Evening star., 1936-07-27
CHAPTER XIV.
.ATSY'S blue eyes widened. The
. aura of excitement around

- aura of excitement around
Courtney Valance sent her
- pulses throbbing. II promise
oh, faithfully!-not to faint! What
is 1t, Courtney?"
"This!" said Valance and beamed
on her. The director Of the Metro
politan is giving you an addition in
the morning at 10. left him about
an hour ago. Don't ask any ques-
tions! Just stand there and say to
yourself, I'm a success!' For when
he hears you, Patsy-it's-it's going
to be pushover!"
Patsy caught his arm. She was
trembling all over. you're fooling!
It's not true! 1t can't be true!"
But it is, darling! Would I lift
you to the stars like this If it were
not?"
Courtney was talking fast now.
He was saying that he knew she'd be
a success. She must not forget that
the American fashion In opera had
changed
The old style, which demanded only
grandeur and vocal opulence, had
changed to dramatic representation
by acting, diction and tone color, with
the minimum of vocal display. All
the old roles of the operas repertory
were being reinterpreted now, singers
looked like lovers. they sang to each
other and not entirely to the audi
ence
There was a fresh spirit at the
| Metropolitan-the Metropolitan was
ready for PatSy-and Patsy was ready
for the Metropolitan. He knew 1t!
Patsy only half heard what Court
ney said, for over and over she kept
thinking in her mind: I'm to have
an addition at the Metropolitan! I
can't believe it! I can't believe It'll"
There had never been a time when
this goal had not lain like a bright
jeweled inlay in her brain. Yet, that
burning, driving ambition had been
flung into the background when she
had met Lee Cavendish. For Lee.
and for Lee alone, she would have
forsaken the thing in life for which
she had worked and dreamed and
yes-prayed. And at last it was to
be realized! It was to be realized If
she sang her very best at the addition
tomorrow morning.
Her excited mind darted off at
tangents now trying to decide what
she should sing for the director. Sud-
denly she knew-her favorite aria
from Madame Butterfly"
Courtney grabbed Patsys shoulder
again. He looked alarmed. Patsy!
You are going to faint! You're as
white as a ghost"
II think" said Patsy softly, that
m going to die of joy!-just plain,
downright joy!"
The day sparkled. Streaks of April
sun struck down through the trees
and patched the sidewalks in a pat
tern of gold. Tang Of sea and Spring
throbbed in the air.
Tippy and Ted were signaling a
taxi at the curb and Courtney and
the rest Of the family we're in a little
knot of excited conversation when
Patsy felt an importunate hand on
her arm, heard some one say:
Miss Warfield-w
She turned. smiling. but the smile
faded when she encountered familiar
laughing brown eyes She couldn't
tell why, but suddenly the sight of
DIR. Roger Tate's long rangy person
with that eager look of a boy on
adventure depressed her. She stood
rigid, unable even to give him a well
come.
Fortunately, the momentary tension
was broken, for he said, smiling a
little wryly:
You don't remember me, do you?"
But I do! You're Dr.. Tate-But-
tonhole Tate!"
There was silence an instant. Then
she heard his embarrassed laugh.
That is knockout blow. Remem-
berlng me-and looking at me as If
were dug up from a gravel"
Don't think me beastly." she said
quickly. But you-you remind me
OF that awful night over two years
ago at the hospital I was never so
Inundated. Nurses - doctors staff
members standing around, not believ-
ing one word said. It was like liv-
ing nightmare-especially after I
mad actually seen woman on the
verge of shooting Victor Caldwell.
I'm afraid I shall never forget it
and. Of course, seeing you brings it all
hack-terribly!" The last word broke
ike the swapping of a twig.
Roger fumbled in his pocket.
brought out cigarette. As he
cupped his hands to light it, Patsy
looked up and their eyes met.
He said: Every one at the hos
pltal knows you told the truth that
night. A silver fox fur was found
on the fire-escape, and under Mrs.
Caldwell's bed pistol. Miss Mitch
ell, the superintendent Of nurses,
checked the number and discovered it
was bought by Mr.. Caldwell himself.
So whoever threw it there was some
one pretty close to him. In his life,
I mean. A pal Or"
"A nice, chummy little pail" Patsy
smiled and hoped he wouldn't ask
any questions. She hadn't told any
OF the hospital staff that night that
she knew the identity of victor's
assailant. Kitty was still Lees wife
and his name had been dragged
through the newspapers too much
already.
Miss Mitchell decided, however,
to drop any further investigation
after Mr.. Valance put detectives at
the hospital to guard Caldwell"
Roger went on. "But enough of this
dime mystery stuff. I read you were
returning today and I came down
to remind you that two years ago you
promised me date. That's one awful
long while to have to wait!"
Patsy had to laugh. She said: do
call me some time!" and told him
the name Of the hotel where she was |
staying. At that moment Tippy yelled |
from the curb: Patsy! Snap to it,
kid! We didn't want to buy this cab!-