The commonwealth., 1919-04-29
CHAPTER III.

Mr.. Rushcroft Dissolves, Mr.. Jones In
tervenes, and Two Men Ride Away.
Mr.. Rushcroft explained that he had
had his supper. In fact, he went ON
to confess. he had been compelled,
like the dog, to tspeak" for it. 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
Ting for his supper by telling stories
and reciting poetry in the taproom
of tavern?
"StiN," he consented. when Mr..
Barnes insisted that it would be
Kindness to him, "since you put it 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 Tifly was a buxom female of
forty Or thereabouts. with sDectacles.
She was one Of a 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 it did not bewilder Miss Tilly. He
had four eggs with his ham,, and
other things in proportion. He talked
a great deal, proving in that way that
it was supper we'll worth speaking
for. Among other things he dilated
at great length upon his reasons for
not being 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 a club
OF any description. Dear old girl. he
would as soon have cut off his right
hand as to break any promise made
to her. He brushed something away
from his eyes. and his chin. contract
ing, trembied slightly. "What is it,
Mr.. Bacon? Any word from New
York: p
Mr.. Bacon lowered near, perhaps
haa&rily.
our genial host has instructed me-
ia say to his latest guest that the
rates are two dollars q dav. in nd
vance, all dinine-room checks PAYABLE
on presentations" said Mr.. Bacon. anol-
ogeticalIy.
RuShefOft exploded 80 scuryv in
suit" he doomed. "Confound his,
The new guest was amiable. He
interrupted the outraged star. ssTe}l
Mr.. Jones that [ shall settle prompt
ly.' he said with Il smile.
1T has just entered his bean that
yos may be an actor, Mr. Banes," said
Bacon
A11ss+ Tilly, overhe4ring. drew a stem
or two nearer. 4 sudden interest i.
MI Barnes developed. She had not
noticed before that he was An uncom-
monty goo'i-o"king fellow. She al
ways had said that she adored s;ronp
''athaletic" faces.
Later on she felt inspired to int
""wh, Tor use no doubt in some future
literary production a concise. thouph
general. description Of the magnificent
MI Barnes. She utilized the hack of
the bill Of fare and she wrote with
the feverish ardor of one who dread.
the loss of a first impression. here
with append her visual estimate of the
hero of this story:
He was tall ShaDa]y sneciman
OF mankind, wrote Miss Ti,ly. :sRrnad-
shouldered. Smooth shaved face. Pen
etfatlng gray eyes. Short. curly hair
apout the color of mine. Strong
hahds OF good shape. Face tanned
considerable. Heavy dark eyebrows
oood teeth. very white Square chin
Lovely smile that seemed to l,cbt nm
the room for everybody within hear
Ing. Nose ideal. Mouth same. Voice /
artst"cetic and reverberatjns with |
educa tion. Age about thirty or |
AnrtZ-one. Rich as Croesus> Well !