greeted him when they again met, much as she acknowledged
acquaintanceship with the others of the troupe, there remained a quiet
reserve about her manner, which effectually barred all thought of
possible familiarity. Indeed, that she ever again considered him as in
any way differing from the others about her did not once occur to
Winston until one evening at Bluffton, when by chance he stood resting
behind a piece of set scenery and thus overheard the manager as he
halted the young lady on the way to her dressing room.

"Meess Norvell," and Albrecht stood rubbing his hands and smiling
genially, "at Gilchrist we are pilled to blay for dwo nights, und der
second blay vill be der 'Man from der Vest'--you know dot bart, Ida
Somers?"

"Yes," she acknowledged, "I am perfectly acquainted with the lines, but
who is to play Ralph Wilde?"

"Mister Mooney, of course. You tink dot I import some actors venever I
change der pill?"

She lifted her dark, expressive eyes to his mottled face, slowly
gathering up her skirts in one hand.

"As you please," she said quietly, "but I shall not play Ida Somers to
Mr. Mooney's Ralph Wilde. I told you as much plainly before we left
Denver, and it was for that special reason the 'Heart of the World' was
substituted. The more I have seen of Mr. Mooney since we took the
road, the less I am inclined to yield in this matter."

Albrecht laughed coarsely, his face reddening.