The morning call., 1891-09-06


81 should think you would be above lead
ing man on" she said once.
Freda raised her eyebrows.
'My dear, you mean Breton ?"
'Yes."
Dear child, he's Ieadingme on. Besides,
Thought you didn't care"
Il don't. Yet, as friend"
Daisy stopped and blushed furiously. as
her eyes hiled.
Freda answered clearly, " You are
goose. Mr.. Breton is nice fellow. He
thinks a good deal OF you. A transient in
fatuation for me wont hurt him, and it wont
hurt his regard for you. | am only AN
actress to him, but lie respects you. He
might woo me il he got chance, but he
would marry you. He's a man of the world,
dear-don't expect him to be anything else.
They are, after all. the best men. They
make the best friends, the best lovers, the
best husbands"
Daisy looked at her in horror.
ado Won think | would marry a man like
that?" she gasped
Il hope So if he loves you and you love
him. Don't Judge men by looks. Take them
as they are.
Daisy shuddered and Freda went on:
- have no interest in him-not bit. If
YOU say so | will see no more of him, but ]
tell you, frankly, man wont be chOked off
that way. To evade him now will only
make him worse; yet, If you say so, will
see no more Of him."
Daisy made an indignant gesture.
well, it would be unfair tn me. He
seems inclined TO find out what sort OF girl L
am, and it's only fair to lie. him; yet, l will
do as you ike"
Pardon me-" returned Daisy, with sim
pie dignity, you will do as you choose"
Freda's brows knitted in an ugly way.
Thanks" she SAID, will.
she felt herself ill-treated and her warm
hearted frankness met with covert insult.
She wrote Breton line saying she would
sup with him after the theater.
As the CAB drew up What place is this ?"
asked Freda...
"Carson'S," Breton returned easily, but
with inward trepldation.
1.-The place is considered rather Bohemian,
is it nor?" Freda inquired, with perfect di-
II think not, but if you object, of
course"
II presume you are able to protect me. if
necessary" Freda returned indiiferentIy.
81 Besides" with an air of sincerity, sit
would not occur to me to object TO place to
which you, gentleman, bring me"
Breton bowed. He seemed to be known.
A greasy but self-satisfied waiter showed
them into a Supper-rOom. 1t was occupied
by half-doZen separate parties and it was
rather dingy. Presumably patrons stood all
this because they thought themselves doing
something worldly, and because ordinary
dishes were served as English cookery, and
because prices were high.
Breton watched his companion closely.
Her face was, bright, her manner uncOn-
strained. With the supper he ordered cham
payne. As the glasses were filed Freda
said. her lids dropping and her voice pretty
with a childish infection: GU must not
let me- drink much of it, 1t is the only wine
that affects ine.
Dear mel We musrbe careful"
She laughed merrlly. Then, with an air
of brayado, she half drained her glass
stopping at the half to laugh over the brim
into Bteton's eyes. He was not sure why
she laughed, but there was provOeation in
her eyes.
you are more merry tonight than can
be-"
miserable?"
u hope not Yet remember that shall
soon see no more OIL you, and cannot
Your pathos lacks sincerity, but as
comedy it is good.
81 am sincere"
Freda lifted her brows, but the pause did
| not embarrass her.
Life seems one long list of partings"
| THE audience was moved TO tears. Per-
nit ME" and Freda applied the corner Of
| her handkerchief to her eyes
gu are pleased to jest, Miss SOnaday,
| yet your life must have taught you the sad
ness oil meeting 0nIy 70 part
1--WE often found it more embarrassing to
part only to meet. Our conversation drifts
toward wig-making. May | have more
| champagne?"
DO you know l think it is best that
should have no more of your regard" he
said, as he filled her glass.
Don't be offended that do not ask why
| I'm not interested. | know what your an
swer would be-"
81 should love you
Very likely. Where do you think of 60
ing?"
MY business calls me to San Francisco"
Dear me, | thought you were going TO
| Africa. San Francisco isn't safe-there are
| actresses there"
1.-The jest is unworthy of you. AS 1
| thought it over last night it seemed sad to
me. To meet one like yourself. cougenial
| to feel a subtle tie binds one to her-a tie
which might, il the gods permitted, bind
one to her foreyer-and parting comes"
And often how lucky it is it comes" in
| terpolated Freda. cheerfuIly.
He went on as il in good faith.
Fortunate sometimes. suppose; yet
| how sad, how sad always"
Your regrets are misplaced. Most peo-
| pie who please each other for two weeks
would bore each other in three"
But why cut short the blessed two?"
Freda smiled over the rim Of her glass.
Who Is cutting short any blessed twop"
There fell a pause. Breton seized her
hand. She shook his off imperieusly.
"Don'ti Yo-f are stupid"
"Am stupid What do you mean?"
Il mean you are stupid"
''Be seriousi May still see you"
My dear sir You may run around
after the company as much as you choose"
Can you not see that love your