Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-03-29
The Black
Sheep
By GEORGE M COBB

" Va POAlOiLhSAg "a
strict deacon the circus was an abom-
ination and the theater a deep pit. He
bluntly informed Duntley that he was
on the downward path, and minated
that he should see to it that he did
not also drag his wife and child to de-
struction.
"Better not interfere" advised Dunt-
ley in his offhanded way. II see a
chance to make money, and Tn going
to take it."
Edith, the wife and daughter, was
grieved, but she accepted the situa-
ton unmurmuringly. She knew the
FESTIVE spirit of this impulsive hus-
band of hers, and hoped a brief expert
nee would cure him of the rowing
faint. Each month Duntley came home
for a couple of days. He dressed bet
ter and had great dreams of sometime
owning q show of his own.
The dismal deacon continued to pro-
test. He called the behavior Of his
son-in-law simply disgraceful. The
censorious and narrow-minded father
worked on poor Edith until, when
Duntley came back from a long trip,
he found the household effects in stor-
age and Edith and the baby under the
parental roof.
"Give up your nefarious calling, get
back to honest work, and your wife
will come back to you," said Jason
Hall. otherwise, 1 shall see to 1T
that there is a legal separation"
A GOODNESS grew up between man and
wife. Duntley flung away, angry, def
ant, stubborn. A year went by and he
did not reappear. Stories were re-
tailed to the effect that Duntley had
been seen at q picnic in the midst of
a rollicking, wine-bibbing set of men
and women. Another story was that
Duntley had been manager for Mile.
Esturia, ''the brilliant, meteoric trap
csc artist" In a quiet way a divorce
was secured. The deacon died, and
Edith, taking her child, little Paul,
with her, removed to a quiet country
town.
One day Edith left little Paul in
charge of the nurse for the day. Her
plan was to visit a friend in a neigh
boring village.
"Tll take the baby down to my sis
ter's, and spend the day there, if you
don't object" said Mary.
Mrs. Duntley reached the next town,
to find her friend away. She returned
home, and went to the home of the sis
ter of the nurse, to find them both
chatting on the porch. Mary turned
pale as she viewed her mistress.
81 found my friend absent" ex-
planned Mrs. Duntley, "and I thought
1 would come and take Paul home"
The nurse exhibited embarrassment
and was trembling all over. Abruptly
she burst into tears.
"Oh, ma'ami" she sobbed, "the baby
is not here"
"Not here?' cried Edith in quick
alarm. HAS anything happened to-
Paul?"
mo, ma'am,' dissented May woeful-
ly; "but, OH you'll never forgive me,
but a gentleman has taken a great
fancy to Paul, and he asked me to let
him have Paul with him for today"
"Where? Where?" gasped the agi--
tated mother.
"At the hotel"
Sand you left my darling with a
stranger!' cried Edith. "Wretched
woman! Take me at once to my child.
Who is this man?"
"He is-oh,. ma'am, forgive me for
give mel He is your husband-that
was"
They made due haste to the hotel.
Mary knew the room uuntley occupied.
It's door was open. Pleased, prattling
tones mingled with tender masculine
ones. On the floor was Paul, and neal
to him his father. The place was lit
tered with toys.
Into the room Edith rushed and
clasped the boy in her arms. as though
from the jaws of peril. Pierce Duntley
regarded her gravely. His face and
bearing suggested a s~edateness that
had not formerly existed
"You-you have changed spoke
Edith, rather abashed at the %reproach-
full look her husband bestowed upon
her.
Somewhat" nodded Dunt1ey. "Not
that l was ever as bad as Father Hall
fancied me. That wild orgie in the
woods was simply a movie scene in
which I figured. Mile. Esturia, the
dashing trapezist whom I managed,
was grandmother to eight children.
But Father Hall was right-it was a
trifing life and now I am part of a
great humanitarian society, spreading
education in the dark places of the
earth. On that mission I leave fer
Hawaii next week, and I just had to
see the dear little fellow here before
1 went away"
"Paul want good man come home
with him." here cried out the little fell
low, and ran back to his father and