Page:Our Little Girl (1923).pdf/157



It was a chance encounter with Rose Manning that brought to Dorothy a realization of the fact that fame in the concert world was not far away. Dorothy was emerging from Schirmer’s on Forty-third Street, where she had journeyed in quest of “encore songs,” when she almost ran into Rose, who was tripping eastward into the tea-dancing district on the arm of a young man who obviously went to Cornell. Rose disengaged herself from her escort and flung herself upon Dorothy with startling effusiveness.

“Why Dorothy Loamford!” she cried affectionately. “I haven’t seen you in years! Where have you been keeping yourself? I guess you don’t talk to us unimportant people any more, with a recital ’n’ everything!"

Dorothy found herself returning Rose’s kisses.

“Meet Mr. Schuster,” said Rose, shoving forward the young man, who had been left to inspect the windows of the music shop. “This is Miss Reitz, who is singing in Aeolian Hall next week. We used to go to conservatory together but she’s gone way ahead of poor little me. She’s a real, honest concert singer. Wait till you hear her!”

Dorothy acknowledged Mr. Schuster’s greeting.

“Tt sure is good to see you again, Dot,” Rose rattled on. “I’ve often wondered when you'd make your début. We all knew you'd be one of the big stars very soon. You can bet I’ll be there! I'll make Mr. Schuster take me. He hates good music, but we'll show him—what, Dorothy?”

“I'll be very glad to come,” said the abashed Mr.