The Omaha morning bee., 1922-11-12

supporters. Ana all IL needs ~
for him 10 miss this date and NV
office VIII probably KIN the tour
and We haven't gone half way
through II yet II means black
eye for me. too"
Bennett listened grlmly. Ilo knew
the importance Of the tour 10 Archie,
With the money he would be NJ
ease, with leisure TO write his best
"a best that would assuredly yield
him sufficient income ns long as
he wrote. without the lecture money
There would be years OF novel writ.
ing with one hand, and Of Fleet
Street hack writing with the other.
For only with his recent American
popularity had Archie begun TO 1T
his head above water. And that
popularity was ms yet not wide.
spread; nor had Il reached a stable
basis"
whom does Archie know IN
town. aske Bennett.
He told me he didn't know a soul
here" Harris answered hopolessly.
- hF fh'i MY lIbUuF j ~ llunlIt
among them. He didn't even know
you lived here until he ran into you.
Maybe he's met with an accident
or is incapacitatod for aome other
reason" he added eaning1y,
That's why I'm afraid to go TO the
police. u might mean unpleasant
publicity"
knows nobody" repeated Ben.
nett, with knitted brows.
Suddenly his face lighted.
Did you send out pictures Of him
in advance?"
His photograph Is on the circu.
lars Of our complete lecture course
and on the advance matter we sent
TO the newspapers" Harris dragged
some papers from pocket. "Only
one photograph"
Bennett studied 1t; slim. fair
young man, clean shaven.
With the papers In his hand, Bent
nett turned TO the window, gazing
In the direction OF Rola's home. a
few blocks northwest. He should
be there now. For he was taking
Rola to the lecture, and II was to be.
gin in a half hour.
Eight O'Clock now. For more
hours and his ordeal would be over.
He had suffered 20 days and 20
hours for nothing?
Archie's happiness depended on Il?
Well. how about his own happiness?
1t was the small, cold voice OF
reason trying to debate with him,
but, after all, II had no chance. lie
smiled grimly, remembering Love.
lace going to the wars and the old,
beautiful, hackDeyed lines:
] could not love thee, dear, so much.
Loved | not honor more.
Abruptly turning to the telephone,
he gave number.
"Rola, something important has
come up and ] can't take you to
the lecture. No, I'm sorry
Il can't tell you what it is.
Yes, ! realized you'd want to go
anyhow-but have this request to
make: Please 30 alone. /
Naii \ A'ii goi why i dSh IL DuL ~
imperative. III leave the ticket for
you at the box office. Goodby,
Rola''
lie turned back to Harris and
poured him another drink.
Listen to me. You're Archie's
manager and this tour means some
thing to you. | know way to go
through with this lecture, even il
Archie doesn't show up"
Harris lowered his glass and
stared.
"A perfectly safe way" Bennett
swept on. I'm be Archie"
Your r.
Yes Nobody in town knows him.
] look as much like this half.tone as
he does. This advance press matter
gives a synopsis Of various parts of
his lecture that can learn in two
minutes-what he thinks about
American humor, and SO forth"
But the English accent?"
Leave il TO me-" Bennett assured
him loftily. Il was in England quite
a while during the war ] know
England. ] know Archie. | know
an American audience. Come on;
you're supposed to be down at the
hall now, aren't you? Let's get
there. Wen delay the start til
s:45, and II Archie doesn't show up
by then III go on. But / suppose
can't wear dinner coat? How
about a cutaway?"
Five minutes after Bennett had
rushed Harris out the telephone
tangled insistently. Two minutes
later there was similar alarm in
Harris room. Another minute and
in Archie Fellows room the tele.