hat some one was trying to annoy her.

Esther flung herself into the breach. Not for anything must a scene be
permitted to take place! And she could guess at Billy Webster's
scornful disregard of a man who was an actor. Billy was a country
fellow with little experience of life, and broad-mindedness was not a
conspicuous trait of his character.

Esther never knew just exactly how she managed it, but in another
moment she had confided the entire story of Polly's audacity to Mr.
Hunt, Billy Webster's place in it, and his present intention of
bringing retribution upon them. She knew there was but little time for
her story; for Mr. Hunt might be compelled to leave them on receiving
his curtain call at any moment. In a very surprising and good-humored
fashion however he seemed to understand the situation at once.

"I had an idea that Miss O'Neill was new to this business," he said;
"or you would both have realized that it is not wise for a girl so
young as she is to come to the theater without her mother or some much
older woman to look after her. But I believe I can appreciate
everybody's point of view in this matter. So why wouldn't it be well
to have Miss O'Neill telegraph her mother herself and ask that she come
down to New York tomorrow. She could say there was nothing serious, so
as not to frighten her. And then of course they could talk things over
together and decide what was best without any interference."

But before any answer could follow his suggestion a bell sounded and
the older man was obliged to hurry away.

Esther breathed a sigh of relief.

"Dear me, why had not one of us thought of this way out?" she asked.
"Surely, Billy, you can't object to allowing Mrs. Wharton to be the
judge in this matter?"

Billy nodded. "Of course that is the best plan."

"And you, Polly?"

Polly had begun to cry again. "I want to see my mother right this
minute," she confessed. And then, slipping out of the stage door, she
left Esther and Billy to follow immediately after her and in silence to
escort her safely home.

CHAPTER XI

SUNRISE CABIN AGAIN

It was New Year's night. Sunrise Cabin was no longer an empty and
deserted place, but golden lights shone through the windows, making a
circle of brightness outside the door.

From the inside came the sound of voices and laughter and music and the
clatter of dishes.

Slowly a figure approached the door. It was after seven o'clock and a
sharply co