The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-03-04
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II ATONEMENT
BY SARAH d. KENNEDY
Copyright, 1905, bu T. c. Mcclure
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Miss Delaney, who had been to Wash
1nSton and seen several thcatrica
stars" might tilt her nose as sh
pleased, but the fact remained that tl
entertainment given by the "Smitlvili
IhcSpianS' WAS Il success. Miss De
lancy said the performance was lackin.
In artistic tinish," but Smithvillc wen
and paid its money without regret an,
laughed rs it had not laughed I'm years
True, the intention of the ThcSpian.
was not to make people laugh, for il
their self adulation they had cSsaycL
tragedy. But from tragedy TO com
edy was an easy step with Dickry Holt
in the cast. Something was always
sure to happen to Dickcy.
That which bcfcll him this particular
night seemed trivial in its nature, but
was far reaching in its consequences
He quite forgot that afternoon to pur-
chase Il pair of long hose to wear with
the knee brccchcs of the colonial cos
tune in which he was to enact the
heavy villain and at the last moment
bribCd the maid from the girls dress
ing room to surrcptitiuusly borrow Il
pair for him. These he donncd so hur-
ricdly that he failed To notice the own
cr'S name worked in bright silk lust
below the knee. But there were oncra
glasses in the house. and soon the audi
cncc knew what he did not. The ap-
plauSc accorded him was as uncypcctCd
rs it was gratifying, and he looked
compassionatcly ut john Moore, the
leading man." who thought to reap all
the honors. But in the most thrilling
scene of the second act, where his vii
lainy was denounced, there came an
awful moment.
You are Il pcnnilcss impostor.w
stormed John, giving the lines as they
were. "Why, the very shoes in which
YOU stand are not your ownv'
And then before Diclicy could make
his grandiloqucntly scornful reply n
small boy in the front row rose and
cried eXcitedly:
And neither is the stockings his, for
they've got my sister Bellies name on
'Cm.'
After that permanent return to
pompous tragedy was impossible. Even
John Moore's imposing voice and Jessie
Lanes we'll simulated tears failed to
keep the spectators in awe Dickey's
stockings were the STARS Of the goUdlie
companie," and every time he appeared
he was greeted with shouts and ap-
plausc. Though the delighted audience
went out into the night regretting nC
penny spent for tickets, behind the
scenes Dickcy had the whole troupe
about his ears. But the only criticism
that hurt him was jessie Lanes. With
Jessie he had long believed himself in
love, and it hurt him when she said:
You quite spoiled most of my part
and You made my poor little sister
Belle more miserable than / can tell
you"
The next night lie called upon her to
make his peace and found John Moore
in the parlor ahead of him.
"Oh, | have quite forgiven you,''
laughed Jessie, "but Belle has vowed
vengeance against you, and if you are
wise you will so out yonder on the
porch and pacify her. You used to be
quito q hero in her eyes"
SO DickCy left John with Jessie and
went misorably out to where Belle,
aged sixteen, swung in Il hammock and
poutcd. He had known and pcttcd her
in days gone by, and he thought soon
to smooth her rulllcd plumagc. Instead
he found her oDduratc and full of re-
proachCS. However he must pacify
JesSic'S sister. SO Dickcy spent the
evening by the hammock. The next
time he came it was the same. John
sat with Jessie, and he was banishcd
to the porch ana Belle. That young
lady had framed an elaborate pro-
grammc OF rcparation for the humilia.
ton to which she had been subjected.
He must bring her bOnbons and flowers
and sing TO her in the summer moon
light to his mandolin. Dickcy under
took these things in spirit Of penl
tcnce and martyrdom. Night after
might he sat on the porch and strove to
be amiablc while mentally he was
fuming against John. He sometimes
wondered why nice girls like Jessie had
to have small sisters.
During the second week of his en-
forced rcparation lie made discovery.
Belle had heightened her dresses and
twisted her braids into a knot on top
of her small head, and with these per-
sonal changes thcrc had come also q
touch of coInctry TO her manner that