Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-10
Gales aud Skttthes.
LITTLE DOT.
Continue from yesterday. }

LlTOuOu lnt anu EiOOhnv
leading to the stage, and stood at the
wing waiting for his cue. His mother
stationed herself near by to assist him IN
making his changes.
RAYMOND and the manager sought the
front of the house.
That youngster is going to be sick.
said the journalist, with conviction, as
they parted. .'He looked half i'll now
It's too bad that such a weak, delicate
child should be out nights in such bitter
weather"
..Eh, what was that ? Sick, did you
+ say? cried the manager with alarm. 81
hope mott hope no. 1t might affect
business, you know. if he didn't appear
He's the strongest card on the bill this
week"
RAYMOND curled his lip slightly at the
others heartlessness, and walked off.
Somehow little Dot interested him
strangely, 1t might have been that he
regarded the tiny favorite of the foot
lights with plying tenderness for the sake
of his own children.
The next night he returned to the
Varieties to find the fears he had
entertained realized. The manager
met him with note in his hand
Read it, he said with scowl upon
bis face.
Thus adiured, Raymond took it. and
/ glanced hurriedly at the contents. 1t was
| to the effect that Little Dot was danger
/ ously low with scarlet fever, and as a
consequence. could not perform the rest of
! the week.
The words he read brought up a vivid
recollection of the two babes who had
lain in the terrible grasp of the scarlet
| fiend until only the great mother-love
had won them back to life. A lump took
possession of his throat.
Poor little Dot" he murmured.
81 wouldn't have had it happen for a
| hundred dollars" grumbled the manager.
at places me in deuce of a fix. It's
almost impossible to put any one on in his
place at such short notice.
You're in hard lines" said Raymond.
coldly.
Something impeled him before he went
to the newspaper office that night to seek
the second class hotel where the child and
his mother were stopping. Passing a
florists on his way he purchased bunch
of the creamy, full-blown roses that were
temptingly displayed in the window.
These he sent to the sick room with his
card and request to know how the little
| fellow was.
Presently the answer came-no better.
Would he 60 up? Mrs. Whitley would
| like to see him.
Raymond followed the boy upstairs and
softly entered the darkened room. The
mother, with the marks of WEAKNESS about
her eyes. came from the window where
she had been standing and led the way to
the bed.
"He was taken i'll last night on his way
back from the theater." she whispered. in
hoarse. strained tone. II thought it
was nothing but cold and did not call in
doctor. But he grew so much worse in
the night that had to send for one, and
he says it's scarlet fever in it's most ma
lignant form. He has been delirious near
" all the time. The doctor did not tell
me so, and yet-Tm sure he'll never get
well again" She gave a bitter sob but
her eyes were dry-her tears had been
exhausted long ago. "Oh, why doesn't
he come, why doesn't he come ~
She resumed her place by the window,
looking vacantly out at the wild. black
night. Raymond remained by the bed
side and gazed compassionately down at
! Vic oIlidtll ldCC HIlI hCu Will llNlu oDOJS.
Near him stood stand upon which his
fragrant offering and several Walls of med
icine were placed
Suddenly the little sufferer opened his
eyes with faint moan. For moment
they rested upon Raymond and then
YEARLY closed again.
Dad ~ the parched lips formed
His mother approached the bed noise
lessly and bent anxiously over him.
Eyes, Dot" she said soothingly. he will
soon be here--soon be here. You won't
have long to wait now. darling;" and
looking up at RAYMOND, she continued, in
a choking voice, "he wants to see his
father. | have sent for him, but-but
don't know whether he will come. He
drank and-and we parted. God forgive
me, have been to blame, too. Oh do
you think that he will come?''
RAYMOND looked at his watch. The
time lacked few minutes of eleven.
Eyes, am sure he will, he said. pity
inglv. HE is at the Globe. think. The
performance is scarcely over. No matter
how heavy an actors grief may be. he is
obliged to disguise it sometimes and play
his part. Yes. he will come without
doubt"
Slowly the moments dragged by. FL
nally faint knock was heard at the door,
She went and softly opened it. A man
entered on tiptoe.
Thank heaven, you are here at last ~
she said.
II could not come BEFORE" he uttered
hoarsely. "lIow is he-better?"
She mourntully shook her head. He
went and looked down at his child. His
haggard face told of the violent grief that
was raging in his breast.
Raymond turned to go. He deemed
the scene too sacred for his presence. But
the mother grasped him by the arm, Civ
ing him wild. imploring look.
Stay" she said. He liked you"
While his father stood there. the child
opened his eyes and recognized him.
dad ?" he cried. stretching forth his
little. hot hand affectionately.
His father caught it and held it in his
cool palm.
Yes, my boy" he said, his strong
voice trembling.
''Give me drink, dad" he whispered
with difficult "Oh. dad. ;" with pathetic
moan, I'm all burning upr'
His father moistened his lips with water.
There, Dot" he said, with forced
cheerfulness, You feel better now, don't