Phoenix tribune., 1919-05-31

81 haven't any conscience at all, sir"
roared the star. 81 had an unusually
full stomach, that's what was the mat
ter with me. take oath now, sir,
never to eat again as long as 1 live.
A man who cannot govern his beastly
appetite ought to defy it, if nothing
else"
'T gather from that remark that yoV
omitted breakfast this morning"
Breakfast, sir? In Gods name, I
implore you not to refer. to anything
so disgusting as stewed prunes and
bacon at time like this. My mind
is"
"How about luncheon? Will you
Join me at twelve-thirty? II
That's quite another matter" said
Mr.. Rushcroft readily. Luncheon is
an esthetic tribute to the physical in
telligence of man, if you know what /
mean. 1 shall be delighted to join you.
''Twelve-thirty, did you say?" Il
ut would give me great pleasure if
your daughter would also grace the
festal board. think it is too bad that
she has to go about in the gown she
wears, Mr.. Rushcroft," said Barnes.
"She's much too splendid for that.
have a proposition I'd like to make to
you later on. I cannot make it, how
ever, without consulting Miss Thack
cray's feelings"
"My dear felloww beamed Rush
croft, seizing the others hand "One
frequently reads in books about it
coming like this, at first sight, but,
damme, I never dreamed that it ever
really happened. Count on mel She
ought to leave the stage, the dear
child. No more fitted to it than an
Easter lily. Her place is in the home
the"
"Good Lord I am not thinking Of
And Barnes, aghast, stopped before
blurting out the words that leaped to
his lips. 81 mean to say this is propI
osition that may also affect your ex-
cellent companions, Bacon and Dilling;
ford, as well as yourself"
At twelve-thirty sharp Barnes came
down from his room freshly shaved
and brushed, to find not only Mr.. Rush
croft and Miss Thackeray awaiting
him in the office, but the Messrs. Dill.
lingford and Bacon as well.
81 took the liberty, old fellow" said
Rushcroft, addressing Barnes, "of ask
ing my excellent co-workers to join US
in our repast."
"Delighted to have you with us, gem
Al ii coHl
The sole topic of conversation for
the first half hour was the mysterious
Staying of their fellow dodgers. Mr.,
Rushcroft complained bitterly of the
outrageous, high-handed action of the
coroner and sheriff in imposing upon
him and his company the. same re-
strictions that had been applied to
Barnes. They were not to leave the
county until the authorities gave the
word. One would have thought, to
hear the stars indignant lamentations,
that he and his party were in posi-
tion to depart when they pleased. 1t
would have been difficult to imagine
that he was not actually rolling in
money instead of being absolutely
penniless.
Barnes had been immersed II his
own thoughts for some time. A slight
/ frown, as Of reflection, darkened his
eyes. neutrality-suspicious. impolitely-
he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft's flow of
eloquence.
""HHve you any objection, Mr.. Rush,
croft, to more or less personal ques.
ton concerning your own private-er-
misfortunes?" he asked, leaning for.
ward.
| For moment one could have heard
pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be nc
] mistake about that.
"It's rather delicate, but would you
mind telling me just how much you
were stuck up for by the-er-was il
q writ Of attachments"
sit was" said the star. ga writ
OF inquisition, you might as well sub
stitute. The act Of a polluted, impe-
cunious, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES shall /
say? Well, will be as simple as pos.
sible-hotel keeper. Ninety-seven dol
lars and forty cents. For that pitiful
amount he subjected me to-"
swell, that isn't so bad" said
Barnes, vastly relieved. He was GOV.
ertly watching Miss Thackeray's half
averted face as he ventured upon the
proposition he. had decided to put be.
fore them. Il am prepared and viii
ling to advance this amount, Mr.. Rush
croft, and to take your personal note
as security"
Rushcroft leaned back in his chair
and stuck his thumbs in the armholes
of his vest. He displayed no undue
elation. Instead he affected profound
calculations. His daughter shot a
swift, searching look at the would-be
Samaritan. There was a heightened
color in her cheeks.
Moreover, shall be happy to in.
crease the amount of the loan suffi.
ciently to cover your return at once
to New York. if you so desire-by