Connecticut western news., 1915-05-20

The conglomerate and delicate rustic of a large, mannerly audience was heard as the janitor opened and closed the door, and stage fright seized the boy. The orchestra began an overture. and at that Penrod. trembling violent ly, tiptoed down the hall into the jan itor's room. It was a cul-de-sac; there was no outlet save by the way he had come.
 Despairingly hedoffed his mantle and looked down upon himself for a last sickening assurance that the stockings were as obviously and disgracefully Margaret's s as they had seemed in the mirror at home. For moment he was encouraged perhaps he was no worse than some of the other boys. Then he noticed that a safety pin had opened: one of those connecting the stockings with his trunks. He sat down to fasten it, and his eye fell for the first time with particular attention, upon the trunks. Until this instant he had been preoccupied with the stockings.
 Slowly recognition dawned in his eyes.
 The Schofelds' house stood on a corner at 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 a peculiar sensitiveness in these matters. A plain, matter of fact washerwoman, employed by Mrs. Schofield, never left anything to the imagination 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 on the line; Penrod had hidden himself, shud- dering. The whole town, he was con- Svinced, knew these garments intimate ly and derisively.
 And now, as he sat in the janitor's chair. the horrible and paralyZing recognition came. He had not an in stant's doubt that every fellow actor, as well as every soul in the audience. Would recognize what his mother and Sister had put upon him. For as the 1wful truth became plain to himself 1t seemed blazoned to the world. and far, far louder than the stockings. the trunks did fairly below the grisly secret; whose they were and what they were
 Most people have suffered in a dream The experience of finding themselves very inadequately clad in the midst Vf a crowd of well dressed people. and sszch dreamers' sensations are conpar- able to Penrods, though faintly, be- cause Penrod was awake and in much too full possession of the most active capacities for anguish.
 A human male whose dress has been damaged or reveals some vital lack, suffers from a hideous and shameful 1 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 at tain that condition. Also, there is ab- | solutely no embarrassment possible to woman which is comparable to that ] of a man under corresponding cir cumstances, and in this d EOy is a man. Gazing upon the ghastly trunks, the stricken Penrod felt that he was degree worse than nude, and great horror of himself filled his soul.
 "Penrod SchofeldI''
 The door into the hallway opened, and voice demanded him. He could not be seen from the hallway, but the l hue and cry was up, and he knew ne must be taken. It was only a ques- tion of seconds. He huddled in his l chair
 "Penrod Schofieldr' cried Mrs. Lora Rewbush angrily.
 The distracted boy rose, and as he did so a long pin sank deep into his back. He extracted it frenziedly, which brought to his ears a protracted and sonOrous ripping, too easily To- cated by final gesture of horror.
 "Penrod Schofeld!' Mrs. Lora Kew bush had come out into the hallway.
 And now in this extremity, when all seemed lost indeed, particularly in cluding honor, the dilating eye of the outlaw fell upon the blue overalls which the janitor had left hanging upon peg.
 Inspiration and action were almost simultaneous.