Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-09-01
When the Cats
Away
40 - - - -
BY MORRIS SCHULTZ
IIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIILIIIIIlILIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Ada was the best little woman in
the world, but Internally prosalc. Her
soul rose no higher than cooking and
cleaning. She made wonderful pies,
and her house was dream of order
too orderly for mere husband. She
had gone to the seaside for month
leaving Walter with mixed regrets
and rejoicings.
Walter was a good husband He
never hit the high spots-or never
had done until he picked up that copy
of the Matrimonial Advertiser in the
subway The car was almost empty,
otherwise he would have thrown 1t
away. Ashamed of himself, he read:
Lonely widow, aged thirty-four,
considered beautiful, charming and
accomplished with fortune Of forty
thousand dollars, wishes to meet con-
genial gentleman. Object matrimony."
His eyes scanned advertisement
after advertisement 1t was really re-
markable what large number of
beautiful, charming and accomplished
ladies there were-with fortunes, too
to be had for the picking up.
He was about to throw away the
sheet in disgust when an advertise
ment near the foot of the column at
tracted his attention.
young lady, aged twenty-seven,
beautiful in way, not unintelligent,
accomplished, but no money, seeks So
ciety Of congenial gentleman for lin
tied period. Matrimony not sought"
The frankness of the communica-
ton attracted Walter He slipped the
paper into his pocket and made his
way gulltily homeward. Once in his
room, after a short struggle, he yield
ed to temptation. He wrote as fol-
lows:
MADAM: l am a gentleman, aged
thirty-one, considered handsome by
my friends not unintellIgent Like
yourself, am not seeking matrlmony,
but should value congenlal feminine
society for limited period. l should
be pleased to meet you, and, If the
suggestion is equally agreeable to you,
would suggest that you meet me on
Thursday next outside Kalzkoff's at
seven in the evening" so that we can
enjoy little supper together and
have a chat"
Walter posted this communication,
and Immediately went into agonies of
remorse He felt that he was doing
the kindly, patient Ada a hideous
wrong. All night his conscience tor
mented him, and he arose next morn
ing with the determination to pursue
| the matter no further.
The following day, however, he re
ceived the daintlest communication
from his correspondent informing hin
that she appreciated the frankness OF
his letter, and would meet him out.
side the restaurant at the appointed
time. For purposes of Identification
she would wear a red carnatiOn in her
| coat.
| This was difficult predicament
for, only that morning by the same
post, Walter had received a most low
ing letter from Ada. She said that
she was enjoying herself at the sea-
side, and her only regret was that
hubby could not be with her instead
of leading a lonely life In town. She
hoped that he was eating well and
that his socks did not want darnIng.
However It was too late to draw
back now 1t would be an act Of gross
discOurtesy to invite the fair, anony-
nous communication to meet him and
then fail to materiallze. He deter
mined, however, that their meeting
should be the first and last.
He made his way to the restaurant.
Outside was slim, petite little wom-
an with figure very much like Adas
so much so that at first sight It gave
Walter guilty look. She was heavily
yelled in black and wore a Widows
weeds
Next moment he found himself ac-
costing her. She answered his saluta.
lions in strained, mechanical and,
he thought, unnatural voice. They
went into the lounge.
"Er-suppose we sit down here for
minute" said Walter desperately.
"I-er-appreclated the frankness of
your letter, and before we have sup.
per / think l ought to be still franker
with you. 1 am a married man. /
sent you that letter in moment OF
fun. But now that we can under
stand each other, why shouldn't we
have pleasant evening together any
way?"
"Wait minute" she answered, in
voice shaking with tears-Or was II
laughter. "I-Pm I'm the same boat
I'm married woman and my husband
thinks I'm staying at the seaside. IL
repented this folly every minute since
wrote to you. And-Oh, want TO
go back | want to forget all this.
Won't you take me to the station in
taxi and say goodbye
Her plea was so vehement that Wal
ter found himself obliged to surren-
der He called taxi, and side by
side they rode to the terminal, where
he bought her ticket and saw her
aboard the train.
"Good-by," she said at the coach
door
"GoOd-by," said Walter.
"YOu will forgive meT
"Of course And you me? But
won't you just let me see your face
for a mlnutei"
She hesltated an instant-then lift
ed her veil.
II wasn't Ada.
No Sense.