CHAPTER IV.
A NEW DEAL OF THE CARDS For the two performances following there occurred an enforced shift of actors, owing to Mr.Mooney's being somewhat indisposed; and Winston, aided by considerable prompting from the others, succeeded in getting through his lines, conscious of much good-natured guying out in front, and not altogether insensible to Miss Norvell's efforts not to appear amused.

This experience left him in no pleasanter frame of mind, while a wish to throw over the whole thing returned with renewed temptation.
Why not?
What was he continuing to make such a fool of himself for, anyhow?
He was assuredly old enough to be done with chasing after will-o'-the-wisps; and besides, there was his constant liability to meet some old acquaintance who would blow the whole confounded story through the Denver clubs.

The thought of the probable sarcasm of his fellows made him wince.

Moreover, he was himself ashamed of his actions.

This actress was nothing to him; he thoroughly convinced himself of that important fact at least twenty times a day.