The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1905-05-24
An Entr'acte
BY FANNIE HEASLIP LEO
ConXrirht ION by Eannie HeAslin Leo


ture and the asbestus curtain rose up
on the painted one beneath.
An usher slammed down the seat
beside Elizabeth and laid programme
on 1t; then he handed the seat check
TO its owner and slid away
When you have broken your en-
gagement With man the night be-
fore. after stormy discussion, 1t is
not the happiest surprise in the world
to find him seated beside you ut the
matinee, where you have gone to kill
time and forget yourself
Elizabeth bowed stitiiy.
The man responded with equal
frigidlty.
She read her programme with alb
sorblng interest 1t was continuous
vaudeville
Il had no idea" said the man ut
last, that you would be here or p
My movements need not interfere
with yours. Mr. Gayden." said Eliza
beth Jelly
She grew still more absorbed in her
programme
A dear old lady. with water waves
and gold trimmed glasses. sat down
with thud In the seat ON Elizabeth's
left and turned delighted smile on
the girl
We'll, l declare" she cried, "lf 1t
amt Bessie Mcintyre! Law me-the
very last person ON earth | was think
in of seeln' How are you, dear?
And how's your mother? My son
brought me up to town yesterday for
little visit. He got seats for the
show here today, and he's comm for
me soon'S his office hours are over
Amt That Nick Gayden beside you?
Howdy, Nickt You haven't changed
mite since you left Glrton. I'm real
glad TO see you
She stretched a black gloyed hand
across Elizabeth, and Nick was forced
to shake 1t smllingly.
well ell-well,' said the old
lady Ito think of my meetin' you all
here. And we were just talkln' about
you both last night See her blush"
she chuckled to Nick, ms the quick
crimson spread over EliZabeth's face
Il hear you're to be married Yes,
indeed we hear things In country, too,
and. OF course, since you all's families
used to live In Girton, everybody's In
terested in you. Well, we'll! | wish
you all the happiness In the world. my
dear and you'll need It. Marriage Is
II mighty risky thing. And the weddln'
is to be in the spring. | hear That's
good. June and brides and roses sorter
belong together She stopped for
breath.
I'VE are hot began Elizabeth. She
bit her lips and began again. I'VE
have"
I'VE 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 1t only comes once In a 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
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 II rush. You're
mistaken. I'm not
The curtain went up nolslly "Shucks,
honey" Mrs. Barton whispered, you're
too modcst-now don't talk to me. |
haven't seen IL show In three years"
Elizabeth turned to Nick with furi-
Gus whisper.
This can't go on"
What are you going to doi" he ask
ed stlffiy,
Tell her"
Il won't"
IFS 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 vltograph rolled down,
and Mrs Barton turned to the girl
again.
II can't look ut those things" she
said; hurts my eyes. Now tell me
some more about yOurselyes-makes pe
feel right old to think OF your two chill
dren goln' to get married. Law me,
l 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 otheri
Many's the time I've seen her pull that
tow hair of yours
at Isn't began Elizabeth Impetu-
ously.
"Oh, yes" Mrs. Barton laughed at
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, 9TH she was JUS like
ragin' little cat. clawln' and furrn'"
'She's still that way sometimes" said
Nick. smllingly.
Elizabeth gasped furlously.
mick Gayden" she cried
Law me-" said Mrs. Barton, Il knew
1t. honey. without his tellln' me, What's
bred In the bone But you all always
made 1t up then, and you always will.
l know that too"
Il hope So" Nick assured her ear
nestly.
Elizabeth looked straight in front Of
her
You were pointedly made for each
other. Where you goin' on your honey
moonT
I'VE had thought OF California" said
Nick quietly, while the girl beside him
wfnppd