The Washington times., 1937-07-29

applauded heartily.
But not Niklas.
He beckoned her. And the old
fear of being back on Broadway,
jobless, came over her.
you will do" the promoter
told her CURLY, "but bear in
mind, Miss Goddard, that you are
still in the amateur class. You
must practice"
Indeed I shall. AL day long"
Her heart rose.
I'VE shall open the club within
two weeks" he told her. Mean
time you will take a two-hour sing
ing lesson daily. have already
engaged an instructor, provision
ally"
Eyes. Thank you"
Would he pay for the leSsons?-
she wondered. Or would they be
deducted from her salary? Prob
ably the latter.
1.-The instruction will be in
cluded, gratis, in your contract.
You will come to my office now
ana sign IL, please.
His lawyer was already there.
A quick worker was Niklas. With
dinner and supper at the club,
with three appearances to make
between the hours of half past
seven and half past two, she was
to receive seventysf1ve dollars a
week on a three-months' contract.
Three period costumes and three
wigs were to be paid for by the
management.
It seemed fair enough. Even
enticing, thought Toni.
But she was no fool. Suppose
by the end of the first month. her
success was unprecedented?
She limited at that. Saw Nik:as
frown.
Certainly, in that case we shall
be willing to revise the contract,
Miss Goddard. But you know it
works two ways. That's only fair.
A month in the club will show your
drawing capacity. If it is unsatls-
factory, we will have to let you go.
That's understood.
With a nervous flutteer Of her
hands, she said: IT will make good.
I'll practice hard. I won't fail"
His face relaxed. His manner
became suave again. I'm sure Of
it, Miss Goddard, otherwise I
should not have made negotiations
with you. I am not a man who
wastes his time"
She signed the contract.
"You will remain very quiet until
our opening. Except for going TO
your singing lessons, you will not
be seen around Broadway. The
publicity must start Immediately.
you understand" - Niklas turned
from her to Lou-"this web of
mystery you spoke of, this build
up"
The two men moved off, and
conferred together.
When they came back to her,
Niklas said:
you will move Immediately
from your hotel to a quiet inn at
Riverdale-on-the-H Hudson, where
shall engage and pay for a room
for you"
Her eyes widened in suspicion.
BY accepting this, would she not
be obligated to him? Suppose he
came to visit her?
In the ensuing pause, the ex-
preston on NiklaS' face remained
unchanged, and yet she knew that
he had read her thought.
Between now and the open
ing, I shall see you only at re-
hearSalS at the club, at such times
as I send my car for you"
"And I come in daily for my
singing leSsonS?"
THAT will be in order" said
Niklas, "Since Monsieur AlphonSe's
studio is away from Broadway"
II suggest she wear veil going
and coming from her lessons" sad
the press agent. Lots of theatrical
people go to AlphonSe. They
mustn't see her. 1t might defeat
my campaign"
mot necessarily. She's a singer,
isn't she? Why not?"
Better get that hair dyed blond
today, Miss Observation-Disclosures.
selle Antoinettee, rather. That S
the name under which you Will
register at the Riverdale Hotel
The 'marquiSe' will come later"
The press agent winked know.
ingly. "Nicky, once the shows
opened, and everybody's talking,
it might be advisable to move Ter
to somewhere Swankier. Get
me?"
when the time comes" said