Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-07-28

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 sav- age smile convulsed her handsome face.
 Il 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. l can get the law on them for giving him up without his mothers consent
 . His mother" cried Dorcas. You do not act the part of Mrs. Ester brook'!"
 : There was an ugly tone in Zilla Paget's laugh. Il have heard that before. Mr. Oswald was once so com plimentary as to tell me something of the sort Now, perhaps you will be polite enough to clear out. And be- fore you so, 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 a blow.
 Dick came dashing up the stairs. First call,s 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 crooning to him as if he were baby. She looked up at Dorcas with pitiful eyes.
 Let me take him. Alice. 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 a whisper. ,';;s"I don't belong then-to the-lady upstairs, do F"
 No, 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"
 long to?"
 Robin" asked Dorcas gently, do you still wish that were your moth err"
 His arms clasped convulsively about her neck. and the slim body shook with sobs.
 T would like-to belong to some. body"
 Well" said the girl decisively, "l 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 wort mother upon. your lips? Do vol know what that word stands for? wonder fit would be possible to mak' you understand. It means love-seli depying!. strong. tender devotion; 1 means faithful wifehood. Have yol eyer given that? The woman who i a good wife and, mother forgives an' forgets and loves.y Behind it all stand love. simply love, nnselflshs love. believe in God, but today cannot uu detstand why he should have al lowed a woman. such as you are t. have become, wife and . mother my mother!" The curtain fell Dorcas had reache' her dressing-room when she had t turn and fly back to- the stage. Tn applause had grown to tumult. Zill Paget stood by her side when the cul tain rose. She was smiling stag smile upon the audience, but tn glance she turned upon Dorcas wa one of malignant hatred.