The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-12
IN HHElEzHG S7oRY

Berthe and Willie.
(By Laura Adelia Kirkman.l
| Up to the very moment of her
starting the Dramatic club he had
hoped that he could make q scholar
of her. He had not cared SO much
| when his other children had failed to
take an interest in the things he cared
about; but Dahlia had promised from
babyhood to inherit his love Of
| science. He could remember when
he found her porting over Kant in his
study at the age of ten
But now. with tho birth Of this new
interest. she had even forgotten her
| daily habit OF asking him how things
had gone at tho university. Instead
! OF being at the gate to meet him when
he came home from college, evenings.
she was now always to be heard prac-
| ticing some fancy dance in tho attic.
mo, I can't take time to CO., he
told her firmly when she appeared at
him to go to the town hall with her.
But it's our first performance,
Proff1e!" she cried.
His eyes swept her short ballet
costume and mounted to her bright,
young face. She seemed strangely in
contrast to the dusty, book-lined
room.
AC0oo 6Os SA9 CO8RSQs Bull ltu.
gertng. Forget BERTHE Spencer and
Willie Locke for q while. It will do
you good. II you don't 90 I'll feel As
If you were displeased with me-
This brought him to his feet. It
brought forced smile to his lips. 81
am not displeased with you. No, i'm
deed, my child,'' he assured her
quickly. starting for his hat.
AS he walked along the street be-
side her he meditated on the danger
of slipping into displeasure from dis
appointment Indeed. the line be-
tween the two feelings was insidiously
imperceptfble in moments Of agita-
ton. he reflected.
''Oh, yes,'' he exclaimed with q
start. becoming suddenly conscious
that Dahlia had been saying some
thing for some moments. what is
1t, my child ?''
81 said" repeated the girl, in q
slightly wounded tone. that Mrs. Van
Cortlandt has offered me an oppor-
and study at q theatrical school, I've
been telling you about it ever since
we left home, Profile! was afraid
you weren't listening. And I've been
asking you IL you'd miss me very
much!" From her voice, 1t was plain
that she thought he would miss his
beloved scientific pursuits more. II
those could be snatched from him.
He still remained silent. 1t was not
the silence OF analytical meditation
lips but he held them back. He
knew his voice could not be trusted
well. may I GOT" she repeated in-
sistently. as they neared the hall.
. oh: I've got to know before dance
He looked down into her eager.
anxious face. He opened his lips. but
no words came. Then he tried am
swering her in the language OF ac-i
ton. and succeeded; q smile and q nod
and delight at hearing her good for
tune.
Right there, one the brightly lighted
steps OF the building, she threw her
arms around his neck and kissed him
gatefully.
Now can dance!" she cried
"Oh. Profile! was afraid you
wouldn't approve. I knew you could
When he looked about him, after
the effects of this remark had passed
away, he was standing alone ON the
steps. Through the open door he
could see q crowded house and q rising
curtain. YEARLY, he went in.
But he heard or saw nothing that
went ON across the footlights. until
after the second act. when Dahlia
came on to dance. A thrill Of disap-
pointment shot through him when her
eyes did not search the house to find
him. In their distant. triumphant
gaze. raised q little above the level
line Of vision. he read that she was
not dancing to q handful Of people in
a small college town. but to packed
theater. brilliant with lights and jew
elry. Already. his little embryonic
scholar-this favorite child whom he
had fed on science from birth-was on
BroadWay-was lost in the maze Of
mundane pleasures