The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-12-19

al of Henry sweeny, the big, rough
manager. because lately she had
fallen off" in her high kicking and
whirling act.
Sweeney had glared at her and NUT.
tered an oath at the end Of the first
act, and now she knew a sharp scold.
ing would greet her when she re-
turned to the dingy dressing room.
Making her last bow, she smiled
right into the eyes Of the "Rube"
that had followed the show from place
to place for over a week, who every
night had occupied front seat, who
had paid scant attention to the other
players. but who always led the ap.
plause when Mile. Diem appeared.
The other members of the company
teased Nell in good-natured way
about the "mash" she had made on
the "Rube."
Lii and Kid Clay (the Clay sisters)
told her she was fool not to 60 out
to supper with him after the show.
IF you are so tired of this life,
why don't you lay off while and
get him to put up for you? He's got
the coin!"
"You girls don't understand. He
amt the kind we've been used to. He's
good. He never asked me to go to
supper after the show, but he took me
ridin' in the country once.
HE asked me to can him Theo. His
names Theophilus Sykes. Amt that
. name for you?"
As the curtain descended with the
last blare Of horn, Nell sank in
little heap on the stage-a heap of
crumpled pink tulle. spangles and
cheap satin. Sweeny growled out a
word or two about "incompetents" and
''sick folks" but had her carried to
the building that bore the name of
hotel.
Then she was put to bed and dosed
with bad whisky and water, which
failed to revive her.
Next day the company was forced
to continue its tour, leaving Nell be-
hind in care of the slatternly wife of
the hotel manager. Theophilus, hear
Ing Of her illness, also remained. He
1t was who saw that her room was
made bright with flowers, wild flow.
ers that he gathered in the country
lanes early in the morning, when the
dew was fresh upon them. He it was
who fetched the doctor from a neigh.
boring town, and who paid for such
delicactes as could be obtained at the
general store on Main street.
che day she was able to sit up IN.
the big, old-fashioned rocking chair
beside her bed the Rube brought
magnificent bunch of roses and a
large box Of bonbons tied with wide
pink ribbon. These had been sent
from Chicago. !.
He laid them in her lap; then tax,
Ing her frail, little hand in his big.
brown one he stroked the back Of IL
with the tips of his fingers and in a
faltering voice hesitated and stumbled
through proposal of marriage.
Maybe I'm a Rube, little girl: but
I kin take keer of you. Come home
with me, home to the farm, and rest
oil you want to. I don't ask you to
love me. yet: but Just come ZEN let
me keer for you like would my own;
little sister. II I had one"
Nell buried her face in the roses:
their perfume filled the room. With
rush Of feeling she knew she loved
this man; this "Rube" that all her as.
sociates had ridiculed and joked
about. But could she marry him? !
IL can't marry you. Theo-I-oh,
I'm not good enough to be your wife,
You are too good-too honest for a
girl like me. +" /,
But she got no further. He held
her face between his palms, looked
straight into her big. brown eyes
eyes that did not waver as they re.
turned his gaze.
Little Nell" he said, II amt mar.
ryin' the girl you have been. I want
the girl you are; the gentle, honest,
sweet girl that know is your real
self. You must forgit everything that
happened to you before today. Don't
talk about it; don't think about It.
Begin to live today, now. the life you
want to liye; the pure, clean, sweet
life of the open country. Marry md
and we'll 60 back home. VIII you'll
Nell?"
Il needn't tell you about my lifei
that other life on the stage?" ]
mot word. You begin to live to;
day . new life az my wife, Mrs. Thet
ophilus Sykes
Her body swayed forward and she
buried her face on his shoulder. A
little ray Of sunlight falling through
the window made her fair hair appear
like . halo above her pretty head. |.
Took Him at HE Word. !,
A negro bricklayer in Macon. O.
vas lying down during the noon hour
sleeping In the hot sun. The clock