The Pulaskian., 1919-07-04
Copyright by Dodd, Mead and Company. Inc. nc


 ought to leave the stage, the dear child. No more fitted to it than an Easter lily. Her place is in the home. the"
 Good Lord, am not thinking off," And Barnes, aghast stopped before blurting out the words that leaped to his lips. T 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 twelye-thirty sharp Barnes came down from his room freshly shaved and brushed, to find not only Mir. Rush. croft and Miss Thackeray awaiting him in the office, but the Messrs. Dill lingford and Bacon as well.
 T took the liberty, old fellow" said Rushcroft, addressing Barnes, 'sof 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 lodgers. Mir. 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. It 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. Suddenly-perhaps impolitely- he interrupted MT. Rushcroft's flow of eloquence.
 "Have you any objection, Mir. Rush croft to more or less personal ques- tion concerning your own private-er- misfortunes? he asked, leaning for ward.
 For moment one could have heard pin drop. Mir. Rushcroft evidently held his breath. There could be no mistake about that
 eIt's rather delicate, but would you mind telling me just how much you were stuck up for by the-er-was it writ Of ottnchment?"
 sIt was." said the star. "A writ of inQuisition, you might as well sub- stitute. The act of a polluted, impe- cInious, parsimonious-what 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 GOV ertly watching Miss Thackeray's half- averted face as he ventured upon the proposition he had decided to put be- fore them. sT am prepared and will ling to advance this amount Mir. 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 q 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- 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. I-I really don't know what to say to you, sir"
 May I inquire just how you ex- pect to profit by this transaction, MT. Barnes?" Miss Thackeray asked steadily.
 He started, catching her meaning.
 "My dear Miss Thackeray," he ex- claimed, "tilis transaction IS solely be- tween your father and me. I shall have no other claim to press"
 1T wish I could believe that" she said.
 You nay believe it." he assured her.
 'It isn't the usual course" she said quietly and her face frightened. 'You are not like most men, NIr. Barnes"
 My dear child" said Rushcroft. 'you must leave this matter to our friend and me- I fancy l know afl honest man when I see him. My dear fellow, fortune is but temporarily drowning upon me. In few weeks I shall be on my feet again, dipping along on the crest of the wave. dare say can return inc money to you in a month or six weeks. If"
 "Oh, fathcr!' cried Miss Thaekeray.
 "Well make it six months. and I'll pay any rate of interest you desire.