The story of Merriwell’s strange act passed from mouth to mouth, and the actors and actresses were puzzled and bewildered over it. Agnes Kirk even declared that she believed success had turned Frank’s brain.
“He was always queer,” she asserted. “A fellow who will stoop to feed and pet a tramp cat and then carry it around as a mascot is not right. But I call on everybody to notice that we have become prosperous since he let that cat go.”
“Oh, I hardly think that,” said Stella Stanley. “He did not let the cat go till after this piece had made a hit. Then he said he could not carry the creature around, and he would prove she had nothing to do with the success or failure of the show by letting her go. He seemed to knock the wind out of your superstitious prophecies, Agnes.”
“Not at all,” declared the other actress, stiffly. “I said the cat would hoodoo us in the first place, and it did, no matter what happened afterward.”
“Oh, it’s no use to talk with you.”
“Not a bit.”
Stella Stanley turned away, laughing. She saw Hodge, standing at a distance, regarding her steadfastly.
Since the affair in Atchison, when Bart deserted the company, the dark-faced youth had scarcely spoken to Stella. After being brought back by Frank, he seemed to take the utmost pains to avoid her.
Now, as she started toward him, he wheeled about and disappeared behind the back drop.
“I’d like to know what ails him!” she exclaimed, somewhat angrily. “He shan’t keep up this running away from me!”