The Elbert County tribune., 1914-11-27


sBiess my heart. I'm glad TO have
you back" he cried. ''Never In all my
life have I seen you look 30 WELL"
She held him at arms length and
gazed at him critically. Il wish !
could say as much for you. Enoch. You
look decidedly seedy. I've got to stay
right here. I'm the only one who can
manage you"
II beg your pardon. Dorcas. I've a
guest here" Her brother led her to
| the inner room and introduced his
caller to her
"Mr. Oswald and were having
business talk, Dorry-not exactly bust
ness either. You may stay II you
wish and hear a play. ! was just 60
ing to read to him. II he likes 1t be
will star Andrew Merry in it."
"Oh!" A glow of anticipation shone
In the girls eyes. She laid her coat
and hat on the window seat and
dropped into low chair beside her
brother Once or twice she patted
him affectionately on the shoulder.
The Englishman watched her. There
was vivid admiration in his eyes, but
Dorcas did not see 1t. Her only thought
was of the happiness in store for
Merry.
| Wentworth laid the pages of manu-.
script on the table and cleared his
throat. Oswald sat ready to bestow
business-like attention upon the read
ing When Enoch lifted the first page
his visitor asked: May ! know who
wrote the play?"
Il did," answered Wentworth quietly.
"Ahi" said the Englishman. He
noticed the startled look on Dorcas'
face. 1t escaped her brother. who sat
turned half way from her.
Wentworth began to read. He was
an excellent reader; his enunciation
was slow and distinct The story
quickly unfolded itself in strong, vivid
language. Grant Oswald. who was an
ardent student of dramatic literature,
listened with intent quiet
The minds of both men were so
vitality concentrated upon the drama
that they were scarcely conscious of
movement when Dorcas crept from her
low chair to the window seat. She lay
back against pillow. gathered the
folds Of silky portiere around her.
and stared down at the square. She
heard her brothers voice in fragments.
Those fragments were always the
words of the girl. Cordelia, or of the
father fallen to pitiful estate. She
clasped her hands together with such
a grip that 1t numbed her fingers.
strange pain and horrible suspicion
were seeping through her body and
burning in her veins. Outwardly she
was inert.
Suddenly she was awake again, wide
awake. tingling with life and emotion,
listening to her brothers vibrant
voice. The day of release had come
for John Esterbrook. He stood with
hating. tremulous steps, fearful at the
sight of the world he had left twenty
years before, hiding his eyes from it's
tumult. Then Cordelia ran to meet
hfrh-young. hopeful. loving and eager.
Dorcas forgot the horror and doubt
| which had swept her down for mo
ment, she was thinking of nothing but
the play. 1t was greater, more human.
than she had dreamed OF that day
when Andrew and she walked home
| over the beach at Juniper Point Her
eyes grew wet with pity, then she
smiled happily as life ceased to be a
problem for Cordelia. Love had come.
and the father turned to work out
what was left him of a future.
Enoch laid the manuscript aside.
The Englishman. hearty In his CON
gratulations and enthusiastic, was
urging the earliest possible produc-
ton. He offered unlimited money and
insisted that the best company New
York could produce should be engaged
The spell of the story was still upon
norcas. She passed out, shaking hands
hastily with Oswald.
"Dorry." cried her brother. She did
not answer.
"The play stirred her intensely"
said Oswald. He had noticed trace
of tears on her cheeks WAS this the
frst time she heard 1t read?"
Yes. had never even told her of 1t.
She has been away while-lt was writ
ten"
rs your sister an actress?"
SNo-she wants to go upon the
stage"
Let her have her way" advised the
Englishman. Her every action shows
that she possesses dramatic talent"
1T isn't my idea of her future"
Stage life is exactly what one
chooses to make of 1t. Curiously
enough, have conviction she could
play Cordelia."
Wentworth brushed his hand across
his forehead and stared at the scat
tered sheets Of manuscript on the
table.
Get Merry here as soon as possible.
want consultation with both OF
you.' suggested Oswald while he drew