The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1921-05-19
Benny's Shadow
Pictures
,a. 1921. Western Newspaper Union)
Bv HAZEL SMITH

everyone who has suffered, even, re-
turns some day to the place where the
event occurred which marked black
bar In the spectroscope of his life. 1t
was so with Arthur Kane.
Five years before he had stood In
the same spot, at the same time OF
day, on just such an evening, outside
Evelyn's house, at the foot OF her
garden. Then he had been poor; now
he was weather. than he had ever
expected to be; but then he had been
happy, and now, of all men, he was
the most miserable.
1t was summer then and it was sum-
mer now the same rose bushes were
blooming, the same moon was rising
over the house-tops; nothing had
changed except his heart.
Five years before Kane had been an
underpaid clerk in the Fourth Ma
tional bank, seven blocks away, In the
heart of the business section. And
! Evelyn had been a stenographer in the
same town. She lived with her
/ widowed mother and her little brother
Benny. Arthur had always known
Evelyn, but their engagement had
come about quite suddenly and simply.
He had discovered unsupported depths
of tenderness in her nature when his
mother died. She had cared for her
all through her lingering illness. The
night before she breathed her last she
said to Arthur:
II want you to marry Evelyn"
The thought had not occurred to
him. He had not known that Evelyn
loved him. The day after the funeral
he asked Evelyn to marry him. And
when she laid her head upon his Shout
der and began to cry softly, from
sheer happiness, Kane suddenly dis
covered the world Of love in his own
heart.
81 thought you loved Marston," he
said.
Il never cared for Msrtson," she an
swered. looking at him with a wonder
full light in her eyes.
Then came the fatal evening when
Kane, approaching Evelyn's house
later than usual, after the shades were
drawn. stopped suddenly as he saw
Marston's face upon the blind. and
Evelyn's. They drew near to each
other and their lips met. Then the
shadows danced away and the lamp
J light Illuminated the blind again.
Kane went home ana wrote a brler
letter to Evelyn, explaining that he
had Unexpectedly discovered proof Of
her faithlessness, and took the train
west next morning. In five years he
had made comfortable fortune. Now
he had come back.
As he stood by the gate of Evelyn's
home tall boy suddenly came in from
the street, saw him, stopped short,
and accOsted him.
"Mr. Kanel" he exclaimed.
Kane turned. why. Bennyw he
said, taken aback. How you have
grown!" he added lamely. II would
never have known you"
II heard you were back" said Ben
ny shyly. tive been looking for you
all over the town. Won't you come
in?"
mo, thanks" said Kane, beginning
to lose his self-control. II have to be
leaving again this evening""
Mother and Evelyn won't be home
till late" said Benny. "Say," he con-
tinued. II want to show you some
thing. I'm awfully sorry it was my
fault Evelyn and you had that trou-
ble."
Your faultw exclaimed the other.
Yes, Mr.. Kane. 1t was an awful
blow to her when you went away.
She just cried and cried for days, but
she wouldn't let anyone write and tell
You. But 1t was all my fault"
Kane's feet almost dragged him
against his will into the little parlor.
Nothing was changed-only his heart.
Benny put out the gas and stood the
lamp in the middle of the table.
You thought she was kissing Mar
ston," said Benny, awkwardly. Look
1t was this way-just fun. She was
amusing me-"
And, passing behind the lamp. he
twisted his hands until a shadow like
Marston's head appeared upon the
wall.
That's Marston," said Benny. "You
can tell him by his big nose. Now
this is Evelyn--see? That's her hair,
done like they used to wear 1t five
years back. Now, when 1 bring my
hands together they kiss-see?
1t was a very creditable kiss. II
was just the same kiss that Kane had
seen five years before upon the shade.
Kane staggered out of his seat,
Benny! I've been a fool!" he NUT.
tered, and caught the boy by the arm
See here, tell me If there's any
chance for me-" he shouted. "Where
Is she? I've got to see her. She's
got to forgive me at once. She's got
to. because I'm going to make her."
Benny hesitated. "You won't be an.
cry with me, Mr.. Kane2" he asked
"She Is in the house. l had to bring
you in somehow" He pulled the other
by the arm and drew him into the hall
"She's-she's-" he stammered.
She was standing under the hal
lamp. She was trembling. She was