The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-08


heard Julie deliver the message. Good
night, Miss Dorcas," he said. sleep
well. Remember, everything is all
right. owe it to you. owe you more
than you understand You made good
tonight; the papers will tell you SO in
the morning. Good night. God bless
you!"
Good night" The girl shivered for
a moment. 1t was intensely cold, and
she drew fur coat close to her chin.
The cabman drove quickly, for the
streets were emptied of vehicles.
Along Broadway the theaters were
dark.
Jason stood waiting to open the door
when the girl ran up the steps. His
dusky old face was one grin of delight.
He had just returned from the theater
and was growing impatient for the
triumph of Homecoming.
Missy" he cried, "yo' certify done
us proud. My soul! couldn't er
b'lieved de baby toted yeahs en-
yeahs oga I'D ebber a. lived to act ez
fine ez yo' done. used to play was
yo' black mule. I reckon vi dom
member, honey, ridin' mule on OIL
Uncle Jason's back, do yo'? En- dar
yo' was, honey, a-workin' me up till
'clar to goodness I mos cried my Of
eyes out When Marse Enoch come
out en- made dat speech folkses hol-
Tered en- got to der feet clappin' en-
bangin' sticks on de floor, 'clar to de
Lawd dar want prouder OF darby in
New York den Uncle Jason"
Dorcas began to laugh and cry at
once.
81 dom wonder yo's all done up.
Missy. rs got de fines supper ready
TO- yo' yo' ebber see"
Dorcas was too unnerved to eat. She
swallowed cup of coffee and nibbled
at the good things Jason had prepared.
Then she went upstairs and began to
undress. She brushed her hair, plait-
ed it in two long braids, and slipped
into a gray kimono, which folded it.
self about her in sheeny waves. The
coffee had driven sleep away. She
tossed shawl about her shoulders and
ran down through the silent house to
the library. Wentworth often read
there until long after midnight, and a
coal fire was burning brightly.
She pushed an armchair close to the
hearth and dropped into it YEARLY.
She realized that she was very tired.
She had not thought Of nerves or body
during the long weeks of rehearsal,
with the incessant study, the multi
tude of detail, and the strange irregu-
larity of life.
She began to live over again the last
few hours and drew long breath as
she remembered the strangling terror
which laid hold of her before she made
her first entrance. When she heard
her cue she felt dumb, crippled. almost
blinded for one moment. The smile on
Zilla Paget's face, as she stepped
from the wings, stung her into action.
There was scorn in it, and cruelty
smoothed over by a sweet, beguiling
perfdy, which aroused in the girl
sudden hate that she had never felt
in her life before. The hatred made
her forget everything except her part.
The recollection of bit of gossip
had flashed to her memory: Zilla
Paget had prophesied that her "Cor-
della" would be dead failure. Be-
fore the end of that second act the in
tense loathing and ecorn which Merry
had put into her lines became real.
The woman understood. She shrank
with terror which was scarcely simu-
lated during the girls denunciation of
a mother who had lost all claim upon
child for love or respect. Seven
times the curtain rose and fell upon
the two women. Once volley of
Kisses was hurled at zilla Paget, and
she smiled in happy triumph. Oswald
and Merry stood in the wings watch
ing the act. The intensity which
Dorcas threw into her part stirred
both men strongly, M st did the audi
ence. They had anticipated womanly
sweetness and tenderness, but they