"Good joke!" laughed Paul. Then he made his way to the side of Alice,
and made an engagement to walk to the village with her that evening.
"This is the barn I intend to burn in one of our big rural plays,"
said Mr. Pertell to Mr. DeVere, who, with his daughters, had strolled
out to the ancient structure.
"What sort of a scene will it be a part of?" asked the actor.
"A rescue. One of the young ladies--or possibly two of them--will be
saved from the burning barn. The play is not completed yet, but I
have that much of it worked out. Let us look at the interior and see
how it is suited to our needs."
As the little party entered they heard, off in one corner, a noise as
though someone was running across the sagging floor, which contained
many loose boards.
"Who is there?" called Mr. Pertell, suddenly, while Ruth and Alice
drew back, close to the side of their father.
There was no answer.
"I'm sure I heard someone," said Mr. Pertell.
"So did I," agreed Alice. "Perhaps it was a cow or a horse."
"No, the old barn is not in use," returned the manager. "I think we
had better tell Sandy----"
"What is it you want to tell me?" asked the young farmer himself, as
he appeared in the doorway.
"We heard someone in the barn," explained the manager.
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