Evening star., 1915-01-03

that ism important. Your manuscript and authors
notes always clear It's another little matter
that's bothering me-
Jermyn took up cigarette and lit it. "lf | can be
of any service he murmured.
THE part of Nora" Levenden pronounced, @is an
exceedingly difficult one."
"Surey not too difficult for Miss Cluley?" Jermyn
nterposed, smiling.
Not in the least, the manager assented hastily.
@Please don't misunderstood On the contrary, it
bids fair, far tell at present. to be of
her greatest successes
"Then what is the trouble?"
at is such good part Levenden continued, aand
it suits Miss Cluey marvelously well, that at my
wits end to find undersudy who could even speak
the lines, much more act them. So far may tell you,
Sir Jermyn, haven't across anyone whod be the
slightest use, and without going the stars scarcely
where am going to find her. Nora is Miss Culey,
and Miss Culey is Nora. Without her it would be
simply hopeless"
~Well?"
The manager moved uneasily in his chair. He was
always little afraid of this strange young man, who
seemed to have wandered into theaterland from
region that he, at any rate knew nothing about Jer
myns face during the last few moments had grown
very austere. He had, perhaps some premontion of
what coming.
"The long and the short of it is, Sir Jermyn," Mr..
Levenden said length, @that there's been lot of talk
about that unfortunate affair down at Annerley and
during the last few days there have been persistent
rumors, can't afford altogether to neglect
Concerning whom?
Jermyn's words were like drops of ice; but the
ager not unduy sensitive. Besides, it matter
of business with him. Concerning Miss Cluey
told this morning by someone upon whose word
generally rely that Miss Cluey would be in prison
within week."
JERNlYN stood quite STILL The fingers that held his
= cigarette did not tremble. @You can't believe
such rubbish this, Mr.. Levenden," he protested.
Il don't want to believe it, Levenden retorted,
eagerly. Il bound to face facts, though and there
is this big, black ugly standing straight in front
of me, and that is that this should turn
be founded upon the truth, then all the money
put into the play will be lost can't afford to risk such
situation, Sir Jermyn, and that's the truth. I've had
other losses"
"If this is how you feeling, Mr. Levenden," Jer-
myn said, Il am glad that you have sent for Let
me tell you, who should know something about
the facts that your fears entirely ridiculous. There
is no chance of Miss Clueys being arrested on
this charge than there is of my being called upon to
for it myself l am surprised that you should
have listened such foolish 1t is absolutely
impossible to connect Miss Cluley with the death of
Lord Lakenham in any way whatsoever"
Though Levenden seemed somewhat relieved, he
wholly convinced "There's great deal of talk"
he insisted, "and don't see where it all comes FROM"
at comes from people who know nothing whatever
about the matter Jermyn declared. Lord Laken-
ham and Miss Sybl Culey were, to my certain knowl-
edge, the friendlest of terms They had met only
the day before, and Lord Lakenham was already her
admirer."
The manager drummed with his fingers upon the desk
before which he sitting. "There is persistent
rr1lnor Sir Jernyn,' he pointed out "that such
not the have heard it stated most confidently
that Lord Lakenham had known Miss Cluey in her
less prosperous days, in the days before she to
London"
I'VE none of us be responsible for rumors, Mr..
Levenden,' Jermyn said coldly.
Levenden felt he scarcely getting on; but the