The Breckenridge news., 1904-01-06
cru1t, I seer
"You mean Saint Prosper?"

cru1t, seer
"You mean Saint-ProsperY
'Yes; and l can hardly blame him
under the circumstancesr' murmured
the land baron, at the same time
glancing around as though seeking
some one.
circumstances! What circumstan-
cesT' demanded the manager.
"Why, the pleasant company he finds
himself in, of course" said the visitor
easily. "Ah, see Miss Carew," he
added. his eye Immediately tightening,
land must congratulate her on her
performance. Cursed dusty hole, isn't
itT Brushing himself with his hand
kerchief as he moved away.
what business has he behind the
scenes anyway" grumbled the man
ager. Dusty hole, indeed! Confound
his impudencer' But, his attention
being drawn to the pressing exigencies
of a first night, Barnes soon forgot his
irritation over this unwarranted in
trusion in lowering a drop, hosting a
fly or readjusting n fiat to his liking.
The land baron meanwhile crossed to
the semidarkness at the rear of the
stage behind the boxed scene, where he
had observed the young girl waiting
for the curtain TO rise on the last act.
AS she approached Mauville, who stood
motionless in an unlighted spot, the
pale glow played upon her moment,
white on her neck, in sheen on the
folds of her gown. and then she stepped
into the shadow, where she was met
by a tall figure, with hand eagerly out
stretched.
"Mr. Mauvile!' she exclaimed draw
ing back at the suddenness of the en-
counter.
His restless eyes held hers, but his
greeting was conventional.
"Did | not say the world was small.
and that we might meet againY
"Of course, we are always meeting
people and parting from them," she
replied unconcernedly.
He laughed. with what delightful
Indifference you say that! You did not
think to see me againY'
IL hadn't thought about it," she an
swered frankly, annoyed by his per-
sistence.
81 am unfortunate" he said.
Beneath his free gaze she changed
color, as though the shadow of rose
had touched her face.
"You are well?" he continued.
Yes
81 need not have asked" His ex-
preston conveyed more, so much more
she bit her lip impatiently. How do
you like the new partY
"It is hard to tell yet" she answered
evasively.
you would do justice to any role,
but l prefer you in historical or ro-
mantle play, with the picturesque old
costumes. | fear, however, | am de-
tanning you"
He drew aside with such Difference
to permit her TO pass that her con-
science smote her and she was half
minded to turn and leave him more
graciously, but this impulse was sue
ceeded by another feeling. i'll Defined
the prevailing second thought. Had
she looked she would have seen that
her fluttering shawl touched his hand
and he quickly raised it to his lips, re
leasing it Immediately. AS it was, she
moved on, unaware of the gesture
| The orchestra, or, rather, string quar-
tet. had ceased; Hans. a host in him
self, a mountain of melody. bowed his
Acknowledgements; the footlights glar-
! ed, the din Of voices subsiding, and the
curtain rose.
Remaining in the background. the
land baron watched the young girl ap.
proach the entrance to the stage.
How do you do, Mr.. Mauville?" said
a gay but hushed voice, interrupting
his ruminations, and Susan, in a short
skirt and bright stockings, greeted
him.
"The better for seeing you, Mistres:
Susan"
pooh" courtesying disdainfully. 81
don't believe you! You came to see
some one else. Welp-lightly-"sh q
already engrossed."
"Really?" said the land baron.
Eyes. You understand? He follows
her with his every glance" she addet
roguishly. Susan was never averse t.
straining the truth a little when 1
served her purpose.
'I should infer he was following he
with more than his eyes," retorted th'
master Of the manor dryly.
Susan tapped the stage viciousl!
with a little foot. "She's a lovely girl,
she continued, drawing cabalistic fg
ures with tb. provoking slipper.
You are piqued," he said, watching
ner skeptically.
Not at ALL" quickly, startled by hi
blunt accusation.
Not a little jealous?" he persisted
playfully.
"Jealous?" Then, with frown, hes
itatingly: "Well she is given promi