Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-27
LOVE LETTERS OF
A. NOODLE, ESQ.
BY John KENDRICK BANGS

upon you more than friend and while that has all
become thing of the and has ceased occupy her
attention minor degree, she feels that in view of
what has been she should chance to regain
of these unusual letters lnasuch the offer Miss
Nynne has received for their publication entirely
of confidence between the lady and her publishers
state the figures thereof but should
self possibly revised form, she is willing consider
reasonable offer from you, through starting with the
of ten thousand dollars basis for discussion unless
perchance you deny the authorship of qes
ton in which stand ready to refresh memory
with such proofs we sure you will find convincing
In conclusion shall appreciate the courtesy of
prompt reply to this letter conveniently
Southern her play The Fool and His Money in
which she successfully starred last and in
you interested in the of letters she
would like to be able to the other parties the aa
tive they SO DESTROYS of having.
Respectfully yours.
SHARPE, SKINNER & SoN.
Die M.B.-J.S.Jr by j. Skinner, Jr.
Robertson prsed his lips tightly as he read "Humph."
he observed quietly when he had finished THAT letter
has the paradoxical quality of being both and well
done at the same time. You've been-er-eX exercising
your literary genius on Myrtle Vynne, have YOU"
Il have written her few letters, said Nottingham
sheepishly.
"Ninety-and nine, apparently said the lawyer re-
vertng to the letter before him "Thats few for
busy man to be able to take on in addition to his
There's nothing funny about this, you know, Rob-
ertson," retorted Nottingham.
81 should say not!' returned Robertson. "That is,
it won't be funny for you; but perhaps it may strike
the public humorously. When a who is-lets see,
how old you, WHIT
"Forty-six" growled Nottingham.
Thanks" said Robertson coolly "Thats about
what thought was going to say that when man who
has got to fotysx years of with all the experience
of the world that is supposed to go with that number
gets tangled up with lady whose biennial divorces
almost much part of the calendar leap year. it
bad enough; but when, in addition to this forty-six,
he writes ninety-nine mushy bits of sentiment to"
"Now, see here, Rob, interrupted Wintringham des
peratey. Cut that out! l haven't asked you for
lecture the general subject of mortal asinnity This
isn't any kindergarten affair
"Thats relief Wint," said Robertson dryly Il
afraid it If these letters not of the usual
kindergarten nature wherein puppy love dspors itself
all its glorious inCapacty for cOmmonsense all right
Let EN- go ahead and print EN-
Print em?" roared Nottingham, aghast "Good
Lord Robertson! Print EN-? Read them, Man, read
them
with your kind permission | WILL" said the lawyer
THE two men retired to the quiet upper regions of
the club library where Robertson, putting on his
bone-rmmed spectaces, thereby Transforming himself
into picture of owike wisdom and stern aloofness
began peruse the typewriter copy of Wintringhams
letters Wintringham meanwhile sitting in moody 81
ence varied by an occasional nervous turn at strding
inpatiently up and down the floor
Great Heavens Whit calculated Robertson after
he had read for five minutes "When did you take up
this style of thing? Listen here Last night dreamed
that wandered by the side of a mountain stream
you and /, Myrtle dear, my own and your own, hand
in hand like two Children"
"Ihatn dol" muttered Wintringhan.
"Did you really write that Whit" demanded Rob
ertSOn.
a did" confessed Wintrngham with sigh that al
most reached to the foundations of the clubhouse.
"Two chldren Ye gods' said Robertson. Zone
child fortv-six wears old male writer of distinction
walking hand in hand with another kid with peroxd
locks aged not minutes under forty with three
husbands already in the matrimonial discard That's
going in the Juvenile line! It's wonder to
your ordinarily literary instincts did not prompt
you sign this thing 'Fido Maybe you did-wheres
the signature? Robertson turned the manuscript
page.
"Heavens!' he cried "Will wonders cease