The Press., 1889-08-08

with interest into MT. Neall's work, she i laughed little scornfully, and told him that she didn't take any interest in "ama- tenr plays ," and he, being as proud as Lncifer and aa sensitiye az an exotic, curl- sd mp. 90 to speak, and said no more about
 Meanwhile MT. Richard Richmond Nash said lees and less about his dramatic chefl d,oeWvre, and at last Its luckless author be- gan to despair of inducing even q provincial manager to put 1t into rehearsal. He had even consulted Ronald Nean about it, and that gentleman, giving him some hints as to what he thought might be done with the play, mentioned incidentally that he was himself trying his hand at serious drama mot, however, mentioning . fact which he had sedulonsly concealed even from Miss Trendlesham, viz., that he was already the anthor of one or two fairly sue Sessful little Comediettas, the authorship of which had been concealed, as he was aiming at success in the higher and more serious paths of literature.
 Ronald NeAll, though deeply hurt at what he considered to be Dorothy Trendle- sham s want of appreciation and sympathy, worked hard and completed his play; but
 he resolved that nntil 1t was produced he
 would never tell her anything about t,
 looking forward tothe pleasure of making
 fhe announcement on the first night of it's
 performance-for that it would be accept
 d, and that it would be success, MT.
 Ronald Neall never for moment allowed
 himself to doubt, though he still determin-
 cd not to injure his reputation as . review
 er and serious writer by an appearance in public as dramatist, successful or other
 wise.
 And his confidence was not misplaced, for, having sent 1t to the manager of the Athenaum, he received . note to the effect
 that the play was suited to the theater, asking him his terms, and making arrange. ments for rehearsal. He immediately be- took himself to Jimmy Olaxton's, and easi- lS bound over that worthy to preserve an inviolsble secrecy as to the real authorship | of the play, declaring his. unaltefable de. termination not to allow his name to ap pear on the bills, and not to come before the curtain on the first night. The two
 ly understood one another, and Neall knew rerfectly well that he could rely upon Olax toms discretion and could trust him 10 di
 rect rehearsals, only attending himself al rare intervals in the capacity of an .unin ! terested friend of the managers.
 | Soon after the event recorded above the manager met Mir. Nash at dinner at the house of a mutual friend, and, feeling in { rather awkward position as one of tho earliest feiectors of Mir. Nash's dramatic I efort, came round after the ladies had Jeff the table and said to him "I say, oli
 fellow, I'm sorry about that play of yours | couldn't take 1t, because have another play in rehearsal, which will, am sure De such success that shan't want an other MS. for years. Itwas first-rate as { atory, and could be touched up into { grand play, I've no doubt I see yor haven't sent 1t to any one else.
 l Now the above was hardly in accord
 ance with the facts, seeing that Jimmy Olaxton had not accepted Neall's play tif weeks after the rejection of Nashfs; tha
 he saw that the said play was hopelesslJ bad, and that he had heard of the persist dnt ill luck of the ill-starred production frem at least half,a dozen other managers
 but "Jimmy" was tho soul of good nature
 The words he had let fall upon MT. Nashi dars, however, were like the Chinese pitt
 flowers, which oneithrows upon warm wa
 tor and winch vehemently expand. A nes play, and he not know of if? Here Wa dinner party information for month Who was 1t by, and what was it about l "Oan't tell you, old fellow, much as- should Ike to; it's profound secret thu authors name won't be billed and h, won't appear on the first night-in fact, h 4ever will be known"
 But it must be known, sooner or later
 do tell me. promise will be silent Q
 the tonb," pleaded MT. Nash; ssand F, give anything to know. Come, now, I's done you many . good turn and you re