The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-05-29
0opyright By Dodd, Mead and Company. Inc.

frequently reads in books about 1t
coming like this, at first sight, but,
damme, I 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
hurting out the words that leaped to
his lips. II mean to say this is a 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 MI. Rush.
croft and Miss Thackeray awaiting
him in the Office, but the Messrs. Dill
lingford and Bacon as we'll.
II took the liberty, old fellow" said
Rushcroft, addressing Barnes, "'of ask
ing my excellent co-workers to join u
in our repast."
Delighted 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 uron
him and his company the III 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 a posi-
ton 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 in his
own thoughts for some time. A slight
frown, as of reflection, darkened his
eyes. Suddenly-perhaps impolitely-
he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft's flow Of
eloquence.
slave you any objection, MI. Rush
croft, to a more or less personal ques-
ton concerning your own private-er-
misfortunes?" he asked, leaning for
ward.
For a 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 it
a writ of attachment?"
ut was," said the star. "a writ
Of fnquisition, you might as well sub
stitute. The act of a polluted, impe-
cunious, parsimonious-what shall I
say? Well, I 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 so bad" said
Barnes, vastly relieved. He was COW
ertly watching Miss T%hackeray'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 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, I shall be happy to- in.
crease the amount of the loan sufi.
GENTLY to cover your return at. once
to. New York, If you so desire-by
train" Barnes smiled as he added the
last two words.
Extremely kind Of you, my dear
Barnes" said the actor, running his
fingers through his hair. "Your faith
in me is most gratifying. II really
don't know what to say to you, sir"
"May I. inquire just how you ex-
pect to profit by this transaction, Mr..
BarnesT Miss Thackeray asked
steadily.
He started, catching her meaning.
my dear Miss Thackeray," he ex-
claimed, "this transaction is solely be
tween your father and me. I shall
have no other claim to press"
II wish I could believe that" she
said.
"You may believe it." he assured
her.
ut isn't the usual course" she said
quietly, and her face frightened. "You
are not like most men, Mr.. Barnes"
my dear child" said Rushcroft,
you must leave this matter to our
friend and me. I fancy I know On
honest man when I see him. My dear
fellow, fortune is but temporarily
frowning upon me. In o. few weeks
I shall be on my feet again, tipping
along on the crest of the wave. / dare
say I a return the money to you in
q month Or six weeks. If"
ooh, fatherg" cried Miss Thackeray.
"WeW make it six months, and I'll