Evening star., 1941-04-03

On clear days German observa
over England, photographing docks,
arsenals, gasoline storeS-and the
royal residences. German U-boats
continued to exact daily toll. But
except in Finland there were no
bombs falling, no cities burning,
no armies locked in combat. To
the contrary, there was much talks
| of German guns that would not
shoot, German planes that would
not fly, ofSa German people fam
ished, rebelliouS, ripe for revolution.
The Maginot Line seemed so secure
and Finland's firm Mannerheim Line
was in a like category at that time.
1t was a sort of Indian summer
of civilization; last, golden dream
Of peace and security and eaSe-a
dream from which the sleepers were
soon to be fearfully awakened.
BlackOut Rules Relaxed.
In London blackout rules were
relaxed. Theaters and night clubs
were thronged. Titled enemy aliens,
| allied by blood ties to the royal
family, were freed from internment
and allowed to wander about on
parole. The last Londoners who had
evacuated to the country in Sep
tember, began to drift back into the
city-Some to Mayfair, more to the
| SlumS. Gas masks were no longer
de rigeur; fewer bomb shelters were
built; people laughed at the occa-
Sional shrieking alarmS-alWays false
of London'S AFRAID sirens. Ap-
peasement was officially dead, but in
spite of everything, its ghost still
stalked busily.
VaSlaV'S enthusiasm over the COM
ing charity ball was undiminiShed.
And when the night of the perform
ance came, Covent Garden was am
ply filled by Britain'S elite-peerS,
cabinet ministers, dowagers, debu-
tanteS, army and naval officers re-
Splendant in dress uniform. Con-
Spicuous, too, was the usual melange
OF social aspirants-people who had
gladly paid their tWo-pound-ten for
the privilege of mingling with Eng
lands great.
There had been a final rehearsal
of principals during the afternoon.
The cheSSboard set, comprised of
the conventional black and white
squares, each feet in diameter, oc-
cupied the stage. Back of the cur
tain, there was the usual feveriSh,
last-minute hustle, augmented by
the presence OF amateurs in the cast
and the fact that this was a first
performance.
VaSlaV was everywhere, moving
with catlike grace about the set,
correcting costumes, conferring with
electricians and stage hands, speak,
ing quick words of praise or admoni-
ton.
Brinda's Admiration Grows.
Brlnda was forced to admire him,
even though the thought came to
her that, at this time, he might be
better using his gift for organiza-
ton in the armed forces. Still g.
it was all for England's sake. And
perhaps there had to be men who
danced as well as men who fought.
Besides, the prince was Russian,
and, the new international lineup
| pelng what 1t was, it was easy to
understand why he might feel un-
der no compulsion to take up arms.
He saw her, and, leaving pretty
debutante talking to empty air,
haStened across the set. In an en-
bracing look, he paid tribute to her
lovelinesS.
Superb" His eyes drank in
every detail-her shining hair, her
exquisitely nodded features; her
eyes, big and dark with excitement:
her Chess Queens costume, cut dar-
ingly low above to reveal splendid.
lVory-white shoulders and slashed
cunningly below in way that
barred her legs to the thigh, accent
uating their slender length and
HAWKES. symmetry. He drew a deep
breath.
You are, indeed, a queen, my
premiere danseuSe! A gold and
ivory queen, beautiful enough to
rule over any empire"
A swift, strange smile suddenly lit
his face. Who knows?" he said
softly. Perhaps, after this war is
done, you SHALL"
Change in Steps.
Brinda'S eyebrows went up mock
ingly,
Still mysterious!"
only until after the ballet" he
whispered. You know the bargain?
My Secrets-for your love! For you!"
Are you sure won't get the worst
OF the exchanged" Brinda spared.
You shaN judge" answered Vas
Law. But I do not play for low
stakeS-either in life or love. After
all, it takes more than a few assas-
sins to stamp out a dynasty" His
head went proudly back, and Brinda
realized as she had never realized
before, that whatever Vaslavs sins
and shortcomings might be, he never
forgot he was of royal blood. And
also, that whatever he did, he would
find adequate classification in
the knowledge that he aimed at
nothing less than a throne.
"A AIoli WedllIIS WOIkHldLS cap
approached.
Your pardon!" Vaslav bowed,
conferred briefly with the man, and
returned. I'm afraid you made me
forget my mission. 1t was to warn
you that there may be a few final
changes in the steps-simple ones
that will not be hard to follow. If
So I shall give you the necessary
directions in time. Do you think you
can manage it-even before an au-
dience?"
Unless they're very difficult" re-
piled Brinda.
BY this time, Vaslav had changed
her movements from square to
square so often that she knew each