The Washington times., 1935-06-27

CQS CI1alu WIFI d ulalleO 11SC,
was still new enough to offer
rich possibilities for conjecture.
It wa common knowledge that
Jerry Leach, the husband, who
was now in charge of the only
Brooklyn branch of the business,
had been a riding master in the
Central Park Academy. Miss
Stella Riley in the past had been
in the habit of riding every
morning and coming in in her
stunning riding habit, later to
change in her private office.
Now that Jerry (the girls called
him the stableboy) was in
charge Of one Of the Anastasia
Salons, Stella Riley's morning
riding had ceased.
"Say, d'ja notice how English
she's getting since she's married
to the Stableboy?" contributed
Miss Mabel, who plucked eye
brows.
They giggled each in her cubi.
Gle.
"They say he's younger than
her." contributed Miss Sheila,
wide-eyed, snub nosed Irish
girl, quite Unexpectedly beau.
tiful.
Miss Mabel, the wit, suddenly
dissolved into weak laughter.
She managed to gasp between
shrieks that Ethel Riley'S hus-
band (Ethel was the youngest
of the Riley girls) in his uniform
had looked like a boy scout.
The room rang with laughter.
"Say, what makes you so
quiet, Helen? Why don't you
say something? You amt go.
ing loyal, I hope" At this sally,
the girls roared afresh. Irene
Riley, the eldest sister, who was
in charge of the magnificent
Fifty-seventh Street Salon, had
once given the girls a talk on
loyalty. Later the talk had been
printed and hung in the wash
room.
Helen Schiller was filing her
nails. She laughed good-natur.
eddy. In the roomful Of pretty
girlS-and the Anastasia be-
cause of their skill, but with
an eye to pulchituGe-Helen
Schiller was noticeably lovely,
but with a quieter, more deli
cate charm than most Of the
others.
Before Helen had time to
answer, a warning signal came
from Miss Vera. Ssh. -"
Sound died suddenly. Each
beautician stood at .ler post
with a pleasant professional
smile. The phone started up
it's incessant buzz and Miss
Irma's affected telephone voice
floated in to them. "AnaSta-
sia's Forty-fourth Street. Good
mawning," over and over like
a litany.
Select Clientele
Miss Vera ushered in the
first appointh- ents. The Forty
fourth Street branch catered
to the higher-priced business
girls, secretaries, buyers, a
smattering Of theatrical people
and middle-claSs middle-aged
matronS. The cream of the
trade, Of course, was at Fifty.
seventh Street. All the big
movie stars who were in town
and famous actresses and
actors went there. Society peo-
pie and extensively dressed
women and, on occasions, Ger.
tain frowsy women to whom
Irene Riley gurgled Lady this"
or Lady that" Occasionally
a man CASUALLY an actor came
to Forty-fourth Street for a
hair wash by the famous AnaS-
taSia method (Which included
fresh rose petals in the last
water-a Riley touch).
The swish Of water in the
basins, the thick scent of
creams, powders, polishes. The
whine Of the dryers; the hiss
and Sizzle Of steam. The soft
hum Of conversation and from
the desk the singsong voice
Of Miss Irma: "Anastasia'S
Forty-fourth Street. GOOD
mawn-ing."
The beauticians were no
longer living, breathing girls:
they were smiling, efficient 70.
bots yes-ing and r1o-ing breath.
lesSly at the proper intervals
washing. rubbing, manicuring.
marching, at fever speed, be.
cause the Riley'S had timed"
every job and appointments
were made in scientific inter-
walls that allowed for no pro.
crastination or prolonged dis
cusslon. It was work, work.
Quickly, efficiently, carefully
and smoothly. Fingers flew:
soap suds frothed; nails filed
into pyramids, ovals, circles.
Long or short, Madam p"
Water too hot?" Broad waves
or narrow ones?" Fresh linen
fresh paper cups for sudsy
water. Green Venetian blinds
dlscreetly lowered to prevent a
glare in Madam'S eyes.
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