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Death of a Celebrity (World Cultural Heritage Library)
Death of a Celebrity - World Cultural Heritage Library Author:Hulbert Footner Excerpt: — DEATH OF A CELEBRITY — Miss GAIL GARRETT, accompanied by her elderly maid, Catherine, was on her way to dinner at Gavin Dordress?. She was appearing in Robert Greenfield?s play. White Orchids, at the time, and the party had been arranged for Sunday night to suit her convenience. She had not the expression of one who is looking forward t... more »o a good time. In the seclusion of the car her beautiful face was tense and stormy. When the cab stopped, she saw several men with square boxes hanging around the apartment house door, and she hesitated before getting out. ?Press photographers? Who do you suppose tipped them off? Gavin wouldn?t.?
?They always seem to know where you?re going to be, Miss,? said Catherine.
It was a small apartment house, one tenant to a floor, and there was nobody to open the door of the car. ?I don?t see why Gavin lives in such a dump,? grumbled Miss Garrett. ?He doesn?t have to. Get out first and keep my skirt off the running-board.?
Catherine obeyed. Miss Garrett settled the collar of her ermine coat more becomingly around her neck, and assumed the famous smile. When she had descended, Catherine closed the door of the car, and hung behind so that she would not spoil the pictures. All the photographers tried to crowd in front of the star simultaneously. ?Walk slowly,? said one.
?Give us a chance.? Another was crying: ?Look at me, Miss Garrett. Look at me!?
She smiled, the bulbs flashed; they made way for her, and she entered the building. As the sober Catherine followed, one of the young men winked at her broadly. ?Hi, Toots!? he said softly.
Catherine glared at him, and all the young men laughed.
The entrance door led directly into a small, square foyer with a single elevator. The operator was a sharp-featured young white man with an insinuating smile. As soon as he had closed the elevator door, he turned around, saying: ?Good-evening, Miss Garrett. Hope it?s not a liberty, but I seen you in your play on Thursday night. It was swell!?
Gail smiled automatically. ?Thank you.? He went on: ?If you would give me your autograph, Miss Garrett, I would value it above anything I own.? From his pocket he produced a fountain pen and a little pad. ?I can?t write with my gloves on.?