Elsie Dinsmore

This is Gilbert Martin, giving you a welcome once again to your red-letter date for Sunday evening in the Star-Spangled Theater.

And taking in my huge joy from having heard the rehearsal of this evening's performance, which is why, with dispatch and relief, I turn you over now to your master of ceremonies, Mr. Bert Lytell, while I go looking for a copy of Elsie Dinsmore.

Bert, it's all yours.

Thank you.

The screen tottered drunkenly for a moment, and then clattered to the floor to reveal Toffee engaged in a half-won battle to wedge herself into a stiffly starched nurse's uniform.

The fire of virtuous outrage that blazed in Toffee's eyes as she stepped over the screen forced her arm through a reluctant sleeve, clearly implied that, compared to her, Elsie Densmore was nothing more than a loose-living slattern.

You

bitch! me

Preface.

Some years have now elapsed since my little heroine, Elsie Dinsmore, made her debut into the great world.

She was sent out with many an anxious thought regarding the reception that might await her there.

But she was kindly welcomed, and such has been the favor shown her ever since, that publishers and author have felt encouraged to prepare a new volume in which will be found the story of those years that have carried Elsie on from childhood to womanhood.

"'I have often wondered how it has come to pass that my warm-hearted boy seems so perfectly invulnerable to Cupid's darts.' "'All seeming, mother,' he answered lightly, but with a wistful yearning look in his eyes which were fixed upon a little group on the farther side of the room.

"'To tell you a secret,' and he bent down, that the low-breathed words might catch her ear alone, "'I have been hopelessly in love for many years.' She started with surprise, for there was the ring of deep, earnest feeling beneath the jesting tone.

Then following the direction of his glance, and perceiving that the group upon which it rested was composed of Adelaide and Elsie Dinsmore, with some half-dozen gentlemen who had gathered about them, she looked greatly pleased.

"'And why hopeless?' she asked.