The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1919-10-09
CHAPTER ma.
Mr.. f..seroft Dissoives. Mr.. Jones In
terssnss, and Two Men Ride Away.

terssnss, and Two Men Ride AWAY.
Mr. Rushcroft explained that he had
had his supper. In fact. he went on
TO confess. he had been compelled
Ike the dog, 10 speak" for Il. What
could be more disgusting. more degrad.
ing. he mourned. than the spectacle
OF n man who had appeared I'm all OF
tine principal theaters Of the land as
star and leading support to stars, set.
Ting for his supper by telling stories
and reciting poetry in the taproom
OF n tavern?
"Still." he consented. when Mr.
Barnes insisted that Il would be a
Kindness 10 him. ''since you put Il that
way. dare say could do with a little
snack. as you 50 aptly put a. Just a
bite or two. What have you ready
Miss Tiilyr"
Miss lilly was buxom female of
forty or Whereabouts. with spectacles
She was one Of pair Of sedentary
Mattresses who had been SO long in the
employ Of Mr.. James that he hated the
sight OF them.
Mr.. Rushcroft's convention of hite
but IL I'D not bewilder Miss lilly. He
had four eggs with his ham. and
other things in proportion He talked
great deal. proving In that way that
II was a supper well worth speaking
for. Among other things ne dilated
Ht great length upon his reasons for
not being member OF the Players or
the Lambs I'm New York city. II seems
that he had promised his dear. devoted
wife that he would never join "a club
OF any description. Dear old girl. he
would as soon have cut OF his right
hand as 20 break any promise made
TO her. He brushed something away
from his eyes. and his chin. contract
ing. trembled slightly. what is II,
Mr. Bacon? Any word from New
York;"
Mr.. Bacon lowered near. perhaps
hungrily.
"Our genial host has instructed me
10 say TO his latest guest that the
rites are two dollars a day, In adj
vance. all dinlng-rOOm checks payable
on presentation" said Mr.. Bacon. apol-
Ogefically.
Rushcroft exploded. 20 scurvy in
suit" he doomed. "ConfOund his"
The new guest was amiable He
interrupted the outraged star. "Ter
Mr. Jones that I shall settle prompt
ly." he said with smile.
1T has just entered his bean that
you may be an actor. Mr.. Banes." said
Bacon.
Miss Tilly. overhearing. drew a step
or two nearer. A sudden interest in
Mr.. Barnes developed. She had not
noticed before that he was an uncOm-
monty good-looking fellow. She al
ways had said that she adored strong,
"athaletic" faces.
Later on she felt inspired 10 jot
down. for use no doubt I'm some future
literary production. concise. though
general. description Of the magnificent
Mr. Barnes. She utilized the back of
the bill Of fare and She wrote with
the feverish ardor OF one who breads
the loss Of first impression. I here.
with append her visual estimate of the
hero Of this story:
"FIe was a tall. shapely specimen
of mankind. wrote Miss Tilly. BROAD
shouldered. Smooth-shaved face. Pen.
etratIng gray eyes. Short. curly haif
about the color of mine. Strong
hands OF good shape. Face tanned
considerable. Heavy dark eyebrows
Good teeth. very white. Square chin
Lovely smile that seemed TO light M
the room for everybody within hear
Ing Nose ideal Mouth same. Voice
aristocraiic and reverberating with
education. Age about thirty or
thirty-one. Rich as Croesus. Well
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