St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-03-30
The Transformation Scene

S9se9eoosoo0o9oeeesoeoooo
"HAT else am I to do, Lottie
w What can I do?" With a,
angry gesture Gordon Hyde flung him
self out of his chair and paced up an,
down the room. His wife rested botl
elbows on the table, watching him
with her small. pointed chin betwee,
her hands, and her tangled, pale yellow
hair struggling over her face.
II l stay here we shall all starve,'
continued young Hyde. "What do 70,
say. Brabazon? Lottie can't be SO s>lf
ish as to stop me. God knows I've done
my best!"
Ted Brabazon, another member oi
the small company to which Mr.. ant
Mrs. Hyde belonged, was a quiet, heavy
young man, with a broad, indefinite
face. He glanced quickly at Lottie a,
her husband spoke. He had known hel
from the time when she was an over
worked little pantomime imp. Her
childhood had been embittered by pov.
erty and hardship, but from the day
when she met Gordon Hyde the world
had more or less worn a tint of rose
color. She had been married three
years, and was only %.
They were now playing. as Lottie put
it, "a joint in the sma.ls," meaning an
engagement together in little towns.
but Gordon had recently received a
fairly good offer for a tour in South
Africa. This was several years ago.
before the war, or rumor Of war.
Gordon was anxious and unhappy at
leaving his wife and child; but at the
same time there was q wild, uncon-
fessed delight in his heart at the oppor-
tunity to throw aside the immediate
troubles of struggling, hand-to-mouth
existence.
Il don't think you ought to take it,"
said Ted Brabazon. slowly looking up,
over the head of the child, who was sit
ting on his knee.
"It's easy to talk" exclaimed Cor
don. "But if q man doesn't make the
most of splendid opportunities"
"Ah! Five pounds week, amt it ?"
put in Brabazon, softly.
Ted, must 60! l can't stand this
beastly grind! It's too hard-I can't,
can't bear it'll"
He broke into long. repressed pas
sion of disappointed rage, and rested
his head on his arm against the mante.-
piece. The child began to cry dismally.
and Ted Brabazon put him gently
down.
Buck up. old boyl One kid is enough
in = family. .S'long, Lottie! l don't
shine in domestic drama!"
:. ''Of course you must 60, dear! It's
fine chance. Come along, Wallie." She
stopped and picked up her baby.
"There, give dad q kiss! We shall get
on all right"
"Oh, I'll send you half my screw from
the first week, Lottie! We've always
gone halves, haven't we, darling? 1
don't care how rough it!"
Lottie, who had been ''roughing" it
all her life, only smiled fondly. For
three years he had unconsciously relied
on her strength Of character and pur-
pose, thoroughly believing all the time
in her utter dependence upon himself.
II wish I could go with you," she
sighed, twisting her thin fingers round
his hand.
The longing tone Of her voice, the
tears in her dropping eyelashes and the
weight of the child as he took it out of
her arms suddenly smote him with a
sense Of responsibility; he drew her
tangled hair and pale face against his
breast.
"You must be brave little woman!"
he said, kindly, but ignoring her sym
pathy of few minutes ago. "You |
must try to be self-reliant. shall al
ways be sending you money and
was vague, but it made |
him feel better-''so you must wait till
[ come back, and all our i'll luck will be
changed"
For more than six months after Cor
ION had sailed away Ted Brabazon saw
md heard nothing of Lottie Hyde.
Then he met her in London at q the
ltIical agents Office.
"Lottie! Well, upon my word!
What's the matterT
Her whole appearance was changed.
She was not only white and. worn, but
Ter light dress and summer hat were
,oticeably faded and poor. She COM
nenced to talk hurriedly about little
Vallie.
"But yourself. Lottiea"
"Oh. I'm al right. I've been at
york OF and on ever since saw you
ast, Ted"
Have you heard from Gordon?" he
sked.
..Of course" she exclaimed. Hes
.etting on famously!" /.
This hardly looks like it," said
srabazon, lowering his voice and
ouching her faded dress and shabby
title lace cape. I'm worried over you, I
ear" he continued, slowly looking up
I her with his kind. questioning eyes.
Il told you I've been in work!" she I
gayly. "And there's always
;orcon to fall back upon!" with . touch
I pride. Can't ask you to come and
&c me: I've only got one room At pres I
nt. I may 20 out With This World Of 1
Zoe n the autu1n. Good-by, old !
oy.~ l
Brabazon VAS sore!y puxxled. He did
OF know where she lived. She lad =
poken gayly Of her Ausbandis success, I
= there was evideatly 10 prospect ef ]