The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-05

and pay you hundred dollars week
that g EGO sterling English money. If
own time. You've good deal of tai
ent for the stage, and my theater is
going to make you.-that's what you we
to say, to yourself, Charles lizard will
produce me and his name spells money:
AS I say, take your own time to think
it over. And don't forget you are the
first woman in all my life, to whom I
have offered hundred dollars week
OF: a first engagement.
Eta listened a little timidly: to these
frank and businesslike proposals. Such
a situation as this had never occurred
to her when she left her home in Derby
shire and set out upon this mad es-
capade. She had asked for a hearing
from a man who made it his boast that
he saw and heard everyone who cared to
approach him. The tone Of her letter,
the restraint of it, the fact that she had
known Haddon Hall all her life, that
every bit of that splendid ruin, every
gardens, were familiar to her, struck
a note Of assent in the great American 8
imagination and compelled him to send
for her. He believed that at the outset
she would serve for 'walking-on'
part: When he saw her, he asked her to
heard her on the stage. Then he said,
s.Here is born actress, and not only
that but an aristocrat besides. - The
secrecy which had attended her appli-
cation whetted his desire to engage her.
II will play for month for nothing
she had said. Even Charles lizard did
not feel disposed to offer her a smaller
sum. ---s.. r. e."
And here he was talking of agree
ments for a term Of three years and Of
ego week.
How to answer him Eta did not
know. .. 1
She was, perfectly well aware that
Any day might bring letter from her
father in which he would speak Of a
return to Derbyshire. The mythical
visit to Aunt Anne, which had been her
excuse to the servants at home, would
be exploded in a moment should her
uation had it's humors. eff only I
dare tell Mr.. Izard,' she had said to
herself, knowing well that she would
not tell him unless it were as last re-
= source.
"You are as kind to me as the crit
ics,' she exclaimed upon. pause,
which greatly alarmed that shrewd man
of business--he had expected her to
jump down his throat at the offer.
'sYou are very kind to me-, Mr.. lizard,
and you Will not misunderstood me
when =, hesitate. :; I have a. told told
haps am tired Of the stage already; I
1 do not know. I feel quite unable to
say anything about it today. It is all
so new to me. I want to be quite sure
that I am success before I accept any
ones money" = n a..s..T' -
Her reply astonished Lizard very
much, tho he tried to conceal his an
noyance. Shutting his papers with
fat hand, upon which great diamond
ring sparkled, he breathed little heav
lily and then asked almost under his
breath: u ~ s
"Any one else been round9"
."Do you mean to ask me have any
other offers?" ~. ,@ @4 MI,
'That s 500
Gas frankly, none--at present. -"
He looked at her shrewdly. @
Expecting them, [ suppose?'t -.
81 have never thought of it, she
said. greatly amused at the turn affairs
were taking. 'tOf course, L know that
successful people do get offers"
,"But not twice from Charles lizard, =
turning round in his chair he looked her
straight in the face and said, Suppose
make it $500" >
"Oh,'' she reioined, it really is not
a question Of money, Mr.. lizard -
nNo," he said savagely, ..it's that t
he--talking of what he could doa
best. That man will be waiting on my
wait patiently. Think it over when
I, you re tossing BIS both. in the blanket.
He's a back number; I'm dozen edi-
tions.''
Eta was seriously tempted to smile
at this frightened earnestness and at
the great man g idea Of her shrewdness.
She could not forget, however, that he
had given her the opportunity she had
so greatly longed for to put the dreams
Of her girlhood to the proof. And for
that she would remain lastingly CRATE
full. So
Ny dear Mr.. lizard, - she said, 81
fear you don't understand me at all.
Who M. Belinger may be, / don 4
/ know; but he certainly has not made
me any offers. And Just as certainly
should / refuse them if he did so. You
\ -ha1 hoo1l r01lS oh 70 a