The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-16
DAILY SHORT
STORY
pRIFTwooD

1
kings of acrobatic comedy, took re-
fuge from the storm in the door
way of the dark and deserted hat
store. The rain had come up very
suddenly and 1t was cold enough to
have the big man shivering and
going "B-r-r-r!" for the company
of the thing. He had been in the
shelter about three minutes when
a wrapped up, agile figure slipped
across the street from the closed
Alcazar and took position at the
other side Of the door. The Sec
ond figure was that of a woman,
evidently one of the entertainers
from the green and gilt theater.
Walkers big heart was sore
within hi mand he said no word to
the shrinking, silent figure just
six feet away. It had been but
two months since the king come
dian had gone to the little church
around the corner with her And
then he had gone with Leath and
she had booked for the Empire
circuit, to do wonderful little imi-
tative stunts from Boston to New
Orleans. 1t was a. very hard sepa-
ration; but they would drift to-
gether; here and there during the
season and Their this they must
manage to get under the same man.
agement. But still Bert Walker,
acrobatic comedian, nursed the
sorest heart.
The great, black clouds dropped
bigger and bigger globules and the
little figure. ever receding from
the encroaching dampness, touched
Walker.
bad storm" he managed. Last
some time, I'm afraid"
The lady turned her head, very
quickly, but made no other sign
that she had heard.
From the Alcazar?' asked
Walker.
Yes" she replied, in a tinkling
voice that reminded the man of
some famous actress he had heard
but could not place.
Il do turn myself at the Ma
jestic," he said. 1--WE were unex-
pectedly switched in here from
Rochester to fill a gap. What's
your hne?'
Observation-Disclosures dance
or SO. And YOURSELF"
Rough and tumble acrobat
musical feature" he answered.
There was a silence for a while
and both of them gazed moodily
into the splashing rain. The lady
broke the silence.
I'm awfully lonesome" she
complained.
Walker smiled to himself in the
darkness. The next thing she
would be suggesting Holsters and
champaigne-and she would be dis
appointed.
Pm lonely myself" he declared
Are you really?" she asked so
quickly that it amused him.
Yes" he repeated. 81 know of
place that | would give the Sa-
turday pay envelope to see for
three hours"
She laughed a clear and silvery
laugh, like the famous actress that
he could not place. 1T is strange
that we should both be so lonely.
There is an old proverb or some
thing, you know, about two being
company
But that game was not for him
now. There was the little church
around the corner-and Maize. All,
Maize! The heart of the big man
thumped at the thought of her
chic, dainty prettiness. He MUIR
INJURED aloud, without knowing it.
mo more eleven-thirty dinners
for me. I'm married now"
The lady laughed at the mutter-
ed declination and it seemed to
Walker that she was really pleased.
But she came nearer and talked to
him in pleading tones through the
| darkness.
ooh, a man is not necessarily a
saint because he happens to be
under the matrimonial yoke. Now.
if l insisted, you would come and
feed me expensive, indigestible
things. Wouldn't you. now"
"No!" he Numbered. Hang the
woman! He was thinking Maize
I-Mazie-Mazie very rapidly now.