Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-10-02

winch HiSiHS LUX HIS lcdNc ne car
ried the play slowed away in his
overcoat pocket. Margaret had even
convinced him that it might be act
able if well revised by a competent
hand. But that this girl could write
a play, unaided, good enough for a
first-class theater-the idea was
laughable. A pretty girl of four-and-
twenty, with red-brown hair, clear
gray eyes; bright and clever, I'M
doubleday, but not clever enough to
succeed where Sc many men had
failed.
He looked into it the same even
ing, and decided to have it typewrit-
ten before reading it. Then the first
spare evening he had after it had re-
turned from the typewriter he sat
down resolutely to read it.
Greatly to his surprise, it proved
quite unlike his expectations. There
seemed no trace of ~amateurism or
schoolgirl sentiment about it; in
brief, it was surprisingly good. The
plot, if not original, was cleverly
treated; the construction was little
open to criticism, and the dialogue
was bright and effective.
whoever would have thought that
girl could write like that?" he asked
himself aloud, in amazement, and a
little envy crept into his voice, for
he, himself, he knew, could not i'm
prove it.. One of his ambitions had
been to be a dramatist himself, but
he was critic enough to know his
w attempts in this line were poor.
Margaret must have a natural in
stinct for stage writing.
Margaret did not conceal her Joy
at his favorable report. 81 hoped
you would like it," she said, "for
really | mistrusted my own opinion
Now, who am | to send it to?" .
"You had better leave that part tc
me-"
Indeed, I would prefer to-, if il
isn't troubling you too much"
Not at all. Well, / shall try Har.
court Dare first. Not only is he the
most likely manager, but l know hin
personally, and anything l recon-
mend he will, l know, read carefully
But don't be impatient for results
1t will be some time before | have
news either good or bad, to report"
One afternoon Margaret went with
her aunt, Mrs. Summers, to a bis
afternoon reception. Many nota
bilities in the theatrical world were
present-among them. she was told
Harcourt Dare, the owner of the Ores
cent theater. She was keenly anx
ious to see him, and from her sea
watched the crowd, seeking tn,
lineamsnts of the well-known actor
manager.
Presently a man drew neal VIII,
looked like him, and the next mo
ment she knew her guess was cor
rect, for a woman called him b,
name, and he turned, retraced hi
steps, and, stopping in front of Mis-
Halston, began to converse. Mar
garet heard every word.
The lady, who appeared to be a,
ardent admirer of the actor, bega1
questioning him on his future thea
trical plans.
What will you open with afte
your summer tour?" she q~uerieC
"Are we to see you in Hamlet?"
The actor-manager, who held Mar
garet's literary fate in his hands
smiled and shook his head.
at will come, of course-every actor
! manager is bound to play Hamlet
but not this year. No, my plans hav
been recently altered. l had though
of a costume playa sword and cap
drama of the sixteenth century-bu
, I've decided that's overdone lately.
. shall go back to modern comedy. T
l let you into a secret, I've discovere
a new playwright"
=, so, this is interesting! May on
) ask for more details?"
Its an open secret. 1t will be i
the papers in a few days. I've az
cepted for immediate production
/. modern comedy l like extremely
It's a brilliant piece of work an
bound to succeed. It's called "A
!, Impentinent Woman"
"Ana who is the writer?" asked tn
lady. Margaret held her breat
while she listened for her nam,
Should she introduce herself, she dt
/ bated.
cts a young dramatic critic, Ris
ing by name," said the actor-mant
ger. "a smart young fellow, but
l.. never thought he had it in him to d
such clever work. He has a future
| a great future before him, unless II
) much mistaken-but let us find
couple of chairs"
: They walked on, and Margart
leaned back in her chair, white an
half fainting. Mrs. Summers, WI
had hitherto been talking to
friend, happened to turn to he
Good gracious, Margy!" she erie
you look like a ghost! What is tt
) matter, child?"
81 feel faint, a%untie; the room
badly ventilated. I think | shou.
: like to go home"
: BY sheer strength of will she COZ
trolled herself sufficiently to wa
downstairs, and they drove HON
Arrived there, the girl managed
: make light of her faintness, and g.
rid of her aunt, saying she was G
: ing to lie down in her room. 81
locked the door, and, throwing he
self on her bed, cried till her ey'
: were sore and hot and swollen.
1t was Herbert's treachery tn,
struck hardest. Had it been anyol
else indignation would have ma
r tered her, but she was too owe
whelmed to be angry.
She had trusted him 50 implicitly
more, she had learnt gradually
1ova him Che 1rpaxu II now for ri