The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-11

4
concerting discovery that she was bus
inesslike and hard.
| There was to be contract and the
salary-foP she had learnt something
of such things during her MssUciation
with Lolette-was large. From Buaye
flattery Brunei descended to Hrgn-
ment, even to hageing. The discus
sion waxed hot, point by point 1T was
fought out-and Elise won.
Her smiles and her beauty turned
the decision and won the day. 1T was
all laid down definitely, and lbefore
she left the contract was dictated I'M
her presence to Brunelis secretary.
Brunei was producing aSggreat new
spectacular revue at his place in the
Champs Elysees-ths Theatre ,Joyeuse.
Elise knew the Joyeuse. 1t WIS one
Of those magnificent sizhoTati0ns of
| the open air cafes chantants of which
the Ambassadors is an example. Open
only during the summer, 1T WIS al
ways thronged with the wealthfest and
the greatest in Paris, both of tine
natives and the visitors. 1t WAS set
amid trees and across its auditorium
were strung little coloured lamps i'm
thousands. At the back was a great
restaurant, where the gayest in Paris
supped nightly. On its stage always
appeared the most brilliant stars In
! the Partisan firmament. The Joyeuse
was, Of it's kind, was the Interna-
tional was among the established and
always open theatres of Paris.
'Tolette," said Brunei. Twill remain
at the Internationale. You viii star
at the Joyeuse, provided you main
tain the conditions of the contract"
These conditions were that during
the weeks that Brunei WINS perfecting
his production Elise was to invent
and exhibit to him new dances, these
dances to be performed to his Rafis-
faction, and the music of them to be
written by a well known composer
at his expense, he to pay ELISE an
adequate retaining salary over tthe
whole period, without obligation ON
her part If the dances failed to please
him. In other words, Brunei took all
the risk, and Elise stood to gain every
thing; except that Brunei had made
a mental reservation to the effect that,
fail or succeed, Elise should pay for
the opportunity, a reservation of
whose existence Elise was perfectly
aware.
The contract was typed while they
discussed minor points, and WIS signed
ready for stamping.
"And now" said Brunei. 'fYour
name. Shall bin you as Duchanier'!:
Or would you prefer another name
one of your own invention?"
Elise thought moment This was
a year Of fluttering in the lights and
the blaze. with inevitable destruction
at the end.
81 shall be called La Phalene," she
said at last.
Brunei smiled. ''You are ypessimis.
tic, cherie" Already he was speaking
to her with that familiarity which
distinguished his relations with his ar.
fists. Moth is hardly complimentary to
your beauty"
i Nevertheless. we will leave it AT
that, monsieur. / shall be la phalene
if you please"
"But certainly" He was ssuavsly
agreeable.
He wished to take her to lunch, hui
she refused his invitation; and left him
You must come and see me again
tomorrow" he sadi, 7as she WIS going
I'VE must keep in touch witt
each other now, because we are going
to make La Phnlene very famous
[ we two" He was standing before her
and his hand reached up and TpatteI
her shoulder. She had an impulse tt
draw back. but fought it down, anf
smiled at him. .a.
"And J." He took her hand. almos
before she was aware of it. and kisseI
it, eau revoir. Tomorrow"
She went out.
'Au revoir!" and kiss on her fin
gers!
She was sickened and reeling, for
they brought back to her a memory
of Kendrick and his kindness in ttllosl
days which seemed centuries previous
when she had been different and lif,
had been a matter of simple issues AMI
Strengthened paths.
i 1t was not until she got home thai
] she realized the strain the interview
had imposed on her and how much il
had cost her to Breserve a bold front
to watch Bruhel's leering admiration
unmoyed. and to meet him toe to ttos
and ! use her beauty and her smiles GtC
bring her victory.
She was trembling and shaken by the
time she got to the stair-top, and
had an impulse to sit. down and cry
and abandon it all. Yet when Marthe
spoke to her, and asked her why she
was 50 flushed, she said with a lxaiety
so wefr assumed that iit Eeemef
NATURAL: 'Marthe! ] have a chance
/ am going to go on the stage as ar
actress and there viii be quite a Ioi
OF money for us. At least, enough fo1
you to move from here and 20 ito tflIt
country and have proper attention. q
1 hai - ~.
"Elise!" silence, then. 'Win II
be all right?'
Elise looked down at s1lIer. hesifnnt
"0f course, It viii Marfhe. WHY
ever did You ask such fliingY"
81 don't know" Marthe looked hes,
troubled. 'Only, You .see-pe0r1e xly
such things about actresses. ALTHOUGH
/ know that should never have
thought it. for n moment. Should Tg'i
"Of course not, Marthe."
Marthe smiled. IT shall tell FiOctur,.''
she said. 'He win be happy to know
that we have been fortunate"
yes" Elise turned away.
That night le Comte Mordac found
himself alone with Toilette in her dress
ing room for a little while.
$50 the little puritan has deserted
you'' he said quietly.
Toilette nodded. She was resting aft
er her dance, stretched on a great
pile of costly cushions old Heloise had
arranged in the middle OF the floor
Mordac was sitting on one of the ebony
chairs looking down at her.
''She has gone" she said Twice she
has not been round-which meant her
dismissal, of course. Brunei has been
silent about her, but I hear lauthori-
tattvely, that a contract was signed
this morning between the mwhich makes
her dancer. She handled the matter
| well. i believe. rs far az salary r.rnrit .,