The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-09-25
CHAPTER xiii.
AThirty Day Option.

N MELISSA TRIP marched into
M tile library upon the assem-
lV bled Wallingfords and DAVIS
two evenings later with a
letter and small sheaf Of newspaper
clippings in her hand. There's one
thing we haven't talked about" she
said. interruptine the pl ming of the
great dance scene in the temple. 1--WE
haven't made any business arrange
ments."
Business arrangements?" repeated
Violet in surprise. II don't quite get
you, child. It's going to cost us
about $4,000 real money to stage this.
and we're resp for lot more.
But you needn't worry about it."
"You don't understand me-" return
cd Melissa. You're expecting to
build the success OF this whole dra-
matte production upon my talent, and
whit l want to know is, What do l
gct?"
Somebody ought to tell you" OBJ
served BInckic. .l
"rhatll be about all, Blackie," adj
monfshed Violet Bonnie. Remember.
she's from Squamosett. and she's our
guest. at the same time, you might
be right. Why, Melissa, none Of US
had figured on anything but to give
you the total profits"
''But suppose there shouldn't be
any?' queried Melissa calmly. .
"Then we all get the hook" laughed
Violet. 1--WE get it little worse than
you do. to be sure, but we can stand 1t"
81 don't know about that" insisted
Melissa. 1--WE been practicing for
three years. and I'm sure Of my art.
This musical comedy may fail. 1t
may not be the proper setting for my
performance. and if it fails after all
my labor and all my skill and all my
personality get nothing. Is this
faIr?"
Violet Bonnie nearly choked. "No."
she confessed. ut looks like scheme
to do you; but. believe me, 1t shan't be
done in this house. I'm going to have
an extra lock put on your door so that
nobody slips in and steals your art.
What do you want, n guaranteed"
Something like that" agreed Melis-
so. 1--WE just had letter from Pro-
fessor Flopsie. Hes sent me his col
lection of what he has reud in the pm
pers about musical comedies. and he
tells me that nineteen in every twenty
fail. Now. Pm just beginning my ca
reer, and l must watch out for myself.
think ought to have IL certain guar
anteed salary. and then, Of course, If
the profits so over that so much the
better"
Wallingrord and Blackie exchanged
glances OF keen delight, but Violet
Bonnie did not pause to exchange
glanccs with any one. :
when l was kid" she calmly ex-
planned. 1--WE had a tramp come to our
house and get square meal. with hot
coffee and hot biscuits and all the
trimmings. and then he tried to burn
down the house because we had no
pie. But he was piker. About how
much salary do yOu think you want
Caruso's or just Tetrazzini's?"
"Onfy what l earn" suited Melissa
modcstly. professor Flopsie sent me
Il clipping showing the salaries OF
prominent dancers. They range from
about $3.50 to $1,000 week and some.
believe, even larger than that. But
Ill be satisfied in the beginning just
to take the general average"
SoIemnly BIackie opened the door OF
the ccllaret and handed a bottle and
n glass to his wife. She waved away
those trifes. being in no need Of slim
ulants.
'I get YOU" she told Melissa. "Jf Z
wasn't so crazy about my own scenario
would introduce you to the managers.
But I'll tell you what we'll do with
you. Melissa. Well fix it so that you
don't have to gamble ut all. Well
finance this thing ourselves; but. win
or lose. we'll guarantee you $50 n week
and give you fourth OF the profits
above that. don't like to fuss with
a guest. but those are the terms"
81 suppose that for this FIRST engage
ment l am compelled TO take what you
offer me-" accepted Melissa. with tho
air OF II martyr. II reserve the privi-
leSe. however. of leaving your produc-
ticn Mt any moment that | get n better
offer. How long IN engagement do
you guarantee me?"
zone minute" returned Violet. tear-
ing piece Of Insertion out Of her
gown. I'VE reserve the right to fire
you and get real dancer any time
you don't make good"
81 feel secure in my art" announced
Melissa stifly. mo one can take that
from me-" And she went to bed,
..If her art was catching they'd quar-