Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-09-25

| for I shouldn't believe you."
Eta admitted that she might have
glanced at them.
Every one seems very kind to me-"
she said. ~ wish they had spoken as
well OF the play; but I suppose they
| must find fault with something.
know SO little about these things, Mr..
lizard"
Then you'll soon learn, my dear.
AS for what they say about the play,
that don't matter two cents while the
, business keeps up. Well take $4,000
this week or l know nothing about 1t.
while they can. They've been kind
enough to you; but you're clever
enough to understand the advantages
my name gives you. Produce that
play at any other house and let any
other man bill 1t and they'd have the
notices UP in fortnight. But they'll
take Just what / give em, because I
know just what they want and how
they want 1t. That's how we're going
to do business together. You can
earn good money with me and can
find you the plays. My cards are all
on the table; I'll sign three years
engagement here and now and pay
you a hundred dollars a week-that's
EGO sterling, English money. II you
want to think it over, take your own
time. You've a good deal Of talent
for the stage, and my theatre is going
to make you-that's what you've to
say to yourself, Charles lizard will
produce me and his name spells
money AS say, take your own time
to think 1t over. And don't forget you
are the first woman in all my life to
whom l have offered hundred dol.
lars week on first engagement"
Eta listened little timidly to
these frank and business-like pro
posals. Such situation as this had
never occurred to her when she left
her home in Derbyshire and set out
upon this mad escapade. She had
asked for hearing from a man who
made it his boast that he saw and
heard every one who cared to ap.
proach him. The tone of her letter,
the restraint of it, the fact that she
had known Haddon Hall all her life,
that every bit of that splendid ruin,
every tree in the old park, every glade
in the gardens were familiar to her,
struck note of assent in the great
| Americans Imagination and compelled
him to send for her. He believed that
at the oatset she would serve for a
walking on" part. When he saw
her, he asked her to read scene from
| "Haddon Hall" and heard her on the
stage. Then he said, Here is born
actress. and not only that but an aris.
tocrat BESIDES" The secrecy which
had attended her application whetted
his desire to engage her. II will play
for month for nothing" she had said.
Even Charles lizard did not feel dis
posed to offer her smaller sum.
And here he was talking Of agree
ments for term of three years and
of !e20 week!
How to answer him Eta did not
know.
She was perfectly well aware that
her weeks in London must be few. Any
day might bring letter from her faith.
er in which he would speak of re-
turn to Derbyshire. The mythical
visit to Aunt Anne. which had been
her excuse to the servants at home,
| would be exploded in moment
shoJld her father return. None the
less, the situation had it's humors. "If
on:y l dare tell Mr.. Izard," she had
said 70 herself, knowing we'll that she
would not tell him unless it were as
last resource.
you are as kind to me as the crit
.cs," she exclaimed upon a pause.
which greatly alarmed that shrewd
nan of business; he had expected her
20 Jump down his throat at the offer
You are very kind to me, Mr.. lizard
and you will not misunderstood me
when hesitate. have already told
you that money is nothing to me.
Perhaps ! am tired of the stage oil.
ready; I do not know. l feel quite
unable to say anything about 1t to-
day. 1t Is all 30 new to me. want
to be quite sure that I am success
before accept any ones money"
Her reply astonished lizard very
much, though he tried to conceal his
ohhOy oANC. ulS pdpGI6 Will
a fat hand, upon which great dia-
mond ring sparkled, he breathed lit
tie heavily and then asked almost un-
der his breath:
ANY one else been round?"
do you mean to ask me have any
other offers?"
That's So"
"As frankly, none-at present."
He looked at her shrewdly.
Expecting them, l suppose?"
81 have never thought of it," she
said. greatly amused at the turn af.
fairs were taking. "Of course, know
that successful people do get Offers"
"Dut not twice from Charles lizard"
he exclaimed very meaningly-then
turning round in his chair he looked
her straight in the face and said
Suppose make 1t one hundred and
atty dollars?"