The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-12-15

" uD0 lOu hGASs dth 4NbAh5 49, e&sJ
friend Sidney Cremer. A cousin OF
Sidney's and mine. who lives few
miles out OF Ashyille. saw Lord Bob
advertised for performance and tele-
graphcd. Sidney couldn't come, but
my aunt brought me tonight. as Sid
ney Cremer's interests and mine are
rather closely allied And you know
nobody has right to produce the
play without the authors permission"
"Yes. I know answered Loveland
dejectedly. cremer's interests and
hers were closely allied" She had
blushed and even faItered little as
she made the statement. and Val
sprang instantly to the conclusion that
sne was engaged to marry Cremer.
And he stood convicted of defrauding
the man whom she intended to marry.
Was there any depth Of wretchedness
or of humiliation which the thirteenth
Marquis of Loveland had not plumbed
at last?
"You admit that you knew and yet
you produced and played in the piece"
Il did. but he hesitated.
"But what? You see. I'm bound to
report to my friend"
"Your friendm broke out Loveland.
losing his head "You are going to
marry him! You don't deny it."
She laughed gently. why should I
deny tito you? Have you any right
to question me or bring me to book
about anything, Mr.. Gordcnr'
II know have no right" he admit
ted. Forgive me-" To her be was
now only Gordon. the actor. who had
stolen Sidney Cremers play. The past
was to be forgotten.
Il must remind you again." Lesley
went on. in cool. businesslike man
ner. though her eyes were starry.
'that you mustn't 60 on using Sidney
Cremer's play"
I'VE have no intention Of doing So"
said Loveland. And then In as few
words as possible, without any attempt
at defending himself for his part In
the transaction. be explained badly
that the manager had deserted the
company and that they had only one
piece. Lord Bob" They had produced
1t for three nights in the hope Of
making money enough 10 get away.
but the result had proved disappoint-
ing.
MY affairs are rather in a muddle
Just now" Loveland finished. but as
soon as get them Strengthened out
again. which ! expect to do shortly. I
win myself pay Mr.. Cremer's fees for
these performances IL you'll let me
know what they are"
''0h. Sidney wouldn't want you to DO
that" the girl explained. T-neither
Of us knew that the company WINS in
trouble. | can answer for Sidney as
II 1t were for myself. IL only you give
me your word. Lord Lo-I mean Mr..
Gordon-that these people won't 60
about the country playing this piece
I'll ask nothing more"
"You may set Mr.. Cremer's mind at
rest about that" Loveland answered
bitterly. They aren't likely to go
about the country playing any piece"
you mean they-you-are stranded
hereY' inquired Lesley.
AOh, I'm all right" Loveland said
hurriedly, far from wishing to pose as
an object OF pity. Its the others I'm
thinking Of"
She gave him q quick. clear look.
would you go away and leave them
here In froubie?r she asked.
mo: won't do that" replied Val.
Il mean to do something for them"
wont there be money enough from
these three performances OF Lord
Bob to pay their railroad fares some
whereg"
I'm afraid not. hardly enough to
settle with the landlord and get him
to release their luggage. which he's
keeping till last weeks board bills are
paid"
"Your luggage too?"
Loveland grew red. Il haven't any"
.0h.' The color few TO her cheeks.
as II in sympathy with the flush she
could not help seeing on bis. NO
/ trunks!'
You say You read the newspapers"
said Loveland. III you did you per-
haps saw that the hotel people 10 New
York treated ne rather curiously.
didn't read the stun myself really
couldn't bring myself 10 do II. Hut |
gathered from hints given me here and
there that the journalists had a pretty
rough game with me-.
You had game with them. to be-
gin WITH said Lesley.
II shut my door IN the face OF one
on my first day in New York.. Love-
land admitted. "Next day hadn't q
door 10 shut. America hasn't been very
hospitable TO me-
"what could you expect? Americans
don't like having tricks played on
| them
Il played no trick"
aYou played part-the part OF Lord
T.oyeland."
Val stared. How can a man play
that he's himselfY'
do you deny the newspaper accu-
sations them.
ssxyhat accusattnnas ata tnnct .