He went to the rehearsal, and the worst fears of the physician were realized. After the first act Mr. DeVere was hoarser than ever before. The other players could not hear him to get their "cues," or signals when to reply, and come on the stage. The rehearsal had to be stopped. There was a hasty conference between the manager of the company and the treasurer of the same. "The play will have to open on time," said the manager. "Yes, we've had a big advance sale," replied the treasurer. "And DeVere can't do it." "No. I'll have to put his understudy in until we can cast someone else. I'll tell him." The actor must have guessed what was coming, for he was washing off his make-up in the dressing-room when the manager entered. "I'm awfully sorry about this, DeVere," began Mr. Cross. "But I'm afraid you won't be able to go on Monday night." "No, Mr. Cross, I myself am of the same opinion. My voice has failed me utterly." "And yet--and yet--you understand how it is. We must open on time." "Yes, I know. The show must go on--the show must go on."' "And the only way----" "Is to replace me. I know. You can't help it, Mr. Cross. I know just how it is. It isn't your fault--it's my misfortune. I thank you for your patience. You'll have to--to replace me. It's the only thing to do. And yet," he added so softly that the manager did not hear "what am I to do? What are my daughters to do?" CHAPTER VI A NEW PROPOSITION There was no need for Ruth and Alice to ask their father what had happened. One look at his ashen face when he came home from the theater was enough. "Oh, Daddy!" cried Alice. "Couldn't you make it go?" He answered with a shake of the head. The strain of the rehearsal had pained him. "Did--did they put in someone else?" asked Ruth. "Yes, I'm out of it for good--at least for this engagement." "The mean things!" burst out Alice "I think that Mr. Cross is rightly named. I wish I could tell him so, too!" "Alice!" reproved Ruth, gently. "I don't care!" cried the younger girl, her brown eyes sparkling. "The idea of not waiting a few days with their show until papa was better; and he the leading man, too." "They couldn't wait, Alice, my dear," explained Mr. DeVere. "Cross did all he could for me, and allowed me two days. But it is out of the question. Dr. Rathby was right. I need a long rest--and I guess I'll have to take it whether I want to or not." Then, seeing the anxious looks on the faces of his daughters, he went on, in more cheerful, though in no less husky tones: "Now don't worry, girls. There'll be some way out of this. If I can't act I can do something else. I'm well and strong, for which I must be thankful. I'm not ill and, aside from my voice, nothing is the matter. I'll look for a place doing something else beside stage work, until my voice is restored. Then I'll take up my profession again. Come, there is nothing to worry about."