The citizen., 1919-07-24
opsyss ~ De11 Med ~s os~sy. lac

t1tS. CuhutHiy -pfihupo hhfpii'iy
he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft's flow OF
eloquence.
slave you any objection, Mr.. Rush.
croft, ~ a more or less personal ques-
tlon concerning your own prlvate-er-
misfortunesf" he asked, leaning for.
wnrd.
For n moment one could have heard
a pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
held his breath. There could be no
mistake about that.
Its rather delicate. but would you
mind telling me just how much you
were stuck up for by the-er-was II
writ OF attachment"
at was" said the star. "a writ
OF inquisltion, you might as well sub.
stltute. The act Of a polluted. impe.
cGnious, parsimonious-what shall
say1 Well, I will be as simple as pos
slble-hotel keeper. Nlnety-seven dol.
lars and forty cents. For that pitlful
amount he subjected me to"
"Well. 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. II am prepared and will
ling TO advance this amount. Mr. Rush.
croft. and to take your personal note
ms security"
Rushcroft leaned back In his chair
and Sfuek HIS thumts In tho ar,,h,I.a
Of his vest. He displayed no undue
elatiOn. Instead he affected profound
calculations. His daughter shot q
swift, searching look at the would-bs
Samaritan. There was a heightened
color in her cheeks.
Moreover. shall be happy to in
crease the amount OF the loan sufn
ciently TO cover your return at once
TO New York. II you so deslre-by
train" Barnes smiled as he added IN,
last two words.
Extremely kind Of you. my deal
Barnes" said the actor. running hi,
fingers through his hair. "Your faith
In me is most gratifying. IL really
don't know what to say TO you. SIR
MAY I inquire just how you ex
pect TO profit by this transaction. Mr.
Barnesr 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. 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. "Yor
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 a few weeks
shall be on my feet again, zippfnp
say can return the money to you In
a month or six weeks. If"
"Oh. fatheri" cried Miss Thackeray
"We1l make II six months. and III
pay any rate OF interest you desire
Six per cent, eight per cent. ten per
"Six per cent, sir. and we will make
Il year from date"
agreed. Get up and dance for US
Dillyl We shall be In New York to-
lnorroww
"You forget the dctatorlal sheriff.
Mr.. Rushcroft." said Barnes.
"The varlet !" barked Mr. Rushcroft.
II was arranged that Dilllngford and
Bacon we're TO go to Hornville In a
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-
clared, 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 II as his due. or
more properly speaking as II 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 l have written a
playa four-act drama that Will pack
the biggest house on Broadway TO the
roof for as many months as we'd care