Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-17
By dsoR0e RANDOLPH CHESTER

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER XIII.
A Thirty DAY Option.
n MELISSA TRIP marched into
MI the library upon the assem-
1v bled Wallingfor1s and DAVIS
two evenings later with a
letter and a small sheaf Of newspaper
clippings in her hand. There's one
thing we haven't talked about" she
said. interrupting the planning Of the
great dance scene in the temple. I'VE
haven't made any business arrange
mentS."
Business arrangementsy repeated
Violet In surprise. II don't quite get
you. child. It's going to cost us
about 5000 real money to stage this.
and we're responsible for lot more.
But you needn't worry about it."
You don't understand me-" return
ed Melissa. You're expecting to
build the success of this whole dra-
matte production upon my talent, and
what want to know Is, What do 1
get?"
Somebody ought to tell you." OBJ
served Blackie.
That'll be about all. Blackie," ad.
monished Violet Bonnie. Remember.
she's from Squamosett. and she's our
guest. At the same time. yon 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. -
II don't know about that" insisted
Melissa. "I've been pracdcing 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 II It fails after all
my labor and all my skill and all my
personality I get nothing. Is this
fair?"
Violet Bonnie nearly choked. NO.
she confessed. ut looks Ike a scheme
to do you; but. believe me. It 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. guarantee?"
Something Like that" agreed Melts-
sa. I've just had a letter from Pro
lessor Flopsie. He's sent me his col
lection Of what he has read In the pa
pers about musical comedies. and he
tells me that nineteen in every twenty
fail. Now. I'm just beginning my ca
reer. andI must watch out for myself
I think I-Ought to have certain guar
auteed salary. and then. OF course. II
the profits go over that SO much the
better"
wallingford and Blackie exchanged
glances of keen delight, but Violet
Bonnie did not pause to exchange
glances with any one.
when I was a kid" she calmly ex-
planned. eve had 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?
"Only what earn" stated Melissa
modestly. professor F1opsie- sent me
clipping showing the salaries of
prominent dancers. They range from
about $3.50 TO $1,000 a week and some.
1 believe, even larger than that But
I'd be satisfied in the beginning Just
to take the general average"
Solemnly Blackie opened the door of
the celaret and handed bottle and
a glass to his wife. She waved away
those tribes. being in no need Of slim
ulants. x
II get you" she told Melissa. III !
wasn't so crazy about my own scenario
/ would Introduce you to the managers.
But III tell you what we'll do with
you, Melissa. Well tx it SO that you
don't have to gamble at all. Well
finance this thing ourselves; but. win
or lose. we'll guarantee you $50 week
and give you fourth Of the profits
above that. I don't ike to fuss with
q guest but those are the terms"
II suppose that for this first engage.
ment am compelled to take what you
offer me-" accepted Melissa. with the
air of a martyr. II reserve the privi-
1exe, however, OF leaving your produc-
tion at any moment that ! get better
offer. How long an engagement do
you guarantee meY
zone minute" returned Violet. tear
ing piece Of insertion ont Ut her
gown. 1--WE reserve the right to dire
Won and get real dancer any time
you don't make.good."
II feel secureIin my art. announced
Melissa stifay. mo one can take that
from. me-" And she went to bed.
aIfIher art was catching they'd Quar-.
antine her!" ragged Violet. ~. .!
nose getting red. Fannie?"
Il was fully five minutes before nh
Twas able to Join the rest OF them il
1.-The enjoyment Of the funny side of ]
hll. and she was through with /
quicker.
Everybody says have a sweet dis
|posttion," she explained, land l know
Il have; but, honest to Christmas. folks
this Flopsie academy graduate has m
branglng feather pillows in the nigh
Ind calling them Melissa! There's on
thing sure, though-she's fixed it SO
have to make this goat piece win o
Idle of apoplexy. Now, we'll all fou
Ichip in and become producers in carr
lest"
.Yor,N have to count me out" d