Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-07-25

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.. Rushcroft's flow of
eloquence.
"Haye you any objection, Mr.. Rush
croft, to 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.
Its rather delicate, but would you
mind telling me just how much YOU
were stuck up for by the-er-was it
q writ of attachments"
1T 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 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"
and stuck his thumbs in the armholes
of his vest. He displayed no undue
citation. Instead he affected profound
calculations. His daughter shot a
swift, searching look at the would-be
Samaritan. There was heightened
color in her cheeks.
Moreover, shall be happy to in
crease the amount of the loan suffi-
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 | 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. I shall
have no other claim to press"
II wish I could believe that" she
said.
"You may believe it," he assured
her
st 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 | 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, tipping
along on the crest of the wave. dare
sag | can return the money to you in
a month or six weeks. If"
ooh, father" cried Miss Thackeray.
"We'n 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 year from date.'
agreed. Get up and dance for us,
Oily! We shah be in New York to.
morrow ~
"You forget the dictatorial sheriff,
Mr.. Rushcroft,' said Barnes.
1.-The varlet!" barked Mr.. RushcrOft.
1t was arranged that Dillingford and
Bacon were 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
tHS dOtCA w 11d4 ldNSIH. HS
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 paying
guest
Rushcroft took the whole affair with
the most noteworthy complacency. He
seemed to regard it as his due, or
more properly speaking as if he were
doing Barnes a great favor in allowing
him to lend money to 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 I could put over one
of the most stupendous things the the
alter has known in fifty years. / don't
mind saying to you-although it's