The Washington times., 1937-07-26

writer. Sublime optimist!" she
added, smiling wryly.
But you have travelled? You
have-pardor me!-the air"
"I studied in Paris two years.
Also, I've been to the Orient"
"You have an excellent French
accent. Just like native"
IT had French governesses from
the time I was a tot. And"-no
longer did she feel boastful about
it, but rather deprecatorv, after
her Snubs from the many employ
ment agencies-"I majored in
French as we'll as in English htera'
ture at college"
so? That gives me an idea
And you have no relatives, nc
friends, no ties here in New York
On your way to and from Paris
"By the Canal route" she fin
ished for him. I know no one in
this city" Fear c.: 5ht her at what
was coming. Would it be another
experience such as she had had
with Fatty Gusheim?-she won
dered. Was there no place on
Broadway for decent standards OF
conduct?
"You were showgirl in the New
Gallo Casino, I understand"
But that didn't last" A burn
ing flush covered her face.
He saw it. His keen mind ap
praised it.
He said, deliberately, his foreign
accent noticeable: That Gushein
he is-please forgive the word-a
scoundrel."
She was relieved. He understood,
then, what had occurred. And, un.
derstanding it, there would be no
similar occurrence in the job he
was planning for her. Toni drew a
long breath and smiled at Mr.
NiklaS.
He thought: "She has a beauti-
full smile. she's a lady. We could
turn her into beauty. No ties, no
friends. Excellent! She could be
an Al drawing card. We could re-
create her."
But none of this showed in his
inscrutable black eyes.
"At college, did you study psy-
chology, Miss Goddard? A knowl-
edge of people. how to please them.
win their confidence-in fact. find
out all about them, is immensely
important in this business"
"The night club business?" she
asked.
THE part I shall require you to
play in night-club life" His eyes
Slitted as he looked at her.
Again that feeling of uneasiness
aSsailed her. What lay behind his
meticulous phrases? - she Won
dered.
Discretion. Shall I say, sixth
sense that informs one who is i'm
portant, and who isn't?"
She said, honestly: But I know
no one in New York"
with your social background,
the experience that travel must
have given you, Miss Goddard you
will readily separate what I may
call the sheep from the goats! You
will attract the rich, important
clients to our premises that are ah!
so beautiful" Mr.. Niklas rubbed
his hands together. Her naivete
was not real. She was a deep one.
And that pleased him also. It
would add that touch of mystery
that was a magnet to the public.
She heard herself asking, with a
touch of sharpness that slipped
from her unaware: What exactly
would be the nature of my duties
in your night club, Mr.. Niklas?
And what salary would you be pre-.
pared to pay me?"
He evaded the first question.
With a distinctly foreign gesture,
he turned the palms of his hands
upward and out.
That would depend entirely on
your drawing ability, Miss God
dard. If you make hit, develop an
important following. I might even
go so far as to give you share in
the profits" He paused. for a
chill had come over the face ot
the girl opposite him. He thought
with touch of admiration: "She's
shrewd!"
Meantime I have to live. Mr.
NiklaS, I depend entirely on my
earnings. I shall require a guar
anteed salary. weekly. That is
she added, "if the work you plar
for me is the type that am
suited for. I presume you want
me as an entertainer-a singer
perhapS?"
TO Be Continued
(CoPyright, 1887, by King Features