The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-03-30


She never spent a single penny that
could possibly be saved. She sought fer
the cheapest lodgings and lived on the
hardest fare. But her child. the dear
companion of so many lonely hours,
was Always merry, strong and well.
So the months passed on, and This
World of Woe" came to happy end
ing.
Ted Brabazon found himsef in =
provincial town at Christmas. with the
comedy of half a dozen scenes on his
capable shoulders. To his great sur
prise--as he said-Lottie Hyde was a
twinkling star of the same pantomime.
On the second night, Ztting in his
dressing-room, Brabazon began TO puz-
zle, as he often did, over the reticence OF
the girl he had known so long. The
transformation scene was rapidly ap-
preaching, and his own part was nearly
over.
Suddenly there was tap at the door,
and the next minute couple of hands
were clapped on his shoulders, aud he
was face to face with Gordon Hyde.
"Ted,-dearold dchapi-Lottie doesn't
know I've comet How are you? How's
my wife and the boy? Shake yourself
up, old man."
With disconnected words like these,
laughing and shaking Brabazon's hand
all the time. Gordon ratified on, happy,
proud, prosperous, full of excitement
and news.
We'll, l want to surprise Lottie!
Such year of it, Tedi Such strug-
gle! Stranded in Craddock three
months after landed. Then we ran "a
commonwealth for few weeks-I tell
you was on my beam ends."
He threw his head, back and laughed
again. Brabazon wondered whether
Lottie was dancing on the stage at that
minute.
Il don't think any other fellow could
have pulled through" Gordon went ON,
with sudden gravity. IF it hadn't been
for Lottie's good luck l should have
starved, like a dog old boyl"
Ted Brabazon started. Lottie's good
luck had never touched a point beyond
three pounds week.
"Of course I wrote and told her all
about it, and she sent me word that she
was playing in London with better
salary than | ever expected. But that's
old news to you, isn't it, Ted?"
Brabazon began to understand the
reticence and the poverty that had puz-
zled him SO long.
Somehow l got to Kimberley" con-
tinued Gordon. Everybody drifts to
Kimberley Then Lottie sent another
budget of good news. What splendid
production that World of Woe must
have beenl | could hardly believe that
my wife was playing the chief parti
Well, l turned my hand to anything that
came along. At last, on a lucky day,
Bickerstaff's company struck kimber-
lev. One of his men broke down-there
was my chance. He gave me trial,
and I've been with him ever since; he
brought me over. What do you say.
Ted?"
"Has your wife been sending you
money from the first?"
"Yes-ridiculous little doles!" ex.
claimed Gordon. 81 don't want to CONS
plain, old boy; it's quite right that she
and the child should be saved from my
hard luck. But, still, to send fellow a
guinea at time-once it was 1S shil.
lings, upon my soull She was earn
ing so much-she wrote me such
CHEEKY letters-Ted, can t understand
it"
Slowly, in his own quiet way, Braba-
zon began to tell Gordon Hyde the
truth. He drew the picture of the Lone
ly girl, with her child in her arms; he
shattered the lie that her love had
prompted her to tell; there had been
no London engagement, no success, no
stroke of luck. He described the
wretched rooms where she had lived,
and those long. weary walks through
the streets at night tos save few pence.
As the story of her loyal silence and
dauntless courage went on Gordon put
up his hand suddenly to shield his eyes
from the light, and his head dropped
forward.
There was long silence; then Brabo-
zon spoke again:
"T must go down; shall ! tell her9"
"Yesl" Gordon clapped his friends
hand as they looked at each other.
But leave me here for a minute, Ted;
I'll follow."
AS Lottie rang through the wings 20
take her place behind an enormous
dark fan in the center OF the transfcr-
nation scene she felt hand catch at
hers, and, looking hastily around, she
saw that it was Ted Brabazon. He
stopped and spoke few words. Lotiie
gave cry of joy, and clasped her hands
together over her breast, as Ted sup
ported her for minute on his arm
Hurry up, you girlsl" said the stage
manager. "Placesl Lightsl Cleari
Right you arel"
Lottie sprang into position. She for
got her surroundings and swayed lit
tie on her narrow platform, waiting,
waitingl
As the Transformation scene dis
played its wonders, the big, black fan
began to move. Slowly 1t slipped DOWN
ward, inch by inch. A soft, rosy circle
of light fell on the figure of Lottie
HYDE. Her arms were eoutstretched; all
her pale, yellow hair fell over her shoul-
ders. Her face had lost its drawz look
Of trouble, but her parted lips trembled.
and her eyes were brimming ever with
happy tears.
Color and brilliance flooded the stage.