"I am sure of it. Cassie, you are not as wicked as you think. You must try again and again. Have faith! Don't use that drug! Cast it away! It will ruin you!"
"Just to-night, Frank—I must use it to-night! See, we have a good house! I must do my best to-night—for your sake! This is your company, you know, and everything may depend on to-night."
"No, Cassie, not to-night. I had rather make a failure of this, my first venture on the road, than have you yield in the least to the tempter. I had rather lose everything I have in the world, which is precious little, than to let that habit get another atom of power over you. Even though you make a failure of your part to-night, do not touch the stuff. You deceived me when you said it was medicine you wished to buy with the money. Now I have a right to order you to throw the stuff away. I do order you to do that, Cassie, for your own good."
His earnestness impressed her, swayed her.
"If you—say—so——"
"I do!"
"All right, Frank! For you—for you!"
At that moment there was a cry, and Roscoe Havener came rushing out of the dressing room into which he had sent Sargent. He was enraged, and he showed it.
"Something has happened!" exclaimed Cassie, darting out through the wings, followed closely by Frank.
"What's the matter, Mr. Havener?" asked Merry.