Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/119

Rh "Nevertheless, sir," continued the Colonel, in a savage whisper, "if this sort of thing continues, I shall deem it my duty to withdraw my granddaughter."

Farebrother was in an agony, and looking around, he saw Mr. Romaine's bright eyes fixed on him gleaming with malicious amusement. Poor Farebrother at that moment was truly to be pitied. But disaster followed disaster, and worse ever seemed to remain behind. The second act was simply outrageous, and Farebrother, although he had more than the average masculine tolerance for risqué and amusing plays, was so disconcerted by the Colonel's scowl and Letty's discomfort that he fixed his eyes on his program and studied it as if it were the most fascinating composition he had ever read. Not so the Colonel. He kept his attention closely upon the stage, and at one point which brought down the house with roars of laughter and applause, the Colonel rose, with a snort, and with a countenance like a thunder-cloud, offering his arm to Letty, stalked down the main aisle of the theater, with Farebrother, utterly crest-fallen, following them. Not only was Farebrother deeply annoyed at having brought