Mr Hargraves had used his opportunities well He had caught the Major's little idiosyncrasies of speech, accent, and intonation pompous courtliness to perfection--exaggerating all purpose stage When he performed that marvelous bow Major fondly imagined the pink of all salutations, the audience sent forth sudden round of hearty applause

Miss Lydia sat immovable, not daring to glance toward her father Sometimes her hand next to him laid against her cheek, to conceal the smile which, of her disapproval, entirely suppress

The culmination of Hargraves audacious imitation took place third act The scene is where Colonel Calhoun entertains few neighboring planters "den "

Standing at table center stage, friends grouped about him, he delivers that inimitable, rambling character monologue so famous in Magnolia Flower_, same time that he deftly makes juleps party

Major Talbot, sitting quietly, but white with indignation, heard his best stories retold, his pet theories and hobbies advanced and expanded, dream Anecdotes and Reminiscences served, exaggerated and garbled His favorite narrative--that duel with Rathbone Culbertson--was not omitted, and delivered with more fire, egotism, and gusto Major himself put

The monologue concluded with quaint, delicious, witty little lecture art of concocting julep, illustrated act Here Major Talbot's delicate but showy science was reproduced to hair's breadth-- dainty handling fragrant weed--"the one-thousandth part of grain pressure, gentlemen, and you extract the bitterness, instead aroma, heaven-bestowed plant"-- solicitous selection oaten straws

close scene the audience raised tumultuous roar of appreciation The portrayal type was so exact, so sure and thorough, leading characters play were forgotten After repeated calls, Hargraves came curtain and bowed, his rather boyish face bright and flushed knowledge of success

At last Miss Lydia turned and looked Major His thin nostrils were working like the gills of fish He laid both shaking hands arms chair to rise

" go, Lydia," chokingly " an abominable--desecration "

Before rise, she pulled him back into his seat

" stay it out," she declared " to advertise the copy by exhibiting the original coat ? " So they remained end

Hargraves's success kept him up late that night, for neither breakfast nor dinner table did he appear

About three afternoon he tapped door of Major Talbot's study The Major opened it, and Hargraves walked in hands full morning papers--too full triumph to notice anything unusual Major's demeanor

"I put it all over 'em last night, Major," he began exultantly "I had my inning, and, , scored Here's what The Post says:

"'His conception and portrayal old-time Southern colonel, absurd grandiloquence, his eccentric garb, his quaint idioms and phrases, his motheaten pride of family, really kind heart, fastidious sense of honor, and lovable simplicity, best delineation of character role boards to-day The coat worn by Colonel Calhoun is itself nothing an evolution of genius Mr Hargraves has captured his public '

"How does that sound, Major, for first-nighter ? "

"I had the honor"--the Major's voice sounded ominously frigid--"of witnessing your very remarkable performance, sir, last night "

Hargraves looked disconcerted

"You were there ? I didn't know you ever--I didn't know you cared theater Oh, , Major Talbot," he exclaimed frankly, "don't you be offended I admit get lot of pointers that helped out wonderfully part But it's type, --not individual The way the audience caught on shows that Half the patrons theater are Southerners They recognized it "

" Mr Hargraves," said the Major, who had remained standing, " put upon me an unpardonable insult burlesqued my person, grossly betrayed my confidence, and misused my hospitality If you possessed the faintest conception of the sign manual of gentleman, or due one, call you out, sir, old as to leave the room, sir "

The actor appeared slightly bewildered, and seemed hardly full meaning old gentleman's words

" truly sorry you took offense," regretfully "Up here we don't look at things just people do men buy out half the house their personality put stage so the public would recognize it "

" from Alabama, sir," said the Major haughtily

"Perhaps not pretty good memory, Major; let me quote few lines from your book In response to toast at banquet given in--Milledgeville, I believe--you uttered, and intend printed, these words:

"'The Northern man is utterly without sentiment or warmth except in feelings turned own commercial profit suffer without resentment any imputation cast honor of himself or his loved ones bear with it the consequence of pecuniary loss charity, with liberal hand; but it heralded trumpet and chronicled in brass '

" that picture is fairer one you saw of Colonel Calhoun last night ? "

"The description," said the Major, frowning, "is--not without grounds Some exag--latitude allowed in public speaking "

"And in public acting," replied Hargraves

" the point," persisted the Major, unrelenting " personal caricature I positively decline to overlook it, sir "

"Major Talbot," said Hargraves, with winning smile, " understand me you that I never dreamed of insulting you In my profession, all life belongs I take what , and what , and return it over the footlights Now, , let's let it go in you about something else We've been pretty good friends for some months, and I'm going to risk of offending you again hard up for money--never mind how out, boarding house is no place such matters secret--and you to let me pinch I've been there often enough myself I've been getting fair salary all the season, and I've saved some money You're welcome to couple hundred--or even more--until you get----"

"Stop ! " commanded the Major, arm outstretched "It seems that my book didn't lie, after all your money salve will heal all the hurts of honor Under no circumstances would I accept loan from casual acquaintance; and as , sir, starve before consider your insulting offer of financial adjustment circumstances discussed I beg to repeat my request relative to your quitting the apartment "

Hargraves took his departure without another word He also left the house the same day, moving, as Mrs Vardeman explained supper table, nearer the vicinity downtown theater, where Magnolia Flower was booked for week's run

Critical situation with Major Talbot and Miss Lydia no one in Washington the Major's scruples allowed him to apply for loan Miss Lydia wrote letter to Uncle Ralph, but doubtful whether that relative's constricted affairs would permit him help The Major was forced an apologetic address to Mrs Vardeman regarding the delayed payment for board, referring to "delinquent rentals" and "delayed remittances" in rather confused strain

Deliverance came from an entirely unexpected source