The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-08
CHAPTER XIV.
The Opening Night.


Dorcas stood motionless in the
wings. with Merry beside her, leaning
against table. The curtain had fallen
on the third act of 1.-THE House Of Els
Textbook" The girls body throbbed
from head to foot, and she felt as If
the emotions of lifetime had been
crowded into that single hour. There
was a babel of noise behind the
scenes; in front the applause sounded
like q tempest. At intervals the hand
claps died away as from WEAKNESS,
only to begin again with tremendous
vigor.
Come" said Merry; I'VE must go
out again."
Again" whispered the girl.
Eyes," Merry smiled; this time the
two of us alone"
"The two of us?''
"The two of us-alone." There was
low, tender thrill in Merry's voice.
He took her hand and led her out
upon the empty stage. The curtain
was lifting slowly. From where she
stood she saw Enoch standing in the
wings. His face was flushed with ex-
element. The audience looked to the
girl like blur of color and human
forms. The people swayed forward
eagerly, and the applause became up
roarious. A voice cried, Speech!
Speech" 1t began to come insistent-
ly from the back of the house. The
cry was taken up by men and women
everywhere in the audience. Dorcas
turned to Merry, Oswald was beckon-
ing to him from the wings, but the
actor shook his head.
II could not make a speech tonight
If my life depended on It," he whis-
pered, and the curtain descended
slowly.
A new cry came from the clamorous
house. Some one was shouting for the
author. Dorcas laid her hand upon
Merry's arm.
They want you," she cried.
He smiled and shook his head.
She heard Oswald urge Enoch to
go in front of the curtain. The noise
in front grew louder. The girl few
across the stage and put her hand
upon her brothers shoulder.
"Enoch," she pleaded in whisper,
take Merry with you and explain"
Wentworth left her without word.
Oswald and the stage manager beck
oned to him from the wings. She took
a few flying steps as if to hold him
back, then stopped. Merry had called
her. She paused, staring into his eyes
with terror
alone" she protested in low voice.
"He must not do it. You should be
with him. 1t is the last chance he has
to make restitution. He will never,
never do such thing as this!"
Listen" she heard Merry's whis-
per clearly through the din. Dear. it
does not matter. What does anything
matter? The play is a success. You
believe in me. / did it-for you. What
do care about the people out there?
They are nothing to u.s."
"Oh!" cried Dorcas, "oh, l will go
and tell them myself. They must
knOW!"
She darted toward the edge OF the
drop curtain, then she stopped. A
silence had fallen. not only upon the
house but behind the scenes. Stage
hands who had been dragging proper
ties about stood motionless. A shiver
crept over the girl She felt Merry lay
his hand on hers with a steadying
clasp that seemed to quiet her. She
could hear Enoch speaking. He had
a strong, vibrant voice. Every one be-
hind the scenes was listening and un-
derstanding except herself. His voice
grew blurred as faces in the audience
had been. She turned to glance at
Merry. Once a look of consuming
hatred fitted across his face, and his
Lips grew pallid as gray ashes.
Dorcas pulled away from his clasp
ing hand and ran to her dressing-room.
She was choking with sobs. She felt
her fingers Jingle where Andrew had
touched them, and there was look of
terror In her eyes.
Alice Volk sat waiting for her In the
dressing room. Little Julie Jumped to
her feet when Dorcas entered The
girl did not speak. but clasped the
child to her bosom.
Alice" she whispered. help me to