Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-07-24
"Yes," said Oswald gravely,

Ou re r1gnt. OSWaIOS s VOlce was emphatic. T don't know why l did not see it. Perhaps because the child has little to do except to follow her father about"
 Its that following the father about which l mean to make the strongest point in the first act.'
 Engage the child immediately" E 'I'll have to do diplomatic work to get her"
 How"
 Alice Volk would rather starve than let her child go on the stage. She has been hoping we might find small part for herself which she could play crippled
 Poor soul"
 T hinted that we might give the lit- tie Julie a chance. She snatched the child away as if she thought meant to kidnap her. When a woman has seen the seamy side of life as she has you understand"
 Oswald nodded gravely. ".We must find way to get around her." : Merry sat writing letter in the managers office the next afternoon when Oswald entered, accompanied by Dorcas.
 Il want you to tell Miss Wentworth about the little Volk girl" said the Englishman. T have enlisted her sympathy. If the mother felt that some woman here would be interested in the child she might change her mind"
 "I'll do anything can,' said Dorcas heartily. T am glad you are making change. It will improve the first act wonderfully to have the child sweet and real. Then" the girl laughed in g half-embarrassed way, did you ever look at 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 on the little 'Cordella.'
 T don't blame you,' Oswald smiled. q can't imagine why we made such a blunder. Merry puts it just the way you do."
 Thank you, MT. Merry Dorcas turned to the actor with a grateful smile. T am ready to go with you any time to see Mrs. Volk."
 Dorcas had a new insight in Merry s character when she found how his friends held him in esteem. There was not touch, in Mrs. Billerwell's 8 greeting. of hero worship or deference to the man who had won fame. It was merely droll blend of loving de- votion and motherly tyranny.
 Merry jumped to his feet when Mrs. Volk entered, with Julie clinging shyly 10 her gown. Dorcas felt instantly a 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, that you were never so happy as when you had some one to mother. Alice Volk needs mothering. doubt if she has friend in the world except Mother Billerwell and myself Mrs. Billerwell Is pure gold. but Alice needs woman like you"
 Half an hour later they waited on the platform of an l. station for a downtown train. They had scarcely spoken since leaving the Harlem house. Merry realized how deeply the girls heart had been stirred. They entered the train and took seat to- gether in silence. She sat gazing at the city below. Then she turned suddenly.
 Little Julie is to begin rehearsals tomorrow morning." she said. The mother made only one condition: they are to be known under another name. She is in terror lest her husband finds them"
 That's all right, but do you think the child can play the small Cor delia?" asked Merry anxiously.
 You can do anything you wish with that child. She has soul and sweet ness, and she understands. There Is something in her-we call it magnet ism in older people-which will reach across the footlights and grip every man and woman in the audience. The child will help me wonderfully. Now I won't have to create new 'Cordelia' when I come on the stage. My Cor della is simply the little girl grown older and wiser. with more love for her father and larger knowledge of life"
 You understand perfectly
 You and I ought to understand 'Cordelia' if any one could"
 Dorcas sat in silence while they rushed over the lighted city with it's insistent glimpses of sordid life. Merry saw her chin tremble once and her eyes grow misty; then she spoke sud- denly: "She must have lived through awful experiences"
 Alice Volk has seen the very depths She suffered more, than misery and neglect; there was actual brutality. knew her before Volk came into her life. She played with the first New York company was in. She was the gayest little creature then you can im- agine-a whimsical. laughing. care free. happy child"
 l. "Gay!" Dorcas spoke incredulously.