The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-11-19
CHAPTER XVII.
Behind the Curtain,

| 1t was a wet night in October. A
| line of carriages moved slowly over
the shining asphalt to the door of the
Gotham. Grant Oswald stood in a
corner of the foyer watching the
throng pour in.
This beats your first night in Lon
| don. doesn't it," queried newspaper
man who stood beside him.
| YES" acceded the Englishman.
THE first night or any other night"
WENTWORTH escape from death was
a great ad-if you look at it that way.
He had close call"
YES" Oswald spoke absently.
That morning he had arrived from
London. Although he was the least
curious of men, he felt as II the peo-
pie from whom he had parted four
months ago were living in different
atmosphere Before the ship locked
he had discovered a group waiting to
| welcome him. Dorcas was there, her
| beautiful face glowing with happiness.
| He watched her unite a gray scarf
| from her hat and wave it. Merry
stood beside her, but the girls hand
| was clasped inside her brothers arm.
| Wentworth was wan and thin. Across
his temple cleaned wide red scar.
| Merry lifted his hat when he caught
| sight Of Oswald and the wind tossed
| down. almost into his eyes, the wavy
lock of long fair hair which proclaimed
his calling. Alice Volk stood In the
group. with Julie jumping impatiently
beside her. Little Robin clasped her
hand, while he searched for the ship
with his sightless eyes.
With a courteous Good night" Os-
valid left the man and walked into the
theater, where a gay, chattering crowd
streamed past him. The throng was
SO dense that he was pushed into a
corner. When the overture began he
moved toward the rail and took his
place among group of men who had
not been able to buy seats. He found
Singleton, of the Times. at his elbow.
"Hullo," said the young editor heart
| lily. I'm glad to see you back and
| glad you've come back to such a
house. Why. it's one of the biggest |
ever saw In New York You fellows
must be raking in the shekels.
1T does look that way" Oswald
smiled. Il don't know how long it
will hold out. The play has already
gone far beyond my expectations"
1T ought to last through several
seasons. Generally drama that pulls
at the heart strings has a clutch on
the purse strings of the public. Be-
sides, you've great card in your Miss
She's out of sight. Why, I've run in,
heaven knows how often, for that
third act. l can't think of any big
actress who could get as much out
of that situation as Dorcas Wentworth
does. There are minutes when it
doesn't seem as if the girl were act
ing-she lives the character from start
to finish. She is not playing Cor
della she is 'Cordelia' ] told you
Oswald she is a wonder. l have been
| foaowing the drama as a critic 1Cg
wears, and one gets to be hardened.
tho emotions are not susceptible to
the appeals Of the average player, but
In this scene particularly Miss Went
worth grips me in most wonderful
way. She is so simple and sincere in
her methods that one cannot realize
that she is acting a part. She is
great"
81 believe you are right" acknowl
edged Oswald
Before the third act began the
| h0uSA settled down tn that silence
which means intense anticipation
When the curtain fell. the applause
rose to deafening clamor. One play
er after another appeared to take an
encore. Last Of all came Dorcas. She
stood on the stage alone, smiling and
bowling. Her face was radiantly hap
py. When the curtain dropped, the
applause began again Wentworth ap
peared. leading Merry by the hand
The face of the older man looked pal
lid and the red scar cut lividly across
his forehead. A stiffness fell upor
the house. 1t seemed tn Oswald al
If the people waited intently for some
unusual event
There was a tenseness in the Quiet
that prevailed In the audience thai
seemed to forecast something dra
matte. 1t equaled In inten sity the in
terest with which the most telling eli
makes of the play had been received
The very air of the two men standing
side by side in the center of the stage
seemed to promise sensation.