The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-14

two days when the reason for her trip
was made clear to her. She had gone
to the theater because the drama was
her hobby. and she longed some day to
stand before the curtain a successful
playwright. Her experience had been
anything but pleasant, since Nan was
not made of ths~hber that copes favor
sketches had been kept in theatrical Of
fees and returned to her without COM
ment after months had passed
SO while Nan sat scanning the pro-
gram II did not occur to her that one
Of the greatest moments Of her life was
about to transplre.
When the curtin went up Mans breath
seemed to be flung back into her lungs
as in a great flame. The scene before
her was of her own creation
She had dreamed II in a moment Of in
spiration, and had put II into the sketch
that managers had returned to her. Nan
felt that she would die as she sat there
in the theater with the knowledge that
her wonderful plot had been stolen and
turned into a strong three-act play She
was dizzy, Ill. and for the first time in
her life longed for violence with which
man would attack the person who had
robbed him.
The play was supposed to be a trans
men whose names appeared as the trans
)ators were even then involved in a law
lit for plagiarism.
Nan arose from her seat because she
could not sit longer and retain her con-
troll. She wanted to scream out at those
puppets who were speaking her very
lines unmindful Of her emotions. Not
conscious of where she was going. Nan
found herself seeking the manager.
he in he
stormed at him in so volcanic and inco-
herent manner that he only laughed al
her.
My dear child" he said finally. II
know nothing whatever about you or
your play. This play has been running
for six months, and you can sue as much
as you like. think you'n find II a losing
game. Good afternoon
Nan was boiling with rage. She knew
that had she possessed masculine
strength she would have closed her fin
gers about the throat of that manager,
She went out of the theater and walked
blindly down the street With each step
she seemed to feel herself stamping and
crushing everything connected with The
world Of theaters
She could not stay in Chicago longer.
With her own play running to packed
houses and making a fortune for those
who had stolen II from her. Nan dashed
back to New York, hurled there BY that
unseen force which had sent her to Chi
cago.
When she poured her story into the
sympathetic ear of John Muller he
laughed softly.
Your manner OF demanding your
rights was rather volcanic, wasn't IT,
he asked. He looked at her tenderly.
Now tell me the exact claims You have
az RNWNuW h.
copyright papers from Washington, your
letters and receipts from the manager
to whom you sent 1t and the original
manuscript"
Nan laughed.
Il am sufficient OF a business woman
to have kept them ALL" she told him.
will you trust them to me for a short
time, l am not in the least sure that
can do anything. but let me have a look
at all the papers you have"
When the papers were all safely in his
hands, Nan seemed relieved of a ire
mendous weight. She breathed more
freely than she had since her trip to Chi
cago, and her nights rest was undis-y
turbed by haunting visions of play pi-
rates and managers.
In an incredibly short space Of time
John Muller returned from a trip West
He had considered the winning OF Nan
wen Wi III the TRIP IN ner interests
knowing his business well. Muller had
instigated proceedings against the CO.
authors Of the play. and also sued for
back royalties, as well as the appear
ance OF Mans name in connection with
the production.
Man" he said. when he handed her
check for such a sum as to make her
gasp, Il am glad your play was stolen.
because / have decided now to become
q theatrical lawyer. There is splendid
money in that game"
Nan gaZed steadily in Muller's eyes
and the truth of her own emotion re-
garding him swept suddenly over her.
She leaned quickly nearer him and her
soft arms tVined about him.
And I have decided that I cannot get
along another moment without you. l
think I have loved you forever. but had
not vision enough to see the reality of
it"
You think you can find some use for
a man after all" John laughed happily
and gathered her into his arms.