The Pensacola journal., 1920-04-06
WHO is ILL?

Our taxi drew into the long line of
motor cars before the theater ana
slowly crept up to the door. Diclzy
jumped out. raised his umbrella and
guided me into the lobby. 1t was
filled with men and women, some. in
elaborate evening dress, others in
street garb. Some were going in to
their seats, others were gossiping with
each other, still others appeared to be
waiting for friends.
The most conspicuous of all the
women leaned against the wall and
| and gazed at others through a lorg-
nette, which she handled as if she
had not long been accustomed to its
use. Her gown, glaringly cut one,
was of scarlet chiffon over silk, and
her brocaded cape was half-slipping
from her shoulder. Her hair was
j frankly dyed, and she was rouged
outrageously.
1 gazed at her fascinated. She typi
fled to me everything that was dis
agreeable. 1 have always disliked
even being in the neighborhood of her
| vulgar kind What was my horror
then, to see her deliberately smiling
at me. then coming toward us with
hand outstretched.
realized the truth even before she
spoke. 1t was not 1 at whom she was
smiling. but Dicky. She was DiclSy's
! friend,
"why, bless my soul, if it isn't the
Dickybird," she cried SO loudly that
everybody turned to look at US. Il
] suppose this is the bride you've been
hiding away so jealously." She looked
me up and down as if I were on ex-
hibition. Pretty good taste, Dicky,
but 1 don't imag gine that your old
friends will see much of you from now
on"
That's where you're wrong ILL.,"
returned Dicky easily s'fWere going
to have you all up some night soon.'
See that you do" she returned,
tweaking his ear as we passed on to
our sests.
had not spoken during the CONVEX
sation. 1 had shaken the hand OF the
women and smiled at her.
| But over and over again in my
brain this question was revolving:
who is this unpleasant woman who
calls my husband Dickybird,' and
who is called Liz by him?"
| But / love the very air of the thea
! ter, So as Diclxy and L sank into the
iold-fashioned brocaded seats 1 reso-
lutely put away from my mind all dis
i turbing thoughts of the woman in the
lobby who appeared on such good
terms with my husband, and prepared
| to enjoy every moment of the evening.
| We'll done, Madge!" Dicky whis-
pered mischievously, as, after we had
been seated, let my cloak drop from
my shoulders without arising. You
wriggled that off in the most approved
manner"
Il ought to- I whispered back. I've
watched other women with envious
lattention during all the lean years.
when I wore tailor-mades to mill and
to meeting"
/ Dick squeezed my hand under cover
OF the cloak. NO more lean years for
my girl If / can help it, he muir
murmured earnestly.
I'm not saying these actors now
adays are not all right; but they don't
| hold candle to the older ones. Take
Mary Anderson, now There was an
actress worthy of the namei I re-
member when I saw her
| Not only Dicky and /, but everybody
near us turned in amazement at the
sound the querulous old voice tell
| ing of other days
by George, Madgei" Dicky drew
a deep breath Look at that Those
people are just what I. want for that
cover I've been muddnng over 50 long
The only trouble is that If I knew