Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-07-09
''How about luncheon' WIN you

9VAAA AAC ~ tWClSC'I4H3ty
That's quite another matter" said
Mr.. Rushcroft readily. Luncheon Is
an esthetic tribute to the physical In
telligence Of man, II you know what l
mean. shall be delighted to Join you.
Twelve-thirty, did you say7"
1T would give me great pleasure II
your daughter would also grace the
festal board. think 1t is too bad that
she has to 60 about in the gown she
wears, Mr.. Rushcroft," said Barnes.
1She's much too splendid for that. !
have a proposition I'd like to make to
sou later on. cannot make 1t. how
ever, without consulting Miss Thack-
,crny's feelings"
my dear fellow! beaned Rush.
croft, seizing the others hand. zone
frequently reads In books about It
coming like this. at first sight, but,
damme, i never dreamed that It ever
really happened. Count on me! She
ought to leave the stage. the dear
child. No more lifted to It than an
Easter lily. Her place IL in the home.
the"
AGood 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 prop
-osition that may also affect your ex-
-cellent companions, Bacon and Dilling-
ford, - well as yourself"
At twelve-thirty 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 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 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 besp 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 dow Of
.eloQuence.
~Have you any objection. Mr.. Rush.
croft, to a more or less personal ques.
Aion concerning your own private-er-
misfortunesf" he asked, leaning for.
ward.
For moment one could have heard
= pin drop. Mr.. Rushcroft evidently
1Ald 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 II |
n 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, arsimonious-what shall
say? Well. will be as simple as pos.
sible-hotel keeper. Ninety-seven dol.
liars 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 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
as security"
Rushcroft leaned back In his chair
and stuck his thumbs in the armholes
of his vest. he displayed no undue
celation- Instead he affected profound |
calculations. His daughter shot q
swift, searching look at the would-be
Samaritan. There was q heightened
color in her. cheeks.
Moreover, shall be happy to in.
crease the amount of the loan sum.
.ciently to cover your return at once
to New York, II You 30 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, Mr..
Barnesr Miss Thackeray asked
, 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 could believe that" she
You may believe It," he assured
hef.
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. I fancy I know en-
honest man when see him. My dear