New Britain herald., 1927-02-02

and gambling in the place."
 Did you drive home with Gus MacCloud 2" Robbie asked, trying to sound off-hanG. Monica yawned and poured her self d second cup of coffee. He didn't go." she said shortly. When you didn't go he got sore and ditched the rest of us. Nice po- lite boy, wasn't he?'
 Robbie said nothing in answer. But happiness swept through her suddenly. She turned away and looked out of the window to hide her face from Monica, lest it should show the thing she felt. Silly to be so glad because man imagined himself half in love with her.
 What day. she cried. "I feel as if all the sunshine were shining right through me. don't you? Oh. I love this town. ] just love it."
 "Rave on," said Monica. You're going good.'
 Mrs. Mangan opened the door. "Telephone for Miss Ransom"
 If was Gus MacCloud.
 What are you doing tonight 2" he asked he as soon as she said Hello"
 Nothing"
 Want to go the actors benefit with me-"
 Love it." answered Robbie. She had been reading about the actors benefit all week. The papers were full of it.
 Come for you at eight Byc-bye till then" and MacCloud hung up.
 Robbie did not go back to Mon ica. Instead she ran into her own room, locked the door and turned to the mirror. In the glass her face was full of sparkle and roses.
 "Oh, you lucky thing" she whis- pered. looking at herself. This is your reward for not going to Satan- town."
 That night at nine o'clock she stood with Gus in the wings of the theater where the actors were holding their benefit performance.
 It seemed like q dream to her. The famous faces, the noise, the lights, the excitement. Above all the nearness of the man beside her
 Then came d lull between acts.
 Robbie tried desperately to think of something to say. Something bright and witty and cute. But she couldn't Her tongue seemed tied-weighted with lead.
 Flows your picture career com- ing along?" MacCloud broke the silence that hung between them so thick that it could have been cut with a knife.
 He smiled down at her, his blue eyes looking sleepy between ''alf- closed lids. Robbie knew he was laughing at her.
 She forgot all at once that she was feeling shy and out of place.
 It's coming along fine. thanks" src said with a flash of spirit. "Mr. Schultz sent me over to Fitz yes terday for a special make up and
 My idea. I suggested it to him." MacCloud broke in lazily. He strengthened Up and turned towards her so that his face was close to hers.
 The first time I saw you. your face struck me as being an awfully good picture face.t he said. "I kept thinking about you that night, long after you'd left that restau- lant-I've even forgotten which restaurant it was"
 "Carlton and Armstrong's, Bob bic told him.
 There was another long silence.
 Then MacCloud said quietly: ''It's pull that counts in this picture business. And if my luck holds, I'm going to go straight to the top and I can pull a lot of other peo- pie up with me-
 Robbie looked at him thought fully-aDd beyond him she seemed to see her own name in electric light letters. Robbie Ransom" Just as she had always dreamed of seeing it, above the bright entrance of some motion picture show.
 Do you mean you could help me to get along?' she asked, swaying