Evening star., 1938-02-06
Moguziss Sseties

"A A'>.~-,
pots and hippopots, and tall, suawny. under
fed, hyperphrenic exhibitionists. But this
Shelia Dare is positively divine. She's the
event of my life! I'm only genius, Mary
Anne must have something to work with!'
Try pick and shovel" Mary Anne said.
Shelia leaned back in her chair and laughed.
g. she's the event of my life - positively
divine -" And she had been afraid of the
great Tiger Towne! Confidently she took out
her mirror and touched up her makeup.
Mary Anne returned. Tiger will be with
you in just few minutes, she said
Il do hope So" Shelia said. 1T tires me to
wait"
Five minutes later Tiger bounded through
the studio door, stopped and stared down at
Shelia.
Shelia looked up, gave him weary patron
izing smile. The light in his strange cat eyes
died. But you aren't - beautiful, he said,
like hurt child.
Its up to you to make me beautiful, "
Shelia said, in Evelyn's bored tone, but her
heart beat in quivers.
Tiger dropped on his knees beside her chair,
studying her. There was something strong,
compelling, magnetic, about him. All good
photographers are hypnotic, Shelia told her
self. It's their business to draw the subject
out from his own elf-oonscio,sness, but -
but
Il see it!' Tiger said. Quick, let's work."
He caught her hands and pulled her out of
her chair, pushed her unceremoniously into
the studio.
The dais was at the far end of the room A
oolored man in white coat was puttering
around with the lights.
At the sight of the camera Shelia's heart
froze Fear and self consciousness swept over
her. She couldn't pose for Tiger Towne, she
simply couldn't! She hadn't enough expert
ence to pose for the greatest photographer in
the country!
Head and shoulders" Tiger said. Get
drape"
Shelia found the dressing room, took off her
coat and blouse, threw drape around her
shoulders and came back, walking as if in
trance.
sit down." Tiger ordered ''Sambo -"
Shelia sat down, stiff1y She knew her pose
was stiff Tiger swung screen into place.
Shelia tried to relax, and couldn't. Her fear
was mounting into panic.
Tiger came over and changed her pose.
Smile, " he said.
She smiled Not too much. Not enough to
crack her makeup, or distort her mouth. 1t
was Evelyn's Social smile.
Tiger Towne groaned. Lights" he said.
The lights came on.
Shelia watched Tiger. 1t was impossible not
to watch him, moving panther like, his queer
blue eyes on hers.
'Laugh!' he said. She laughed.
mol" Tiger shouted. Laugh! You're
young it's JOY want - Taught"
Shelia tried to laugh, but the muscles of her
throat closed like the claws of a crab.
DAMN Tiger said, and whiIhng, sud-
denly planted well-aimed kick on Sambo's
unsuspecting posterior Sambo, surprised and
panied, went spfawling.
Shelias laugh rang out like child at the
circus The whole performance was so utterly
idiotic. She laughed 50 hard she didn't know
when Tiger made the take" " The lights went
out.
Tiger mopped his brow with great purple
handkerchief.
Shelia wiped away her own hysterical tears.
She felt as if she were on an emotional roller
coaster. All her self-control seemed to be
slipping away.
From somewhere in the studio came the
music of low, lovely song. Suddenly, Tiger