The Washington times., 1921-02-27
Well, That's What
Miss Douglas SlUears
Happened to Her
and She's Brought
a Suit for Damages
vISs DOUGLAS. may I present
Mr.. Pfitsch? am sure youS

MT. TIItoCus Uu eWo y"u
Av4 will be glad TO meet him."
said the hostess at the little dinner party.
Miss Douglas. am delighted to meet
you." said Mr.. Pntsch. bowling and seat
ing himself beside very pretty girl who
was a fellow guest ut the dinner party OF
. mutual friend in New York scarcely .
year ago.
It WAS Miss Maxine Skies Douglas, an
actress, who had an enthusiastic ambition
to cultivate her voice and was filling
stage engagement to accumulate the money
to pay for musical career In Europe.
who settled herself comfortably in the
chair and listened with much interest to
the engaging conversation Of her new &C
uuaintance She was quite pleased to find
that Mr.. Pftsch was the president OF q
great steamship company. with big ocean
liners crossing back and forth to the for
egn ports she longed to visit.
But Miss Douglas little dreamed that the
acquaintance SO accidentally and casually
made that evening was to result in giving
her perhaps the most pleasant and cer-
.ainiy the most miserable thrill OF her
young life.
IN the Supreme Court in New York are
M dry legal papers which briefly tell in
lawyers technical phrases Of an astonish-
Ing tragedy which exploded the happiest
dream the girl had ever had.
Something, it would seem. In Miss Doug
las appealed to the fancy OF the steamship
president. According to the sworn state
ments Of the young woman. Mr. Phtsch be-
came quite interested in her and the cas-
uaI acquaintance made at that little dinner
party ripened into real friendship.
And. as in all real friendships, there was
a gradual unfolding and exchanging OF con-
fidences. Likes and dislikes ambitions,
day-dreams were discussed. Mr.. Pftsch
spoke with pride OF his steamship COM
pany and of 1Re glorious revival which he
foresaw for American shipping. Miss
Douglas responded with little intimate con-
fessions about her stage experience and
her burning desire to develop glorious
golden voice that would some day enthrali
the whole musical world.
But" she added sadly. though not with
out a touch of humor, II guess the world
will have to struggle along somehow with
out my voice. One has to study in Europe
to get anywhere, you know; even with the
best voice In the world should have to
make q European debut before American
managers would consider me; and my,
how much that would cost! Why the pas
sage over costs something terrible, and
that's Just the beginning"
Mr.. Piitsch appeared to be considering.
How soon could you go?" he asked.
"TIow soon? Good heavens, II had the
money for the fare wouldn't wait for new
,1o v,.yf1 fvN VnCf fnrAa W
wouldn't be soon enough to suit mel"
Mr.. Pftsch seemingly did some more
considering. Also he was enjoying the sit
uation, apparently. Then he made cryp-
tic remark.
"The New Rochelle starts on her maiden
trip August 3d."
'Oh. indeed!' replied Miss Douglas. in
nocently trying to be interested in busi
ness matters.
Then, according to the complaint filed In
the suit in the County Clerks office, Mr..
Pfitsch did invite, solicit and induce plain
tiff to accept first-class passage to Eu.
rope on board the New Rochelle as his
guest and the guest OF the corporation free
of all charge and expense"
But il would seem that plaintiff miss
Douglas) did not Immediately respond to
defendants invitation, solicitation and in
ducement. for 1t is further stated. In the
complaint--and counsel for the defense has
spent good deal OF hts time and sons
ones money trying to get this particular
clause stricken out--thst said Charles q.
A. Pfitsch 10 induce plaintiff to accept did
claim to be the chief stockholder and pres
ident Of the corporation and in full control
OF It's affairs"
Miss Douglas was delighted-it seemed
almost too good to be true. She was very
grateful TO the steamship president and
promised TO study her music so hard and
diligently that some day he would feel
rewarded for his generous courtesy.
Il did just what any girl would have
done" she says. 81 told everybody knew
Of the wonderful luck that had come my
way. ] spent all the money had been saw
ing on new clothes-especiaIly since Mr..
Pfitsch had told me how great a social
event would be this first. voyage OF his
horrid old boat. And Just before left
] gave a party to all my friends and had
each one write his name in littN book
20 | could send them postcards from
europe
A..