Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-13

McLsmore. Russia and the
brush offsky I got was so cold that
four DAYS later l was wearing =
hot water bottle for watch fob
in All effort to raise my tempera-
ture to a point where I wouldn't
be mistaken for a penguin.
1t happened this way:
Coming into my apartment build
ing I happened to glance at the
directory. There tucked away with
such nice. comfortable names as
Smith, Edwards. Hightower, Van
Buren, and Blackstand, was this:
Grand Duchess.
just Grand Duchess. Nothing
else
The Grand Duchess OF what what,
I asked the elevator boy.
OF Russia, he said.
With Russia in every headline I
would have been a sorry sort of re-
porter. indeed, if had not tried 10
get an interview with the Duchess.
Of all the people in this country.
who could tell me better about the
Russian winters around Moscow. the
spirit Of the people, and all the
other things about Russia that
every one wants to know?
SO l went straight to my apart
ment. put on my best shirt Cthe
one that has the little celluloid tabs
in the collar to give it that smart
appearance and make it wearable
for four days hand running, gave
lick and a promise to nv shoes, and
went down &c the Duchess apart
ment.
I rang her doorbel.
A maid answered the door.
She gave me a look that all but
wilted the little celluloid splinters
in my collar.
7 explained all. 7 was a newspa-
perman. I lived on the floor above
I was tremendously interested in
Russia and would the Grand Ouch
ess be gracious enough to grant
me an interview. 1t wouldn't take
long, only few moments.
Through the door I could see the
Duchess. Rather, I could sense the
Duchess. She was seated behind
low screen, not 10 feet from the
/ doorway.
The maid retreated to the screen.
leaned over, and explained what was
happening
could hear her every word.
The Duchess sent the maid back
for a second helping of information.
Just who was I, for whom did
work. what papers ran my column
and just exactly what did I want?
/ l am quite sure that if I hadn't
| interrupted the maid would have
! demanded my hat size. wanted to
know whether it made me sick 10
ride backwards in a train what was
my best bowling score and did I
know anything good in the sixth
at Belmont.
I barred my life history once more.
Back went the maid, this time
after giving me a look as II I were
wearing stripes and held a bloody
Ratchet in my hand
The maid and the Duchess talked
about me. I could hear every word.
It was all could do 10 keep from
saying, My dear Grand Duchess,
If you will only peek around that
screen we can talk without any
trouble and I will be able to tell you
exactly what you want to know
The two of them discussed me and
my business at length. 1t was OBJ
vious that the Grand Duchess was
not terribly impressed by a call
from a South Georgia McLemore.
Back came the maid.
This time, following instructions
that had heard the Grand Duchess
give her, she asked me to write out
all the facts had explained earlier.
These would be given the Duchess
and, after a careful study of them.
she would decide whether or not
she would see me. This would be
only a matter of a week or two, the
maid explained. She needn't have
taken the trouble, because I had
heard the Duchess explain it to her.
had been out in the hall so long
by this time that I had voting and
squatter rights. If I don't get out
of here soon. 7 thought, the Russian
winter will have passed and III have
to ask the Duchess about the spring
and summer in Moscow.
Then the door closed.
I Shivered.
I haven't heard from the Grand
Duchess yet. I'm pretty hurt, too.