The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-08-07
Copyright By Dodd. Mead and Company. Inc.

frequently Tcuus III DoOhs uoout IL
coming like this. Mt first sight, but,
dnmme, never dreamed that 1t ever
really happened. Count on me! 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. II mean to say this is n prop
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 Thuckeray 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."
"Dellghted to have you with us, gen.
tlemen," said Barnes affably.
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 20
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-
ton to depart when they pleased. II
would have been difficult to imagine
that he was not actually rolling in
money instead Of being absolutely
penniless.
Barnes had been immersed In his
own thoughts for some time. A slight
frown, as Of reflection. darkened his
eyes. Suddenly-perbaps impolitely-
he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft's flow of
eloquence.
"Have you any objection. Mr.. Rush
croft, to a more or less personal ques-
tion concerning your own private-er-
misfortunes?" he asked, leaning for
ward.
For moment one could have heard
a pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be no
mistake about that.
TITS rather delicate, but would you
mind telling me Just how much YOU
were stuck up for by the-er-was II
a writ Of attachmentr
TT was" said the star. "A writ
Of inQuisition, you might as well sub.
s1tute. The act Of a polluted, impe.
cunious. parsimonious-what shall ]
sayf 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-"
well, that isn't 20 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. II am prepared and will
ling to advance this amount, Mr.. Rush
croft, and to take your personal note
as security"
Rushcroft leaned back in his chaiI
and stuck his thumbs in the armholes
of his vest. He displayed no undue
elation. Instead he affected profount
calculations. His daughter shot q
swift, searching look at the would-b,
Samaritan. There was a heightened
color In her checks.
Moreover, shall be happy to in
crease the amount of the loan SUN
ciently to cover your return at ono,
to New York. If you 80 desIre-b,
train" Barnes smiled as he added tn,
last two words.
Extremely kind of you, my deal
Barnes" said the actor. running hi
fingers through his hair. "Your faItl
In me is most gratifying. II reall.
don't know what to say to you, sir.
May I inquire Just how you ex
pect to profit by this saction, MI
Barnes" Miss Thackeray aske,
steadily.
| He started, catching her meaning.
my dear Miss Thackeray," he ex
claimed, "this transaction is solely be
tween your father and me. shal
have no other claim to press"
Il wish could believe that" sh,
said.
"You may believe it." he assure,
her.
1T isn't the usual course" she sal,
quietly, and her face frightened. "Yo,
are not like most men. Mr.. Barnes"
my dear child" said Rushcroft
"you must leave this matter to ou
friend and me. I fancy ! know aI
honest man when I see him. My dea
fellow, fortune IL but temporaril,
frowning upon me. In q few week
I shall be on my feet again, sippinI
along on the crest Of the wave. dar
say can return the money to you Il
! Q month or six weeks. f."
"Oh. fatherl" cried Miss Thackeray
"Te1l make It six months, and II