Evening star., 1932-09-27


brow, nodding. Dick making words with
his mouth without saying them.
Words? He didn't need to make
words. She knew what he was think
ing. All at once she didn't hate the
girl in white satin. She found herself
feeling rather sorry for her. For all
the girls who listened to Dicks smooth.
deep VOICE, and wondered about it and
dreamed
The music ended. The people didn't
want it to end They didn't want to 60
back to their tables. to the smell of food,
to the clink of glasses. But they had to.
The music was over. The men in the
orchestra were filing out of the band
stand, disappearing. hurried.
man with a cigar and violin was
walking toward Judy's taole with Dick.
Why should you feel 50 glad because
Dick Mason is coming to your table?
Judy's self asked that. And Judy did
not bother to answer. For Judy's self
knew the answer. and Judy knew
Judy. I thought I'd never get back, '
Dick said.
You seemed to be happy dancing
with that girl" Judy smiled.
That's part of my job. Her father
owns half of the station. So what?"
so nothing" said Judy, somehow
relieved. Just a job. Just part of be-
ing a public figure. And the girl in
white satin might have gown that
cost 10 times as much as Judys, but
that wouldn't help her.
Judy. I want you to meet Ben Ber-
ME. You've heard of Ben Bernie, OF
course 3"
Heard of him? I've heard him and
wanted to meet him for years and
years. Only"
Ben Bernie smiled.
Not as young and handsome as
was, Miss Allison. But I've my charms.
I'm the old maestro, you know"
Yes. OF course. We used to listen
for you every night back in Hiawatha." J"
''Hiawatha."
Judy crImSOned.
TITS in Kansas. It's got 3,2l1 people
and thousand automobiles"
Good for Hiawatha And I'm glad
to have met you, Miss Allison. Well see
you often, hope
Il hope so, too"
He bowed jerkily. A brief man, with
furroved brow, with dark eyes, with n
strange twinkle about him. man Who
seemed to be amused by this crowd as
much as he amused them. A man, JUDI
remembered. who said things that were
old maestro. Old microbe, somebody
called him once. And instead of being
angry about the name, Ben Bernie liked
it and used it and laughed at it. Nice
man.
"Good-by, Mr.. Bernie"
"Good-by."
He was gone, and people were saying,
"Hy, Benz" and Hello. there, old pal!'
and most of them didn't know him at
all, most of them were just making their
-. .;,,lr lt,au hnrQicn
was q somebody.
But 1t wasn't that way with Dick. Ben
Bernie had talked with him as an equal,
Ben Bernie, whose name went all over
the country! Dick"
Nice fellow" said Dick, sitting down,
flashing Judy quick, young smile.
'One of the incest in our racket"
why you're not going to
sly you hate radio3"
oh" He nodded wisely. Elton
Day again. eh?"
How did you know"
He grinned. First thing he tells every
new girl. Very first thing. Let me see.
Something like this" He made himself
solemn, he leaned back with his hand
almost covering his eyes, he began.
They're all fools in radio or they
wouldn't be in it. And I'm fool, too.
1 could be back home selling story
now and then, and being the boy prod
ICY, but :"
1t was uncanny. His voice was like
Elton'S voice. almost exactly like it.
Dick! Stop it! That's cruel"
Cruel? Maybe. Only it's true"
How can you make your voice sound
so much like his?"
I'm an actor. and he's an actor, and
any ham can do what any other ham
can do. judy
Ham?"
"ThatS what all actors call them
selves when they don't want to believe
a word they're saying"
oh" She giegled. Somehow. she
wished he hadn't said it. But 1t was
funny; Dick; didn't you want to be
"Of course But I wasn't. Not good
enough
why not?"
Couldn't believe it. Stand up there,
dressed in suit you got in second
hand store, and tell people you're Silas
Mariner Of Mr.. Whatchamacalit. And
it's too much, Judy. Bad enough being
voice"
But" Bad enough being q
voice? You're not paid to use your
brain. You're paid to be a voice,
Elton Day had said.
"Oh," Dick said quickly. I'm sorry
Judy. You mustn't worry about 1t. II
you're a voice, you can be the best voice
there is. That's something, anyhow
Only it must be a terrible shock to
meet one of those heartbreak voices
and discover it's man 40 years old
with four children and mortgage"
She giggled again. Nice. hearing
DICK talk Funny. how much difference
a voice could make. And funny, how
few men thought about their voices
Most of them just talked. just opened
their mouths and said words. But Dick
Mason
She heard the drum roll sharply
Now the lights flashed up in the CEN
ter of the great room. And Ben
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