The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-02-11

| Careful Prism, not coming ove1
until she saw how her mlstres:
was treating Tod Patrick. As fol
herself, she showed her enormou:
white teeth in her oily black face
each time she looked at the man
Mallory" he warned seriously
after a grin for Prism, hold just
that expression. You look like q
dream-and if my old ears DOM
deceive me I hear the mob at the
ing with lights.
Swiftly Mallory moved from the
darkened wings onto the stage,
near but in front Of Sandy, who
stood at the piano. If possible, the
prima donna always greeted adj
mirers onstage. A few experiences
in her own damned dressing room
had taught her that guests were
not so apt to linger if prodded none
too delicately by electricians play
ing with lights.
Yet she was gracious. as the
people surged upon the stage.
Prism stood directly behind her,
against one elbow, acting as a
sort of bracer. Mallory began to
smile and utter pleasant remarks
of thanks. Tod Patrick stood to
one side, thinking humorously,
Admiration does more for NAL
lory than liver extract for an ane-
mia patient" At the same time
he was, as always, reveling in the
adulation his best artist was re-
ceving. For she was his best art
list, even though she shouted it too
often to please him.
He watched a gloriously pretty
Mexican girl, in white velvet and
d short ermine cape, kiss Mallory
on both cheeks. then crowd in be-
side the singer to stay. He watched
also. the escort of that darkhaired
girl kiss Mallory's hand. fellow
so handsome that just seeing him
made Tod Patrick feel "a If a
fishbone were stuck in his throat.
The young man stepped aside to
make way for middle-aged cou-
pie whom the Mexican girl in
white introduced. Tod Patrick
cuold not help staring as if he
were witnessing something impor-
tant. And it was important. NAL
Tory was meeting Carlos parents,
his mother, a thin woman with
exquisite eyes, dressed in import
ed metal lace, sables, and wear
ing sparkling topazes and large
diamonds. deliberately set in mas
sive old-style gold mountings. And
the father. tall. white haired and
perfectly tailored in full dress.
After. compliments on her per-
Torrance, the Sonora Estrada said
to Mallory, Il regret having neg
lected you, but 1 have been slight
ly i'll since returning to the city.
want you for dinner soon."
Thank you," murmured the
girl. feeling like some child in kim
de~garten instead of a celebrated
artist. In her ear she heard
Prism soft mutter. thus prompt
ed, she raced to say, "And thank
you for the violets. I shall sleep
with them beside my bed" Those
dozens of clusters in the large,
flat purple basket nu have been
the ones, those placed at one side
Of the piano. Good old Prism, with
ae- memory like an elephants.
Carlos said they were the color
If your eyes," The mother smiled.
But he was wrong" said the
Senior Estrada. mo flower could
lave such delicate clear rich
ness
Again Mallory felt immature as
3 child. You are most gallant.
They moved on with Carlos in
low. Fathers quite the flirt,"
said with an American
giggle. 'I'll stick here and help
you with people, Mallory
Which she did. Other musicians.
artists, members Of the various
and of countless chart
ties, newspaper men besides those
she had met the day of the inter-
view, people from other cities-it
was incredible, but Manuelita
seemed to know everyone. When
she did not, she eased back and
talked lightly with Sandy. This she
did also when John and William
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