Evening star., 1926-05-02

1T isn't a matter of religious pref.
udice," said Rodericll weightily. Its
a matter of what's right and proper,
and what amt"
Jimmy Herman was the most loyal
of slaves. He had just sworn to a
worGless compact with Roderick. But
for Eloise In days gone by Jimmy had
nourished a hopeless passion and had
withdrawn sustenance from it only
when her preference for Roderick be
came too evident for him. He now
turned upon his fellow traveller in
the world of art. Thus always is it
when woman arrives upon scene
held by men.
Isn't, not amt" he said with quiet
dignity. Besides weren't you saying
that a lady was what she Is, not
what she does, and doesn't your hero
inc wear tights? l think that's lot
worse than Eloise going swimming
without stockings"
Heroine? Whose heroine? What
are YOU talking about?" asked Eloise.
Roderick arose from the bench; he
straightened carefully the crease in
his white flannel trousers. We'll, l
guess / got to get back to work" he
announced Importantly.
Eloise stared at him. What work
have you to do? Going to NOW the
lawn" Roderick shrugged disdain'
fully; his attitude was of one dwell
ing on remote and lofty planes. His
manner annoyed Jimmy. Roderick
ought not to scorn a lady whom
Jimmy, only few months ago. would
have died to attain. Into his voice,
which only moment ago had held
admiring awe, crept note OF ridi-
cule.
Hes got to finish his play" he
said. Eloise was aware OF the subtle
implications in the tones of the dis
loyal Jimmy.
play? What sort of a play has
he written?" she asked.
Now Jimmy had really been deeply
impressed with the outline of Rod.
ericks drama. He forgot his momen-
tary resentment toward Roderick.
IT'S a great play" he told her. "All
about an actress rushing into church
with tights on. and the minister not
knowing she's on stage, nor the con-
gregation neither, and her having a
baby"
Rodericks laugh was one bf amused
tolerance. You've got it a little
mixed up, Jimmy" he said. Let me
explain It."
"Oh, do!' cried Eloise. There was
something suspicious in her eagerness.
But Roderick, in the blindness engen.
dered by artistic vanity, walked into
the pit. He described, with great de.
tail. the climactic scene of his great
play. All envy left the heart of
Jimmy as he heard again the proofs
Of genius. He turned to Eloise. Amt
it wonderful?" he asked.
Eloise stared at Roderick Its
marvellous" she breathed. Il can see
her coming down the aisle. can feel
il. Jimmy, you be the minister: sta nd
on the bench. Roderick, you be the
congregation. I'll be the actress in
tights"
She turned and walked rapidly away
from them; 20 feet away she stopped.
With absolute and deliberate brazen-
ness. she unbuttoned the skirt of her
bathing suit and stepped out of 1t
slim as a boy in knickers that she
wore beneath it. She draped the skirt
about her shoulders. She advanced
toward the two boys, shrieking at the
top of her healthy young lungs, Our
chee-ild is dying, our chee-ild is dy.
ing."
A yard from the bench on which
Jimmy stood, she permitted the i'm
provised cloak to fall from her shoul-
ders. "Oh, do not judge me, hus-
band. because I have on my working
clothes. / am good woman. and /
only wear tights because / am a
great artist" And now the subtlety
Of her genius percolated into the
none too active mind of Jimmy. He
had said that it was a great play.
Now that he saw it's absurdity he
also saw opportunities to disclaim
his statement. He rose brilliantly to
the occasion.
only men wear pants in this
church of mine" he cried. az don't
care if our baby is dying. You go
home and put some clothes on you.
This is a terrible way to act
Eloise knelt upon the ground; she
rolled upon 1t, careless that the dirt
Of graveled tennis court covered her
bathing suit. BE not so harsh with
your loyal, loving wife" she pleaded.
Slowly the fire had mounted to the
face of Roderick. His cheeks. his
forehead, his throat. even the back
OF his neck seemed to burn. He felt
the foundations Of his house crum.
bling beneath him; it's walls were COL
lapsing; it's roof had crashed.
"Eloise Dennison nice girls don't go
around before young men in the
pants of their bathing suits. You're
disgusting!" He tried to put sor-
row into his words, but there was
only angry humiliation.
What are you talking about?" de-
manded Jimmy, in sudden anger.
Haven't you been talking about it
being all right for lady to wear
tights? Didn't you say that it amt
what a girl does, but what she is?"
Out of Roderick's own mouth had
come confusion for him. He at
tempted to defend himself. art is
one thing and life is another" he
said.
"And lot you know about either
of them," declared Jimmy.
Dulcet and insinuating was the
voice Of Eloise. why, Jimmy, you