Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-07-04
Copyright BY Dodd, Mead and Company. Inc.

O0pyEASnb ~ Oooos AenU anu OmPH1Jb
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 well.
II 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 a posi-
tion 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. neutrality-suspicious. impolitely-
he interrupted Mr.. Rushcroft'S flow OF
elOQuence.
"Have you any objection Mr.. 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.
"It's 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"
1T was" said the star. "a writ
Of inQuisition, you might as well sub
stitute. The act of a polluted, impe-
cunious, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES shall /
cay? 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-"
swell, that isn't so bad" said
Barnes, vastly relieved. He was COW
ertly watching Miss Thackeray''s half
averted face as he ventured upon the
proposition he had decided to put be-
fore them. Il 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
citation. Instead he affected profound
calculations. His daughter shot q
swift, searching look at the would-be
Samaritan. There was a heightened
color in her cheeks.
Moreover, l 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 *
pect to profit by this transaction, Mr..
Barnes?" Miss ThacFeray 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"
ST 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. / fancy 1 know oil
honest man when I see him. My dear
fellow, fortune is but temporarily
frowning upon me. In q few weeks
I shall be on my feet again, tipping
along on the crest of the wave. / dare
say / can return the money to you in
a month or six weeks. If"
"Oh, father! I" cried Miss Thackeray
"We'l make it 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
it a year from date"
agreed. Get up and dance for us
Oily! We shall be in New York to.
morrow!" >
"You forget the d~ictatorial sheriff,
Mr.. Rushcroft." said Barnes.
'The varlet!" barked Mr.. Rushcroft
It was arranged that D~illingford and
Bacon were to go to Hornville in q
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 Harris Tavern. The
younger actors stoutly refused to &C.
cept Barnes offer to pay their board
while at the Tavern. That, they de
clare0, 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.