Belasco and in strict compliance with
the League Rules laid down by W. Somerset Maugham.

According to the $2 Drama and every bright red Volume selling for $1.18
at a Department Store, this was

THE END

The Curtain began to descend very slowly, with Ferdinand and Adele
holding the Picture.

It seems, however, that they had not come to the real, sure-enough
Finis. The Terminus was some distance down the Line.

The Curtain refused to fall.

"What is the idea?" asked Adele, somewhat perturbed. "We have hit the
logical Climax of our Romance. As I understand it, we are now supposed
to ascend in a Cloud and float through Ethereal Bliss for an indefinite
Period."

"Right-o!" said the Fiance. "According to all the approved Dope, we
are booked to live happily ever after."

Just then Her Best Friend came rapidly down the Gravel Walk with
Anxiety stenciled on her Features.

The accepted Swain seemed to hear a low rumbling Wagnerian Effect from
out the Clear Sky. In Music-Drama it is known as the Hammer Theme.
It is included in the Curriculum at every Fem Sem.

Ferdinand had a Hunch that somebody was getting ready to drop Cyanide
of Potassium into his Cup of Joy.

"Oh, Adele!" said the Friend, just like that. "Oh, Adele, may I speak
to you for a Mo-munt?"

Ferdinand made his Exit, much peeved, and the Friend expressed a Hope
that she had arrived in time to throw the Switch and avert the Wrecking
of a Life.

Far be it from her to Snitch, but it was her Duty to put Adele wise to
what every one was whispering Under Cover.

She had no absolute Proof that he had carried on with a Front Row Floss
in New Haven, but it was Common Talk that one of his Uncles had been a
Regular at a Retreat where the Doctor shoots a Precious Metal into the
Arm.

It would be terrible to marry someone and then find out that he Drank,
the same as all the other Married Men.

Leaving Adele in a Deep Swoon, the true Friend hurried to the nearest
Public 'Phone to spread the dismal Tidings.

In the meantime the elated Lover had loped all the way to the
University club to spring it on the Navajos and receive their
Felicitations.

His Rapture had rendered him fairly incoherent, and he was gurgling
like an after-dinner Percolator; but he finally made it evident that he
had been Hooked.

A deep Silence ensued, most of those present looking out the Window at
the passing Traffic.

Finally a Shell-Back, who had been leading a Life of