The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-08

other woman with whom 1 have
competed
For relief the singers violet-blue
eyes went past Manuelita's black
clad shoulder to meet Carlos deey
brown ones. Since the first greet
ing he had said nothing. And now
he seemed highly pleased over The
conversation between the two girls
Pleased also to sit against the wal
in one of the uncomfortable iror
chairs and just stare at the CIR
bseidee the piano.
,Manuelita said, iii go sit by
Carlos and listen to you sing, Nal
lory dear"
Sandy was striking heavy, mod
ernly constructed chords, based or
the "Vereda Tropical theme. He
stopped now and waited for Nal
loryl cue. In her trim checked suit
and soft silk shirt she appeared to
be. about 10 years old. But she die
not know that. All she felt was
wrath because each time she saw
Manuelita, that girl was wearing
( something exquisite. And expen.
sive. And, worst of all, something
different.
So absurd, Mallory knew, to be.
have like silly little grammar
| school girl who had blue hair rib
bons and wanted pink. SO utterly
absurd in view of her frocks thai
hung dozen after dozen in her New
York apartment and Connecticut:
house. Also she conceded she'c
never have been in this predica
ment if she hadn't considered Mex
leo some sort of heather land. Ye'
here she was, fighting childist
ache in her throat. caused entirely
by her own behavior.
Lets do 'Elsa's Dream, San
dy.'
The man began that shimmerlns
background for the girls voice
that, in this Wagnerian number
seemed to have contralto qualitIe:
along with the soprano. The frs
few words of the German sons
soothed Mallory. How foolish
am to let Manuelita disconcer'
me-" she thought Another though
struck her. She hoped Johann ano
Wilhelm Schmidt would like hel
German numbe.. from Lohengrin
From that ironic trend her minc
went tn Richard Blythe. w h y
hadn't he telephoned her that
morning? She wanted to know
what he had in mind concerning
the two criminals.
She sang on and on, scarcely
pausing. except for brief smile.
directed toward the pair sitting
against the wall, or for an order
to her accompanist, very rarely
for an occasional scrutiny OF the
music on the piano.
Manuelita and Carlos watched
with idolization. They applauded
They closed their eyes over tine
more emotional numbers. They
kept time with the more energetic
arias. They often clutched each
others hands in sheer ecstasy over
the singers voice.
At 1870 Mallory began working
on "Vereda Tropical" She had
she realized with disappointment
hoped for cehenrsals solely witt
Carlos, private affairs with his
kisses salving each time he was
compelled to correct her pronunci
alton. AS it was, Manuelita took
| charge.
For expression, Mallory, just
think of a tropical trail. a foot
path by the sea, warm soft breezes
perfumes, kisses-let us begin with
the words. however. first"
She put Mallory through a prac
tice period that first angered, Their
amused her. I'm like grade
school child learning to sing nur
sery rghyme," she though wanting
to shrek with laughter. Excep
that this teacher smells of $50 per
fume and drips with priceless furs
It was Manuelita who callee
lunch, by her own wristwatch. Lik'
conceited. overbeacing Holly
wood director, ragged the singer Il
herself Soon she understood.
Manuelita said, Richard prom
ised to meet us for lunch at Ia
cuba"
The engineer was there, sipplr:
vermouth. He sp-ang to his fee
and greeted Manuelita, "as if tn
queen had noticed him." seethe'
the opera singer inwardly. Prompt
ly he was bestowing the same a;
tentions upon her. She felt better
Mainly she felt better because Car
los fingers had found hers be
meath the tablecloth.
''Tell me what you wish to eat,
he said.
SQUAD, a salad and some fruit
mo cocktail? No wine?'
Mallory shook her blond head
Manuelita spoke up, And none TO
you, Carlos" For herself she or
dered a Bacardi cocktail and al
extravagant dinner, customary il
Mexico at noontime. Soup, an egg
course, a fish course, chicken
cooked in sherry and almone
cream, fish course and straw
More Comfort Wearing