Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-28

tiers to q puDllSner dn0 4 tneaU1c0I
manager. respectively. Ned had lit
tie hope that his novel would be &C.
cepted, but was confident that Jacks
play would triumph. The latter had
no faith in his OWE comedy, but had
little doubt that Ned's novel would
fill the publisher with delight. They
had been on the anxious seat for a
week, and had begun to realize that
there are some occupations even worse
than waiting for the client that lever
1.-The fact Is. Ned" said Jack, 1--WE
are very foolish to expect any news SC
soo I have heard that publishers
sometimes keep a novel for months
before they look at 1t, and managers
have any number of plays on their
shelves that they have read"
That's an Old-fashioned idea, Jack.
Publishers and managers are looking
for new talent all the time. Wen
hear 500 enough. 1t, does to
me as though we ought to be success
full in these ventures. We've had no
luck in love or law; Literature owes us
reparation."
Perhaps 80. By the way, I some
times feel as If we should have been
more aggressive In those first two
Us We have done too much waiting
and too little hustling, l fear"
At this moment a step in the hallway
attracted their attention. 1t was not
the postman. They knew, too well,
his shutting gait. Even the dusty
books and boxes seemed to listen Gag
erly. Could 1t be that a client had
fallen at length a victim to the gilded
legend. The door opened and Count
Kovinsky entered the office.
The Daltons had a slight %acquaint-
ance with this man with a Polish
name and Il French accent. They had
w heard anything good Of him,
and were astonished at his entrance.
What could he want with them during
business hours?
Bon jour, messleurs! May I have
Il moment Of your valuable timer
Certainly, Count Kovinsky; be
seated. We are at your service"
Il have come to you, gentlemen, to
have you do a leetle of zee law for
me-"
The gilded legend on the door was
triumphant at last. The books and
tin boxes looked chagrined and the
spider on the top shelf died of astonish-
ment.
"Yes?' remarked Jack with males
tic calmness.
Eyes, l intend to sue Monsieur Wei.
don-you know him-for money he has
obtained of MT from what you call
false p%retenses.'
Il thought you and Weldon were
great friends" broke in Ned, NAL.
adroitly.
1--WE were, but last night we had a
quarrel and l found he was a scoun.
drel."
"How much does he owe you?" ask.
ed Jack, as though used to cross-ex.
aminations.
about ten thousand dollars"
"Whew! why did you get in so
deep? l don't know how you will
w get 1t back. Weldon is worth
nothing"
"Zat may be, but he is soon to marry
G rich Mees Marsden and he will
then have plenty of money. See?"
The Daltons started as though Koy.
insky had drawn a revolver. What
did he mean: They had not heard of
the success Of Weldon and Ashton,
and. of course, did not know that the
Marsdens were still rich.
Before l go any farzer / will tell
you somezing." continued Kovinsky,
whose t~reacherous face had acquired
for the time a most disagreeable ex-
preston. You know Ashton? He is
engaged to zee oZzer sister. LAY won
e girls on zee dice. Gay zrew ware
near six hundred and sixty-six-and
o two millions, n'est-ce pas?"
The Daltons could not grasp his
meaning.
"You will have to be more explicit"
remarked Jack. Thereupon Kovinsky
told in detail the story of the dice
throwing and it's results.
You see," he concluded, "eef l
scare Weldon by beginning a suit
against him he will pay me as soon as
he gets his grasp on his wife's money"
"And what if he never marries Miss
Marsden?' asked Jack
"Zen l will send him to prison."
There was silence for a moment.
Then Jack said, rather sternly:
"We find 1t impossible to take your
case, Count Kovinsky."
why" asked the Frenchman, pale
with anger.
THAT question we are not obliged to
answer. Good morning."
Jack and Ned gazed at each other
in silence for a moment. Then the
former said:
"We must go to them at once, Ned.
We must open their eyes to this vile
plot"
At that instant the postman knocked
at the door. 1.-TWO letters. gentlemen"
Good heaven, Jack, they have ac-
cepted my novel;" cried Ned a moment
later.
God bless you, old man; you'll be.
the American Balzac yet. And, look
here: The manager writes that he will
produce my comedy If l will change
slightly the last act. Change 1t. Great