erated face, came to his assistance.

"When at a party you're asked whether you will have tea or coffee, Dr.
McPherson," she said, tugging at his huge arm, "you mustn't say
'chocolate,' it isn't polite. If Con wants to mix up the sexes he has a
perfect right to, after he's ruined himself buying this box. Do sit down
beside me, doctor. When the audience looks at my perfectly beautiful
new gown they'll forget your reputation and shirt-front."

So, muttering and frowning, McPherson sat down beside Betty, and Brace
in lamblike mood dropped beside him.

"It's wicked," McPherson turned once more; "I don't believe Ann can see
a thing."

"Yes, I can, Dr. McPherson--if you keep put! I want to sit between
father and mommy-Lyn. When I thrill, I have to have near me some one
particular, to hold on to."

"You ought to be in bed!"

Little Ann leaned against his shoulder. "Don't be grumpy," she
whispered, "I like you best of all--when you're not the doctor."

"Umph!" grunted McPherson, but he stayed "put" after that, until the
curtain went down on the first act. Then he turned to Truedale. He had
been laughing until the tears stood in his eyes.

"Did that big woodsman make you think of any one?" he asked.

"Did he remind _you_ of any one?" Truedale returned. He was weak with
excitement. Lynda, sitting beside him, was almost as white as the gown
she wore--for she had remembered the old play!

"He's enough like old Jim White to be his twin! I haven't laughed so
much in a month. I feel as if I'd had a vacation in the hills."

Then the curtain went up on the big scene! Camden had spared no
expense. That was his way. The audience broke into appreciative applause
as it gazed at the realistic reproduction of deep woods, dim trails, and
a sky of gold. It was an empty stage--a waiting moment!

In the first act the characters had been more or less subservient to the
big honest sheriff, with his knowledge of the people and his amazing
interpretation of justice. He had been so wise--so deliciously
anarchistic--that the real motive of the play had only begun to appear.
But now into the beautiful, lonely woods the woman came! The shabby,
radiant little creature with her tremendous problem yet to solve.
Through the act she rose higher, clearer; she won sympathy, she revealed
herself; and, at the end, she faced her audience with an appeal that was
successful to the last degree.

In short, she had got Truedale's play over the footlights