lly enthusiastic when Bert was on the stage. Their liberal
applause raised Bert in the good opinion of the management, who felt
that they had secured a prize in the new actor.

CHAPTER XXIX.

BERT SECURES A BOX OF MR. HARDING'S PAPERS.

When our hero went down to breakfast next morning, he found himself the
observed of all observers. Miss Angelica Stubbs and her escort had
already made known that he was a member of the dramatic company, and as
none of the boarders had ever before met "a live actor," all felt great
curiosity and a desire to become acquainted with so distinguished a
public character.

As he took his seat beside Miss Stubbs, she said: "I saw you on the
stage last evening, Mr. Barton."

"Did you? I was not aware that you were in the house."

"Why didn't you tell me that you were an actor? I've got a bone to pick
with you."

"I didn't know it myself, Miss Stubbs."

"You mean to say you didn't play the newsboy? Oh, Mr. Barton!"

"Yes; but when I left the house I had no idea of playing. It so happened
that the young actor who usually takes the part--Bob Hazleton--was sick,
and I was applied to by the manager to take his place."

"Then he knew you were an actor?"

"No; I only fell in with him on the train from New York."

"Why you acted just as if you were used to it."

"I am glad you think so. I hardly dared to accept the part."

"Will you play the rest of the week?"

"I have agreed to do so. Hazleton goes home to-day."

"How nice! I must go again."

"I take that as a compliment."

"Can't you actors take your friends in free?" asked Angelica, whose rule
was to make all she could out of her acquaintances.

"I haven't been an actor long enough to find out."

"I should consider it _such_ a favor. I would get all my friends to go."

"On the same terms?" asked Bert with a smile.

"No. They can pay."

Bert did secure a complimentary ticket for Miss Stubbs, who boasted
everywhere that she was intimately acquainted with one of the leading
actors in "The Streets of Gotham," and that he was really very attentive
to her.

"What would my friends at Lakeville say if they knew my new business?"
thought Bert. "I should be glad if Percy Marlowe could see me on the
stage."

He determined, however, not to say anything in his letters about this
new engagement, for, though he had been successful thus far, his success
and popularity might not last.

"Did you see the notice of your play in