The bee., 1908-06-18
THE LEMON
ny Phil sImns

A pink wolverine, hve-headed
snake and a purple-eyed jackal stood
in row on the foot Of NJ Merton's
bed while he alternately stared at
them, trembling, and hid his face
nnder the covers, which somehow
failed to shut out the vision.
A wan-faced little woman sat by bis
side holding his hand She looked for
a moment at the wreck Of her husband
on the hard bed, then at the gaudily
papered ceiling, wondering II an an
sver to her prayer would come
through the roof of the cheap hotel.
There came a rap at the door. A
man carrying a square satchel entered.
and the little woman sprang up to
meet him.
"Oh, doctorl" she cried. I'm so
glad you're herel"
The diagnosis was far from satisfsc.
tory. "Delirium tremsns," the physl-
clan said gravsly. I told him when
treated him last to let Wpl"
The wife bravely hid her tears and
fastened with trembling Singers
shabby hat upon her head.
Il must hurry to the theater," she
said ITS almost time for our act
and this is the opening night must
be on time"
The Extra Man stepped before the
footlights and announced the sudden
illness Of Mons. Merton, but his sis
ter, Mile, Merton, would go on.
When Mile. Merton stepped into
view Of the audience, her threadbare,
faded, red costume was the picutre of
poverty. The once headlining act OF
the Musical Mertons that took the en-.
tire stage. now worked in one"--that
is, before the first drop back OF tbs
lights.
Fifty week for two is mighty
small for travelling from engagement
to engagement, with an occasional
week Of illness.
So when Mile Merton began play
ing. xylophens. on a rickety table
covered with 8 spangled cloth of un.
certain color and NANCY looking, the
audience snickSred.
She was q iemonl Get the hooki"
the spectators talked out loud n
Manager Welles. tall and handsome.
stood in the wings. Now and then he
glanced mpatiently-almost fercely-.
through the peep-hole at the jibing,
hard-hearted throng.
"oh, If they only knewl" he muir
INJURED to himself.
There was scarcely a ripply OF APP
plause when Mile. Merton finished un.
til a boy in the gallery yelled derls.
lively: -
Bring her QUIT She's great!",
In the same spirit-that Of poking
fun at her--Tound after round of APP
plause followed, and the trembling
woman, her face red with shame, was
commanded roughly by the stage man.
ager to go on again.
She tried to sing, but her voice
failed her utterly before the first verse
was done. and she was hooted on the
stage amid storm Of eers and cat
calls.
In her dressing-room she sank down
upon her trunk and wept piteously.
her slender body shaking convulsive-
ly. harsh tattoo on the door caused
her to spring up and open 1t.
The old man-Welles~-wants to
see you out 'front.'" the stage manager
growled vengefully. and. casting a con-
temptuous glance at her from head
to toe, turned away.
With sinking heart, Mile. Merton
took of her makeup, donned her
street clothes, Fired And without
a cent!
Mary" said Welles, tenderly, you
must get a divorce. He has ruined |
himself and you Professionally, |
you're a dead onei"
But 1 can't leave hint" Mile. Mer-
ton sobbed.
"You know you don't love him
fou know it,"
Don't say that, pleased"
I've loved you Slways-and yon
loved me-once-until he sneaked in
and played a dirty trick"
Don't talk so nowl He's-he's-"
but you must see you can't go on
with your act. You'll have to take |
this money whether you want to or
mott"
II can't take IT, +"
You're under contract for a week.
have to pay you. Herel"
mol"
A boy entered with a message for
Mile. Merton.
Her face went deathly pale as she
read, and when she finished the paper
Tell to the floor.
Hes dead" she whispered.
THANK Cod" murmured Welles.
gPlease-" the little woman began.
reproachfully. but her speech was in
.errupted
Nov YOU can take the money-and
me. too Welles added.
"poH't make me tell nowl" she re-
Dlied and together they started for
he hotel.
But her eyes had answered
Good Reasoning.
II don't see. madam. how you eau
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