The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-25
AFTFR FIVE YEARS.

<AA = - ~ n n ~ AAFA1NhVs
at is too badp pouted pretty Mrs
Benton. "Amy made such a sweet
Columbinel The pantomine will be
nothing without her"
"Well, Miss Amy couldn't help get
ting sick, suppose?" said her elder
brother dolefully, for Columbine had
always been very sweet to him, and
the farce seemed farce indeed with
out her. "But we'll have to get along
somehow. Teddy says he is going to
hire some one from the theatre"
II don't like the idea Of profession
al actress" objected Mrs. Benton,
"But suppose we can't do any bet
ter. There comes Teddy now"
A tall sinewy undergraduate, with
honest blue eyes and fair hair, that
curled perversely, came in with ra-
diant look OF triumph.
Owe got somebody, Blanche" he
asserted, "She's down stairs, Shall
bring her up?"
"Why, Teddy" Mrs. Benton began,
"what made YOU"
1--WE must see whether she will do"
interposed Dick. Bring her up, Ted
DIV. / hope you have chosen a pretty
girl"
"She's a good deal prettier than
Amy Love-" Teddy declared.
But Dick regarded him with deris.
ion.
"You never had good taste, Teddy
he observed in superior tone. 1T
wasn't born in you."
Teddy made no reply, but started
off to bring his Columbine and prove
his point by evidence.
She was pretty girl Of very strik'
ing type. She had fair delicate face
whose flowing lines were thrown into
clear relief by a framework of soft
wayy brown hcir; hazel eyes had in
them the sweet coyness Of fawn, anG
her slender figure had a childish sup
pleness that quite belied her sixteer
years.
"This is Miss Violet Glenn, Blanche
Teddy said, by way Of presentation.
"Have you ever played Columbint
before?" Mrs Benton began somewha
awkwardly, with the odd feeling tha
she was asking the girl to do some
thing beneath her.
ooh yes I used always to be cas-
for that role when was little girl
/ know the part very we'll"
"Teddy is to be Harleqm ~ Mrs
Benton went on; II mean my thel
Mr.. Terry"
Violet raised her eyes to Teddy
face, and met look that made he
cast them down again.
"Do yon think you could play witt
me2" he queried.
"Oh, yesl"
"You may try at the rehearsal tc
night" said Mrs. Benton Teddy,
suppose you have fixed the terms
We can't afford to pay much, Mis-
Glenn, The entertainment is for th
benefit Of the Romulan Orphanagt
and"
A changed expression came owe
Violet's face.
81 shall not charge you anything,
she said softly. II was once in th
orphanage myself"
"You are very kind" said Mrs. Ber
ton; "but don't you think you ha
better"
"No," she answered with a smile
II don't. will play for you if yo
think can; but don't want an
money"
So it came about, The pantomir
was a grand success, and by courtes
the little actress was asked to the CO
lation which Mrs. Benton gave afte
wards to the participants.
Under the Queen Anne stairs tn,
angled up to tae roof of the hous
was crazy corner, where Teddy sea
ed Violet and brought her refres
ments.
Il suppose shall never see "
again after tonight" he said gloomil
"You can see me any night that
play" said the young coquette.
Not you" Teddy answered with
sigh "Celumbine-"
Il am not d Columbine, but Vi
let,' she said saucily.
MAY | call you that?o was his
ger query. "0h, Violet, / don't knt
what | am to without you.'
"What did you 10 beiore9"