The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-05-14
The LEMON
ny Phil sImms

] IN n row on the IOOt OF M. Merton
bed while he alternately stared at
them, trembling, and hid his face
under the covers, which somehow
failed to shut out the vision.
A wanfaced little woman sat by his
side holding his hand She looked for
moment at the wreck Of her husband
on the hard bed, then at the gaudily
papered ceiling. wondering II an an.
swer 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 satisfac-
tory. "Delirium tremens," the physi-
clan said gravely. I told him when
| treated him last to let upl"
The wife bravely hid her tears and
fastened with trembling fingers a
shabby hat upon her head.
Il must hurry to the theater," she
said. IT'S 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 the
lights.
Fifty a week for two is mighty
small for travelling from engagement
70 engagement. with an occasional
week Of Illness.
So when Mile. Merton began play
Ing a xylophone on a rickety table
covered with a spangled cloth OF I'M
certain color and NANCY looking, the
audience snickered.
She was lemon Get the hooki"
the spectators talked out loud.
Manager Welles, tall and handsome,
stood in the wings. Now and then he
glanced mpatiently-almost fiercely-
through the peephole at the jibing.
hard-hearted throng.
"oh. IL they only knewi" he muir.
INJURED TO himself.
There was scarcely a ripply OF ap-
plause when Mile Merton finished un-
I'll a boy in the gallery yelled deris-
lively:
Bring her OUT She's great"
In the same spirit-that Of poking
fun at her-round 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 10 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 dressingToom she sank down
upon her trunk and wept piteously.
her slender body shaking convulsive-
ly. A 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 onel"
but I can't leave hint" Mile Mer-
ton sobbed.
"You know you don't love him
you know it,"
Don't say that, pleased"
I've loved you always-and you
loved me-once-until he sneaked in
and played a dirty trick"
Don't talk so now! He's-he's-"
But you must see you can't 20 on
with your act You'll have to take
this money whether you want to or
mott"
Il can't take 1t. L"
You're under contract for a week.
| have to pay you. Herei"
mol"
A boy entered with a message for
Mile. Merton.
Her face went deathly pale as she
read, and when she finished the paper
fell to the floor.
He's dead" she whispered.
Thank Cod" murmured Welles.
Please" the little woman began,
reproachfully. but her speech was in
terrupted.
NOW you can take the money--and
me, tool" Welles added.
Don't make me tell nowl" she re-
piled. and together they started for
the hotel.
But her eyes had answered.
Good Reasoning.