Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-07-05
An Entr'acte
BY ANNIE HEAsLIP LEO
Copyright, 1905. by Fannie IIeaslip Leo

" =AA q hA4sl NffNNttl iittAi itit hfHA
violin, that apparently tuned hard. the
orchestra broke into ripping over
ture and the asbestus curtain rose up
on the painted one beneath.
An usher slammed down the seat
beside Elizabeth and laid a programme
ON it; then he handed the seat check
TO Its owner and slid away
When you have broken your en-
| gagenent with man the night be-
fore, after stormy discussion, it is
not the happiest surprise In the world
to find hin seated beside you at the
matinee, where you have gone TO kill
time and forget yourself.
Elizabeth bowed stifiiy
The man responded with equal
frir,dity.
She read her programme with alb
sorbing interest 1t was continuous
vaudeville.
Il had no idea" said the man at
last, that you would be here or r.
MY movements need not interfere
with yours. AIR. Glyden," said Eliza
beth ic.ly.
She grew still more absorbed in her
programme.
y dear Old lady. with water waves
and gold trimmed glasses, sat down
with Il thud in the seat ON Elizabeths
left and turned delighted smile on
the girl.
well. | declare" she cried. ''if it
amt Bessie Mcintyre, Law me-the
in of seem. How are you. dear?
And hows your mother? My son
brought me up to town yesterday for
a little visit. He got seats for the
show here today, and he's comm for
tne soon's his Office hours are over.
Amt that Nick Gayden beside you?
Howdy, Nick? You haven't changed a
mite since you left Girton. I'm real
glad 10 see you
She stretched a black gloved hand
! across Elizabeth, and Nick was forced
to shake it smiiingly.
Well well--well." said the old
lady, TO think of my meetin' you all
. here. And we were just talkin' about
you both last night See her blush"
she chuckled to Nick. as the quick
! crimson spread over Elizabeth's face.
Il hear you're to be married. Yes,
iudccd-we hear things In country, too,
and. Of course, since you ais families
usel to live in Girton. everybody's in
tcrested In you. Wen, well, | wish
y5a all the happiness in the world, my
! dear and you'll need it. Marriage is
mighty risky thing. And the wedlin'
Is to be in Tie spring, l hear That's
| good. JUac ANA brides and roses sortcr
bc.ong together" She stopped for
breath
we are not began Elizabeth. She
bit her lips and began again. I'VE
have
we have decided nothing definite
~" Nick interrupted easily.
That right" the old lady agreed !;
hold On to your sweetheartin' as long
as you can. It's mighty nice playin'
and ii only comes once in lifetime"
Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself.
Some girls are engaged three or four
times. Mrs. Barton" she suggested.
oh, jus hy-up-the-creeks," said Mrs.
Barton comfortably, mot nice, sincere,
honest girls like you that know the
right man and stick to him when they
find him. | said the minute | heard of
your engagement: Now, there's prop
err match Both of 'em young, both Of
'em handsome, well off. good tempered.
sensible and steady. Show me bet
ter, JOSIAH says L.
Il ought to tell you, Mrs. Barton"
said Elizabeth, with a rush. You're
! mistaken. I'm not
The curtain went up noisily. "Shucks,
honey" Mrs. Barton whispered, you're
too modest-now don't talk to me.
haven't seen a show in three years.
Elizabeth turned to Nick with furi-
Gus whisper.
This can't go on"
What are you going to doT" he ask
ed stiffiy
Tell her.
II WON'T
Its perfectly absurd"
Nick shrugged his shoulders.
"S-s-s-h!" Mrs. Barton cried in jOcu-
lar Whisper. you'll have time enough
to talk to each other all your lives.
Keep quiet now"
After an unhappy half hour the white
curtain of the vitograph rolled down.
and Mrs. Barton turned TO the girl
again.
II can't look at those things" she
said; hurts my eyes. Now tell me
some more about yourselves-makes me
feel right Old to think of your two chill
dren goin' to get married. Law me!
/ remember the time you want no high
err than my knee. You were the worst
youngster in the county, Nick, and
Bessie want far behind you. And,
law. how you used to hate each other!
Many's the time I've seen her pull that
, foyy hair Of yOurS -