, despite
Is years of subjugation, his hair had
developed sudden rebellions which
defed the brush.
He was in this state of irritation
and misery when Jap Laracy burst
in, fresh as schoolgirl, flower in
his buttonhole, ready for breakfast
and the day. At Dawson's dis
heveled appearance, he stopped short
and emitted a whistle of surprise.
Hello, there! A little Katzen-
jammer?" he said, amused, as best
friend has the right to be at the evil
dence of the mornings headache.
Its a lovely day"
rs it?" said Dawson, with a
groan.
How late did you stay in that pi-
rates gamer"
TOO late"
Cleaned out?"
"How do / known" said Dawson,
sitting down and taking his head in
his hands.
Laracy, ovefjoyed at this answer,
Immediately searched among the
furniture until, having retrieved the
scattered elements of last nights
clothes. he could assemble the con-
tents Of the pockets.
"Here, l say-three cheers! You're
stuffed with bills, my boy. Lucky at
cards, unlucky at love"
ooh, shut up, JapP said Dawson
glumly. Can't you see I'm feeling
rottenI" He hesitated. MAKE my
excuses at the Office. ! can't get
down this morning.
Something wrong, old boy? said
Laracy, his round, untragic face as
Stunning a look of sympathy which
made it more comical than ever.
eve made a mess of things, and
I've got to straighten them out"
"Amy?" said Laracy, who was
confident to the little ills of his heart
Il can't tell you" said Dawson,
who suddenly concentrated all his
anger on cuff button which re-
fused to be subdued, cursing it in a
way to have won the admiration Of
hardened stage manager.
Laracy installed himself on the
back of an armchair, drawing up his
legs, and looked solemn.
"Tody Dawson, for the two hum
bred and twoty-twoth time-cut it
out! There's nothing in it, my boy.
Are you going to fool away all your
chances? Don't you know the game
you're playing"
"Oh, it's all right for you to talk,
you unsentimental jellyhsh," said
Dawson, shaking off collar which
refused to button.
quite right-and watch where /
land" said Laraey, not in the least
offended. My dear fellow, make
love to them if you wish-bless
their hearts, they're so grateful
but don't go and fool yourself. Good
Lord, hasn't Irma trained you bet
ter? Don't you know the bunch
you're playing with? So you think
you're madly, hopelessly in love
with Amy Forester, do you-you
great big calf"
"Oh, Lord, I don't knowP said
Dawson, adjusting a pink tie with
nicely. Don't ask me"
GO down Fifth Avenue, stop at
any hair-dressing parlor, and make
love to the first wax beauty in the
window" said Laracy crushingly.
you'll be better off. Buck up,
Tody! Lies long way to travel
and there's a lot of bills to pay"
For a moment he was silent, inn
pressed with this momentous truth;
then he added solicitously: Don't
make a colossal ass of YOURSELF
Why, boy, you've chance right I'M
der your nose-a dozen fellows
fighting for herl A dear little thing,
that's ready to fall into your arms,
he continued vehemently, evidently
referring to some eligible young
lady captivated by Dawson's accom-
plishments, for he added: Make
hay-make hay while the sun shines.
This dancing craze isn't immortal,
you knowI
81 say, you're consolingl"
"I'm giving you straight talk
said Laracy obstinately. "Wells No
confidence this morning.
Cant tell you anything-now,"
said Dawson, looking out of the
window.
"At your service" said Laracy,
who saluted and departed.
At noon, Dawson, who had tried
so ways. to cheat the clock,
ssG 50 IT,