Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-07-22

1 q am ready to help you in any way can," she answered quietly. She knew he was nerving himself to a con- fession, and she understood what an ordeal it was to the man. She crossed the room and laid a paper before him, pointing to the bold headlines stretched across the top of page. The words fairly leaped at Merry. TREMENDOUS SURPRISE Enoch Wentworth the Coming Drama tist. He read on down through the col umn. Fellow journalists had banded l together to give Enoch . royal intro duction. Merry's name was not mem toned, though there was frequent ref erence to famous star, who had the leading part in consideration. Oswald was referred to as newcomer in the ranks of New York managers. His lavish production of Wentworth's s drama was described in figures ap- preaching prodigality. Merry read it through to the last sentence, then the paper fell to the floor and he buried his face in his hands. While Dorcas watched, her heart ached for him. It was hard to hold in check the soothing touch she would have given to a woman or to child. "Oh!" she said in piteOus whisper, .sit was such a mistake" 'f.
 He did not answer or lift his. head from his hands.
 II pleaded with Enoch. told him it was all wrong, terribly wrong. for him as well as for you; that when you returned he must set things straight. l told him 1t was not even collabora- tion; it was wholly and distinctly your play, yours alone" 4S] - F. '
 Collaboration? repeated Merry perplexedly, raising his eyes.
 He told me everything cried the girl hurriedly. She was trying to save him the full confession of hfsl down. fall. She did not wish to listen to it. "Everything!" repeated Merry in credulously.
 Yes, everything Oh! if you had come back only two or three days ago things would have been different"
 He rose abruptly and crossed to the window. .i.... ' - -.4 !.
 Miss Dorcas." he did not turn to look at her, what was the1 worst thought you had of me when Enoch told you-what happened?"
 The girl paused for a minute before she answered. Il thought you were weak"
 "Weak!" The man repeated the word as if trying to comprehend it's meaning. u, You should not have allowed Enoch to stand as the author of your play. no matter what the circum. stances were. He is not happy over it today. His nature seems to have changed. He is not easy to live with even. Oh, wish it had never hap pened!" .f ]
 Merry waited in silence. s Y, .
 Things must come right, even if this lie has been told." She pointed at the paper which lay at her feet. There is one way. You can play the convict so wonderfully that people must realize that you yourself created the part"
 T shall never play the convict. , Merry's voice was slow and resolute. {
 "Oh!" cried Dorcas. "who - can Why. I thought your heart was set on the character"
 "It was-once." "I cannot understand"
 The man did not attempt an expla nation.
 Andrew Merry" she hesitated as ii | searching for words which would not wrong her brother, did Enoch do you any-any injustice?"
 She waited for an answer during ar infinitely long silence, so it seemed te her. Then the actor spoke abruptly. 1 No. As look back on it now, went into it with my eyes open. ISim ply learlied that there is no way tt gauge human nature." 1 ASaln tnere was SlleHCe. DOrCa' was trying to understand, trying to bt loyal to her brother, even, while hel heart. aching with unspoken sympathy turned to Merry.
 "Why don't you want to play JohI Esterbrook?' she asked quietly.
 T don't suppose I have decent req son. except that when I-gave up thu play I lost all interest in it. 'Johl Esterbrook' is no more to me toda. than 'Silas Bagg."
 "Oh!" cried the girl aghast. "Hov you have altered"
 T have" Merry spoke in hoars' whisper. He returned to his chair b! the fire and bent to warm his fingers by the blaze. There was another lonl silence. Dorcas was the first to breal it.
 Even if it were against your incli nations, would you do something tt make some one very happy. some on, who believes in you-who cares { great deal for you and about your flu ture?"