Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/118

106 curtain came down on the first act, her cheeks were blazing, and she turned a pair of indignant eyes full on Farebrother, who felt like a thief, a sneak, and a liar. What made Letty blush never frightened her in the least, but simply angered her, so that she was always able to take care of herself. Farebrother, whose ruddy face was crimson, and who struggled between a wild disposition to swear and to laugh, leaned over toward the Colonel, and said in an agonized whisper, that Letty caught distinctly:

"For Heaven's sake, Colonel, don't think that I brought you knowingly to see this thing. I had never seen it myself, and merely went by the advertisement in the papers."

"Your intentions were no doubt good, my young friend," replied the Colonel, stiffly, "but you should exercise greater care in the selection of plays to which you ask innocent young women."

At that, Farebrother would have been thankful if the floor had opened and swallowed him up. But Letty had evidently heard his few words of explanation, and they had mollified her. She felt sorry for Mr. Farebrother, and pitied his chagrin.