The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-27

murder me because won't let the child
go on with this wretch-as an added
She's only sixteent can keep her two
years longer-till she's eighteen thanks
to goodness hesitated to have her
bound to me legally. Now I'm ever so
glad OF having had it DONE"
Better let her co." Lester began
Straight to destruction. Edith
flared.
He shook his head. saying. mo. To
the fulfillment Of her destiny. Here's
her chance. To us 1t looks smirched.
even haxardous-but it may never come
again. She's a human orchid. one of
the curious vivid flowers that break
out occasionally from the poor white
stem. Already you've made her SO un-
like her own people. she's unhappy with
them-she'll be unhappier the longer
You keep her. Think what it will mean
to get clean away from them. Can you
imagine even the tawdriest stage ca
reer. worse than going back to them.
ana marrying AL Jenny. He is madden
about her than ever, old rough-and-
tough that he isl wonder he hasn't
shot us before this for interfering to
save her at fourteen. from the altar.
Marry she wfll-let her have a chance
OF choice. As to the risk-I know life
on several sides-she won't risk more
as dancer than she will right here in
this Arcadian environment. when she
leaves you, untitled for her own sort.
ana unweicome among the other Sorts .
She need not leave me. IL want to
have her taught" Edith began.
Lester smiled. '.She can learn to
dance little better than she does. UNI
taught lie said. .But not much. You
know, I've found you almost crying
over her stupidity. and the poor thing.
dead beat, with trying to learn for your
sake. Nature gave her beauty and
dancing feet-and stopped. Don't make
ner gifts of no avail. 1 don't say ac-
cept the mans offer right on the bat
but consider it a leading"
II will" Edith said slowly "Merrilee
snail have her chance. But don't ask
me not to hate that Baldwin thing"
Times whirligig does, indeed. bring
strange revenges. Two years later Mrs.
Joseph Lester, born Norrys. sat beside
her husband, leaning forward over the
box front. intent to miss no rhythm
nor cadence of the dancer who held a
big audience spellbound. Merry Morn
she called herself-she was slim and
llthe as young hickory, with some
thing of savage grace still unsubdued
In her motions. Otherwise, she was
iight. color. music. poetry-she had
taken the stage by storm in the six
months since her first appearance.
Managers fought over her. AS for the
golden youth that haunts stage doors,
1T would have shod her twinkling feet
In diamonds. or whisked her away in
golden airships. If only she had -aid
yea.
since she said nothing. neither yea nor
wondering smile, they could only stand
at gaze and in wait. This to the early
uespair OF press agents. Later they came
TO understand that there was exploitation
In purity that was not a pose
Flame Is prophylactic-even the flame of
dance genius. 1t burned out of Merrilee's
con .s;a all desire but that for
she was quick to catch the deep meanings
OF rhythmic harmony and translate them
into motion Thus she truly danced the
WINDS, the clouds, the wavings Of grass
and grain. no less the stir OF joy, Of love.
But hers was inarticulate conscious
ness; her soul followed her feet. Edith,
watching her, drew a long happy breath,
saying very low toeLester: Marvellous is
no word for it. No. wonder she has the
world literally at her feet
nodding toward q meT below, one beyond
the middle age, rouEh cast, roughly cloth
ed, yet radia ting rugged power. "'Nothine
from the Coye. I hope his coming means
no mischief
Edith looked inte}rtly at the rough man
then shook her head. saying, He is be-
be here. Now I can't wrap myself in
thought Of Merrilee-Tn be remembering
him in spite Of myself"
wonder If she knows?" Lester said
hushedly. nodding toward the stage.
For second Merrilee was absolutely
still, bathed in a. rosy light that gave hel
the seeming of a flower poised for sway.
ing upon a slender stem. Slowly, slowly
she dropped until her head almost touched
the floor, came back with a sidelong un-
folding sway, and broke into PATTERNS
fairy steps as though treading bending
grasses Fast faster. faster she moved
slid into weaving and swaying, flung uT
arms. then bending forward called voice.
lessly through cupped hands. The house
rang with applause, but across the tn.
multi Of it came keen musical shrilling
LII gal, iii gal, I'm COMM
With the cry a rough-cast giant hurtled
himself over the footlights, caught Merry
Morn in his arms, and set her high upor
| his shoulder. She never danced again
except with the winds. the grass and this
fairies And her eyes took on a look OF
knowledge and content, that still did moi
| burden the dancing feet.-(Copyright, 1914
| by the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate)