Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22


RmyYH and astounded public which was saying
MSN&E1f a great deal. 1t timely act an
44atSS amusing act, startling act, he knew.
Franke of the Trust would book it solid
for @bg money! and would Billy Sche, the Trusts
most impacable foe and manager of the Paatlal the
most important Independent theater. The only ques
ton was, To which should he offer it?
decision must be reached Immediately. 1t was
act particularly suited for the holidays, and bookings
were pretty well closed. If Maxey wanted to do any,
thing with it, he must do it This very day, lunch
ing at the Vaudeville Managers Club, Frankel had
stopped at his table and reminded him that if he had
anything big he had better hurry up with it, accom-
panying the admonition with glance that seemed to
indicate to Maxey that perhaps Frankel knew some
thing And the little agent had been on the point then
and there of erng his attraction the representative
of the Trust. But something had held him back and
made him stammer apologies for his lack OF ingenuity
and enterprise in providing his usual contribution to
FrankeIs big holiday bill; that something being
searching and Maxey, suspicious glance from Billy
Schels bright eyes, he watched him from an adjon-
ing table,
Maxey Conheim was in measure in Schels debt;
for it had been the Independent manager who had
helped him double Franke in the memorable case
of Signorita Woolworthia, the AGirl with the Sky
Scraper Voice" On that occasion Maxey, popping
with gratitude had promised Schen his next big act.
On the other hand he should keep that promise now,
would Frankel forgive him. He seemed to have
taken his beating in the other instance like sport;
Frankel now especially when he had actually asked the
little agent for another act, wouldn't it forever ruin his
chances with the Trust? And could any agent risk that1
To give Maxey Conheim his just due he had been on
the point he ate his lunch of offering the new act to
Billy Schel in accordance with his old promise, that
very afternoon. But FrankePs speaking to him had
made him hesitate and he had hurried back to his Office
in of doubt from which there seemed escape
though he had worried it for solid hour. Then
suddenly the telephone bell broke in on his troubled
thoughts and it was Billy Schell himself
HELLO, Mr.. Schell!" said Maxey, with an effort at
~ unconcernedness which even distance did not
make easy. @How's tricks? l goin' ter stop an
chin with you at lunch, only Huh? Frankel? Oh,
nothin', just passin the time O day. No, amt got
a thing booked with them fellows It's kind of funny
amt come across with something this fall; but
you know how it is,f acts like dope out easy,
they wouldn't get the big coin. Forgettn my promise
to YOU? l should say not! You'd oughter know
Huh? WE'LL couldn't say that Of course I'm thinkin
all the time, an maybe in week or two-too later
Why, you amt cosin' your books so soon are your
Well, then, guess little Maxey won't be represented
on your holiday bills Huh? What's that! You're ex-
pectin' me But how kin if amt got nothin? Go
go get it? Why listen here Mr. Now, Billy, that
amt Hello! Hello!"
He tangled the hook and shouted into the instrument
and about demand of Central that she @get the
party back, when restraining thought seized him,
and he turned away. There had been something IN
Schells voice that frightened him. just there had
been doubling twinkle in Frankels eyes at when
he had told that manager he had nothing to offer for
his holiday bill Did either of them know anything?
Had anything leaked out? Were they that,
away up in the Bronx, the top story of little two
family house Impossible! But-wel, he would find
out! He touched pushbutton, and Benny, the office
factotum, entered
1Hang round this afternoon, Kid, said Maxey, @and
if Frankel Schell anybody calls up tell EN- I've
went up, now to Philadelphia to look at an act
yeah said Benny aan where you goin on the evel2"
that's my business" growled Maxey. Three min
utes later he was in Bronx subway express rushing