The age-herald., 1900-04-22
MISS BR|DEWELL ID GO ABROAD
The Condition of Her Contract With Mr. Grau Indicates His Faith in the Future of the Younq
 American Singer.
BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.

BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.
 MARY JOHNSTON IS THE woman of the hour among New Yorks literati. Since her arrival there few weeks ago she has been charmingly feted by the literary set. She has received so many invitations that it has been impossible for her to accept all the social courtesies that are being show cred upon her. Miss Johnston has apart ments at the San Reno, that exclusive ho- tel near Seventy-second street. Her visit to New York has been continued ovation, and her presence there has afforded the literary set an opportunity to lionize this modest littlo southern woman, whose books are the talk of two continents
 Knowing New York's aptitude at lioniz- ing, the attentions that Miss Johnston is receiving can be imagined, and knowing her own inclinatiens and tastes, her friends here realize that she would eliminate this phase of popularity that is a penalty of fame.
 That she cares little for notoriety is evil dent even without her expressed wish in the matter, for with the brilliant success that two winters have brought her. she remains entirely unchanged in her views regarding all personal gossip that may find
 
 I asked for an interview just previous to her departure for New York, she regard ed me with her expressive brown eyes, and with little pleading note in her voice asked that I not quote her in the papers.
 Do not come for q newspaper story" she said, quite charmingIy. but drop by for little social visit aad we will talk about everything"
 Joatti I cafd ole for such visit. To hear you speak of your work and not to be allowed to write of you is a temptation that I could not re- sist.'
 Miss Johnston, as is well Known, is in New York to consider propositions for the dramatizaton of both "Prisoners of Hope and ''ro Have and To Hold" With her social and business engagements there she incidentally enjoys the sight of flaming posters on Broadway announcing the daily sales of her book. It was her original in- tention to return to Birmingham by Eas- ter. and arrangements had been completed for a reception to be given in her honor by the Womans club immediately upon her return to the city. The date for the recep tion was announced for Wednesday, May 2, as members of the club desired to also entertain the visiting women at the fed / eration, and to give the large assembly of Alabama women who would be in the city opportunity of meeting Miss Johnston. The president of the club has received a characteristcaly charming letter from Miss Johnston in which she expresses her appreciation and qualification for the wish on the part of Birmingham women to tertain in her honor, and of her hope to come south in time to meet the many not able women who will attend the federation. It is probable, however, that Miss Johnston may be detained longer in New York than she at first anticipated. Preparations for the reception are being completed, how ever. with the hope that she may be able to come. and while it will be a keen disap- pontment if Miss Johnston cannot be pres- ent, still the visiting women at the feder- alton will be the guests of honor at the club on that afternoon, and the occasion will be a delightful one. The only regret that suggests itself is that many Alabama women will possibly be denied the pleasure of seeing Miss Johnston.
 Miss Johnston was the guest of the Woman's club in Richmond, Va, recently and she made most interesting little talk to the members and their guests It was recalled at the time that the two women who have written the most popu- lar novels in recent years were both Vir- ginians and that they both had lived in Alabama. Amele RVes resided in Mobile before she became famous as an author. while Mary Johnston has lived in Brming- ham since she was quite a young girl. that in a few years she has become an in-