The Washington times., 1937-07-29

Niklas meaningly, "all that will
be attended to-"
CHAPTER XIV
Again that sense of unreality
swept over Toni, and mingled with
it was a queer sense of foreboding,
For some reason known only to
those two-perhaps to NiklaS only
they were gambling with an I'M
known Cinderella, possibly trading
on her ignorance, her complete
lack of friends.
Who was this NiklaS?-She won
dered. What was there about the
man that compelled one to obey
him? Wasn't there something sin.
lister in the very phrase, whisper
ing campaign"2
If she were in her right senses,
she would destroy that contract.
refuse to lend herself to anything
phony. She was Antoinette God.
dard Of San Francisco. A name
to be proud of. Why change it?
Why pose as something she
wasn't, all for filthy lucre, for at
tracing silly, credulous sheep into
what might prove to be anything
but a respectable fold?
It was too fantastic, this scheme
of Transforming herself into the
descendant of a queen! The pub
lie would laugh heartily or, follow
ing Lou Steiner's bizarre publicity,
she might even be hooted at the
opening!
Yet not alone for the needed
salary did Toni know that she'd go
through with it, risk everything
for a new identity, a new start.
The added factor was the break
with the old life and with the Toni
Goddard who had suffered such
humiliation from the man she'd
been engaged to.
Plus, an inner, disturbing voice
informed her, the possibility of
meeting Guy Halstead-Flagg.
The day of the preview, "by in
vitation only" arrived.
It was to take the form of a
cocktail party. The guests had
been carefully selected by Lou
Steiner. The rich. The spenderS.
The social leaders.
There were acres of hors
d'oeuvreS. The variety in canapeS
was endless. Russian caviar. Truf-
files. Pate-de-foie-gras. And cham
payne flowing like water.
This from to z o'clock.
Niklas had been most generous.
Two hundred guests had been bid
den. In some instances, a guest
was even privileged to bring a
party. Miss Harriet Brewster was
one so favored.
you understand, Miss Antoin-
cite, that this afternoon we are ex-
pecting what will be called a big
success? This will rest largely on
your shoulders. I am sure you will
not fail U.s."
Ahe trembled.
He came to her dressing room at
a quarter after five. From down
stairs the hum of conversation was
Surglng to a roar, as of river muir
muring to gigantic falls. THE
Niagara of champagne" she
thought whimsically.
"Ah, you are beau-tee-ful, my
dear Miss Antoinette, or should
say, marquise!" Niklas rubbed his
hands delightedly as he regarded
the ethereal vision in the exquisite
eighteenth-century costume. mot
nervous?"
"A little"
Come. You shall have a forth
fer" He pressed button, then
commanded a knee-breeched, be-
Wlgged waiter to bring champagne.
He even took a sip himself, nod
ding kindly over the rim of the
glass.
TO the success of a beautiful,
ambitious, clever young lady who
will be the toast of the town."
She drank. A reasSuring warmth
stole through her.
He pulled out his watch. I'm ten
minutes, for the crowd are already
assembled, you will appear on the
balcony. And do not forget Pc
plto!"
! Well trained, of brilliant plum
age, Pepito was a parakeet of
naughty mien. At first he had
Scorned poor Toni. For the fake !
ami" she thought ruefully. Perched
on her shoulder, he had pecked her
painfully at rehearsals,
Now, with complete about-face
he was friendly. Even affection
ate.
Ito Be Continued
Copyright. 1887, by King Features
IL YanN