Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-05-07
A VALUABLE PLAY.
By BERTHA o. ALsoP,

made such rapid strides a. theatrical
manager that he owned two theaters.
Everything seemed to come his way,
Including Fcquited love, for be was en-
gagged 70 Miss Mildred Linn, the daugh-
ter Of AIonxo Bernhard Linn, retired
merchant, perfectly able to portion her
on on the day OF her wedding. Every
thing was moving on oiled wheels with
Mr.. Stenterton when trouble came as
result Of a BIT OF caFeiessness for
which he had no one to blame but
himself.
Mr.. Linn was possessed Of literary
tastes, which on his retirement he pro-
ceeded 10 cultivate. He wrote a novel
that proved quite a success. Then
his prospective Son-in-law suggested
that he try hts hand Mt play. Mr..
Linn demurred on the ground that, not
having q knowledge Of stage require
ments. be would not know how TO fit
his play for production ON the boards.
Mr.. stenterton told him that he would
gladly cpllaborate with him In that re-
mpect. Mr.. Linn consented, and the
play was written.
AZ the time its author handed It In
for perusal the marriage between Sten-
t@rton 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
criticism on production Of one whose
son-in-Iaw he was about to become In
yclved a rather delicate situation. Mr..
Lam had not shown himself amenable
10 adverse criticism and II Il were Of
fnred might take offense and turn
against the critic on the eve Of his
wedding. Mr.. Linn was amiable, even
jovfal, but tribe vain " his talents.
Bterterton, when he went To his rooms
on the evening be received the manu-
script. took Il with him. He stopped
on the way at one Of hin theatera and
didn't reach his rooms tllI midnight.
It was a week before he found an OPP
portunity to read the manuscript, then,
after hunting for II in every nook and
Granny Of his rooms, came 10 the con-
clusion that II was lost This was
she bit OF careleasness that brought
trouble 10 the young expectant bride
groom.
The fiFat thing he did was to make a
casual inquiry Of the author II he had
duplicate copy Of the play. When he
received 'non for an answer the bot
tom seemed 10 drop out Of the universe.
and when Mr. Linn added. 'I've done
lot Of work on that play, and II you
lose II I'LL never forgive you" the
young man nearly swooned. He
couldn't attend 10 business during the
day and couldn't sleep nights. Finally
plan-a desperate plan, II II true
suggested itself, He told MIR. Linn that
b. had read his play and had found 1t
immense. There was, however, want
Of smoothness in It consequent upon
is putting together. All that would
disappear under a rewriting. He ad-
vised that this be done without seeing
tine original manuscript. Mr.. Linn
considered the matter, but finally de-
cided not to adopt the suggestion.
etsnterton's last hope was dashed.
Weeks passed and the play was not
mentioned The young couple set
day for the wedding. Tho parent de
INJURED He wanted TO know when he
was to receive a reply to the accept.
ance Of his play. 'srheae managers"
hs said to his daughter. fare making
N playwrlghta tired with their mat
tantion. If my own son-in-law Is ca
pahle Of treating me thus ia rather
IN wouldn't be my son-ln.law."
One day Mr.. Linn. yielding to his
daughters solicitations, consented to
forego the treatment be had received
from her fiance 30 far as to permit
tina wedding to take place. But he
aaid that for a wedding gift they must
DO content with the play, He meant
10 force stenterton to get out OF 1t
what there was IN 1t.
OF course this was a disappointment
to the young couple. but great relief.
Arrangements for the wedding were
made. aud. now that Mr., Linn had sat.
isfied hts pride in the matter Of his
play. he seemed more amiable with re-
spect to the approaching nuptials.
''Iour wedding present win make you
rich. Mile. he said. "It's worth $780,
600. and know it, "RataF' exciaim-
"a stenterton when he heard this.
Tie talks just like every other anna
tenr playwright They all think there
II fortune In their work. But, thank
heaven. I'm out Of the scrape. I'm
satisfied
On the morning Of the wedding Mr..
lam handed the pair a boz which. he
said. contained their wedding present.
"Rut thought your play was to be
cur present from you. papa said Mil
drea sIEaye you relentedfs
"Not at all l said my play was
worth $4,000 Yon'n get nothing from
NJ except that"
Meanwhile Mildred opened the box.
There was the missing manuscript.
"For heavens saker' exclaimed the
GIRL.
sHew did you set itF' asked the
young man. turning all the ahades
healthy flesh can turn.
ssYou left Il IN a carriage the even
ing gave Il to you. II bad my name
fsa Al and was rSfarnaA 10 ma