The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-08-07


~~~~~~c-~~~~~~
when came to New York. / found
his name in the cast of light opera
company on Broadway. He was pretty
far down the list, but before the thing
had run two weeks he was moved up
to second place. His work was un-
usual. He's the funniest Merry An
drew ever saw, yet once in a while
there's a touch of whimsical, fearful
pathos in his antics that makes q
man-wink."
"Take me to see him." cried the
girl eagerly.
We'll go tomorrow. It's his closing,
night in The King at Large He's a
bigger favorite than several of the big
stars, yet-it's the queerest thing-in
all these years he's never taken the
step that would bring him to the top"
"Why?"
"The Lord knows One manager
died, another went under. It's the un-
certainty of stage life"
And his mother?" asked Dorcas.
"She died suddenly last season. A
fool usher gave Merry the telegram in
the middle of a performance, when he
went off the stage. He dropped as If
he'd been shot. They rang down the
curtain until the understudy could get
into his toys. He didn't act for two
months. I thought he would never
brace up. l had him here half the win
ter tryingeto cheer him. He gave me
the Dumps
poor fellow" cried Dorcas.
81 reused him through his pride.
He hadn't a cent to his name, SO
shamed him into going back to work.
He earns lots of money, but it gets
away from him."
Wentworth's gaze turned to the lit
ter of chips on the table. His sisters
eyes followed.
"Is it that?" she asked.
Partly"
The girl rose to her feet. She put
her hands on her brothers shoulders
and gazed down into his face.
"Enoch," she said hesitadngly, ~I
wish you wouldn't. You could help
your friend if you would turn over a
new leaf yourself"
1--WE both sworel off tonight for good
and all, little girl" Wentworth tool.
her hands between his own and looked
into her eyes with resolute Look. II
want you to help both Of us-Merry
and me. The evil of the world was
never whispered inside convent walls.
You've left quiet, simple life-for q
very different world. There's more
| mission work waiting you right here
than If you had taken the VEIL"
"Enoch," the girls face was grave
and earnest, "Enoch, nothing would
ever make me take the VEIL I have
only one ambition want to 60 on
the stage"
GOOD Lord!" cried Wentworth, 81
never dreamed of such a future-for
you.
you don't know stage life az do, "
he continued seriously. There are
women-and men for that matter
who go into the profession clean
skinned. clean souled. They spend
their lives in it and come out clean !;
but there are experiences they never
forget"
els life as bad as that?" the girl
asked simply.
Life is as bad" her brother
answered slowly, "and yet would as
willingly see you go on the stage as
into society," mean fashionable
! society, as l know it here in New
York. A newspaper man sees the
under side Of life"
1T would not hurt me-" The girl
tossed back a heavy braid Of hair
which fell over her shoulder, and knelt
at Wentworth's knee.
II have you always to turn to. big
brother" she whispered. She laid her
cheek fondly against his hand Don't
you remember that used to be the only
name 1 had for you? You were 80 big,
so strong, SO wise and sold. / used
to sit on the gatepost, waiting for you
to come home. Don't you remember
our Saturday tramps, how we used to
play 4 spy in the orchard, and went
bird's-nesting, picnicking and fishing,
or playing Indian camp ON the island p
Enoch clasped her hands tightly. 81
remember, little Derry. They were
the happiest days in my life"
Let us get out Of the city" cried
the girl. Their eyes turned to the sun.
lit square below. The morning rush
of New York life had begun, with its
clang of bells and thunder Of vehicles.
"Dorcas, I'm of to bed. l haven't
shut an eye for "a hours"
CHAPTER II.