The Springfield herald., 1914-10-09
What right had

heart WAS breaking. What right had
you? What right?'
The elderly woman stifrened. al
In her turn lost consciousness OF the
audience. She was the guilty before
her Judge. and she began her justid-
cation.
II had every right" she said indig-
nantly. Il took the child home with
me. seen she was all alone. and
they said you were dead. She was
SO pretty I wanted her real bad. and
l done my best for her. You can see
that.
Then when they printed all that
about your coming to and wanting
her. Just couldn't give her up. And
feel did right. An actress isn't no
sort of q mother for . little girl to
have.
II Just couldn't give her up." re-
peated the elderly woman. And I'm
awfully sorry come In here tonight.
She begged so. and l saw there were
trained animals on the program"
Mile. de Bray still stood silent,
carsssing With one hand the child
who nestled against her skirts. The
audience still sat in its trance OF In
terest.
The elderly woman's troubled eyes
rovsd over the faces about her. over
the faces farther of. settling at last
on the happy mother and child.
II s'pose I did wrong" she said at
last in stihed sort of voice. But
never did approve OF actors. It'll Just
about break my heart to give Helen
up. VIII you let me see her some
times7"
You kept her from me-" said the
actress simply, but in the one short
sentence lay all the agony she had en-.
dured.
| The elderly woman seemed to ac-
cept It as her answer, and she walked
slowly down the aisle and through the
door into the lobby. The actress
stood quite still until the door had
shut Then she breathed long sigh
of relief and spoke again with the
winsome joyousness OF happy wom-
an in her voice.
with your permission we will go
now" she said. Tomorrow night
Helen and I will dance together for
you. But not now"
The silence which followed her
withdrawal testified to the apprecia-
tion Of the audience for her new
found Joy
Evelyn smiled happily into her hus-
bands eyes. and he forgot to frown.
Perhaps they could enter more deep
ly into the sorrow and happiness OF
Mile. de Bray than people who were
not childless.
Later. as they were walking down
the street together, Evelyn dared to
speak out some of her thoughts about
It all, and her husband was appre-
ciative. though he grumbled little as
was his wont.
That's Just like a woman" he COM
mented Wants to know how people
have suffered Just for the sake of see
ing them happy at the end"
Evelyn pouted
Il hate commonplaceness." she
said, then, "Oh. Will. see" she cried.
and stood quite still.
For. strolling happily toward them
down the street. were Mile. de Bray.
little Helen, and the elderly lady. As
they came up Evelyn could not for
bear to speak.
II am SO glad for you" she cried to
Mile de Bray. "and am so very. very
glad that you have forgiven her"
She indicated the elderly woman.
That is the loveliest part of It all.
wish all the audience could know
of it."
Mile. de Bray stood looking at
Evelyn with a Quizzical smile. But
whatever she may have intended to
say was never said Helen had taken
the reins.
Don't do 1t flne7" she asked
proudly. Mamma say I'm going to
be a great actress when I grow up"
And strangest of all. when Helen
said mamma she took the hand of the
elder lady.
81 don't understand" said Evelyn.
Mile. de Bray laughed shortly
why, that was our act" she ex.
planned. I'm not in the regular
stock. though let on that am. I'm
on the road and we give this each
first night It's the greatest draw.
ing card"
"And was there any accident!"
There's always accidents" laughed
Mile de Bray. Sometimes they're a
year back and sometimes a month.
Just so I can strike on big one. It's
all the same for my act
"Oh," breathed Evelyn.
I'm sorry you're disappointed. :
said Mile. de Bray kindly. 81 wouldn't
have let on II Helen hadn't given It
away. This here's my mother, too.
and Helen is my littlest sister Come
and see us dance tomorrow night"
But Evelyn could not answer
In the wistfulness again OF her eyes,
and in the tired droop of her mouth,
could be read all OF her disapo point
ment and chagrin. And for once her
husband understood
He bade the actress and her people
goodnight for his weary little wife.
and when he had opened their own
door, he stopped and kissed that little
mouth right where the droop was.
And he said not one word about
Evelyn's disillusionment. not one SIN
! gle word.