The New Movie Magazine (Dec 1929-May 1930)

with purveyors bringing wines, champagnes, bottles of whiskey, and liqueurs. "We can't afford to be economical tonight," said Mrs. Peters. She had omitted no detail. In the kitchen strange white-coated men were making sandwiches and putting the final touches to an elaborate buffet supper to be served at eleven. "I do hope the Russian caviar sandwiches come out right," said Mrs. Peters. "It is just such little touches that make or break a party." "Break is the word," said Pike. "And I'm the party." Before the guests arrived a little scene took place in the Peters' bedroom which is well worth recording. It had to do with that danged old dress suit, for Pike had given it to Gus, erstwhile Francois. "Now put on your dress suit," said Mrs. Peters as they were dressing for the soiree. And then it was that the shock came. "I gave it to Gus," explained Pike, "and he gave it to his brother who is a waiter in Paris — and now it's got soup all over it, I reckon." "Oh, Pike," she cried, "you've spoiled everything. This was to be Opal's big chance and now look what you've done!" Immediately Pike was contrite. "Idy, I — I had no idea you was goin' to take it hard like that. I wouldn't of done it if I had thought — " "That won't help," she cut him off. But Pike had a way out. "I won't come down and upset things for you tonight. You can tell 'em I'm sick — tell 'em I've got the heaves, if you want to." At last, Mrs. Peters left him upstairs and went down, for the guests were beginning to arrive. For a few moments an unofficial observer might have detected nervousness on the part of Mrs. Peters, but soon no matter how acute or official he might be, he would have seen nothing to make him suspect that this was not merely an incident in a long and brilliant social career. Miss Mason had done her work well. Strange faces appeared in the doorway of the salle des fetes; the butler sang out the names clearly, Miss Mason repeated them even more clearly, and Mrs. Peters gave their hands just the warmth of welcome that was necessary and passed their owners on to Opal. More guests appeared; the orchestra took its place in the bower and the buzz and hum of the reception grew louder. An air of triumph began to reign. The Marquis entered, more exquisite than he had ever appeared before, and, bending practically double, saluted Mrs. Peters's outstretched hand. He knew most of the French guests and was pleased to find himself in their company, and he knew the Americans to be people of prominence in the social world of Paris. He was, in fact, impressed by the guests and by the size and success of the reception. Evidently, his manner said, he must have misjudged the consequence of this family from some unknown part of America. His eyes turned upon Opal with black, darting approval, and well he might, for Opal had never appeared so charming. Opal realized from the first that the Martinis had always had a mild interest in her. but now, in the midst of the brilliant setting. Opal knew that it had suddenly become heightened. He lingered near her. his superior, aloof manner was gone, and his eyes moved over her constantly. Opal was delighted. It was a thrilling feeling to have a person so prominent succumbing to her charms. And Mrs. Peters, moving from one chattering group to another with a gay, welcoming abandon, kept her eyes about her and saw sights that made her heart sing. "I think he's going to — to say something tonight," Opal whispered to her mother. The Grand Duke Mikkail was now surrounded by a swarm of admirers. all talking at once, but he was not inclined to be too friendly. Russia had fallen, but his opinion of himself had stayed up. About him was an air of pomposity, as if he knew that he was the most distinguished guest and that he expected to be honored correspondingly. There was nothing aloof and elusive about him, as there was about the Marquis. He plowed straight through, ruling as absolutely here as he would have in his native land. But the Grand Duke was bored, and with him that was a very serious thing indeed. He wanted to escape, and upstairs Pike also was beginning to feel restless. He came to the top of the great stairs and looked down, and there below he saw the guests going through the function of the soiree. And also Pike's appetite had begun to sit up and demand attention. Wanted sandwiches, he did — them Rooshian kind — and also he wanted to see the Grand Duke who 95