Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-25
CHAPTER a

CHAPTER "A
Miss Lee" the program director
asked her in a tone as businesslike
as he would address any Of the work
ing girls around wwBC, have you
any Of your fan mail here at the
studio?"
Elanda's heart sank to the bottom
Of her shoes.
Fan mail? Mono"
Il suppose you keep il all at home.
Can you bring some OF ii TO me In
the morning? I'd like to look 1t over,
How many letters do you average a
program"
Elanda sat down weakly.
"Why-why. Mr.. Fiske, isn't Ii too
soon for me to begin getting fan
mail? I've only been on five La
Paloma programs" She knew ii
was q weak defense Of herself, and
blushed.
He looked up in utter surprise.
You haven't had ANY fan mail
at all? Why, that Is very strange.
Almost unbelievable. He stroked his
little mustache thoughtfully when
Elanda remained silent, dumb with
embarrassment and humiliation.
We'll, then there is Just cause for
the advertising manager OF the La
Paloma Soap company to call in 10
see me and ask whether something
can't be done to pep things up a
bit. We will have to change the
type of stuff you are doing. Wen
have to give you some popular stuff"
"Oh, no." Elanda gave a little cry
Of protest, you aren't going to make
me sing popular things are you? j
don't like it. I've never done IT,"
Fiske sat back and twiddled his
thumbs for a moment before he
answered her. When he did he ask
ed her ~forcefully:
Miss Lee, are you another Of those
would-be 'artistes' who wants to
earn a living with her voice and still
right for a mess OF pottage If she
sings what the general public likes"
Fiske Ganed over and drummed
a pencil on the table.
You listen to mel I've been in
this businIs ever since radio was
born. There are millions and mil
lions OF Americans listening in on
their radios every night who don't
know a word Of French, or Italian
or Spanish. They want TO hear
things they can understand. I don't
blame them! They didn't buy their
radios TO learn TO be interpreters"
Elanda twisted her fingers and
listened to him attentively. Her face
was growing red, because he was
treating her just as he would any
one else After all. she was Greg
Du Pon't fiancee. Didn't he realize
that? In a little while she would
mt be La Paloma. She would be
Mrs. Gregory Du Pont. the third.
She was almost ready to beg his
pardon coldly and get up and save
what shreds OF dignity she had left,
when he went on:
The La Paloma people wanted
someone more like a blues crooner
when they were looking for a Miss
La Paloma. But Mr.. Du Pont con-
WINGED them you were the type to do
1t. because you were pretty as well
as talented.
There's only n way we car save
the day and give them full value for
their money. That is for you to sing
things that will appeal TO the gen.
eral public. The La Palcma people
pay five thosuand dollars an hour
for the air alone - not counting the
expense Of q big symphony orches-
ira and you artists. 1t wouldn't be
honest business for us not to try our
best to get that money back for
them. Would it?"
Il suppose not" Elanda shook her
head wretchedly, but I just don't
see how I al bear to sing that
junk"
"Oh, be yourself!" he exploded I'M
~graciously. You don't look like a
girl who had been brought UP to be-
lieve anything except art Is not
worth living for. Being high hat
doesn't bring in the bacon. sister!"
Elanda. much against her wishes.
and with her pride in ashes, left
Fiske's office with several popular
songs to learn.
1t was a fact that she had not
received any fan mail at all and that
had beaten her. She couldn't fight