Evening star., 1935-07-21
INSTALLMENT XVII.

Machanello regime Paul put
Y his men through their PAGES
before a crowd of Saturday
pleasure seekers that taxed even the
spacious Trocadero. Immaculate in
a spotless uniform, he stood in the
center-front of the big stage and
seemed to dominate, the band follow
ing his baton like automatons. He
took his conducting seriously, and be-
tween watching his score, signaling
cues, taking vocal choruSeS, acknowl-
edging salutations and replying to
sallies flung by acquaintances in the
shufding. sliding throng below him,
he was kept we'll occupied. Girls with
request numbers pulled at his trouSer
cuff. It was one of those nights when
the band seemingly could not err.
Toward II o'clock the white-clad
figures deserted their places for a
cigarette and a breath of air, the
crowd being entertained, meanwhile
by special dispensation, by a we'll
known radio duo-in personal appear
ance, thunderously greeted.
Bud. lounging with several of his
fellows near small, rear door at one
side Of the stage, was suddenly aware
of the presence of Sue Train and Ina,
who pounced upon him gayly
This is surprise party" explained
Ina. You weren't expecting us, we're
you?"
The ambuShed one put finger in
his mouth and cringed in mock shy
ness. "Oh, COILS" he murmured. Il
am all a-fiutter and a-twitter, really
am"
Success" declared Sue. Now,
where is your master, the King of
jazz"
Buds clowning tactics served him
In good stead, concealing the portion
OF his apparent confusion that was
all too genuine. His eyes roved un-
certainly from the two girls across the
floor to the shifting throng about the
main entrance.
He was here minute ago." he in
formed them, frowning thoughtfully.
"Wait-Ill find out where he went"
He hurried over to the group by the
door and called them into a huddle.
Listen" he said. If any of YOU
punkS know where Paul is, for tn love
OF Christopher, go get him. saw
him leavin' with some fem in a yella
cress-an' now, here's his wife
Wantin' to surprise him
Puny, who stood in the outskirts of
the circle, chuckled. Wants t. sur
prise him, does she?" he INQUIRED
pleasantly. We'll, I'd say this is her
big opportunity"
Bud glared at him. Tom Jencks
relieved the situation. IS all right" Z"
he confded wisely. rs all okay. That
was Minnie French, from over at the
whip. Paul left her in the lobby an
went inta tn office"
Bud Strengthened and vigorously
mopped glistening forehead. Smil-
ing broadly, he transmitted the infor-
nation gained to the waiting girls,
and n1ade room for them on a low
bench near the door ry the simple but
efficient method of raising one end
until the seat was entirely cleared
OF musicians at rest, lately enthroned
Jencks displayed more than a pass
ing interest in the proceedings. He
addressed himself to Ina, bending
confdentially over her.
IT have an idea that'd put this
surprise affair over in a big way" he
suggested, beaming mysteriously
Just outside this door, to your right
as the crow flies, is parked a line of
horseless vehicles, the third of which
is the palatial, all-metal open dash
about owned by your husband and
others, incorporated. Now, I have
this in mind"-he addressed the gath
ering -'Ina-pardon the
amiliarity-will-"
Don't mind him, Mrs. Machanel-
To-" enjeined Vincent Dana, smilingly
Hes the kind that would walk up
to the Duchess of York and call her
baby! No background at all, you
know"
JenckS eyed his rebuffer unruf1edly.
"In conspiracy" he asserted. there
can be no formality-just as Brutus
remarked to the Stiletto Committee
shortly before the big Caesar job; he
sez, Just call me Brute, boys-my wife
does Get it?"
They howled in derision. He con-
tinued placidly: "Ina-will proceed to
the car, now. When the unsuspecting
Paul arrives on the scene, we will in
form him that lady awaits with
out. Imagine his embarrassment. He
will be incredulous, unbelieving, re-
1uctant to go"
Ina was frankly hesitant on the
part assigned her by the master of
intrigue. However, the others urged
her her to 60 ahead ana the prospect
of greeting her husband under such
conditions was, indeed, alluring. She
capitulated
Just as she went through the door
Paul came around the stage briskly.
He seemed in a genial mood and
rubbed his hands together cheerfully
rs he approached. Even the ironical
obeisance with which Puny favored