Evening star., 1932-09-23
CHAPTER 5.
ONA BURDETTE shot a r


she laughed loudly, SO Judy
IL would be sure to hear. She said
something in a low voice to
man who stood near her. Some man
from Station WAOA, Judy knew. And
what the girl was saying was some
thing unpleasant and about Judy And
the man would repeat what was said.
That was why the Burdette girl was
saying it.
Judy knew that Elton Days face had
a strange. almost worried, look as he
stood beside her Then she was inside
the elevator, standing beside him.
Seventeen" he said quickly, as the
door closed.
This was too much. Not bewilder-
cold menace in the girls eyes, could
stop Judy now.
Stop" she said. sharply, moving, for
ward Il want to get out"
Sorry, lady" the operator answered,
not looking mo stops before seven
teenth."
But I want to get out" Judy said,
feeling like a small child crying for
candy.
Sorry" the operator said.
Thanks" said Elton Day. And as
the elevator stopped. as the door
changed open, he whisked out bill
with lightning motion, stuffed it into
the operators hand. murmured, See to
it YOU don't ever stop before the seven
teenth!" and took Judy's arm with
careless. possessive. easy gesture
Then things happened.
Judy stepped back. She looked at
Elton Day slowly, carefully.
Il don't like you, after ALL she said
slowly, weighing the words. Il don't
Ike you at all"
Back home" she said carefully, Eve
have a word for people like you. It's
country word and maybe you wouldn't
remember it. We say they're too fresh
to live"
He began to laugh. She couldn't help
noticing, even in her anger that he had
beautifully even teeth. And she couldn't
help knowing that Elton Day knew his
teeth were white and even and she
couldn't help feeling he had practiced
that laugh in front of his mirror for
many hours.
She pushed the down" button. Al
most in the same second a red light
showed. a car moved down to the floor,
the door opened. Judy stepped toward
mo" said Elton, loudly. We've
changed our minds. Go on, JIM"
The door changed shut. The car was
. Now" he said quietly. Were going
to talk little bit, you and I. And If
you won't talk here, I'll follow you and
talk wherever you stop And II 1t takes
10 years to catch up-I'll still be fol-
lowing you. And-oh, hello, Mrs. Nor
rissey How'd the show go? That so?
Good. knew you could do it. And Mrs.
McGovern! Fancy seeing you.
People were all around Judy. None Of
the nice young men Judy had ever
~ ,Iop cnI har hy
speaking out in front of other people.
But this man would, and she knew 1t.
And the rules she had learned back
home meant nothing now. &.
my friend, Miss Allison" he was
saying.
She managed, How do you do?" She
shook hands with Mrs Morrissey, whose
hands were fat. and with Mrs. Nc,
Govern, whose hands were thin and
cold and limp. And then she realized
that she was walking with them, talk
ing. Saying Yes" when Mrs. Nor
rissey said it was very cold day. Say
ing mo" when Mrs. McGovern asked
if she went to the So-and-So Club.
Saying "Yes" when Mrs. Morrisey in
formed her that radio was very inter-
esting work.
Sorry" said Elton Day to Mrs Nor
rissey and Mrs. Mcliovern. This is
my Office and Miss Allison and have
to 90 over q continuity for tomorrow.
! See you again. Here you are, Judy"
: The door opened, the door closed be-
hind her. Calamity, Day spun swivel
chair.
You're not crazy" Judy said con-
versationally. Not really. You Just
want to be-"
"And who doesn't? Is there anything
in being sane? Why, if you stay sane,
you'll go mad. So why not be mad In
the first placer Why not, indeed2"
Il told you minute ago don't like
you"
you'll not say that many times
more"
Why not?"
Because knew the moment I saw
you that your mother brought you up
to tell the truth. And when you didn't
tell the truth, you got your mouth
washed out with soap suds. And when
you say you don't like me you're not
telling the truth. So-wait a min
utel"
From q desk he extracted a cake Of
soap. He began to rip off the wrapper,
he took the top from water carafe on
his desk.
"Open your moth" he said.
II won't"
"Must use force2"
Judy regarded his thin hands. Then