The San Francisco call., 1904-11-28


- work. strained idly al her moor
ings- From the wharf her owner
regarded her with pride
The Nancy B" was not trim
yacht. There were gaudy pictures
on her sides. and altogether she looked
ike anything but the stanch little
river craft that slid by her in the'
stream.
Best little theater on the two riv-
ers. declared her owner proudly
Why. she can seat seven hundred and
stand up another three Got a good
company. too. Cleverest little SOU
brette; why. say"
Good morning. Mr.. Branscome.
said pleasant voice at his elbow.
Branscome jumped and turned, but
the girl passed on. with a smile that
was pleasant but not too familiar. 1t
was the inssnue Blanche Montague
There were a dozen in Branscome's
company. good players who pre-
ferred the easy work of a floating
theater to the more strenuous life OF
the road" but to the manager per
pany counted the dainty little wOm-
all who played the ingenue roles in the
rather lurid plays which formed the
repertoire of the Branscome Stock
Company.
Being a strict disciplinerian. Brans-
come gave no outward evidence OF
his love. and none Of the company,
with the exception Of Miss Montague.
whose real name was Blanche Blake,
ever dreamed that the hard-hearted.
brusque manager had fallen victim
10 Cupid's wiles.
AS for Miss Montague. the phllos-
ophy Of life was summed up in the
quotation. Men were deceivers ever,
and She had heard that the Nancy
b" was named after Branscome's
wife. Somehow she could not help
being attracted TO the big-hearted.
out-spoken giant. but there ever rank
led the memory Of his letter-the only
love letter he had ever wTitten-and
the side comments OF the players
about his wife. They had come almost
simultaneously
Branscome soon saw that his at
tentions were unwelcOme. and. being
at heart a gentleman. he desisted from
any further attempt 10 WOO her. He
had no idea Of the rumor that the
boat was named after his wife, and,
being keenIy aware of his lack Of pol
ish. he supposed that his rejection was
due TO this cause.
Meanwhile Miss Montague showed
preference for the society Of the leading
man. Jim Burrowes. and Branscome
passed sleepless nights wondering how
he could warn her Of the actors real
character without making il appear
that jealousy was the motive OF his
remonstrance.
So they drifted down the Ohio. pass
ing into the Mississippi at Cairo just as
the davs began 10 turn cool BranscOme
had played the route a dozen seasons
in an Old boat. and knew just how 70
time his tour. They reached the lower
river Just as the cotton. sugar and
rice began 10 weigh the down-boats
and money was plentiful
Branscome would gladly have dis
charged Burrowes TO save Blanche but
Burrowes had an irOnclad two years
contract without a eaneeling clause
Usually two weeks notice might be Civ
Sn on either sue anu dAlS-bA4lC
groaned when he remembered that il
was he. thinking only Of the leading
mans popularity. who had urged.and
finally had carried-the omission OF the
cancellation clause.
Branscome strove 10 win Blanche's
confidence.N with the result that she
cultivated Burrowes all the more as
siduously.
They were about thirty miles below
Vicksburg. and Branscone had about
decided TO let BurTowes go. no matter
what the consequences. when fate
solved the problem for him 1t was
their custom to tie up at a town for
several days. avoiding the cities where
there were permanent theaters- The
company could then play 10 a profit
three or four nights
AT this particular landing a prOfes-
sional gambler had been driving brisk
business, and, with well-lined pockets.
sought TO attract Miss Montague's at
tention when she made little trips 10
the postoffice and generaH store. Her
disdain had been noted by the town
people and. with the memory OF their
poker losses still fresh. they were dis
posed TO twit him upon his LACK Of sue
cess
Stung by their taunts. he bet heavily
that the little actress would give him a
kiss before the boat dropped down the