Evening star., 1934-05-22

lines balled up twice. walks as II
she's got rods in her knees. I've tried
six girls in that part. including a
coon shouter from Chicago. You'd
think it was Barrymore part or
something. Now I've got to dig up
another prospect. Connie gets two
! weeks pay and a one-way ride"
IF you're making a change" San
dra ventured, may I suggest a girl
in the show-Fre .ericka Fordyce,
She's the Queen of Diamonds in the
jewel scene. 1 spoke to Mr.. Hart about
her some time ago. I know the Queen
can do it."
THAT wise cracking blond with the
yellow hair?" The director shook his
head. Gold. I'll bet she's never been
farther East of Broadway than Sixth
avenue. When that dame went to her
first night club she hadn't notched her
teething ring
"You don't know the Queen,
Sandra urged. "You see only her tin
sci side-wise- Cracking, as you call it.
I do know her and / know the girl
who inspired the part. They're the
same person-in different locations.
The Queens not so gauche as you
think. She's born imitator. Shed
get the tempo instantly. I'm sure !
could help her" ..
I'VE got to do something and do 1t
quick" The director hestitated. Sup
pose you run her through the part.
I'll keep this Connie ham on tomor-
rev and Saturday we'll try out the
blond II she comes through she can
open Monday"
Thanks a lot" Sandra brushed on
to Valerie and Steve. Radiant Val,
releasing her hold on Steves arm to
clasp Sandra's hand. "Sandra, you
were marvellous" Val purred.
Thanks"
Steve was grave. You were per-
feet, Sandy. Without you the skit
would have been a flop" Valerie had
taken Steve's arm again, edging to-
ward the stage entrance. Wen be
seeing you, then, at Pozzi's."
"AS soon as ever can get the grease
paint off.
Joy of Sandra's stage conquest went
with Steve and Valerie through the
stage door. She moved toward her
dressing room. Life had lost purpose.
She remembered the news she had fer
the Queen of Diamonds. She must
pass it along at once. Chase away the
gloomS. Good news. Be gay.
The Queen was not to be found. She
had sent word to the theater she was
sick and could not go on that night.
Sandra's impulse was to hasten to her
OF Cha had tho i6po
where to find the Queen. Somewhere
in the West Forties-there were exact
ly 10 West Forties. She must wait
until morning.
Hurry on to Steve's celebration at
PoZZi's, their favorite Italian corner
in the Village. Sandra whisked into
her dress. Downstairs, just inside the
stage door. Milton Shuler was waiting.
He held his hat in his hand. mopped
his bald head with a damp Kerchief.
"L-l-ook, Sandy" he said, stutter-
ing with excitement, "ha-have you
seen Freddy"
Why no." Sandra tried to keep
the panic out of her voice. 'Milt-
has anything happened TO the Queen?
She sent word she was ILL., I want
to go to her. I haven't her address" :"
NO use" Milt Wilted Il been
there. She amt home. This is the
first pufformance she missed since I
know her"
"Milt. what is it You must have
an idea"
Shes been actin queer. There's
some guy been maxim play for
her"
Sandra remembered the Queens re-
mark. in Twelfth street: If I get
fed up I'll change my diet" The
Queen was fed up on dalliance.
She's unhappy" Sandra said.
"Over what?" Milton gestured with
the eloquence of his race. Il give her
everything. If there's something she
wants, why don't she ask for it?"
The stage entrance was crowded to
suffocation. She must tell Milt what
she thought of his stupid mamma-boy
complex She pushed him along until
he was free of the crowd.
The Queen wants home" San
dra said bluntly. She loves you.
Milt. She is sick Of night clubs and
paste diamond crowns. Why don't
you take her out of it before some
body else does. She's worth il"
But you don't understand"
'I do understand I know all about
it. I've had your problem and faced
it-perhaps beaten it. At least I've
tried. l haven't lodged"
Its only one mother we got" Beads
of perspiration rolled down Miltons
forehead. dropping, unheeded, from
his shaggy brows.
Eyes. and there's only one girl. or
should be. She has a right to hap
piness. just as your mother had her
right to it. Find Freddy. Ask her
to come to Twelfth street tomorrow
as early as she can. They're giving
her a part in Steve's skit. It's
grand break for her"
"A part? Then for sure she'll high
hat me"
Don't be absurd 1 told you she
loves you. Let her have her chance.
I've got to hurry. Tell the Queen,
Freddy. 1 mean
Begging your pardon. Miss Rey-
nal. there's a lady outside sayin' she
must see you" 1t was Elbows. "She
says as how she is yer mither. She's
a-sittin' in car outside the stage
door"
Sandra pressed Milton's hand and
hurried out. Cockeyed world again.
What was Corinne doing here-at the
stage door,
TO Be Continued)