Evening star., 1932-10-11
CHAPTER %.

CT jerks, don't you?"
~ Il don't know" Judy re-
piled, leaning against the
orange stand counter.
well, I didn't. He's a chisler."
"a chiseler?"
"Yes. He gets an act for as little as
he possibly can You're worth every
cent he's going to pay you, and then
come. If nothing else, it's worth the
money to him to be sure you don't take
any other jobs Because you could get
other radio jobs now. Judy.
How do you know?"
IT do know. It's my business to
know. It's my job to find out how an
act of mine is getting along.
An act of mine! You, Judy Allison,
working for Elton Day. No use cloud
excuses. Elton Day is your employer,
really; he got you the job with trick,
he got YOU more money with trick,
and vet you can do nothing but ac-
cept it. - so hrs;
ness. Go you, Judy?'
No
DO you think I like it?"
His voice was earnest, honest, lor the
first time since Judy had met MN;
Listen. Judy. I told you I hate TINS
business. I do. I hate pulling strings
ana playing politics and being chiseier
like some of the others. But it's the
only way I know to get what I've got
to have. I can't save money. Judy
Never could. Unless I get more money
than 1 can spend. And now I'm sure
of more than 1 thought I could get,
And jerks will get value for what he's
paving. Don't ever doubt it. Judy Inc
show will pull profits and more profits
for him. You mustn't feel that he's
being cheated. Because he isn't. He's
used to doing business that way, that's
all And had to meet him a. his own
game. No Other wey. If / talked to
him. lust caid. We're worth more.
he'd laugh at me and at you. I tell
you it's true, Judy. Every word OF IT.,
Yes" she said duly. Il suppose So"
But you don't really think so. You
think you're under obligations TO me
and you don't want to be"
DO you blame me?"
"Of course, I don't You've got a
right to think anything you like, Judy.
There's plenty wrong with me. know
that. But this time I'm on the level.
Honestly"
Yes"
Went you say something else?" He
was actually pleading. Elton Day, the
unapcroachable. was pleading with a
Judy Allison of Hiawatha to under
stand things that he-whose job was
words-could not put into any but halt
ing. broken phrases.
There's nothing else to say. Except.
Thank you
And you don't mean that"
But. Of course. I do. The money is
going to help my family a lot. And
having a job Tor year-its more than
I ever counted on. So, of course, I
must thank you
Must" he said eloquently. bitterly.
"That'S just it. Must! Not because
vol want to- Not because you've
changed a bit in the way you think
about me. Just because it's the thing
you ought to do."
She was silent. Elton. moving rest
lessly. stared at himself in the long
mirror back Of the counter. straight
ened his perfect tie. smoothed his i'm
maculate lapels. Now the momentary
look Of despair, almost: of longing to
be liked, was gone. He was the Elton
Day she was used to seeing, smooth.
slender. his chin set at just the right
angle. his eyes confident and untouched.
We'll, let's go, judy" he said cas-
ually mo use standing here. Shall
I drive you home? I'll get a taXicab."
no" judy sad. I've got to send
Of course. Well, I'll see you tomor-
row, then. And don't lose your con-
tr2ct Good-by, Miss Allison
He hailed a taxicab with an elegant
gesture, he stepped inside. disappeared
Now Judy realized that she had news.
news that would make her mother and
father happy. make them send for the
noighbcrs make them telephone to
cousins and auIlts to say. "Judy's doing
wonderfully in Chicago on the radio.
She Just got new contract, and"
Iistles5ly. she sought telegraph office.
Slowly, she wrote, Just got new con-
tract A hundred a week for year.
I'll be sending some home every week.
FIease buy a new dress With this,
mother. Love. I'm very happy" She
wired $50 out of the $500 jerks had
fiven 1ler as a bonus for signing her
contract.
Then she went to Elsie's Office to tell
Elsie what had happened,
She found Elsie pe-turbed, almost
unpleasant at first.
Thought you were going to call
M up
"Oh, Dick?"
mo 1-Lcok. Elsie"
She produced the contract. And Elsie,
businesslike, knowing, ran through IL
hlirriedly, read it second time, then
whistIed long and low.
Judy! You're nSllionaire! You're
set fer life! Here, woman! Shake
hands! Dance a Highland fling! Do
something. anyhcw!"
Judy forced a smile.
"It is nice. isn't it?" she said.
Nice! Elsie Knocked her. Mice!
YEN, and the Grand Canyons nice
little thing too! Nice! Fey-Mike! Tell
the boss I'm taking the afternoon off.
Got things to DO. Got business. Got to
go to Africa for the week end. You
hear me? Here, Judy. is my hat on
straight? Is it? 1t ISM? 1t wouldn't be.
WE'LL come on. woman! Come en-!
We've got to celebrated Gee! A hun
dTed a week."
1t was like that for half hour, with
Elsie talking. laughing, almost shout
ing; with Judy answering in monosyl-
lables, only once in while. Until. in
the cocl depths of the big motion pic
ture house. Elsie turned suddenly. wais-
pering, You're not tickled bit! What's
wrong with you, anyhow. Judy?"
Nothing. Oh, nothing"
Dent lie to ms! What is it all
abo1t?"
Hesitantly, then more rapidly, Judy
poured out the stcry. How she watched