The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-07-04
An Entr'acte
By FANNIE HEASLIP LEO
Copyright. 1905, by Fannie Heaslip Leo

I Copyright, 1906, by Fannie Heaslip Leo l
With a final squeal from the first
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 programme
on it; 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
to find him seated beside you at the
matinee, where you have gone to kill
time and forget yourself.
Elizabeth bowed stiffiy.
The man responded with equal
frigidity.
She read her programme with abb
sorbing interest 1t was continuous
vaudeville.
II had no idea," said the man at
last, that you would be here or r.
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
and gold trimmed glasses, sat down
with a thud in the seat on Elizabeth's
left and turned a delighted smile on
the girl
well, l declare" she cried, '.if 1t
amt Bessie Mcintyre! Law me-the
very last person on earth l was think
in of SEEM. How are you. dearH
And how's 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
me soon's hts 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 to see you
She stretched black gloved hand
across Elizabeth, and Nick was forced
to shake 1t smilingly.
"Well-well-well, said the old
lady, ito 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.
II hear you're to be married Yes,
fndeed-we hear things In country, too,
and, of course, since you alls families
used to live In Girton, everybody's in
terested in you. Well, welll l 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
1--WE are not began Elizabeth She
bit her lips and began again. I'VE
have
1--WE have decided nothing definite
ly," 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 it only comes once in a lifetime. y
Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself.
''Some girls are engaged three or four
times, Mrs. Barton" she suggested
''Oh, JUS y-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
er match. Both of 'em young, both of
'em handsome, well off, good tempered
sensible and steady. Show me bet.
ter, JOSIAH says l."
II 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. l
haven't seen a show In three years"
Elizabeth turned to Nick with furi-
Gus whisper.
ms can't go on.
What are you going to do?" he ask
ed stlff1y.
'Tell her.
81 won't"
tits perfectly absurd"
Nick shrugged his shoulders.
''S-s-s-hw 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 vltograph rolled down
and Mrs Barton turned to the girl
again
Il can't look at those things" she
said; hurts my eyes. Now tell me
some more about 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
er 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
tow hair of yours"
1T isn't''- began Elizabeth impetu-
ously.
"Oh, yes" Mrs. Barton laughed, SIT
always was tow. and 1t still is"
Nick grinned cheerfully.
"And then you'd take her by her little
skinny wrists and hold her off," went
on the old lady, It'll she was JUS like &
ragin' little eat, clawin' and furrin'."
"She's still that way sometimes" said
Nick, snfilingly.
Elizabeth gasped furlously.
mick Gaydenv' she cried.
''Law me-" said Mrs. Barton, 81 knew
II, honey, without his tellin' me! What's
bred In the bone But you all always
made it up then, and you always will
l know that too"
81 hope so," Nick assured her ear
nestly.
Elizabeth looked straight in front OF
her.
you were pointedly made for sanh