The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-09
( I! 81, ]g#!|0 .s@ IY ( IRE

! newcomer wondered at her sur
prise, since, he believed, she had
just addressed him.
oh" BeryI stammered, I'm
sorry"
Sorry for what, pray? For some
Of the loveliest sounds ever heard
hereabouts?"
Beryl's confusion left her and
she stared at the man with cold
ness that dared him to bait her
further.
II mean it," he said quietly. But
was hasty. for you may be look
ing for a job"
He smiled and Beryl smiled with
him. NO. she said, I'm not a
singer"
NO" he agreed with her, you
are not a singer. thank the Lord,
but I'd like to hear whatever it is
you were doing on the air"
DERYLs eyes opened in amaze
ID ment. Then discouraging
thought struck her. Are you a
singer2" she asked suspiciously.
The man chuckled. Il thought I
was once upon a time, but I soon got
over it,"
you and me, too" Beryl ad-
mitted. Then she thought of what
he had said about hastiness. do
you hire singers?" she asked di-
rectly.
Sometimes. Are you sorry you're
not singer?"
yes" Beryl answered simply,
but no one knows it except you
and-and my father"
We'll, I'm not sorry-not if you
turn out to be what I think you
are"
Again Berry, stared at him in de-
mand Of an explanation. Il think
you are an entertainer" he told
her Would you care TO try it out?"
TRY it out?" Beryl repeated
doubtfully.
yes, since you're here at the
studio it won't be any trouble for
any of Us. I've free moment to
give to it.
Come along, and try not to forget
what you were singing just now and
how you were singing it."
"Oh, but I can't" Beryl protested.
I'm waiting for my sister. Shes
having an air test-you sent for her,
you know. Irene Everett. She's q
soprano"
The man shook his head. Then
I didn't send for her." he declared
emphatically. THE only soprano
care for is Jenny Lind"
Her teacher has great hopes for
her." Beryl boosted.
4 II
THE man nodded. Il see-the
Il teacher arranged the test. Quite
often they turn up good material
for us-and quite often-but come
along, I want to hear what you
can do. I'll see that your sister is
informed of your whereabouts.
Beryl began to feel excited as she
was conducted to an office-like
room down a corridor. There an
alert-looking young man was in
troduced to her.
She left that room for still an
other. The man whose name she
did not yet know remained behind.
This time she was led to a room
that looked like drapery display to
her, or stage set to exhibit a
mIcrophone. A piano stood be-
side it and Beryl was seated there.
Nov will you please play and
sing for YOURSELF" the alert young
man asked her with a casual
friendliness that helped greatly to
put her at ease. THE same thing
you were singing when Mr.. Barn
hoff heard you"
A hint Of stage fright appeared
in Beryl's expression. 1t brought
a soothing, you've never done this
before, have your" from the young
man.
Beryl shook her head.
We'll, just take it easy while
you warm up little. Mr.. Barnhoff
won't be listening in for a while
yet. He had something else to do"
The latter statement was untrue,
designed to make the ordeal easier
for Beryl, for the young man knew
that an invisible audience was often
more terrifying than visible one.
AS his personal contribution to
her success he moved about in quiet
activity, softly whistling a cheerful
tune.
Beryl's hands lowered uncertain
ly over the piano keys. You're
scared" she said to herself scorn-
fully. Berry, Borden, you're
scared!"
In self reproof she began to play
with a stern determination. The
resultant sounds displeased her
more than her stage fright had
done.
That's no good" she said aloud
and stopped. The helpful young
man came over and stood beside
her.
They say that Kreisler always
plays to his wife-no matter how
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