The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-09-11

criminal III u0r CaT0cI. dShSu W0uC-
worth. He was conscious of certain
absurd irritation.
Oswald hesitated. mot actually
| criminal, suppose. The law has not
made so fine point as to indict q
woman when she drives a MN to sui
eide"
What do you think of changing in
her part?" asked Wentworth
brusquely.
II was going to suggest you make
Mrs. Esterbrook' coarser, more fam
! boyant, more heartless. Do not give
| her solitary trait Of motherhood
She is the very opposite Of 'Cordelia, ;
with her love and tenderness for a
broken father"
"How do you account for woman of
that sort having such a child?"
Really now, Wentworth, that's up
to you; both of them are your crea-
toni"
Eyes. certainly" Enoch laughed
grimly "Still it is an anomaly you
don't often see in real life."
TT is" assented Oswald. Here's
Miss Paget-watch her in the scene
I've mentioned"
The eyes of both men followed the
woman as she moved slowly across the
stage. She dropped into a chair and
waited for her cue. She did not look
the traditional adventures. She had
curiously pale, transparent skin, into
which, during excited moments, the
blood flushed rosily. Masses of yellow
| silky hair were brushed back in sim
pie waves from her forehead. She
used little makeup or artif1ce Of any
sort. Her eyes were intensely blue.
There was lovely cleft dimple in her
chin. Although well along in the thir-
ties she retained her girlish face and
| figure.
Wentworth turned to Oswald with 3
flush of irritation. 1T doesn't seem fair
to make degenerate Of such q wom-
an: she doesn't look it."
That's where the mischief lies"
answered Oswald quietly.
The rehearsal went on. Miss Paget
took her cue. Both men watched her
critically. Wentworth drew a long
breath when the scene with "Cordelia"
in the second act was over. The wom-
an certainly could act!
She'll do" said Enoch heartily.
"Only," he added after a moments
hesitation, "how does Dorcas strike
you? Is she strong enough? It doesn't
seem to me as if she saw all the pos
sibilities of 'Cordelia.'
Wentworth, your sister Is going to
surprise you. Take my word for 1t.
She is nervous now, but"
TITS a devil of risk. 'Cordelia's'
such big part and Dorcas has had
| no training"
"She does not need training-the
conventional training you have in
mind"
IF she fails 1t puts me in nasty
| light with the public-producing play
simply to exploit my sister" Enoch's
tone was curt.
"She won't fail" Oswald spoke with
quiet assurance. Think over my sug-
gestion about Mrs. Esterbrook's' part.
1t is there where 'Cordelia' leaves her
the mother knows the daughter well
enough to realize it is good-by forever
that you want to cut out every spark
Of motherly feeling. Once or twice
she almost pulls ON the audience for
sympathy. When 'Cordelia' shows her
contempt for the mother and skaters
her every ambition, there could not be
solitary throb of pity. remorse or
love-it Is not III her"
Oswald dropped the subject. Went
worth began to twist his hands nerv-
ously, habit he had when disturbed.
The Englishman sat back In silence,
watching the rehearsal intently. Mer-
ry stood leaning against stucco pill
lar. In this act he did not appear. but
occasionally, against the sharp COM
mands of the stage manager, his voice
rang out in brief. concise suggestions.
| What remarkable conception Mer-
~ has of every character" whispered
Oswald. Enoch did not speak "Gil
bert resents my orders-in fashion"
continued the Engllshman. Il told
him to act on any suggestion that Mer-
ry offered. Gilbert would not say q
word II you went back and threw in an
idea here and there; stage manager
expects that from the author. should
think you would do it occasionally"
| TT isn't in my line" Wentworth
spoke sullenly Every move is put
into the manuscript as plain as pike
staff"
eyes. but" Oswald glanced at his
companion curiously, then he dropped
the subject. 1T strikes me Merry has
changed. The night / spoke to him on
the l. he was like boy with some
grand secret up his sleeve. Today he
takes nothing but half-languid In
terest in the whole thing. He is going
to give a remarkable portrayal Of
John Esterbrook.' but when he is not
acting he seems to have no interest In
life. What do you lay 1t TOT"
Don't ask me-" mumured Went
worth. Hes man Of moods, I gave
fup trying to understand him years
ago"
Il