The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-05-08

A VALUABLE PLAY.
5ooooooooooooooooooooooo
BY BERTHA D. ALsoP.


Adolph Stenterton at thirty had
made such rapid strides as a theatrical
manager that he owned two theaters.
Everything seemed to come his way,
including requlted love, for he was en-
gagged to Miss Mildred Linn, the daugh-
ter of Alonzo Bernhard Linn, retired
merchant, perfectly able to portion her
off on the day Of her wedding. Every
thing was moving ON oiled wheels with
MIR. Stentcrton when trouble came as
result Of n bit OF carelessness for
which he had no one to blame but
himself. N
Mr.. Linn was possessed Of literary
tastes, which on his retirement he pro-
ceeded to cultivate. He wrote n novel
that proved quite success. Then
his prospective son-in-law suggested
that he try his hand at play. Mr..
Linn demurred on the ground that, not
having knowledge of stage require
ments, he would not know how to 1T
his play for production on the boards.
Mr.. Stenterton told him that he would
gladly collaborate with him in that re-
spect. Mr. Linn consented, and the
play was written.
At the time its author handed It in
for perusal the marriage between STEM
terton and Miss Linn was being
planned to take place in the near fu-
ture. Then for the first time it oc-
Cured to the young manager that a
criticism on production of one whose
son-in-law he was about TO become In
volved a rather delicate situation. Mr..
Linn had not shown himself amenable
to adverse criticism and IL 1t were Of
fered might take offense and turn
against the critic on the eve Of his
wedding. Mr.. Linn was amlable, even
jovial, but tride vain Of his talents.
Stenterton, when he went TO his rooms
on the evening be received the manu-
script, took It with him. He stopped
on the way at one of his theaters and
didn't reach his rooms till midnight.
II was a week before he found an OPP
portunlty TO read the manuscript, then,
after hunting for II in every nook and
Granny Of his rooms, came to the con-
cluslon that II was lost. This was
the bit Of carelessness that brought
trouble to the young expectant bride
groom.
The first thing he did was to make a
casual inquiry OF the author IL he had
a duplicate copy Of the play. When he
received mo" for an answer the bot
tom seemed to drop out of the universe,
and when Mr. Linn added, "Pve done
a lot Of work on that play, and II you
lose It I'll never forgive you," the
young man nearly swooned. He
couldn't attend TO business during the
day and couldn't sleep nights. Finally
plan-a desperate plan, 1t is true
suggested itself. He told Mr.. Linn that
he had read his play and had found 1t
immense. There was, however, want
Of smoOthness in 1t consequent upon
It's putting together All that would
disappear under a rewriting. He ad-
vised that this be done without seeing
the original manuscript. Mr.. Linn
considered the matter, but finally de-
cided not to adopt the suggestion.
Stenterton's last hope was dashed.
Weeks passed and the play was not
mentioned The young couple set n
day for the wedding. The parent de-
INJURED. He wanted to know when he
was to receive reply to the accept.
ance Of his play. "These managers"
he said to his daughter, "are making
us playwrlghts tired with their mat
tentlon. II my own son-in-law is ca
pable Of treating me thus I'd rather
he wouldn't be my son-in-law."
One day Mr. Linn. yielding to his
daughters solicitations. consented to
forego the treatment he had received
from her fiance so far as to permit
the wedding TO take place. But he
said that for a wedding gift they must
be content with the play. He meant
to force Stenterton to get out OF II
what there was in It,
OF course this was disappointment
to the young couple, but great relief.
Arrangements for the wedding were
made. aud, now that Mr.. Linn had sat
lsfied his pride In the matter OF his
play. he seemed more amiable with re-
spect to the approaching nuptials,
"Your wedding present will make you
rich, Mlllle," lie said. "It's worth $780,
900. and know It." 'RatsF exclalm-
ed Stenterton when he heard this.
"He talks just like every other ANA.
teur playwright They all think there
is fortune in their work. But, thank
heaven, I'm out OF the scrape. Pm
satisfied"
On the morning Of the wedding MIR.
Linn handed the pair box which, he
said, contained their wedding present.
"But l thought your play was TO be
our present from you, papa" said Mil
dred. "Haye you relentedY
mot at all. said my play was
worth $4,000. You'll get nothing from
me except that"
Meanwhile Mildred opened the box.
There was the missing manuscript.
"For heavens sakeg exclaimed the
girl.
"How did you get it?7 asked the
young man, turning all the shades
healthy flesh can turn.
"You left it in carriage the even
ing gave 1t to you. 1t bad my name
on 1t and was returned TO me-"
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