The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-12-01

overhear the conversation, guessed
that 1t was not altogether Of a friend
ly nature and transferred their guilds
Of tobacco to their cheeks In order to
discuss the situation with a new IL
fieeting animation. As he passed them
to descend the platform steps to the
muddy country road Loveland caught
the words "show folks"
"Show folksw Yes, he was one of
the show folks.
Loveland pricked all over as IL with
million stabs Of tiny pins, but Ja-
cobus only laughed and said that It
was good advertisement
He questioned Loveland sharply con-
corning his theatrical experience, SEEM
ing to incline toward distrust since the
incident Of the travelling bag. Very
soon he found out. in all its nakedness,
the truth which had been yelled In the
letter dictated by Bill-that Mr.. Perez
val Gordon's experience had all been
as an amateur and not very extensive
at that. However, rs Bill had prophe-
sled. he did not appear to think it mat
tered much, though he shifted and
"humd" little by way of curbing the
new mans self esteem. you've got
good stage presence and voice." said
he, though don't know what the
folks here will think of that English
accent of yours. Pity you can't talk
United States"
You ought to have told me / had to
play a new part every night" said
Loveland. And the young man and
the middle aged one, looking each 9TH
er straight in the eyes, conceived for
one another an intense dislike. II was
given to understand by person Of
experience that I should have enough
to get on with until / could buy some
thing II necessary"
"well, that depends on how soon you
buy" returned Jacobus less bitterly.
"You knew very well that you'd have
me on the leg once you got out here
at this here little place with your
ticket paid. Our show amt made Of
money. especially the past two weeks.
Heavens! What a frost! We've been
living on our gleanings from last
month, when we were going IKE
smoke, and counting on the new juve-
nile lead to help work up better BUSH
ness. That's why I'm SO sore at your
cheek, Mr.. Gordon, shooting yourself
out west with what you stand up In.
But as you are here we must make the
best Of bad business. The girls may
like you even with whiskers on your
shirt cuffs. and I suppose among US
well rig you up somehow out of our
theater trunks. That's what you were
laying for. chr
Look here! II you're going to in
suit me much more shall turn round
and go back II have to walk" said
Loveland. cold. hungry. tired and mis-
cradle, but with just spirit enough left
in him TO be furious.
Jacobus saw that he had gone too
far II the Juvenile leadnwere not to
slip through his fingers. He did not
want that to happen, though be al
ready had an uneasy jealousy of p.
Gordon.
"Pshaww he exclaimed. laughing.
"Don't you know joke from an In
suit In your part Of the country? It
give me start to see you land with
out wardrobe. and / have a right to
be mad. But I've just said we'd make
the best OF 1t and help you out all we
can. What can we do moref'
The actor-manager watched his new
acquisition furtively and at last inter-
rupted himself In describing with some
acerbity the absent members OF the
company to remark suddenly. you
look like soldier" 1
81 am a soldier Loveland replied
before be stopped to think. 1
'oh" said Jacobus. regarding him
keenly. English army, OF courser
Eyes, answered Val shortly. regret
ting his frankness.
Elm! What were yoi-sergeantw
Loveiand could have broken out into
savage laughter. He. a lieutenant in |
the Grenadier guards. asked by this
seedy theatrical man II II were a SER
gcant.
mo. wasn't a sergeant" he replied
HIN! See here. hope you didn't !
leave the army-er-on short notice.
eh? You know what ! mean"
do you mean am a dcserfer?
Well. set your mind at rest said
Loveland. swallowing his wrath. I'm
not deserter. and shan't bring dis-t
grace upon your company"
can right, all right. Ill take your
word for It. But. say. the more look
at you the more have n kind OF sneak
Ing idea I've seen your picture lately.
Did you get your photo stuck in any
Of the theatrical papers since you land
edY'
NO." Loveland replied. but flushed
again. Instantly guessing where and In
what connection Jacobus must have
seen bis portrait. a sketch or some
snapshot perhaps. Evidently the mans
did not yet associate him with any.
thing In particular. but the connecticut
between the new juvenile lead and NJ
certain Englishman made notorious bys
one or two New York papers might al
any instant link itself in Mr.. Jacobus'l