Evening star., 1933-11-19
SURRENDER
By George r. Pilgrim
One of The Star Magazines
First-Run Stories.
Illustrated by Il. G. Skrenda
First-Run Stories
Illustrated by Il. G. Skrendd.

EW GORDON bit off the end of his cigar
with unusual vindictiveneSs. After all,
he began brusquely what right has
Ransome got to force this confounded
girl on to us?'
Rudy Lisle set back in his chair an1
smiled I'D at the ceiling.
"That little clause in the contract my boy,
he said blandly. "Gou know-and the author
reserves the right to approve each member oi
the cast before the play goes into production
Nigel Hannay the third man IN the room'
laughed softly.
"Imagine old Davy Ransome getting bitten
at his time of life he chuckied. "Y'know, I
always had the idea he hated women"
"So did /" said Gordon sourly. otherwise
that clause wouldn't have stood IN the COIL
tract"
Messrs. Gordon and Lisle were respectively
the business manager and producer at the
Magnus.
Nigel Hannay was a rising young actor of
about 26 Except that he was trlfie less
handsome and a considerably better actor
than the average ''risfng young actor" there
remains nothing more to be said about him.
who is this girl anyway" he asked pres
emily.
Gordon halted suddenly in his restless
pacing.
Her names Joan Meyrick,' he snapped.
"And you needn't tell me you've never heard
of her before, because nobody else has ever
heard of her either"
"But where did Ransome find her?"
"Oh. out in the sticks somewhere. SAID ne
saw her twice in some little one-norse sno"
and then went straight home and Degan wiz
ing Green Fingers" especially for her. Diont
tell anything about it. of course. until we
began casting the confounded play"
Hannay nodded thoughtfully
How old is she?" he asked.
Twenty
Much experience"
Gordon shrugged his shoulders.
about S years In stock in the Mlooie wess-
that's all Never played in New YORK LII neI
life. And a small part here won't do, OF
He puffed at his cigar furiously- "And I've
got to put on show in one of the biggest
theaters in New York without a decent name
in the cast! It's all crazy"
There was a little silence.
"of course" began Rudy Lisle presently, "it's
Ransome play. That ought to"
well, it WON'T" interrupted Gordon. Mot
by itself. It's help, admit; but"
n MOMENT or two later David Ransome
ushering a slim, very simply dressed
girl over the threshold. He looked up at the
three men and nodded.
Good morning" he said. Then he touched
the girls arm.
'This is Miss Meyrick." He turned to her.
miss Meyrick, this is Mr.. Gordon-Mr. Lisle-
Mr.. Nigel Hannay"
There were two chilly good mornings" The
third sounded a warmer note. Joan found
three very steady pairs of eyes fixed upon her.
Two of them-very critical and quite cold.
And the third pair-very critical, too, but, at
the same time, quite frankly admiring.
''Hm" said Gordon.
Joan coored little.
Rudy Lise smiled
Miss Meyrick," he began. "Mr. Ransome
has asked us to give you trial for the lead
in his new play"
Joan nodded.
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Lisle. Mr.. Ransome has ex-
planned to me. And you want to hear me read
over some of the lines"
Gordon turned to Nigel Hannay
will you run through a scene with Miss
Meyrick, Hannay?"
with pleasure, Mr.. Gordon" he said, but
he was smilingly addressing the girl.
Has anybody got script of the play2''
Ransome pulled papers out Of his
pocket.
1--WE got one here But we need two"
Gordon walked across to the door.
There's another one in the Office. III
get it."
Rudy Iisle was bending over some papers
on a small table on the other side Of the
room.
"oh, Mr. Ransomep' he called. "Just a
moment. About this scene"
"Hannay moved over toward Joan.
mot very demonstrative, are they3" he
whispered
Joan was puzzled
-Who-"
~The management"
~Oh, see" She smiled
''But Old Davys got a way Of handling EN-,
hasn't hep"
"Old Davy?"
"Ransome, I mean-you know. Everybody
calls him Old Davy."
@But why Old Davy?"
.fWell. he is rather Won knnur He's A