The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-07-06
LOVE CHARM
g
By THAYER WALDO
Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.


walked in.
Her skin was creamy
brown, her clear eyes and waving
hair like coal.
They stared in silence an instant
as she stood by the door. glancing
swiftly from face to face.
At last the one nearest her spoke.
well. what is it? Who do you
want?"
The girls steady gaze fixed on
him.
Il am here because the door says
William Newsom. she replied: lis
it your name?"
Her voice had a soft, rich infiec-
ton.
The large man at the head of the
table said: ~..~=
I'm Newsom. What's the idea?"
Deliberately the girl appraised
him. but the look was not hostile.
Then she came to the directors
side and held out one hand. On
the small smooth palm lay curious
object-an amulet in the shape Of .
little blue fish with horns.
Newsom gazed down ut It. and
suddenly his face was ashen.
''You-you-" he stammered In
hoarse confusion.
II am Taumma." she said quiet
ly.
For q long moment then they re-
garded each other: the pale shaking
man in the chair and the girl with
calm dark eyes.
Finally Newsom turned toward
the seven who were waiting.
Boys" he said, and the tone was
thin. 'I-I'll have to call of the con-
ference for now. Well get together
again tomorrow"
No one answered but their express
sions as they fled to the door were
eloquent. When the last had gone
Newsom slowly faced the girl again.
''Why are you here?" he asked.
It was a sort of weary plea.
II have come to see you" she
replied; do you not want that?"
He passed a hand across his eyes
and sighed.
II don't know; it.isn't fair ques-
ton. There's so much. TOTO con-
slider and think out-so much I'd al
most forgotten"
Pausing. he glanced up sharply.
rs are you in Hollywood
alone?" -1
eyes. That is why have brought
you this
Once more she revealed the
charm.
do you not understand"
Newsom rose abruptly. gesturing
his agitation.
"Oh, of course-of counsel"
He went to the windows and re.
manned there half a minute. his
back to her. When he swung around
forced composure was evident.
''Taumma, my dear" he said.
you must forgive me. This has
been so sudden-really shock. We
must talk about it more fully and
sensibly. But right now I'm in the
midst Of shooting directing q pic
ture, you know. wonder: would
you care to come on the set with
me and watch it,"
A quick smile of delight showed
her perfect. cleaning teeth.
'Yes!" she told him. II think
that would be pleasure"
There were more than fourscore
men and women on sound stage six
when they entered.
Someone near the door noticed
Taumma at once, and q hum Of
whispering ran like prairie fire
through the place.
Newsom led her to his own chair
beside the cameras and said soft
ly: ,E5e-.r -.
Nov just sit here and I'll get
them busy"
He turned to an assistant and
gave crisp orders. -.
Raising a megaphone. the man
shouted: Clear! Places for Scene
IL, Sequence b."
A mass movement that seemed
like chaos began then; but order
came out Of it, and soon only
handful Of costumed actors were
left on the set. It was the portico
of Southern plantations; a group of
bellies and gallants sat at their ease
or sauntered about. chatting gaily.
Newsom stood off to one side at q
point Of vantage; but he watched
Taumma rather than the scene.
For several moments he gazed
thoughtfully at her. observing each
new emotion as she followed the
players speech and movements.
Quite apparent it was that her heart
and spirit entered wholly into this
mimicry.
Suddenly he went to the side door
Of the buildir. and stepped out.
Just across lot stood . long
gray limousine. a chauffeur ut it,
wheel.
Newsom called and the man came
at trot.
Chris" said the director. II have