The Coolidge examiner., 1935-10-25
Strike Up the Match
By THAYER WALDO
z Mcclure %ewuuArer Syndicate
N%L AeFvlco.

FRANCESCA PRADlCH and
Hans van Huyier we're Tar more
than just two people: they were
an institution Like Charlie Chan.
Inns shoes and cane. or the roar
Of Leo prefaclng an M-G-M pro-
dnctlon. their partnership had come
to be regarded in Hollywood as one
OF the lmmutable facts OF lie.
And then one day ln late July.
quite without warning. Il ended.
. Francesca simply announced that
she had rejected new contract
and would. Ia future. free lance.
Van Ruyter stayed at Zenith bound
by twoyear agreement. Holly.
wood Easped questions. but neither
OF them would speak.
one there was. just one. other
than the pair themselves. who un.
ders,ood. on the day Francesca
made her decision. she told Lee
Arden. He said. "well. good luck. g"
then went out and proceeded 10 get
very drunk.
Next morning. however. he came
20 the studio early 4 fellow %
swift and resolute decision. he had
fully determined on a course OF ac-
ton. For more than an hour he
strobe about the lot with n pur.
poseful look 10 his gray eyes. seek
lng Hans van Ruyter. II was fu-
tile The directors name was on
eycryhody's tongue. but none had
seen him.
Ice gave up AZ length. and start.
ed through the buildings. Sudden
ly. passing down hallway ~
dressing rooms he halted. The
door of rumher two stood slightly
aiar. on It's mahogany panel we're
two screw holes whore a name
plate had been removed.
Softly. Arden pushed the door
open. There. AT the rooms far
end. was the tall s,oop- p-shouidered
agure Of Hans van Ruyter. Head
bowed. he was gazing down at
something on the table which his
body blocked from Arden's view.
"Mr. van Ruyter." said the lat
ter. stepping inside. The director
whirled 20 face him. bushy red
brows drawn together. mobile lips
compressed slate-blue eyes fierce
~ demanding.
Il want 10 talk to you." ex.
plaiaed lee Arden. Van Ruyter's
hands cieDched nj his sides.
There Is nothing | wish 10 hear
from you. Get out ?"
We'll. you may not know IT.
said Arden. "but you do want 10
listen 20 me. And what I'm going
TO tell you Is SO important that
" you won't Ssay of your own free
will. I'll lock the door and put you
down and sit on you while I talk.
Is that clearF"
There was a moment 81 terrific
silent tension. Then van Ruyter
shrugged dlsdalnfully.
"All right-go ahead. | do not
brawl with such as you"
Ice Arden was wholly unrufrled
tie perched easily upon corner Of
the table and said You won't ad.
mit II. even Ia yourself. but I know
you're aching wilh loneliness for
Francesca No. no--don't interrupt
me I'm not a d-n fool know
what I'm talking about. Well,
you're here suffering and trying to
hide II. and somewhere else In Hol.
I iywood she's doing the same thing
/ You've made yourself believe. al
through these last four years. that
+ there wasn't and never would be
anything more than the professional
/ relationship between you two. Oh.
don't try 10 laugh IL OF. I've been
+ her cameraman and worked with
both of you long enough 10 see II
lall--only there were some angles
II didn't understand until just
lately"
/ softly. almost with humility. van
Ruier asked: "And II should
think you were right. what could
/ I d0f"
why. 20 TO her. OF course She's
waiting for you-giying you one
last chance TO prove your man
/ hood ,"
The director began a reply that
never was finished. 4 slight creak
Of hinges sounded and then the
doorway framed slender dark
/ haired woman.
Francesca :" cried both men at
/ once.
"Oh" She looked from one to
tie other In surprise. Il didn't
know anyone would be here. just
came for some things / left be
! hind"
Lee Arden said: "Well. guess
Hans can help you find them. "rye
| got 10 be going"
The instant the door closed. var
Ruyter moved toward Francesca
Pradich. His eyes glowed with a
gentle warmth.
I'm very happy you've come,
Franska." he said. Gle has been
talking 10 me and | understand now
so much that I've been blind TO
IL feel ashamed"