Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-07

goldfish-that's what she is. Look
here. Abe, you nail her now d.
play her handsome without dickering
and she'll pay you handsomer in the
end"
You mind your own business and
I'll see after mine," grunted Mr.. Abe
Il amt been in the profession going
on thirty years to need YOU to learn
me how to manage it."
We'll, don't get grouchy,' said his
confrere, for l sure take off my hat
to you. I'd take off my scalp
to you if it wasn't on so tight"
SSH" was Mr.. Abe'S reply to this.
and the two sat in silence watching
Celia
Mr.. Goldstein could not repress an
enthusiastic blasphemy, but Mr.. Abe
did not demonstrate. He sat with his
eyes glued on the stage. Moisture had
gathered at the corners of his closely
folded lips. This was an invariable
sign that his averice and admiration
were both profoundly stirred. He
stood up in his place suddenly and
called out:
Say. You must be tired"
celia. floating "spread-eagled' for a
breathing spell. called back:
Not at all. But the dive is too low
for me TO show you what | can really
do
What she can really do breathed
Mr.. GoldStein softly.
Mr.. Abe ignored this.
You've shown me enough he
called back. It's a deal if we can
come to terms.
Dressed once more in her black
gown and respondent furs, Celia sat
in Mr.. Abe Sieburg's private office al
the Sieburg Theater with the poten
tate facing her again.
Now" he was saying. ito get down
to brass tacks. What are you looking
TO get?'
Il think I'll have to ask you to talk
TO my agent about that, Mr.. Sieburg."
Your agent? | thought you said
YOU never was a professional 8.
You got a agent?''
No" said Celia calmly, but /
shall have one by this time tomorrow
Huh said Mr.. Abe. He had the
natural dislike of most managers and
publishers to agents.
Some agents will do you same as
anybody else"
I'm not going to have one of that
SORT" said Celia
Mr.. Abe looked AT her with regret
ful respect. He always had for people
who were cautious about business
deals: the regret was for the caution.
w ell, you can Ten me iiON lOtlS
you'll contract for. cant you?
only short time, I'm afraid.
This was a blow.
How short?" he asked after a
pause sruntng the words.
''Onc month"
Mr.. Abe almost literally flew up in
the air. 1t was unheard of
impossible he couldn't
even consider such a thing.
Celia rose, saying, I'm sorry. Good
afternoon" and started for the door.
lie bounced between her and it. He
was very quick AMI agile when neces-
sary.
Don't go Second thoughts
" he jerhed. 1T won't do
no harm to talk about it anyhow. =
Celia came back and sat down tran
GULLY.
why for only month";" asked he.
Because by husbands abroad now.
| can only do it while he's away. |
don't wish him to know about it till
I've done it. Then ] shall tell him.
That's why | dont want my name
~nown. I'm being quite frank with
YOU, you See."
And her odd smile just touched her
lips.
Mr.. Abe sat gazing now at her, now
at the carpet. His hands played with
the stub of pencil that he had taken
from his waistcoat pocket. Celia eN-
planned further. Her voice had taken
on slight edge.
$50 that you won't think there's
some mystery, or possibly that l am
stinted for money, l will tell you this
also. Like many idle rich women, l
haven't the least idea what I'm worth
as a breadwinning human being. |
want to find out. that's al.
Mr. Abe reflected ruefully that what
she'd find out with the help of an
lln-to-snuff agent would probably as
tonisl' A,er.
ool< "a here, he said in BURST
ii | did give you Il months contrac1