Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-03-28
The Transformation Scene
hVKTHAT else am to do, Lottie?
wv What can l do2" With an

HVKTHAT else am to do, Lottie2
wv What can 1 do?" With an
angry gesture Gordon Hyde flung him
self out of his chair and paced up and
down the room. His wife rested both
elbows on the table, watching him,
with her small, pointed chin between
her hands, and her tangled, pale yellow
hair struggling over her face.
IF l stay here we shall all starve'"
continued young Hyde. What DO you
say. Brabazon? Lottie can't be so stlf-
isa as TO stop me. God knows I've done
my brst."
Ted Brabazon, another member OF
the small company to which Mr.. ano
Mrs. Hyde belonged, was quiet, heavy
young man, with broad, indefinite
face. He glanced quickly at Lottie as
her husband spoke. He had known her
from She time when she was an over
worked little pantomime imp. Her
childhood had been embittered by pow
er,v 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 p.
They we're now playing, as Lottie put
it. "a Joint in the smalls," meaning an
engagement together in little towns,
but Gordon had recently received
fairly good offer for 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 a wild, uncon-
fessed delight in his heart at the oppor-
tunitv to throw aside the immediate
troubles Of a struggling, hand-to-mouth
existence,
81 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 a man doesn't make the
most of splendid opportunities"
"Ah! Five pounds week, amt it?''
put in Brabazon, softly.
Ted, l must go! I can't stand this
beastly grind! It's too hard can't
can't bear it,"
He broke into long, repressed pas
sion of disappointed rage, and rested
his head on his arm against the mantel'
piece. The child began to cry dismally
and Ted Brabazon put him gently
down.
"Buck up, old boy! One kid is enough
in a family. S'long, Lottie! don'
shine in domestic drama!"
"Of course you must 60, dear! It's
fine chance. Come along, Wallie." Shit
stopped and picked up her baby
There, give dad kiss! We shall ge
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?
don't care how rough it'll"
Lottie. who had been "roughing" /
all her life. only smiled fondly. Fol
three wears he had unconsciously reliet
on her strength of character and pur
nose. thoroughly believing all the TIM
in her utter dependence upon himself
81 wish l could go with you," sh
sighed. twisting her thin fingers roun'
his hand.
The longing tone of her voice, tn
tears in her dropping eyelashes and tn
WEIGHT of the child as he took it out o
her arms suddenly smote him with
sense Of responsibility; he drew ne
tangled hair and pale face against hi
breast,
you must be brave little woman!
he said. kindly, but ignoring her syn
patty Of few minutes ago. fo
must try to be self-reliant. l shall a
WAYS be sending you money an
thines"-this was vague, but it mad
him feel better-"so you must wait II
7 come back, and all our i'll luck will
changed"
For more than six months after Go
don had sailed away Ted Brabazon sa
and heard nothing of Lottie Hyd
Then he met her in London at a tn
: atrical agents Office.
"Lottie! Well, upon my wore
What's the matterP"
, Her whole appearance was change
!. She was not only white and worn, d.
a her light dress and summer hat we
poticeably faded and poor. She col
menced to talk hurriedly about lit
Wallie.
q "But yourself, Lottie?"
"Oh. I'm all right. I've been
work off and on ever since saw "
|, last, Ted" -,
Have you heard from Gordon 2"
asked .r.
"Of course" she exclaimed. "ht
Getting on famously!"
!: This hardly looks like it," sa
Brabazon, lowering his voice al
= touching her faded dress and shah
little lace cape. "I'm worried over yo
/ dear" he continued, slowly looking
!. al, her with his kind, questioning ey!
- - -. TIE haan In work " 8