the morning paper, Mr. Barton?"
asked Miss Angelica.

"No; I haven't seen the paper yet."

"It speaks of one of the actors. I won't say who," continued Miss
Stubbs, nodding playfully.

"Do you mean me?" asked Bert in excitement.

"Yes, here it is."

Bert ran his eye hastily over the notice, which occupied a quarter of a
column. This is the portion that most interested him:

"The part of the newsboy was effectively taken by Mr. Bert Barton, who
was engaged at the last moment to fill the place of Mr. Hazleton. His
acting was spirited, and the fact that it was liked was shown by the
hearty call before the curtain at the end of the second act. The
management are fortunate in securing so good a substitute for Bob
Hazleton."

Bert's face showed his gratification. It almost seemed a dream to him
that he had really appeared on the stage, and he was glad that he had
given satisfaction.

At ten o'clock he reported at the stage entrance, where he was met by
Mr. Pearson, who was associate manager. He went through a rehearsal
which enabled him to look forward with more confidence to a repetition
of the part.

The afternoon he had to himself, and a part of this he spent in trying
to find out what he could about Ralph Harding. He learned that Harding
had been employed in the shoe factory of Benedict & Co. Two of Mrs.
Stubbs's boarders worked at the same place, but neither had been
intimate with Harding. Bert learned that he was looked upon as "a
rolling stone," never content to remain long in one place. He had been
employed less than six months at the Benedict shop, when, without
assigning any reason, he gave notice that he wanted to leave.

"What sort of a man is he?" asked Bert.

"He is restless and at times gloomy," answered Blanchard, to whom he had
put the question. "I worked next to him, but he seldom made any
conversation with me."

"Was he a good workman?"

"Excellent, but he evidently did not like the business. He often
lamented that he had not the means of getting out of it."

"Have you any idea where he went when he left Harrisburg?"

"From what I have heard him say, I think it probable that he went to
some Western town or city."

"You have not heard from him since he left Harrisburg?"

"No; he was not likely to correspond with me. I doubt if he was intimate
enough with any one here to do so, except possibly with Miss Stubbs,"
added Blanchard, with a smile.

"She tells me Mr. Harding paid her a good