The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-21
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Our Daily Short Stories
THE ALTERATION OF FILKINS.
BY r. D. WESTON.
Cartwright. 1901. by Authors, syndlcate.l

and having people stare So ana OF the
banging of the piano and the sawdust
and peanuts and that?" he asked
her. But he was unwise. He should
have known that all that was her at
mosphere. and she loved it.
She looked at him, frowning in puz-
zled dissatisfaction. Then she rubbed
down the velvet of her skirt and said,
simply: No, like it."
But don't you know that it is I'M
natural unwomanly, and contrary to
the old decree, which placed an enmity
between the woman and the serpent?"
he asked her, with some emphasis. She
who didn't remember Eve-answered:
Perhaps the woman you mean didn't
know her business. Maybe she didn't
treat the snakes right"
Just then an explosion came from
behind. and Filkins remembered that
his friend was still standing near
enough to take it all in.
The girl looked at him maliciously
and then with banal coquetry leaned
over and addressed few attentions to
Hawkins which savored of the ring.
But she came back to Filkins, and
the other sauntered off She liked this
queer, heightened man. She thought he
must be minister.
Don't you think the circus as re-
spectacle a profession for women as
any other?" she asked, with a desire
to make him talk
TITS not only not respectable" Fill
kins answered, quickly. "its dangerous,
But I suppose you know more than I
do about that, and there is no use in
my talking propriety to you
She lowered her eyes and said moth
ing. He thought perhaps he had hurt
her feelings, and added:
Rut Of course there iC the same
danger in many professions. and it is
possible in spite of it for some women
to retain their innocence
DO look Innocent" she asked him.
Il can't tell. You bury your face be-
meath so much paint" 1t was the
rudest thing he had ever said, but he
recognized that she was not used to
being handled with gloves.
But it makes one look fixed up"
she said. I'D be a fright if I didn't
use it,"
Il don't think so" he told her. en-
phaticaly; try doing. without it,"
But I couldn't" she said, in amaze
ment. I'VE all make up. Eut would
you like to see me without my paint
and togs, as you call them?"
He looked uncertain.
Would you?" She leaned over and
flashed her eyes into his. He was pre-
pairing " say no, THAT ne ndQH llfne
for more than one afternoon of dis
sipation, but he surprised himself by
saying:
Yes. May IT, as humbly as if he
had been sueing for a waltz from the
prettiest girl at a. college dance.
Yes, tonight" she answered. THE
show let's out at 10. I'll be outside
the main entrance at quarter past"
But what's the use?' he said. II
only want to convince you that the
life you lead is not a fit one for any
woman who has a SOUL
And have 1 one of those?" she
asked.
Il don't know: perhaps if you have
you can save it in your own way
best"
She did not want to lose him now, so
she cast great perplexed eyes upon
him, and said softly: ooh, but | have
no way. l don't know about such
things. 1 am very ignorant and want
to be taught"
He looked up into very appealing
face. 1t was hard to refuse her. But it
was banal and repulsive to go so far
with circus girl, and a snake charm
er at that. But she was a woman, Fill
kins told himself, and one with such
wistful eyes.
Il must do my round again." she was
saying. "Good-by till tonight Quarter
after ten-don't forget" And she wav-
ed her hand to him while the crowd
gathered about her.
He bowed with his usual grace, and
was uncomfortably conscious that
Hawkins had been near and heard the
last.
on the way back Filkins walked
alone, and Hawkins followed, commun-
ing softly to himself: And the strong
est wander farthest and most helpless
ly are lost" and there is no ass so
big as a wise ass" But he made no
direct mention of his friends strange
proceedings.
The time was half-past 9, the evening
of the same day. The place was the
third floor of the dormitory building,
where Filkins had his room.
Outside in the corridor was Hawkins
grinning vastly. Inside of his room
was Filkins in a furious rage. The
door between them was locked. and
the key lay comfortably in Hawkins
pocket.
Sorry. old boy" he was saying 1T
is a distressing predicament. And
you say you have an engagement?
Well, now. that's almighty hard. !
hope it doesn't happen to be with a
'goody.' She passed BY saw your door
open, thought you had gone off and
| forgotten to lock it, and turned the
| key herself and took it by mistake. It
truly is calamitous! And she is not TO
be found
There was some tremendous kicking
on the other side of the door.
open that door. do you hear. you
| idiot? If you don't turn the key in an
other minute I'll yell and have the
whole coll onto you" Filkins was ex-
| cited.
"Oh, no you won't Billy. because
there-d be an expose. and the whole
coll would know that / was trying to
save you from yourself. and from the
folly of your innocence. And then you
would see snakes for sure"
open the door Hawkins, hurry up.
! It's nearly 10 and I'll have to tear"
I'm sorry. old fellow, but ! can't
| It's rude. ! know. TO keep her waiting
| But she'll forget when she clears the
] town, and you'll be no more TO her
| than an undreamed dream, a."
| Muffied sounds came from within,
but Hawkins was oblivious to them.
You see my responsibility in this
case weighs heavily, for l introduced
| you 10 the charmer."
Il suppose couldn't go to the cir
| Gus without you! Open the door and
don't be so blooming idiotic. / don't
care about her. Can't you believe a
fellow? But l promised to meet her.
She's too good for the sort OF life she
leads, and / want her to know II.
Hawkins, she has a soul to save"