Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

54 A Girl Comes to Hollywood "What about?" inquired. Lady Gates, puzzled but interested. "The lady is a very accomplished astrologer and scientific palmist. She also reads the crystal," explained Lopez. "She is not strong in health, or she would make a fortune, for she could have all Hollywood as her clients. As it is, she refuses most people. And I must ask you to mention her to no one. But I am privileged to become her friend since she took my studio, and those I beg her as a favor to see, she sees." "What is her name?" Lady Gates wanted to know. Lopez smiled and let lowered lids give him an air. of secr.etiveness, or mystery. "If I could tell you that, you would know she is very famous,", he said. "But I am not allowed to speak out. The lady names herself here, Madame Blank. And because she always wears a veil when she receives clients, people sometimes call her the 'Veiled Prophetess.' You see, she truly is a prophetess ! And not only does she foretell what is likely to happen, but she gives advice how to avoid the "Oh, do!" After Lopez had bowed himself out, the fat woman in the orchid tea-frock stood gazing pensively at the dimpled, much-ringed hand which the "wonderful man" had respectfully kissed. She was dazed by rose-colored dreams of youth and beauty in Hollywood. Foolish dreams for her, she told herself, since they couldn't become realities. And yet — and yet — how strangely Marco Lopez had talked — and hinted ! She could hardly tear her thoughts from to-morrow at five o'clock — and the Veiled Prophetess. But what remained of to-day had to be lived through. Luckily she would have the interest, to-night, of looking over that cigarette seller at Montparnasse. An awful creature, Lady Gates was almost sure, but she would see and talk to her — for Malcolm's sake. bad happenings which hover over the future like dark birds of prey; she counsels how to fight them off." "Nobody can change the future!" spoke the sensible side of Lady Gates from Leeds. "All I suggest is that you let me make an appointment for you to talk with Madame Blank," persisted Lopez. "She may be able to help you in ways of which • you would not dream. As for the dancing lessons, do not even think of them again till you have been advised by this lady. It has been a pleasure for me and an honor to come here. I am a man before I am a professional ! Would you like an appointment, if I can arrange it, for to-morrow afternoon — say at this hour?" "I would," exclaimed Lady Gates, her eyes tearful no more, but sparkling with vague, mysterious hopes and a very definite excitement. "I think you are a zvonderful man!" "You will find Madame Blank wonderful," amended Lopez. "May I call and take you to her?" "Oh, if it could come true!" breathed Lady Gates, with the almost agonized earnestness of prayer, as she saw herself slim, young and in love. CHAPTER VIII. "the crystal never lies." "My only friend in Hollywood — the only one in all the West!" the girl called "Miss Smith" spoke in her heart of Malcolm Allen,, as from across the room she looked at him under her eyelashes. She yearned toward. Allen, for she was more lonely than she had expected to be in this place of light, and if it were not for the thought of his friendly protection she would have been afraid, of Pierre. Not afraid physically ! The girl would not have come to Hollywood at all, and especially on the errand which