New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-07-18

, Bret set MS COIIee cup down hard
and growled:
well, this is where I leave your"
He spoke more truly than he knew
When he took Sheila to the theater
for the matinee he found a telegram
for him.
"Please come home at once your
father dangerously i'll and asking for
you.
"MOTHER."
CHAPTER xI.
Smoke of Battle.
sheila saw the anguish of dread
of ashes.
mother must take the first train. ;"
She nodded her head dismally.
II wish you could come with me.
You ought to- he urged.
ooh, I know it-but I can't"
"You may never see my father
again.
Don't say that! He'll get well,
honey"
She took his hands and squeezed
them passionately. Reben came along
ing hands, he essayed a frivolity:
Honeymoon not on the wane yet ~
Sheila told him the truth. He was
all sympathy at once.
eff I could only do anything to
help your
Winfield caught at the proffer.
..You can! Let Sheila go home
with me.
It's impossible. The matinee begins
in half an hour. She should be
making up now"
Sheila went to the train with her
husband. When he reached home his
father was dead. His mother begged
him not to leave her again, and he
his.
not give his whole heart to the new
work that fell to him; his heart was
with Sheila. When he heard the
company had gone into Chicago and
the play was enthusiastically re-
ceived there, he decided to pay her a
surprise visit Indeed, when he
reached Chicago in the early evening
he resolved to see the performance
before he let her know he was in
town.
He hardly recognized the scenes
The character Sheila played was emo
tional now, with mystery as to her
origin and hints of past, a scandal
into which an older woman, an ad-
ventures, had decoyed her.
When at last Bret was free of the
press he dashed round to the stage
entrance and saw Sheila. Reben was
holding her by one arm; his other
hand was on E1don's shoulder. He
was telling them of the big leap ir
the box office receipts. Then he called
''Eldon.'
Eldon looked forward just in time
to see Bret coming on like stridins
giant, just in time Ito see the big
arm swing up in rigid drive, Shout.
der and side and all.
The clenched fist caught Eldor
under the chin and sent him back,
ward across a heavy table.
The thud of the fist, the grunt OF
Bret's effort, the shrek of Sheila. the
c1atter of Eldon's fall, the hubbub OF
the startled spectators were al
jumbled.
Sheila had run between the two
men in a panic of horror. All her
thought was to protect her husband
Her eyes blazed against Eldon. He
laughed bitterly into Bret's face.
Were even now. l struck you
when you didn't expect it because you
didn't belong on the stage. You don't
belong here now. Get off! Get OFF
or--God help you!"
This challenge Infatuated Bret. He
could find no word bitter enough but
"You-you-you actor!"
Eldon laughed at this taunt and
answered with equal contempt:
you business man-you thug!
And now Rebenv denounced him in
fury:
why did you do it? Why? You
should apologize, you should!
"Apologize!" Bret sneered, with
loathing in his grin.
Eldon flared at the look, but con-
trolled himself. He doesn't owe me
any apology Let him apologize to
his wife, if he has any decency in
his soul"
And now the stage was like a
church at funeral after the dead has
To- F,VprVhndV