Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-07-19
chAPTEN VII.
Merry Qisappecrs,

week passed. Grant Oswald, in a
fever Of enthusiasm, had begun prepa.
rations for a Broadway production.
He turned a vast amount of RESPONSE
bility over to Wentworth, who shout
dered 1t thankfully. 1t kept at arm 8
length the possibility of dwelling
much with his own thoughts: they
were not cheerful company, and he
was racked by constant anxiety about
Merry. There was not single mo-
ment to spare when he could go into
the highways and byways of a great
city. to search, as he had searched be-
fore when the man was his friend.
He could not delegate the task to
another. He had prepared tale for
the public of Merry's whereabouts.
Oswald believed the actor was study
ing his part and stood ready to appear
at moments notice. Encch went
ahead with the tremendous load of de-
tail that fell upon him, toiling day and
night. while his mind alternated be-
tween terror and hope.
Every day the man was acquiring
traits new to his nature. When a
strange accident had tossed before
him the possibility Of satisfying his
dearest ambition, conscience entreat-
ed loudly against the theft of another
mans life-work. Every noble instinct
in Enoch made its appeal; his honesty,
his generosity, an innate demand for
fair play, the love of his sister and
friend. all cried aloud to him dur
Ing the lonely hours Of the night.
There had been moments when he
would have gladly retraced his steps.
but the die had been cast He was
like racer who, by some treacherous
ruse. had pushed aside an opponent
and was close to the goal. The intoxi-
cation of applause was beginning to
sound In his ears and the future held
untold possibilities. It was too late
to turn back; It would mean the down,
fall of great ambitions and bitter
shame--it might even mean crime. 1t
seemed easier to take the chances.
Occasionally Andrews logged face
flashed back to his memory when he
cried. II will see what the law can
do to protect man from theft"
Enoch felt his face blanch at the
thought Of It, Many had gone
down and out for crtme less knavish
than this. But he kneF Andrew Merry
well, and he trusted to- one trait which
was predominant in ! the man-his
queer, exaggerated idea Of honor
Day by day his conscience quieted
down, self-confidence took the place of
wavering, and the fear Of exposure
seemed to recede. At last he could
LOOK in the face without
flinching The task of putting ON a
theatrical pr0sNction began to absorb
him completely He had always
lcmged for such a chance: he had been
storing away ideas he could now uti-
Ike. besides he knew New York thor
6ughly. and he had observed for years
the system Of producing a play. o.
valid looked on with appreciation as
Nnoch put his plans into shape. He
fknew how uncommon was the combi-
iHStion Of such talents in the same
mantle ability to write virile play,
Mem to stage It with practical skill
and artistic feeling and originality. A
remarkably strong company was en-
xsSed.- Oswald insisted on filling even
the smallest raSts with people far
above the level Of subordinate actors.
The salary list grew to stupendous
nsures. One morning Wentworth re-
monstrated against paying one hun
dred dollars week to an actor who
h to play the janitor.
sBreen Is far bigger man than you
need" he objected "He has played
lealy to many of the biggest stars.
W& nded mere bit Of character work
a. his-he isn't on the stage half an
ho6. l can get IRIS -rate man for
AalfAthat price,
Green can make the janitor so true
= LIE that the audience will regret
ling him for Nenly half an hour" o.
Ia rejoined. That's the test of
l1ty. When l pay a hundred dol
u want hundred-dollar man."
n f Defore the middle of October all the
lS| fc were in rehearsal except two.
Englishwoman. Zilla Paget, was
ssing the Atlantic to play Mrs. Es-
N brook." Oswald refused obstinately
II give "Cordelia" to any actress that
l6ntworth suggested.
I'VE must close with somebody
a ilaty quick" said Enoch, when Os-
IA had turned down Katherine
Miss Dean is not even to be
sISought Of" answered the Englishman
Scisively. "She's beautiful, but
heres her feeling. her intelligence?
III Eat watching her face--the light fell
nrong upon her while you talked.
fhere's absolutely nothing to her but
heapty."
q ..she can act" insisted Wentworth.
ai've seen her set. 1t isn't acting
we want in .Cordelia.' The woman
Who plays 'Cordelia' must have feel
ing. tender, compassionate understand
ing, dignity. with young face-not
face into which youth is painted"