Evening star., 1933-04-03

a | round it was only few min
wv utes before o'clock. HI
v Y wasn't at all pleased with tn,
idea Of the tea to which h,
had been invited, for he felt tired ant
distracted and in no way in the moot
to entertain the beautiful women
whom Stephanson had promised him
besides, he would have to change. HI
had spent two nights in the clothes HI
was now wearing.
Stephanson greeted him like an ole
friend. He was introduced to Mr.. Bart.
lett. Then he had an agreeable sur
prise. The first woman's hand which
he bowed to kiss was that white, soft
hand, decorated with precious gems
which had beckoned to him in the din
ing room.
"Do you think it was kind to run
away from an old friend like that?'
said Luise Clemens, the well-known
singer, querulously. When she was an
noyed she always smiled, and her smile
was still charming. Involuntarily
Thomas did a calculation in his head
Ten years ago she had been 35. She
had even boasted of it, for 'at 20
anybody can look TO-" she had said
then.
Today she no longer looked 20, but
perpetual girlhood.
= And we were so close in those days
at Kissingen," she said, whispering
softly, smiling at him.
LuiSe turned again to the others. She
was sitting at Stephanson's table
An incredible piece of luck had fallen
into her lap. The great American busi-
ness man had invited Frederick the
Great" to ask two attractive and inter-
esting women to tea, and Luise had been
one Of those whom the captain had
chosen because with her voice she
dominated as many people as Stephan
son did with his millions"
This had been very neatly said. and
still more clever was his inviting as
second lady the somewhat suburban
She was laden down with jewels and
smiled stupidity while engaged in a silly
conversation with Mr.. Bartlett about
the esthetics of modern steamships.
Stephanson concentrated his atten-
ton exclusively upon Luise Clemens.
Thomas drank his tea in silence.
What a marvellous opportunity for
Luise!
And Stephanson made everything so
easy for her! She did not need any
particular cleverness to lead the con-
versation into the desired channels. He,
himself, asked her about her future
plans. He suggested that. in spite Of
her impregnable position with the Dres-
den State Opera, in spite of her mar
velous successes, she was dissatisfied.
He thought 1t quite right that she
should spend half the year in America.
She didn't even need to ask him to use
bis influence in New York in her favor.
You'll have to get in touch with
Hunter-Jack Hunter. He is the only
man who can quickly put over an
artistic in America. I will see to it
that he gets in touch with you at once.
Don't worry about your contract. Your
manager wants to earn money and he
shall do so. May I ask you to sing
for me at private concert? I shall
ask Hunter and all the musical critics
to attend"
Luise Clemens had drawn the win
ming ticket in the great lottery.
Stephanson had been over at the first
attack-he, the great Stephanson, and
with him New York and all America
Under his fiery, flattering, obliquely set
eyes, she blossomed: she became as
radiantly beautiful as in her best days
She came into her own, told stories
OF her experiences on the stage with
so much verve and such amusing
mimicry that very soon she dominated
the whole table. The lady from Cologne