“May I come in?” she called.
“Come right in, Cassie,” invited Frank. “Who’s that following you? Tell him to come in.”
The soubrette entered, followed by Havener.
“I—I came to tell you something,” she said, but hesitated, as she saw Bart sitting there.
“If it’s anything private, I’ll disappear,” said Hodge.
“It’s nothing private,” declared Havener. “There is no reason for being secret about it, Cassie. The entire company knows we’re engaged.”
“But I don’t feel just like—like——”
“Oh, I know,” smiled Havener, who looked decidedly happy. “But I’ll tell. We’re going to be married in Chicago, Mr. Merriwell. We have settled on that. I’ve induced Cassie to agree to it at last.”
“I congratulate you, Havener!” exclaimed Frank, grasping his hand and shaking it warmly. “I believe you will be happy together, and surely you deserve happiness, if any man deserves it, for fortune was rather hard on you in your other venture.”
Bart rose and extended his hand to the stage manager.