Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-09-18
CHAPTER xI-consinued.

CHAPTER xi-continued.
You're right" Oswaid's voice was
emphatic. Il don't know why I did
not see It. Perhaps because tho child
has little to do except to follow her
father about"
TITS that following the father about
which ] mean to make the strongest
point In the FIRST act"
Engage the child Immediately"
I'll have to do diplomatic work to
get her.
'How3"
Alice volk would rather starve
thar let her child go on the stage She
has been hoping we might ind a small
part for herself which she could play
crippled"
Poor soul"
I limited that we might give the lit
tie Julie q chance. She snatched the
child away as II she thought l meant
to kidnap her. When a woman has
seen the saamy side of life as she has
YOU understand"
Oswald nodded gravely. I'VE must
find a way to get around her"
Merry sat writing a letter in the
managers Office the next afternoon
when Oswald entered, accompanied By
Irrcas. 81
/ want you to tell Miss Wentworth
about the little volk girl" said the
Englishman. II have enlisted her
sympathy II the mother felt that
some woman here would be interested
in the child she might change her
mind"
I'll do anything / car said Dorcas
heartily. Il am glad you are making
a change. It will improve the first act
wonderfully to have the child sweet
and real. Then" the girl laughed In
a half-embarrassed way. did you eve
look at a picture of yourself when you
were at the tadpole age and wonder If
It could have possibly been you? That
has been my frame of mind since ]
laid eyes IN the little 'Cordelia.
Il don't blame you, Oswald smiled.
7 can't imagine why we made such q
blunder. Merry puts 1t just the way
you do
Thank you. Mr.. Merry Dorcas
turned to the actor with a grateful
smile. 4 am ready to go with you any
time to see Mrs. Vclk."
Dorcas had a new insight in Merry's
character when she found how his
friends held him in esteem. There
was not a touch, in Mrs. Billerwell's
greeting, of hero worship or Difference
to the man who had won fame. Ii
was merely a droll blend Of loving de
votion and motherly tyranny.
Merry jumped to his feet when Mrs
yoik sntered. with Julie cIinging shyIy
10 her gown. Dorcas felt instantly q
throb Of sympathy and warm friend
ship. Merry had told her something
Of the pitiful story on the way uptown
You said once. Miss Dorcas." he re
minded her. thai you were never SC
happy as when you had some one tc
mother Alice Volk needs ~mothering
doubt il she has a friend In the world
except Mother BifIerwell and myself
Mrs. BillerwelI is pure gold. but Alice
needs a woman like you"
Half an hour later they waited OF
the platform OF an L station for 1
downtown train. They had scarcely
spoken since leaving the HARLEM
house. Merry realized how deeply tn,
girls heart had been stirred. The,
entered the train and took a seal to
gether in silence. She sat gazing at tn,
city below. Then she urned suddenly
Little Julie Is to begin rehearsal
tomorrow morning" she said. 4Th,
mother made only one condition: the,
are to be known under another name
She is in terror lest her husband find
them"
That's all right, but do you thin
the child can play the small Coz
delia?" asked Merry anxiously.
You can do anything you wish wit
that child. She has a soul and sweet
ness, and she understands. There |
something In her-we call it magnei
ism in older people-which will reac
ACROSS the footlights and grip ever
man and woman In the audience. TIL
child will help me wonderfully. No,
I won't have to create a new 'Cordelis
when come on the stage. My Co
della is simply the little girl grow
older and wiser, with more love &c
her father and a larger knowledge {
life
You understand perfectly"
You and ! ought to understan
'Cordelia' II any one could"
Dorcas sat in silence while the
rushed over the lighted city with II
insistent gIimpses Of sordid life. Meri
saw her chin tremble once and ht
eyes grow misty; then she spoke su
denly; "She must have lived throug
awful experiences"
Alice volk has seer the very depth
She suffered more than misery ar
neglect; there was actual brutality.
knew her before volk came into b
life. She played with the first Ne
York company | was in. She was tt
gayest little creature then you can il
agine-a whimsical. laughing. car
free. happy child"
Gay" Dorcas spoke ~incredulousl
The gaiety has gone"
TT has been wrung out of her"