as a spray, Mr. DeVere, and I want you--in
fact as a doctor I order you--to speak as little as possible. Don't
use your voice at all, if you can help it--at least not for several
days."

He turned to write a prescription, but was startled at the hoarse cry
of expostulation from Mr. DeVere.

"But, doctor!" exclaimed the actor, "I--I----"

"There, now, I told you not to speak!" chided the physician, with
upraised finger.

"But I have to! I'm an actor--I'm rehearsing a new part. I must use
my voice! It's imperative!"

The doctor seemed startled.

"An actor," he said in low tones. "You did not tell me that. I did
not understand ... Hm! Yes!"

He thought deeply for a moment.

"You could not take a rest for a week?" he asked.

"A week? No! I have been 'resting' enough weeks as it is. I must go
on with this. I've had it before. It has passed away. Can't you give
me something that will enable me to go on--some medicine that will
act quickly? I must be at rehearsal to-morrow."

The doctor shrugged his shoulders as though to clear himself from all
blame.

"Well, if you have to--you have to, I suppose," he said. "I
understand. I can give you an astringent mixture that will shrink the
chords, and may relieve some of the inflammation. It may enable you
to go on--but at the risk of permanent injury to your throat."

"Oh!" exclaimed both girls.

"Never mind!" responded Mr. DeVere, hoarsely. "I--I must risk the
future for the sake of the present. I cannot give up this engagement.
I must keep on with the rehearsals. Give me something speedy, if you
please, Doctor. I'll--I'll have to take the chance."

"I am sorry," spoke Dr. Rathby. "But of course I understand. I have a
mixture that some singers have used with good effect. I'll try it on
you. You can use it several times to-night, and on your way to
rehearsal stop in at my office in the morning, and I'll swab out your
throat. That may help some."

"Oh, thank you, Doctor. You don't know what this means to me. I--I
feel better already."

"I'm afraid it's only temporary relief," returned the physician. "But
there. Don't worry. Get that filled and see what effect it has. Then
come and see me in the morning."

He wrote the prescription and hurried away, nodding to the girls.

"I'll get it filled," offered Ruth, and she could hardly keep back a
sigh as she looked at the scanty supply of money in the household
purse. As she was going out to the drug store she met Russ