Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-08-08
A PRACTICAL
HOAXSTER
ia 81 ID ,gass
By THAYER WALDO
g Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
WNU Service. Is

~ Palace de Glace-Garrison care
fully scanned the scene.
1t was, he saw, gala occasion
this opening Of Hollywood's most novel
play spot.
There, enclosed by ring Of supper
tables, countless couples In sports COS
tune skinned over cleaning floor
Of ice, while lifting music came from
an orchestra at one end.
Watching the skaters, Garrison at
last focused on girl in scarlet sweater
and skirt.
Rather, it was her partner he studied,
for the girl was familiar enough. Myra
Drexel, indeed, ranked as one Of
Zenith's most promising young act
resses, and Garrison for some time had
felt a keen professional interest In
helping her to reach stardom.
The man with her was tall and
gracefully slender, though somewhat
past youth.
There was about his bearing an al
most intangible touch Of distinction.
Seeing the captain of walters, Gar
rison called him over and asked: cal
phonse, just who is that chap skating
with Miss Drexel?"
"Oh, that" Alphonse replied, sis the
Baron Siegfried Won Fleumann. He
arrived from Munich today, l believe"
The publicity mans eyes narrowed.
Il see; thanks. By the way, which
is Miss Drexeps table?"
The man pointed it out.
Garrison glimpsed a tow-headed fig
ure in one of the two chairs, and
smiled.
So Steve Crandall was second i'd
ding again!
That, he knew, wouldn't suit the
lads Jealous temper, nor would the
plan Garrison now had. However,
that was just too bad.
He strolled over, clapped the blond
mans shoulder. and said amiably:
Hi, fella-how goes it?"
The others response was a mere
grunt.
Garrison grinned and sat down.
Sure" he conceded, II can i'm
agine you're burned, but this'll have to
be business before pleasure"
The youngster stared at him coldly.
Meaning exactly what?"
"Well, are you aware who that bird
hoofing Myra around happens to be?"
"No," Steve growled, land I don't
give ting-diddle-dee. The big gigolo p
Listen, you egg: snap out of it ana
look at this thing seriously. That man
is a genuine baron from Germany, no
less. Now, everyone here must know
it, including the newspaper crowd
Think of the write-ups they'll do If
Myra and the Baron are together all
evening and he takes her home!r 2n
Steve's scOwl was a venomous thing.
Look here, Louis" he began, keep.
ing his teeth together; I'm not going
to fall in with any of your cockeyed
schemes, So"
wait a minute, son." Garrison cut
in easily; flowing Myra, you want her
to have career, don't you? Well,
no one In this town ever reached the
top without plenty of build-up In print,
and here's your chance to help the
girl get some. With her talent, that's
all she needs now. How about it?"
For an instant the boy didn't reply. =
Then he looked at Garrison and
asked: what do you want me to dol"
Duck out of here. Then when the
Baron brings her back, he'll either.
have to stay at this table or ask her
to his. I'll take care of the rest"
Steve showed bleak, one-sided
smile and stood up. 4
"All right" he said tersely; "Tll
play it your way. But that doesn't
mean have to like it."
AS he stalked away. the music came
to an end.
Hurriedly Garrison rose and went in
the opposite direction.
Twenty yards away he took vacant
chair and waited.
Couples were gliding Off the rink
now; in moment he discerned Myra
Drexel and the Baron approaching.
Reaching her table, they paused and
the girl glanced around perplexedly.
Then, with an apologize little shrug,
she said something to the man.
He bowed smilingly and pulled out
her chair. Myra accepted 1t, and Baron
Siegfried Won Fleumann seated himself
across from her.
The publicity man INDUCED a grin
Of thorough satisfaction.
On the rooms other side sat q
group Of men and women from several
Of the city's papers, and Garrison knew
they couldn't miss seeing the couple.
That would make press notice a GER
tainty.
But one item remained to be ar
ranged.
Unobstrusively he stole away toward
door which gave into the hotel
proper.
Five minutes searching found Luke
Long, ace photographer for City News
Service, at the cocktail bar.
Garrison greeted him and querled
where's your fash outfit?"
Long indicated a black case and a
tripod at the counters end.