New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-10

and a. that Penrod, trembling violently up-toed
down the hall into the janitor's ROOM 1t was
cul-de-sac; there was no outlet save by the way
he had come.
Despairingy he dotted his mantle and looked
down uuon himself for a last sickening assurance
that the stockings were obviously and dis
gracefully Margaret's as they had seemed in the
mirror at home For moment he was encour-
AGED: perhaps he was no worse than some OF the
other bows Then he noticed that safety pin
had opened; one OF those connecting the stock
ings with his trunks. HI sat down 70 fasten 1t
and his eye fell for the first time with particular
attention upon the trunks. Until this instant he
had been preoccuped with the stockings.
Slowly recognition dawned in his eyes
The Schofeds' house stood on a corner az the
intersection OF two main travelled streets The
fence was low, and the publicity obtained by the
washable portion OF the family apparel on Mon
days had often been painful to Penrod, for boys
have n peculiar sensitiveness in these matters.
nlain. matter-of-fact washerwoman employed by
Mrs. Sehofeld never left anything 10 the imagina-
ton OF the passerby, and of all her calm display
the scarlet Haunting Of his fathers winter wear
had most abashed Penrod. One day Marjorie
Jones. all gold and starch, had passed when the
dreadful things were the line. Penrod had
hidden himself, shuddering The whole town. ne
was convinced, knew these garments intimately
and derisively.
And now, as he sat in the janitors chair, the
horrible and paralyzing recognition came. He had
not an instants doubt that every fellow actor, as
we'll as every soul in the audience, would recog-
nize what his sister and mother had put upon him.
For as the awful truth became plain to himself 1t
seemed blazoned TO the world and far far louder
a.. Ia Il fair lu hal
the grsly secret: whose they we're and what they
werel
Most people have suffered in dream the ex-
perience of finding themselves very inadequately
clad in the midst Of a crowd Of well dressed peo-
ple. and such dreamers' sensations are comparable
TO Penrods, though family, because Penrod was
awake and in much too full possession OF the
most active capacities for anguish
human male whose dress has been damaged,
or reveals some vital lack, suffers from hideous
and shameful loneliness which makes every second
absolutely unbearable until he is again as others
Of his sex and species; and there is no act or sin
whatever too desperate for him in his struggle TO
attain that condition Also, there is absolutely no
embarrassment possible 20 a woman which is COM
parable 20 that of a man under corresponding
circumstances; and in this boy is a man. Gaz
ing upon the CHASTITY trunks, the stricken Penrod
felt that he was a degree worse than nude; and
great horror Of himself filed his soul.
"Penrod Schoheld."
The door into the hallway opened, and voice
demanded him. He could not be seen from the
hallway but the hue and the cry up; and he
knew he must be taken. II was only question
Of seconds He nudded in his chair.
"Peniod Scho6eld." cried Mrs Lora Rewbush
sngry
The distracted boy rose and. as he did so, long
pin sank deep into his back. lie extracted it
frenzedly. which brouch, 70 his ears protracted
and souorous ripping, too easily located by final
gesture Of horror.
"Penrod Schofeld,' Mrs Lora Rewbush had
come out into the hallway.
And now, in this extremity, when all seemed lost
indeed, particularly including honor, the dlating
eye Of the outlaw fell upon the blue oyeralls which
the janitor had left hanging upon peg
Inspiration and action were almost simultaneous
"Penrod," Mrs. Lora Rew6ush stood IN the
doorway Indignantly gazing upon Child SIR
Lancelot mantled 20 the heels. DO you know
that you have kept audience OF five hundred
people waiting for ten minutes" She, also, de
tanned the five hundred while she spake further.
well" said Perrod contentedly, as he followed
her toward the buzzing stage Il was just sitting
there thinking
Two minutes later the curtain rose on a
medieval castle hall richly done in the new stage
craft made in Germany and consisting Of pink
and blue cheesecloth. The Child King Arthur