The San Francisco call., 1905-02-24
AN ENTR'ACTE
BY FANNIE HEASLIP LEO.

wv tuned hard, tho orchestra
broke into a ripping over
ture and the asbestos curtain rose
upon the painted one beneath.
An usher slammed down tho seat
beside Elizabeth and laid a programme
on 1t; then he handed the seat check
to its owner and slid away.
When you have broken your en-
gagement with a man the night be-
fore, after stormy discussion. It is
not the happiest surprise in the world
20 ma MIN seated beside you .at the
Inatlnee, where you have gone to kill
time and forget yourself.
Elizabeth bowed stiffly.
The man responded with equal
frigidity.
She read her programme with alb
sorping interest. 1t was continuous
vaudeville.
Il had no idea." said the man at
ia9'' >, tnat you would be here. or
My movements need not interfere
with yours. Mr.. Gayden," said Eliza
beth icily.
She grew still more absorbed In her
programme.
A dear old lady, with water waves
ana gold-rimmed glasses, sat down
with a thud in the seat on EIizabeth's
Ie1t and turned a delighted smile on
the girl.
Wei. declare" she cried. "if it
amt Bessie Mcintyre. Law mae-the
very last person on earth 1 was think
In of seem. How are YOU. dear?
And how's your mother? MY son
nIousnt me Up to town yesterday for a
little visit. He got seats for the show
mere to-day, and he's comm for me
scon's his Office hours are over. Amt
.nat NICK Gayden beside you? Howdy,
since you left Girton. I'm real glad to
see you"
She stretched a black-gloved hand
across Elizabeth and Nick was forced
to shake it smilingly
Well-well-well,' said the old
iady, to think of my meetin' you all
mere. And we were just talkin' about
you Doth last night. See her blush"
she chuckled to Nick, as the quick
crimson spread over Elizabeth's face.
L hear you're to be married. Yes.
lndeed-we hear things in the coun-
Try TOO, and, of course, since you alls |
families used to live in Girton, every
Dody's interested in you. Welli well! |
wish you all the happiness in the |
world, my dear-and you'll need it. |
Marriage Is a mighty risky thing.
And the weddin' Is to be in the spring. |
hear. That's good. June and brides |
and roses sorter belong together"
she stopped for breath
We are not" began Elizabeth. |
She bit her lips and began again. I'VE
we have decided nothing definite
~ Nick interrupted easily
'-'EhAf'S right - oJI 10
mold on to your sweetheartin' as long
is you can. It's mighty nice playin', |
and 1t only comes once in a lifetime.'
Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself.
Some girls are engaged three or
tour times, Mrs. Barton" she sug-
gested.
oh. JUS fy-up-the-creeks," said
Mrs. Barton comfortably, mot NICE.
sincere, honest girls like you, that i
know the right man and stick to him
when they find him. / said the minute
heard of your engagement-'Now,
there's proper match Both of 'em
young, both of 'em handsome, well off,
sensible and steady.
Show me better, JOSIAH says l."
I 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 whis-
pered, you're too modest-now don't
-alk to me. l haven't see show in
-hree years."
Elizabeth turned to Nick with a
furious whisper.
This can't go on"
What are you going to do?" he
asked stiff1y.
Tell her."
81 WON'T
It's perfectly absurd"
Nick shrugged his shoulders.
Sssh!" Mrs. Barton cried in a jocu-
ar whisper, you'll have time enough
Q talk to each other all your lives.
Keep quiet now"
After an unhappy halfs hour the
White curtain of the vitograph rolled
iown and Mrs. Barton turned to the
,irl again.
Il can't look at those things she