Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-04-24
CHAPTER ~.


Mr.. Rushcroft explained that he had
had his supper. In fact, he went on
to confess, he had been compelled,
like the dog. to speak" for 1t. What
could be more disgusting, more degrad-
ing, he mourned, than the spectacle
of a man who had appeared in all Of
the principal theaters Of the land as
star and leading support to stars, set
tling for his supper by telling stories
and recitlng poetry in the taproom
Of tavern?
"Still." he consented, when Mr..
Barnes insisted that 1t would be q
kindness to him, "since you put 1t that
way, / dare say could do with little
snack, as you so aptly put it. Just a
bite or two. What have you ready,
Miss TillyT'
Miss Tilly was a buxom female Of
forty or thereabouts, with spectacles.
She was one Of pair Of sedentary
mattresses who had been SO long In the
employ Of Mr.. James that he hated the
sight Of them.
Mr.. Rushcroft's conception Of bite
or two may have staggered Barnes
but 1t did not bewilder Miss lilly. He
had four eggs with his ham, and
other things In proportic'' lie talked
great deal, proving in INA. way that
1t was supper we'll worth speaking
for. Among other things he dilated
at great length upon his reasons for
not being a member Of the Players or
the Lambs In New York city. It seems
that he had promised his dear. devoted
wife that he would never join club
Of any description. Dear old girl, he
would as soon have cut of his right
hand as to break any promise made
to her. He brushed something away
from his eyes, and his chin, contract
ing, trembled slightly. "What is 1t.
Mr.. Bacon? Any word from New
York;"
Mr.. Bacon lowered near, perhaps
hungrlly.
"Our genial host has instructed me
to say to his latest guest that the
rates are two dollars day, In ad-
vance. all dining.room checks payable
on presentation" said Mr.. Bacon, apol.
ogetlcally.
Rushcroft exploded. 20 scurvy in
suit" he doomed. "Confound his"
The new guest was amiable. He
interrupted the outraged star. "Tell
Mr.. Jones that shall settle prompt
ly" he said with smile.
ut has just entered his bean that
you may be an actor. Mr.. Banes," said
Bacon.
Miss Tilly, overhearing, drew a step
or two nearer. sudden interest In
Mr.. Barnes developed. She had not
noticed before that he was an uncom-
monty good-looking fellow. She al
ways had said that she adored strong,
"athaletic" faces.
Later on she felt inspired to jot
down, for use no doubt In some future
literary production, concise. though
general, description Of the magnificent
Mr.. Barnes. She utilized the back Of
the bill Of fare and she wrote with
the feverish ardor Of one who breads
the loss Of a first impression. I here
with append her visual estimate Of the
hero Of this story:
HE was a tall. shapely specimen
of mankind, wrote Miss Tilly. "Broad.
shouldered. SmOoth-shaved face. Pen.
etrating gray eyes. Short, curly hair
about the color of mine. Strong
hands Of good shape. Face tanned
considerable. Heavy dark eyebrows.
Good teeth. very white. Square chin.
Lovely smile that seemed to light up
the room for everybody within hear
ing. Nose ideal. Mouth same. Voice
aristocratic and reverberating with
education. Age about thirty or
thirty-one. Rich 40 Croesua Well
turned legs. Would make q good no
bleman."
All this would appear to be reason
ably definite were It not for the note
regarding the color Of his hair. 1t
leaves to me the simple task Of com.
pleting the very admirable description
Of Mr.. Barnes by announcing that
Miss Tilly's hair was an extremely
dark brown.
Also 1t is advisable to append the
following biographical information:
Thomas Kingsbury Barnes, engineer,
born In Montclair. N. j., September
20. 1885. Cornell and Beaux Arts,
Paris. Son Of the late Stephen 8.
Barnes, engineer. and Edith (valen-
tine) Barnes. Office, Metropolitan
building, New York city. Residence.
Amsterdam mansion. Clubs: (Lack
Of space prevents listing them here).
RecrsatipnS,, golf, tennis and horse