"If I have helped you, Cassie, I am thankful. I discovered your secret by accident, and I have kept it faithfully, though I fear Havener suspects all is not right because there is a secret between us."
"I will tell him all at once. He is changed lately, but I love him just the same. He will be all right when he knows the truth. You know I told you I would never, never marry him till I got rid of the habit. It is you, Frank, who have made it possible for me to become his wife."
Havener rose to his feet as quietly as he could, drawing back and hiding himself by the bushes. He stole away from the spot, quivering in every limb.
"And I thought of committing suicide!" he whispered, as he hastened away. "I thought of committing murder! What a fool I have been! Thank God the discovery of my folly came in time! Thank God! thank God!"
Then he threw the loaded revolver as far from him as possible.
Havener's mind was now freed from all doubts and he threw himself into his business with a new zeal that ought to have made the fortunes of the company.
But fate has strange ways of rewarding industry, and instead of adding success to success Frank and his brother Thespians struck a number of dismal failures, and a heavy cloud was resting over the organization.
Matters came to a head at the Grand Theater, in the little town of Groton.
The Grand Theater was grand in name only. Its interior was more like a barn and its lack of scenery and stage accommodations were something disheartening.
The company billed to appear that evening in the society play called "Haunted Hearts" had dressed and made up to go on.
Arthur Sargent, who was to play the part of a country cousin on his first visit to the city, was still in his street clothes, and had refused to appear unless two weeks' salary due him was paid before the curtain rose on the first act.
Frank was trying to persuade him to change his mind.
"You are breaking your agreement with me, Sargent," said Merry, remonstratingly.
"Hang the agreement!" exclaimed the actor, snapping his fingers. "What do I care for that! I want my money!"
"I signed nothing but my contract with you."
"And therefore doesn't amount to that!" snapping his fingers.
"But doesn't your word--your promise amount to more than that?"