The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-15


What right had you to stick a finger
In my affairs? What do you suppose
I want Of that blind brat? / hate the
sight of him. He is the image of his
father, and good God! how l did hate
him! l suppose you and your sanity
Mr.. Oswald are bent on running my
career"
Dorcas opened the door and pushed
the sobbing child gently into the lob
by. Merry stood outside, where he
had overheard the woman's shrill
abuse. He took Robin by the hand
and led him downstairs. Dorcas re-
entered the dressing-room. Miss Paget
was tossing through heap of letters
which lay on her table as If in search
Of something. She picked UP a sheet
of paper and stood reading it. A saw
age smile convulsed her handsome
face.
II know now who did It," she cried.
THAT was the revenge he meant, the
bally old rotter! I'll get even with
him!"
You don't want your little boy,
then?" asked Dorcas.
She turned on the girl in blank
amaZement
Want that blooming, batty, imbe-
cile Rob Tully's child? Not on your
life! He goes back to the asylum
where he came from. I can get the
law on them for giving him UP without
his mothers consent
Ills mother!" cried Dorcas. You
do not act the part of Mrs. Ester
brook!"
There was an ugly tone In Zilla
Paget's laugh. II have heard that
before. Mr.. Oswald was once so COM
of the sort. Now, perhaps you will
be polite enough to clear out. And be-
fore you go, let me give you bit Of
advice. my lady: keep your nose out
Of my business If you have any re-
gard for your own happiness"
Dorcas turned to the door. The
woman laughed as she closed it behind
her. She paused for a minute in the
| empty hall trying to think of what
could be said to the child downstairs.
If the woman had struck him in the
face, it would have been easier to re-
cover from such blow.
Dick came dashing up the stairs.
First CALL" he shouted hoarsely.
She ran down to her own room.
Mrs. Volk sat in a low chair with
Robin in her arms, cuddling him
against her breast and grooming to
him as IL he were baby. She looked
up at Dorcas with pitiful eyes.
Let me take him. Alice. I have
plenty of time to dress after Julie
goes out. She needs you to button
her frock and fix her hair"
Robin did not speak when Alice laid
him In her arms. His slender body
was limp and quiet Dorcas had never
known any little boy intimately, and
she did not know exactly how to com
| fort him. It occurred to her that If
she were in Robins place she would
not want anybody to speak of what
had happened. She bent down and
| touched his face with her lips. When
the door closed and Mrs. Volk went
out with Julie, he asked in whisper,
II don't belong then-to the-lady
upstairs, do II"
mo. DEAR" there was a thrill OF
| assurance in Dorcas' voice, mo, you
could not possibly have belonged to
her. Somebody made mistake-an
awful mistake"
"Then-do you know-who l do be-
long to-"
Robin" asked Dorcas gently, do
| you still wish that I were your moth
| err"
His arms clasped convulsively about
her neck, and the slim body shook
with sobs.
Il would like-to belong to some
body"
| Well" said the girl decisively, Il
want you--forever-as my own little
boy. Shall we shake hands on it?"
The small fingers were thrust into
her own with clinging grip.
That night at the close of the sec
ond act the audience sat breathless
for a few moments. "Cordelia," with
her face glowing beneath the rouge,
turned in response to Mrs. Ester
brooks" last plea.
"Stay with you because you are my
mother? How dare you take the word
! mother upon your lips? Do you
/ know what that word stands for? I
wonder if it would be possible to make
you understand. 1t means love-self-
denying, strong, tender devotion: it
means faithful wifehood. Have you
ever given that? The womAa who is
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