The Little River news., 1920-07-17
A FAMILIAR
 ROLE
By ALVAH ,. GARTH,

By ALVAH J. GARTH, .a ooeooececeoooooooeeeeoeoe& Copyright. 1923. wsster. Newspaper Uaton
 Suggesting a person shamed, bu, driven to desperation, lea man ir threadbare garb stepped furtively from a sheltering doorway and cen. fronted Mantell Earth so abruptly that the we'll groomed, prosperous looking theater manager recoiled uncertain whether the former was . fsotpad or. mendieant. ure+
 II nm weak, hungry homeless !'' came the bitter words. convincing fn their expression, and the generous hand of Earth went to his pocket. Then he gave great start. ;.,sa t>,.4
 "A1den Hyslop!" he exclaimed, and aside from surprise palpable gladness was In tone and face. ''
 The other drew back as If humili- ated by the recognition. "It is MT. Barth?" he uttered faintly. peering closely. "I used to know you once"
 "Know me now!" ordered Earth in bluff. hearty tones, and he linked his arm in spontaneous friendly fashion within that of the other Down on your luck? I've been through that many time since you and met, ten years ago. have an hour to spare. A restaurant. firstl Don't talk, eat"
 Barth's manner was irresistible. He fairly forced Hyslop along with him. He showed no embarrassment in ush- ering his unkempt companion into a fashionable restaurant. He spoke to him as though they were close famil- far friends. he ordered princeiy meal. Then as 1t was finished he took out his pocket book and selected from 1t half dozen bnnk notes. sts f@ges
 s"Hyslop," he said. T wish you to % and make yourself presentable and report at my office at the Grand the ater at four o'clock this afternoon. Will you do it?" and the other bowed his head mutely in assent. His heart was too full for words.
 Our old acquaintanceship is all right" pursued Earth, but aside from that business is business. By a strange circumstance one actor with the principal role in our play was talk en i'll this morning. I was on my way to find substitute when I met you Was ever such luck for if I remem Der alright you made great hit in that drama, The Wanderer,' years ago. You must be familiar with the text"
 II will come," promised Hyslop, "only fear you will be disappointed in me"
 Arden Hyslop looked new man when he appeared at the theater that afternoon. We'll fed, we'll dressed now sober, grateful to generous heart ed Earth, flash of hope and ambi- tion had come to him. For five years he had sunk lower and lower after his habits of dissipation had separated him from his wife who. like, himself, belonged to the histrionic profession. He had not heard from her or their little child since their parting.
 Earth greeted the resuscitated act or cheerily, and with satisfaction as he noticed his clean shaved face and new neatly fitting attire. He handed him the manuscript of the play with the words.
 "Just to remind you of the cues and the general run of the piece, you must remember the old lines pretty we'll You will have good support, a lady who has made her mark in the role of Margaret"
 "Who is she?" inquired Earth cas- ually.
 Your wife"
 IL was true dramatic climax. The manager watched it's effect upon Hys- lop with curiosity and interest.
 ''Beatrice? oh, nevern' gasped Hys- lep, recoiling. "Why, man! do you not know that we have been separated for years, that I dragged her down to poverty and then cruelty deserted her? By this time doubtlessly she has legally severed the tie that bound us as man and wife,"
 You mistake" Earth informed him. Your wife is not woman to forget the man she once loved.
 And little Aileen?"
 Takes the child's part in the play Man, if you are in earnest in your pro- fessed desire to heal the past, don't refuse this opportunity
 Mrs. Hyslop was not made aware of the identity of the substitute actor by Earth, and it was only after the play had begun that she began to suspect, and then knew to a certainty that it was her husband who shared with her the two leading characters in the drama. She paled, she tremb- led, but, actresslike, she went through the ordeal, immersed in doing justice to her role.
 It was in the final act, however, when the wanderer" returned to his family after long separation, that she broke down. In the play the hus- band and father steals in upon his be- loved child and reveals himself aad together they weep with joy over his return.
 The little one did not recognize him, huf Arden HvSlon DIaVpd the nrOdi0al