The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-05-30
"How about 1uncheon?,

NIL. ruSuCIOtL IedullS, LuuCuCOu ID
an esthetic tribute to the physical in
telligence Of man, if you know what I
mean. shall be delighted, to join you.
"Twelve-thirty, did you say?" -
1T would give me great pleasure If
your daughter would also grace the
festal board. I 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. I
have a proposition I'd like to make to
YOU later on. I cannot make 1t, how
ever, without consulting Miss Thack-
cray's feelings" ....
"My dear fellow!" beamed Rush
croft, seizing the others hand. "One
frequently reads in books about 1t
coming like this, at first sight, but
damme, never dreamed that 1t ever
really happened. Count on me! She
ought to leave the stage, the dear
child. No more fitted to 1t than an
Easter lily. Her place is In the home,
the" ....
"Good Lord, am not thinking Of"
And Barnes, aghast, stopped before
blurting out the words that leaped to
his lips. II mean to Say this is prop
osition that may also affect your ex-
cellent companions, Bacon and Dilling-
ford; as we'll as yourself"
At twelve-thfrty 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 we'll.
IT 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, 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 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 q posi-.
tion to depart when they pleased. It
would have been difficult to imagine
that he was not actually rolling Ia
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.. Rushcrofts now OF
eloquence. W. i.
"Have you any objection, Mr.. Rush.
croft, to q more or less personal Ques-
ton concerning your own private-er-
misfortunes" he asked, leaning for
ward. .,. .- ...@ y
For q moment one could have heard
a pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be no
mistake about that. So.
"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" Ms E.I-li =
"It was" said, the star. "A writ
sf inquisition, you might as well sub
stitute. The act Of a polluted, impe.
cunious, parsimonious-what shall /
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 GOV.
ertly watching Miss Thackeray's half.
ayerted 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 q heightened
color in her cheeks.
Moreover. 7 shall be happy 20 In.
crease the amount Of the loan sufi.
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. IL really
don't know what to say to you, SIR"
"May inquire just how you ex.
pect to profit by this transaction, MIR.
Barnes" Miss Thackeray asked
steadily.
He started, catching her meaning.
my dear Miss Thackeray," he ex-
claimed, "this transaction Is solely be.