The Washington times., 1937-07-26

Nor was there any sympathy
from Cassie when she reached the
apartment at the end Of the per
formance.
It was obvious that Herman had
poisoned her against her new
friend so as to cover up his
trickster activities. Toni was mo
good" They'd met before. This
he admitted. She had run after
him.
Don't you dare try to tell me
that it was Herman who palmed
off that old fur on you'll" cried
Cassie, indignant. why, Herman
only got back from Chicago late
last night. He hasn't been in New
York in a month. You are the
liar! Didn't you trick me with
that trumped-up take of knowing
my mother? 1t was I that got
you your part in the show, and
you repay me by getting in Dutch
with the director!"
Toni went back to her former
hotel, Saddened but wiser.
She would get new job. Trust
no one any more. Be harder,
shrewder.
CHAPTER x
Days went by. One evening she
ventured into Dawes Blue Room
hoping an opportunity might be
given her to sing there.
But before she could make her
request to the manager, he recog.
nized her and said quickly: "Mr.
Niklas has been looking for you.
We both got in touch with Mr.. Gus
helm, and he said he didn't know
where we could find you, that he'd
let you out of the show at the
Casino. But Mr.. NiklaS wants you
here's his phone number"
He gave her a slip of paper.
Who" asked Toni family, sis
Mr.. Niklas? And why does he
want me?"
He heard you sing here that
night. He was the Sallow-faced man
in the corner who applauded. He's
one of the richest and most impor.
tant night-club men on Broadway.
He can make you or break you. My
advice is for you to get in touch
with Mr.. NiklaS Immediately" the
manager urged her.
Over his desk in his handsomely
appointed office on Broadway, the
sleek, Suave Mr.. NiklaS assessed
Toni through brilliant dark eyes.
II have sent for you"-his voice
was extraordinarily soft and gen,
tle-"because it is my belief that
can fit you Importantly, into a
night club I am opening shortly. u
"YeS?"
"The work" said Mr.. Niklas,
drumming beautifully manicured
fingers upon the desk, requires
discretion. Poise. Above all-class.
When I heard you sing in Dawes
Blue Room, it was the last two
qualities that interested me. In ad-
dition, of course, to your voice. "
Was this genuine?-Toni won.
dered. Her performance of that
evening had failed completely, so
far as Fatty Gusheim was con-
cerned. Was there a catch here?
Her straightforward gaze met that
OF the promoter.
He caught the troubled look in
her eyes. He said, his voice gentle:
You are new to Broadway? To
its wayS?"
She heSitated. subterfuge had
only brought her trouble.
Completely new, yes"
"Ah, that is very good" He
smiled 1t was pleasant smile
displaying excellent white teeth
How long have you been in the
city, Miss"-he consulted a memo
randum-"Miss Goddard?"
His accent was definitely for
eign. Staccato. She thought: He
doesn't talk. He purrS!"
"Only few weeks, Mr.. Mikes y
"Your first visit to New York?'
Eyes" Nervously she adjusted
the mink coat that had been {
twenty-first birthday present from
her father. Only the day before
she had been on the point of sell
ing it at one-eighth of its value
She saw Mr.. Niklas looking at thu
coat, and was aware that he wa.
wondering by what methods sht
had obtained it.
Annoyed, therefore, and with :
sense of foreboding, she made ;
quick resolution to put her card
on the table, so there would be NJ
future mistakes.
Il am from San Francisco. M,
people lost all their money. CAM
East, hoping to get a job as 1