Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-08-11
Benny's Shadow
Pictures
10. 1871. Western News paper mon.
By HAZEL SMITH


comes back, drawn lrresistibly TO the
scene of his oiteuse against the human
law. Everyone who has done Wrons,
everyone who has hoen unfortunate.
everyone VINO l"- ..,.cd, even, ne,
turns some day 70 tie place whore the
event occurred which marked black
bar in the spectroScope of his life. Ii
was So with Arthur Kane
Five years before ne had stood IN
the same spot, at the same time 81
day, on just such an evening. outside
Evclyn's house, at the foot of her
garden. Then ne had been poor; now
he was Weather than he had ever
expected To be; but then lac had been
happy and now, of all mon, lie 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 houSet0ps; nothing had
changed except his heart
Five years before Kane had been an
underpaid clerk in the Fourth Ma
tional bank, seven blocks away, I'm the
heart of the business section. And
Evelyn had been n stcnogwphcr In the
same town She lived with her
widowed mother and her lii,le brother
Benny. Arthur had always known
Evelyn, but their engagement had
come about quite suddenly and simply
lie 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 brcathed her last Sine
said to Arthur:
Il want You 10 marry Evelyn"
The thought had not occurred 10
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 iu his opn
heart.
Il thought YOU loved Marsian." he
said.
Il never cared for Mar,son." She am
swered, looking az him with wonder
full light IN her eyes.
Then came the fatal evening when
Kane, approaching EvclynS house
later than usual. after the shades were
drawn. stopped suddenly as ne saw
Marston's face upon the blind. and
Evelyn's. They drew near to each
other ana their lips met Then thc
shadows danced away AMI thc lamp
light Illuminated the blind again.
Kane went home ana wr0te nrlcr
letter To Evelyn. explaining thal hc
had unexpectedly discovered proof of
her faithlcssncss, and took Tire rain
west next morning iii five wears hc
had made comfortable fortune Now
he had come back.
AS he stood by the gate of Evelyns
home a tail boy suddenly came in from
the street, saw him. stopped short,
and accostcd him.
"Mr. Kane" he exclaimed.
Kane turned "Why. Benny No
said, taken ahack "Ilow you have
grown" he added lamcly. Il would
never have known YOU
II heard You were back said Ben
ny shyly. I've been looking for you
oil over the town. Won't YOU come
in?"
mo, thanks" said Kano. beginning
to lose his scf-control 81 have to be
leaving again this evening""
Mother and Evelyn v,ut bc home
I'll late sat Du.. SAY" hc con-
tinued. Il want 70 show YOU some
thing. I'm awiuny sorry 30 was my
fault Evelyn and You had that trou-
BILE"
Your fault" exclaimed the other
"Yes, Mr.. Kane. II WAS an awful
blow to her when YOU went away.
She just cried and cried for days. bur
she wouldn't let anyone write anal tell
you. But il was all my fault"
Kane's feet almost dragged him
against his win into the little parlor.
Nothing was chanecd-only his heart.
Benny put out the gas and Stood the
lamp in the middle Of the table.
gu ihOught she was Kissing Mar.
ston," said Benny, awkwardly. Look
1t was this way-juSt fun. She was
amusing ne"
And. passing behind the lamp. he
twisted his hands until shadow Ike
Marston's head appeared upon the
wall.
That's Marston," said Benny. you
can tell him by his big nose. Now
this is Evclyn-see? That's her hair
done like they used to wear If five
years back. Now, when ] bring my
hands together they kiSe-seeY
1t was very creditablc kiss. Il
was just the same kiss that Kane had
seen five years before upon the shade.
Kane staggered ont Of his seat
Benny. I've been n fool" no NUT
tered. and caught the boy by tine arm.
"See here. tell me if there's any
chance for me. nc shouted. "Whprc
Is she? I've got TO soc her. Size.
got 10 forgive me az once She's got
to, because I'm going 10 make her
Benny heSitatcd. You won't Doe an