The Washington times., 1921-10-09

Georgette Leblanc, Knownto the World
but Never His Wife, Writes the 81

served and respestful manner, which conveyed to me
clearly that he apoogzng for the step taken BY his
Chancellor .s.
snow, Madame, = said the King 9th smile .I want
You to ask some favor that win make your stay in
Athens really memorable something important some.
thing worth while"
reflected at length. Really knew quite well what
wanted but could resist the temptation Of making
the King wait" ,:'
took sly look at him in the mirror on my wall He
was tall and powerful man. His large erect figure
hed my doorway and his sympathetic face with
out nobility he stood quite still in very patient man
ner Only the fdgetng Of his long, white hands indi
Gated little nervousness and in his cold gray eyes there
glimmer Of curiosity. # -31,-
He was wondering what this woman was going to ask
this woman who had dared to inhict most unusual
rebuff TO his royal and manly pride Was she going to
ask fantastic thinga diamond as large as her fist
or palsce--ora mountain-or cityi
At that moment the gong of the stage assistant warn
ing all the performers to be ready reminded that had
to play Norma Wanna had only few more min
and my makeup not completed, little more
powder the foreheada little more rouge on my lips
Icalled loudly for my dressing woman Ny red velvet
cloak was slipping prematurely from my bare bosom
needed another pin The ben ringing continuously
and soon they were calling my name
The King was still waiting in my doorway l should
have to give him some time. It a tantaz
ing pleasure to keep him lingering to express myself in
slow and roundabout way. I amused to read the
puzzled look in his eyes a. began: f~~
''Sire, have dreamed Of Athens since my childhood
The greatest jewel Of the world is in your keeping At
this the Acropos must be exqnisitey beautiful
in a silver sky
King George must have been thinking what the devil
is she going to ask nowf' $50
"Sire ,, continued ST ask as great favor that the
Acropolis may be open to during the few nights
describe to you the mixture Of feelings that
appeared the face Of the King Astonishmen disap
pointment and finally anxiety appeared his face He
wondered if could be laughing at him. If he ought TO
grow angry, II were perhaps lunatic.
Romanticism had touched the Kings soul, !
think and hence he could not understand the spirit Of my
request On the other hand astonished to find that
what was great favor in my eyes nothing in his At
last ne caught my meaning and answered:
Alone at Night in the Acropolis =.
This evening and every other evening as long you
Athens the gates of the Acropols shall be open
you Alone" he said,
This time bowed low not to the King but to the
gentleman who had placed my command the most beau
tiful spectacle in the world Ns
Many delightful and many dsagreeable and bizarre
experiences happened to during my tour with Norma
Wanna At Bucharest, the capital Of Roumania, the
warmhearted artloving people showed enthusiastic
appreciation OF the beauties OF the work AFTER
performance the principal citizens Of the town organized
great banquet in my honor.
was seated in place of honor and across the table
from sat the president Of the banquet apompous old
fellow, with great possibilities as bore He asked me
embarrassing questions continually the flowers and
the dishes. speaking in loud voice, to which was
obliged reply with equal disfnctness He questioned
slowly about the most intimate details Of Maeterlinck
fe his breakfast his afternoon siesta, his inseparnbd
pipe and SO on. ID |
At last the old fellow turned his conversation mord
closely upon me- and reached the height Of his ndiscre
tions. -. \
''Now, dear Madame, = he went solemny, 81 want
you to explain to us why the poet did not develop tn
situation whore Norma Wanna clad simply in he
cloak to the enemys tent and makes the movement
tearing aside the garment With lady as beautiful
you that would have made Of the most nterestr
situations in the play"
In an outburst Of laughter ringing with sincerity
told him the simple truth.
'But, my dear sir, you see Il was impossible Ifs
had done that foolish persons would have seen nothr