The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-08
CHAPTER XIV.
Master Robin TuIIv.

Master Robin fully.
When the curtain dropped on the
last act at Saturday matinee, Dorcas
paused On the way to her dressing
room and glanced out at the stage
door. Rain was lashing the street in
furious, wild-blown torrents. The
few people who braved the storm bent
their heads against it and plodded on
with determination. Nearby, street
organ was wheeling the "Miserere" in
pitiful appeal to a needless crowd at
the theater door.
Dorcas returned to her dressing
room. 1t was a delightfully."- coy re-
treat-Mr. Oswald had seen to that.
Alice Volk sat repairing a gown.
where's Julie?" Dorcas demanded.
"She's asleep in our dressing-room. :"
The girl seated herself In front Of
the mirror and began to remove her
makeup. At intervals she glanced
over a bunch Of letters which lay on
the dressing table.
Il used to wonder how 1t would feel
to be famous. OF course l am not
famous yet" said Dorcas quickly; Il
am merely one of the people you hear
Of in passing. Still, cannot grow ac-
customed to the queer experience OF
seeing my name blazoned on every
housetop when ! ride on the l.. or
finding my picture in papers and mag
azines. People stop on the street to
stare at me; occasionally they whis-
per my name to some one who is with
them. A girl l went to school with
wrote the other day. and asked for
sixteen autographed portraits to give
as favors at party. She was rich
child, and at school she snubbed me
numerically"
"Irs the way OF the world" the
other woman answered. "A little OF 1t
came into my own life"
TITS a queer way" Dorcas contin-
ued, land somehow already feel
blase. The love and trust have from
Julie and you is something worth
while"
Mrs. Volk rose to hang up gown
she had been repairing. AS she passed
Dorcas she bent and kissed her cheek.
The girl looked up with grateful
smile.
Suppose" Dorcas suggested, I'VE
have little spread right here. / can
order a hot dinner sent In. It's q
wretched night-What do you say?"
eff l were to speak for Julie. you
know how she would enjoy it."
"'Phone to the Beauclerc for q
menu. It will be fun"
Half an hour later the dressing
room looked like a small banqueting
hall, for the property man had put
everything he controlled at their dis
posal.
Listen" said Dorcas to the waiter,
who stood ready to take their order;
bring us consomme, boiled salmon,
celery, cucumbers, and sliced toma-
toes, potatoes, string beans, roast
chicken. lettuce, almond meringue pie,
coffee, and-is that all?" she asked of
Julie who stood peering over her
shoulder.
ice cream and cake" suggested the
child.
"Of course" cried Dorcas; "it's 80
long ago since I was little girl l
had forgotten that ice cream and cake
is much more important than soup"
Julie turned to gaze at the table.
Isn't it pity, Miss Dorcas, there are
only three of us, when there are four
sides to a table"
Dorcas laughed. "Tll let you pick
out guest for us. Julie. Who shall
it be-"
well, let me think" The child
paused. There's Dick-Dick would do
anything for us. He's only a call boy,
but he's nice. Then there's Robert
son. He loaned US the chairs and
table. Robertson's the incest man in
the Gotham-almost. We could have
had Brunton, but she's just going out.
Then there's Mr.. Merry I believe"
she added decisively, Il would rather
have Mr. Merry than anybody
Dorcas bent to rearrange a knife
and fork.
How do you know Mr.. Merry is
in?"
"He is" cried Julie. He called me
into his dressing-room when passed
and gave me these" She unclasped
her hand to show three caramels
squeezed into a sticky lump.
Would your mother like to have
him here?"
Julie did not wait for her mother to
answer.
"Of course. Mother and I love him"
well, you may be our messenger.
Tell him he is invited to dine with
three ladies'. Dinner will be served In
ten minutes"
Merry returned with Julie clasping
his hand.
This is unexpected! When the
young lady tapped at my door. was
debating whether 1t was worth while
going out to eat in the storm"
It was gay little party. Dorcas