The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-12-31
found it impossible to call herself Frau

found it impossible to call herself Frau
From Thayaa" asked the phone.
ing. "You wanted to show me Vienna"
Splendid" said the telephone.
Where are you staying?"
Grand hotel" she replied. The lie
slipped out effortlessly.
Herr Osten didn't recognize her at
once. I'D never have known you" he
you" Compared with the other men in
the lobby, he looked second rate. Anita
smiled pityingly, remembering how she
had been awed by his elegance when
he stepped from the train at Thaya.
We'll make a night of it" promised
The bar. The theater. The intermis-
sion. The light, the people, the commo-
ton, the drinks, the compliments. With
a posSessive air, Herr Osten introduced
to her a thousand friends. There were
four gentlemen in the party at the
wore dinner jackets. Tn drunk" said
Anita, before long. She scrutinized the
| gentlemen. One was young: an artist
the others called him Raft. One vas
old and i~mportunate, and looked ric1
Anita dreaded the moment when she
would have to remove her gloves, and
reveal her kitchen hands.
What do you see in Osten, anyway"
asked the rich old man. Raft looked
at Anita'S hands. She tried to hide the
close clipped nails. She lifted her glass
and drank. They all thought she was
Osten's mistress, and she let them think
SO.
Almost midnight" said one. For a
second she was back in the little house
at the station. She was standing, SILVER
ing, at the window and the train was
pulling in.
"Id like to dance" she said.
cat the Black and White club" said
Herr Onten.
They were in the car again. Some
ones hand was on her knee and she
let it stay there.
The walls of the restroom in the club
were all black mirrors. Anita used the
powder and lipstick she found there.
The rich old man was waiting for
shouldn't bother with Osten," he said
hurriedly. HE hasn't enough to offer
you" She preceded him into the ball
room. Anita glanced at the young paint
er, whom she liked better thar the
others.
Sorry he said dd III in reply to her
whom up to now she had barely no.
ticed. The dance floor was so crowded
that they could only inch their way
! about. The man said: "Listen-dont
believe what any Of this riffraff tells
! you. They're all married. I'm telling you
this, because you look decent"
"Are you married too?" she asked.
Eyes," he said defiantly. And hap
PLY married"
$50 am I happily married" said
Anita. 1t sounded to her like a lie.
"We're going upstairs" said Herr
Osten, and guided her up a narrow
staircase.
They were playing at three roulette
tables up there. 1t was like a scene /
the movies. Ravena had met Gary
Cooper at a table like this. Anita drew
her gloves on again, and sat down.
Wen be partners" said the rich
indicated. The others stood behind her.
The little ball raced round in a frenzy
Then there was a burst OF laughter
Chips were moving toward her with a
hollow click; r;~. -,
WEAKNESS, feverish excitement, dread
the strange city, the music,,they. were
ication. For moments at a time she
was loststo consciousness. For moments
at a time she was IN actreSS-Ravena
playing'in a dangerous film.
!, That was when she saw the man. Hel
hand brushed his. as she placed her
chips on the red, and she was aware
OF The sf1eeting touch, alive and cool
She alopked up. The face seemed 50
familiar that she was profoundly
SfarBed.. Maybe he was a movie actor
l. ar & hEagazine cover. He smiled family
tsE D that we should meet here
Eagah, ISN'T it?" he said. Anita felt a
thrill run down her spine, sweet anc
terrifying.
1--WE just been trying to remember