Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1911-11-15
Snookun,s

She was the littlest girl-the one on
the end CT the line to whom DENLY
worked in the kid song that was
the excuse for the children's chorus.
She was mite with big blue e. es
mat saw more than was altogether
good for child of six, yet saw with
uhseeing eyes the undercurrent of evil
that marred life behind"
'Snookums." DENLY had called her
the opening night when her short legs
refused to carry her of 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
uins' bit was success.
Snookums worshiped DENLY, who in
his careless, good-natured way made
a 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
er sang. with SO many lires that
Snookums did not understand. Miss
Carver used to stand behind them on
the stage with her arm about Derbys
neck; for Miss Carver was the biz
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
III 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 DENLY
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.
Il know about Miss Lorrimer-last
night" she whispered.
Just a little supper" he whispered
back GROSSLY. You had headache
and | was lonesome"
There was the club" reminded
Edith, You told me you had gone
there
i was going. but Miss Lorrimer
too; SO I said, Come along, kid, and
she came"
Edith started retort, but at the
moment her cue came. Graspiug Den
by's hand, they ran out upon the
stage laughing with the fictitious
laughter that on the stage hides many
a broken heart. The audience saw
nothing of the tragedy, but wise little
Snookums vas witness to the scene
Derby's voice sounded as funny as
ever, but it seemed to Snookums that
there was worried look about the
mouth III spite Of lis painted smile.
Perhaps because he felt the need OF
working hard, DENLY 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, SnookLms" he
asked with laugh that he did not al
together feel.
The child shook hAr c,tr,v hoad
gravely.
What's the matter" he asked, with
an affection of surprise
L don't like mems what don't hold
hands with their wives" she explained
gravely. Mamma and papa didn' t
hold hands and then.I didn't have au,'
80"