Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1909-12-03
AN ANONYMOUS NOTE.
BY HELEN y. TURNER.

BY HELEN ". TURNER.
copyright, 1909. by American Press Asso-
| $S ciation.] 3i :%ggYY5 ID
The theatrical manager received
card on: which was, engraved Jules
| Nostand'', $$@l S:. I3s*. -
+ The manager tapped a bell. An at
tendant appeared and was directed to
admit the visitor. The latter entered
with roll of manuscript. $@t@
IN. Rostand," said the manager, ad-
vancing effusively and taking both
hands Of the visitor in his, II am de-
lighted to see you" ~ lss.. ..
pardon, sir; you have mistaken the
name. It is Nostand, not Rostand
am not the author OF 'Cyrano de
| Bergerac.'" -
mo; you are not, but. you are a
nephew Of the celebrated Rostand
| and have come from Paris to America
incognito to dispose of play written
under the guidance Of your uncle"
The, visitor stood looking in aston
ishment at the manager, then said:
! "May I ask how you became aware
Of that?'' 81, II. 4s,:
II was informed by an anonymous
note" :. ...:.,
| "Parbleu! It was agreed between
my uncle and myself. that 1 should
come over here and offer my play for
what it is intrinsically worth. Unless
| you will give me your promise not to
betray my identity my plan has
failed.'>z. -, -
"You need not 60 further with your
work. I am ready to make you IN
offer for it, " ~ ,7z',S 81, g."
| "1 prefer that it shall stand on its
|smerits." =
ut shall. If It is not worthy Of pro-
duction it shall not be placed by me
on the boards. I take especial pride
In giving to the public only such plays
as seem to me to be meritorious."
"But you said you were ready to
make me an offer for mine.''
"Certainly. Il knew that your uncle
would not consent to your offering an
inferior play and that no work could
be inferior which he had supervised"
The visitor. who had meanwhile been
invited to take a seat, sat tapping the
roll in his hand with his fingers. He
was evidently dissatisfied with the
turn the affair had taken.
"Come. M. Rostand, or Nostand, If
you prefer he continued. 81 will
take your: play home with me tonight,
read it and give you an answer to-
+ morrow. pledge you my word that
If think 1t will not be acceptable to
the public l shall decline it and you
shall be free to offer 1t where you like,
/ agreeing to keep your secret"
"since you already possess that Sc.
cret." replied the. author. with evident
reluctance. II can do nothing but what
you propose. | therefore leave my
manuscript with you till tomorrow
u morning at-What hour r. ..s.. + .gss5s3.sss
Ten o'clock Nine IL you prefer IT,
4 4 3#s"'I will call at 10. 4 shall rely upon
q youzto ignore me and my uncle's repu.
tation in the matter and produce my
play only If you consider 1t meritori.
GUS" =. $3.50. ,%.5|s-&..: "s.,s
1 Certainly - $50 :
>. "Remembersthat my own name, Nos.
tand must be published as the au
thor, not that Of my uncle
Il The manager stroked his beard com.
! placently and looked at the author
4 through pair Of shrewd. twinkling
eyes. * * p 49, & w. ..l .:z:,.
I I. 81 81 the play want" he said, .'not
II <9,aas e d f1nosSssf sgal "a l&>r II r&as5:S
9shs The author withdrew; while the man
Il sager,I RETURNING sto 5his desk, opened .
h drawer and took out q printed form q
contract. the blank spades Of which b
til iiisss Then4he unlocked 9
& safe, put M. Nostand's manuscript
Is Within its steel doors. shot the bolts
! and, taking up his hat and cane, left
the theater. " y $ & >.>s. j. 's s5s "
u The next morning at 10 o'clock the
E manager Was in his Office awaiting 6
cali from M. Nostand. At II o'clock
\ when he had not appeared, the brow
\ Of the man who had dattered himsel,
!, thatshe had secured a prize began t
. darken., But. rememb ering that he hat
the play locked III bis safe. his com
placency returned to him. At 11:3t
8 the author: was announced. He@was
received with distinguished considera
tion. The manager handed him thu
N contract ne had prepared.
Il that's this? e, asked the author
3 glancing at the document.
You u think. = said the manager
s'that $1,000 advance payment is no
y enough. Very well, I win make I
. $40 O0O. Il
6 Ten thousand, : repeated N. Nos
q land In amazament. s}sSsE
"And the royalty ] Will double al
WELL z NE,
DO you consider my poor eGorfl
u worth so much r. 81 5$:2i