Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-07-23

1 oppressive. At last Wentworth spoke. Are you going to be alone soon. | Merry? I want to have talk with you
 about business"
 Andrew did not look up while he an. swered careless'y, 'Ill be alone in a few minutes. Kelly has an errand to do at the tailor's. You may go now, he added nodding to the valet; there's g no hurry about the shoes" When the old man shut the door be- hind him Andrew did not turn his /, gaze from the mirror. The reflection 1 of Wentworth's face was close beside | his own. He could see that his visitor l was ill at ease.
 'Well?" he said interrogatively. Cant you turn round and face me while we talk?" asked the elder man impatiently.
 Andrew wheeled about and his eyes met Wentworth's calmly. Certainly, ] can face you" a# The red surged into Enoch'o fsce then hard lines wrinkled about his mouth. His mood had changed. He spoke with brutal consciseness.
 Oswald and I have decided that there ought to be a few changes made in the text of-the play"
 "Of your play" corrected Merry.
 There is one weak point in it" Enoch went on. deliberately Mrs. Esterbrook' draws on the sympathy of the audience for few moments when 'Cordelia' leaves her. A woman of that caliber could have no such feel ing"
 "No?"
 "No." Wentworth repeated the word almost furiously. He began to twist his hands.
 T suppose that act ought to be re- written
 Not rewritten, simply elaborated. Strike out some lines, put in others. " Why don't you do it?' .< "Why don't do it?" Enoch jumped to his feet shaken by sudden impulse of rage. That's nice question to ask me-"
 Tt has never seemed to me there was anything particularly nice in the whole situation" Andrews tones were on a calm level.
 "Well leave that out of the question altogether" growled Wentworth. q should never have intruded upon you but for this reason. You can see the exigencfes of the case. You've got to retouch the play" ,. '1 will not lay pen to the play,'''' Andrew turned as if the conversation were at an end and began to pencil careworn wrinkles on his cheeks. ! | Enoch tipped his chair back against the wall, put his feet on the rungs, and began.to think. Nobody knew so wei, as he that one faced barricade with
 Merry in doggedly obstinate mood
 Inwardly he was at white heat the
 blind groping: hope for reconciliation
 was at an end; stilT he knew if he
 ever needed diplomacy it was now. Ii
 he were to precipitate storm, Mer
 ry was Capable of fiinging over his engagement at the last moment.
 Let me explain" began Wentworth laboriously. A tap at the door inter
 rupted him. It was opened and Os.
 wald stepped in. He seated himself on the edge of trunk.
 Have you mentioned to MT. Merry the suggestion I made about the sec ond act?" he asked, turning to Went. worth.
 We were discussing it when you came in.''
 What do you think of it, Merry?"
 T really have not had time to give it thought Andrew looked unjn. terested. Besides, you know do not come into that act, and have scarce ly seen it rehearsed." He picked up a towel and began to wipe the makeup off his face.
 Tt is simply this. Mrs. Esterbrcok is an utterly heartless woman. Dead to conscience as she is at the begin ming, she comes out of her life's trag edy calloused beyond all redemption l It strikes false note to have her re | pent for even a second. She does not know what mother-love or love of any sort means. With her last exit sh' l ought to leave an audience hating an' despising her. Now one feels sud den touch of sympathy. She must b. 1 irredeemably bad. Then, too, 1t is no | only true to the woman's character l but .Cordelia' shines winter against it. Merry nodded. You're right, fancy l Wentworth has only to change fev l lines to throw the whole thing plumb 1 You can do it in half an hour, ol' | chap"
 (To be continued.)