The $500 Check — page 255: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

236 THE $500 CHECK. near the box office, surveying with interest the passers by. All at once he felt a hand on his shoulder, and these words fell upon his ear: ‘“We meet again, my dear boy. Shake!”’ Bert immediately recognized his travelling friend who had Jost his money on the train. ‘‘ Are you one of the dramatic company ?”’ he asked. “Yes; I play the leading villain—and am acting stage manager. My name is Orville— Jack Orville. You have heard of me.”’ ‘‘T have always lived in the country,’’ said Bert apologetically, lis so have little ac- quaintance with actors.’ Orville looked disappointed. He liked to be known and recognized. “That accounts for it,’ he said. ‘‘ lam surprised to hear that you are from the coun- try. You have the city air.” Bert was pleased to hear it, though per- haps that might be a mark of weakness. At the moment another man came up hur- riedly, and spoke to Orville. ‘‘Here’s a pretty kettle of fish, Orville,’’? he said. ‘‘ Bob Hazleton is sick, and insists upon (E(@) AAl C JOO ESS