The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-05-29
Coeyrsh BY DodX. Mead and Company. Inc ]


For a moment one could have heard
a pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be no
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 ii
a writ Of attachment"
at was" said the star. "a writ
! Of inquisitiOn, you might as well sub
/ stitute. The act Of "a polluted. impe-
/ cGnious, 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"
"Well, that isn't so bad" said
Barnes, vastly relieved. He was coy
erty watching Miss Thackerays half
averted face as he venturcd upon the
proposition he had decided 10 put be-
fore them. II am prepared and will
ling 10 advance this amount Mr. RuA-
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
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 | inquire just how you ex-
pect to profit by this transaction, Mr..
Barnes?" 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. l shall
have no other claim to press"
II wish l could believe that" she
said.
"You may believe It." he assured
her.
1T 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. l fancy l know on
honest man when see him. My dear
fellow, fortune Is but temporarily
frowning upon me. In few weeks
l shall be on my feet again, tipping
along on the crest Of the wave. | dare
say l can return the money to you In
month or six weeks. If"
"Oh, fatherv cried Miss Thackeray.
"Well make II six months, and I'll
pay any rate of interest you desire.
Six per cent eight per cent, ten per"
"Six per cent, sir, and we will make
1t year from date"
"Agreed. Get up and dance for US.
Oily! We shall be in New York TO.
morrow"
You forget the dictatOriai sheriff,
Mr.. Rushcroft." said Barnes.
"The varlet" barked Mr.. Rushcroft.
1t was arranged that Dillingford and
Bacon we're to go to Hornville in
hired motor that afternoon, secure the
Judgment, pay the costs. and attend
to the removal Of the personal belong
ings OF the stranded quartette from
the hotel to Hart's Tavern. The
younger actors stOutly refused to ac-
cept Barnes offer to pay their board
while at the Tavern. That, they de-
ciared would be charity, and they pre-
ferred his friendship and his respect
to anything Of that sort. Miss Thack-
cray, however, was to be Immediately
relieved Of her position as chamber
maid. She was to become a paying
guest.
Rushcroft took the whole affair with
the most noteworthy complacency. He
seemed to regard 1t as his due, OF
more properly speaking as If he were
doing Barnes a great favor in allowing
him to lend money to a person of his
Importance.
"A thought has just come to me,
my dear fellow" he remarked as they
arose from table. "With the proper
kind of backing l could put over one
of the most stupendous things the the
ater has known in fifty years. don't
mind saying to you-although it's
rather sub rosa-that have written a
playa four-act drama that will pack
the biggest house on Broadway to the
roof for as macy months as we'd care
to stay. Perhaps you will allow me
to talk 1t over with you little later
on. You will be interested, I'm sure.
Egad, sir. I'll read the play to you.
I1l-What no, landlord. Have your
best automobile sent around to the
door as quickly as possible. A couple
Of my men are going to Hornville to
fetch hither my"