Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-04

oiAC Was AFRAID 70 go 70 the OFFICE. bu
she was sttl more afraid to stay awal
and have her manuscript returned Il
her. The publication Of It would be {
sort OF tardy payment back for al
the Illustration OF some 20 wears. AND
the fact that Mr.. Gunnemann. a IA.
nous publisher of good books. was will
ing to publish her first attempt. and
at once. made her thrill with a sense
Of value that was utterly strange and
glorious.
4 She debated and debated. but at last
1 she determined to make up her mind
snd to go. So now she stole into the
yes, ma'am2" said a Young clerk.
What ran do for vou?"
Gould 7 see Mr.. Gunnemaun.
please?" said Editha. In a low voice.
7 believe he is in, ma'am Is he
exnncting vnu?"
NO I don't think he Is"
Then I'm not sure whether"
Editha.
And she handed him card on which
was written In ink, 'X" and an adj
dress In Manchester street.
The clerk looked at r. and then. in
evident surprise, at Editha. Then he
went out OF the room.
In a moment he was back again
and said:
please to come up, madam. Mr..
Gunnemann win see you
Although Mr.. Gunnemann was very
curious indeed to see tx" and had al
ready formed in his mind a definite
notion Of the type Of female she would
turn out to be. he showed nothing Of
his interest and expectation. but when
Editha walked hesitatingly into his
sanctum. received her with purely
buSinesslike politeness.
Very glad TO see you, Mrs" he
paused. nothing came. please sit
down.
Editha sat gently down. in a large
armchair which emphasized her small
size.
You're the author of the book called
NV Husband'?"
Yes" said Editha.
I've read 1t from beginning to end.
Is it your first?"
Eyes"
CAS- I'm thinking Of publishing It,
and as soon as possible. you'll forgive I
me for asking you a few questions
about it?"
Eyes"
'Is 1t an effort Of the imagination. I
a tour de force Of the creative faculty? /
Or is 1t drawn from life2"
After pause Editha answered.
TITS drawn from life"
THE character was taken from life?"
eyes"
And is the person in question alive
II dead?"
"He is not alive"
THAT clears the ground a good deal"
aid Mr.. Gunnemann In a less bust
lesslike and more cheerful voice Il
vas a little afraid-perhaps wrongly,
,ut one has to be careful-of the law
ibel"
TITS not a libel" said Edltha, al
vays in the low voice, "it's true"
II think a lawyer would tell you IT'S
Dossible to tell the truth about a man
nd to libel him at the same time"
Il didn't know that" said Editha.
anyhow he's dead, you say"
so we needn't worry. Do you mind
cling me whether your chief char
cter, the main, outstanding character ,
] YOUR book, was your own husband?" /
Eyes. he was" !
Mr.. Gunnemann was rather shocked,
nough Of course he had expected this
vowal, was rather shocked because he {
Tas a male being, though not hus-
and.
you wish me to publish the book?" :
Eyes" said Editha. :
very well, will. If we can arrange .
rms. These are my terms, II you like a
} sell outright. Five hundred pounds
" the world right In perpetuity."
Eyes" said Editha n
"Rut If you prefer TO publish on the n
'yalty system I am willing to pay you 3
10 percent royalty on all sales in
reat Britain and the Dominions, pro- n
ded I have the rights for America" a
For nothing?" Editha murmured.
'I don't think it's the sort Of book 1,
r America" -
"Oh. Then we won't make any bar
in about America. 1t won't be worth
lille. will accept your ROYALTY terms
Great Britain and the Dominions."
And she got softly up from her
ep chair.
"But wait a minute" said Mr.. Gun
mann. 'You haven't given me your
me. must have your name for the
ntract."
Editha stood looking down.
IF give 1t you viii promise not to
anyone know what It is?"
We'll. that's rather difficult"
NIf you can't do that I'm afraid !
MT publish with you"
'Then-ITl manage" said Mr.. Gum
mann, but rather stiffly.
You promise2"
7 promise"
'Then-my name is Mrs. Bonstock,
itha Bonstock."
You're the widow Of the well known \
ctor?"
Yes. Did you know Herbert? Or
her Percy?" II
No. But some Of the people know. II
4" III
I suppose you VIII send me the con- II
ct?" ii
Yes. But your signature must have II
III
My maid can do that. She won't III
d what it's all about" III
And now what about American" HI
/ prefer to leave America aside till III
book is published" HI
Ie saw her to the door Of HIS room III
found her own way down the Ill
rcase III
Poor Bonstock." he said to himself. Ill
be stood looking after her. An. but HI
must have been quite different iii
b him, unless her books nothing
lies" iii