The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-20

actress I'm not sure I'd want to be-"
 "Nonsense!" Dram almost yell ed inside the little room. T watch ed you at Crest Lake. You are beautiful. You are natural. You are young. want you to be at the studio tomorrow at 10. Ask for me-" He got up abruptly, hat in hand. You'll promise to be there?"
 "Why . if Miss Montez wants 1t, yes. But I thought she had something in mind for me in the office somewhere.'
 "In the office!" Dram repeated in disgust. You can get nowhere in the office. I'll see you tomorrow at 10!"
 Then, without the formality of goodby, the director was gone.
 Jo stood watching him from the window, saw him push his heavy frame behind the wheel of his roadster. Somehow she wished Lo- lita Montez hadn't drawn Silas Dram into her affairs. Instinctive- ly Jo mistrusted him. He seemed more like a heartless machine than a man. And Jo felt that Lolita in planning to get her into pictures, was giving her too great a test. She was sure to fail, Jo felt. and she wouldn't want to ask Lolita for a second chance. Its odd she'd want me to go into the movies when she herself hates them so," Jo thought, bewildered.
 At 10 tomorrow, Dram had said, at the Atlas lot.
 The man at the big wide gate which guarded Atlas from the rest of Hollywood was instantly suspi- cious. But when Jo gave him the name or Silas Dram d little of his suspicion melted-but not suffici- entity to allow him to let her enter before he had called Dranns office and verified her appointment. Once he had determined this, he was courtesy itself.
 Just go right on in, Miss Darien," he said. "It's that big white building to the left there. They'll tell you where Drann's off, | fee is."
 As Jo made her way to the ad- ministration building of the Atlas organization she saw none of the ceaseless activity she had expected. All about her were high enclosing walls and behind them, she sup posed, the real picture making went on. Some of them were dotted with signs warning, SILENCE" |" or NO ADMITTANCE," or DO NOT ENTER WHILE RED LIGHT Is ON" Even the grass in front of the administration building was not to be disturbed, although the | sign was a gentle one, pleading simply, "PLEASE!" Jo obeyed, di- recting her steps to the narrow concrete walk.
 She did not have to inquire for Dram. She encountered him all most in the entrance way. "Ah!" he burst out, smiling. "Right on time! And punctuality is a first requisite in this business. Come on, l want to rehearse you a little." | Taking her by the arm he led the bewildered Jo across the pave- ment and into a small building which was empty save for can vas chair, table, and a maze of lights and wires overhead. Dram plopped immediately into the chair.
 We won't do much," he said. Let's see you walk"
 Jo looked at him, startled.
 Walk. walk! You know how to walk. don't you? That's good. Can you smile on order!"
 Jo found that she could, but her smile was really genuine for she was amused at Drann's pompous absurdity. Now he handed her a sheet of paper from his pocket Read that. Read 1t just as fl it were a letter you were reading to someone--Just make 1t clear and understandable"
 Her voice trembling a litle. Jo read the typewritten page. Hei hands were shaklng SO that she found it difficult to make out the wofdF.
 "I'l rrvr' "a 70 nli." she told