The Connecticut labor press., 1920-06-19
CHAPTER Iv-continued.

| seemed, was relating something of mo- ! ment for Arrowsmith's benefit. refer ring now and then to Mrs. Farnsworth as though for corroboration. The scene in the box was almost as in- teresting as any in the play, and the audience watched with deep absorp- ton. Alice, the least self-conscious of mortals, was, I knew, utterly un- l aware of the curious gaze of the house; whatever she was saying with an occasional gesture of her gloved hand or shrug of her shoulders possessed her completely. thought she might be telling Arrowsmith of her adventures at Barton; but the length Of her narrative was against this, and Arrowsmith's attitude was more that of critic appealed to for an opinion than of polite listener to story. He nodded his head sew eral times. and finally, as Alice. with slight dip of the head and an out ward movement of her arms, settled back in her chair. he pafted his hands approvingiy.
 In my absorption I had forgotten Montani's existence. but as the third act began I saw that he had gone. Whether should put myself in Alice's way as she left the theater was still an undetermined question when the play ended. With Montani hanging about felt a certain obligation to warn her that he had been watching her. was among the first to leave. and in the foyer met Forsythe, the house manager, who knew me as a friend of Searles.
 You notice that we're still turn ing 'em away" he remarked. We don't have to worry about this piece; everybody who sees it sends his friends the next day. Searles hasn't looked in for some time; hope he's writing a new play?'
 He's West visiting his folks. Don't know when he'll be back answered. "I must write him that Sir Cecil Ar rowsrnith enjoyed Who Killed Cock RObinT just as much as common mor- tals.''
 fsorsythe had paused at the box office. and in my uncertainty I stuck to him as the crowd began to surge by.
 Arrowsmith's approach was adver-, fised by the peculiar type of tall hat that he affected. and the departing au- back to stare At his left were Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth, and they must pass quite close to me sWho Killed Cock Robin?'' was a satisfying play that sent audiences away with light ened hearts and smiling faces, and the trio were no exception to the rule.
 Listening inattentively to Forsythe. I was planning to join Alice when the trio should reach me. She saw me ; there was feeting flash of recog- hilton in her eyes, and then she turned toward Arrowsmith. She drew near CT: her gaze met mine sQuareiy, hut now without sign to indicate that she had ever seen me before. She passed on. talking with greatest ami nation to Arrowsmith.
 ''Well, remember me to Searles If you write him,Y I heard Forsythe say Ing. I clutched his arm as he opened the office door.
 "Who are those women? ?" I demand ed
 You may search mel see you. have good eye. That girls rather nice to look at T"
 Crowding my way to the open, I blocked the path of orderly. sane citi- zens awaiting their machines until a policeman pushed me aside. Alice I saw for a bewildering instant. framed in the window of big limousine that rolled away uptown.
 | had been snuBbed! No snub had ever been delivered more deliberately, with nicer calculation of effect. than that administered to me by Alice Bash ford-a girl with whom. until a mo- ment before. I had believed myself on terms of cordial comradeship. She had cut me; Alice who had asked me at the very beginning of our acquaint- ance to call her by her first name Alice had cut me without the culver of lash.
 walked to the Thackeray and set tied myself in a dark corner of the reading room. thoroughly bruised in spirit. Tn my resentment meditated flying to Ohio to join Searles, always
  at Barton might go to the uevil If Alice and her companion wanted to get rid of me, I would not be sorry to be relieved of the responsibility had assumed in trying to protect them With rising fury I reflected that by the time they had shaken off Mon tani and got rid of the prisoner in the tool honse they would think better of me.
 Telephone call, sir.''
 followed the boy to the booth in rage that any one should disturb my gloomy reflections.
 ''Mr. Singleton? Ohi This is Alice speaking"
 I ciutched the shelf for support. Not only was it Alice speaking, but in the kindest voice imaginable. My aflger passed, but my amazement at Alice and all her ways blinded me. If she had suddenly stepped through the wall, my surprise could not have been greater.
 You told me the Thackeray was your usual refuge in town, so I thought I'd try it. Are you very, very cross? Pm sorry. really am-Bob p
 The "Bob' was added lingeringly, propitiating. Huddled in the booth, I doubted my senses-wondering in- deed whether Alice hadn't double