ft their seats and walked down
the stairs into the main entrance of the theatre. Here they were met
by the manager, who seized Epstein by the arm. "Say, 'Chuck," he said
excitedly, "that was a great stunt. How much will the kid take for the
week?"

Epstein smiled and turned to William. "I wouldn't do it again for a
hundred dollars a night," said William pointedly, "and I don't know
what I did it for anyway."

"But, see here, my boy," said the manager, "there's big money in it for
you--say----"

William, however, was already at the door, and Whimple, not wholly
understanding what lay behind Epstein's murmured, "Sorry--but I'll have
to explain later," followed him.

The manager was talking now to Tommy. "Flo Dearmore wants to see you,
Mr. Watson," he said. "Do you know her?"

Tommy nodded. "Come along then--you coming too, Epstein?"

"No." The old comedian smiled affectionately on Tommy as the latter
went off with the manager, and then walked away slowly, his lips moving
as though he was communing with himself.

At the door of the dressing-room the manager left Tommy, who knocked
gently. The door was opened at once by a coloured maid of uncertain
age, who turned to her mistress at the sight of Tommy. "It's a gent,
honey," she said, and Flo, who was already in street attire, turned to
the door. "Come in, Tommy Watson," she said quietly. "Toots," to the
maid, "leave us a little while."

Tommy stood near the door, his eyes sparkling, his cheeks full of
colour now, his hands rigid by his side. Flo waited, her own cheeks
burning, her heart beating fast. Tommy came a little nearer to her,
and, "It seems like a long, long time since you went on the stage, Flo
Dearmore," he said.

She nodded, and recovering a little of her dashing self, answered,
"It's only ten years, Tommy."

"No," said Tommy, "it's more than that--it's all of twenty."

"Tommy!"

"I'm forty and you're thirty--think of that, Flo, and you were ten the
first time I saw you on the stage. Don't you remember the pantomime in
the old schoolhouse? You were the Queen of the Fairies, and----"

"Yes, but I was still a school-girl."

"And your heart was already set upon the stage. I've never forgotten
that night, Flo; such a winsome little fairy you were."

"But--but----" she faltered.

"I did--I tell you," he asserted stoutly, as though she had
contradicted him--"I fell in love with you that night; I watched you
grow into young womanh