Holbrook argus., 1911-12-12
Sn00kun1s

" that saw more than was altogether unseeing eyes the undercurrent of evil that marred life behind"
 "Snookums." Denby had called her the opening night when her short legs refused to carry her off the stage with the others in the mad rush that was the wind-up of the song, and after that her real name of Polly Crane appeared only on the salary roll. The Shook. ums" hit was success.
 Snookums worshiped Denby, who in his careless, good-natured way made pet of the small child that contrib uted so materially to his own hit. The little girl came to love those moments when she sat on his lap with the spot light full on them and he sang to her the nursery rhymes that were so much funnier than the ones her moth CT sang, with so many lines that Snookums did not understand. Miss Carver used to stand behind them on the stage with her arm about Denby's neck; for Miss Carver was the big gest of the little girls, though she was Denby's wife.
 Snookums was fond of Miss Carver. too; and as the song went on she used to reach up and press against her cheek the hand that rested lightly on Denby's shoulder.
 There came night when talk that had been growing increasingly frank in the company came to Edith Car ver's ears. It was prefaced by the usual My dear, I would not tell you this, but I think you really ought to know" but that brought cold comfort to the poor little woman for whom the honeymoon, which had consisted of three weeks of rehearsal and two months of playing, had scarcely ended.
 They had warned her that Denby could not be held true, but she had shut her eyes and ears resolutely to the bits of gossip and tried to see the audacious glances with which Lottie Lorrimer favored her husband. Now, however she was brought squarely face to face with her trouble.
 q know about Miss Lorrimer-last night" she whispered.
 Just a little supper" he whispered back grossly. You had headache and I was lonesome"
 There was the club" reminded Edith. "You told me you had gone there"
 T was going, but Miss Lorrimer came along and said she was hungry. too; sc I said. Come along, kid, and she came"
 Edith started a retort, but at the moment her cue came. Grasping Den by's hand, they ran out upon the stage laughing with the fictitious laughter that on the stage hides many broken heart. The audience saw nothing of the tragedy, but wise little Snookums was a witness to the scene.
 Denby's voice sounded as funny as ever. but it seemed to Snookums that there was a worried look about the mouth in spite of it's painted smile. Perhaps because he felt the need of working hard, Donby did better than usual in the kid song. When he came off the stage at the close of the act he swung the child up to his shoulder.
 Still love me, Snookums?" he asked with a laugh that he did not al. together feel.
 The child shook her curly head gravely.
 Whats the matter?" he asked, with an affection of surprise.
 q don't like mems what don't hold hands with their wives," she explained gravely Mamma and papa didn't hold hands and then didn't have any papa"
 That was very sad," commented Denby with pretended gravity. But it doesn't always happen that you lose papas when they don't hold hands.
 "Yes, you dol" persisted Shook ums. And you was holding hands with other girls. I saw you holding like Miss Lorrimer.
 Denby looked across the stage to where Edith was just emerging from her dressing room. Then he glanced down the corridor where Lottie Lorrf- mer, unconscious of his glance, was flirting with the stage clearers and using her eyes as effectively upon them as she had done with him.
 Anyone to keep in practice on," muttered Denby in sudden realization of the situation. "I guess you're right, Snookums," he agreed. I've been pretty much of fool, but guess 1t isn't too late to mend and-well-you run along. I've got some mending to do."
 He swung her down from his shoul- der and made his way across the stage to where Edith was standing.
 Out of the mouths of babes com eth wisdom he quoted softly. "Snookums has been showing me what a miserable fellow I have been. Edie. Will you kiss and make up, dear?"
 Mercy! It will spoil my makeup" she protested; but she lifted her car mined lips to his and joyfully ran of to the dressing room to remake the | c,pid's how