The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-13

song?
XXTHEN she reached the club it
w was as Oliver had said. The
place was filling slowly but there
was an atmosphere of excitement
about the holiday-making crowd.
Most of the orchestra was already
on the platform tuning up. Oliver,
calm now, wore a CLASSY smile
which deceived no one. Certainly
not the girl in the cheap suit who
whispered, Tell me when you're
ready"
She was not to sing from the
platform but from a doorway
farther down the room where she
was to appear Unannounced after
they had played the melody
through.
More lipstick," Oliver suggested
you want your mouth heavily made
up and the rest Of your face dead
white. There, that's better. Now
! then"
Pale wings of hair framed the
wistful face beneath the small black
hat. Her eyes were wide AID dark
as she stood behind the curtained
doorway and waited for Oliver to
give the signal
The orchestra played the song
entirely through with no appreci-
able lull in the hum of conversa-
ton but when slender girl in
cheap black suit and hat suddenly
appeared IN the doorway singing it
a hush ieIl upon the scattered
diners.
There was heartache in that
voice. The tragedy of love in her
white, young face. Not a woman
there but thought, II know how
she feels" rot a man but admitted
intentionally, 1--WE made girls look
like that"
She stirred the imagination until
the ghost of every dead love in that
room stole from it's hiding place
and lifted the one face every per-
son beyond 80 conceals deep in his
heart. Men and women stared at
her seeing some one else, while
memories long submerged made
their Threats ache with the pain of
suppressed tears.
Then as abruptly as it had started
the music ceased and she was gone.
THERE was dead silence-a
l. greater tribute than the ap-
plauSe that followed. But Oliver
refused to let her sing it over as an
encore.
Mustn't spoil it," he warned.
Later on you may, but not to-
night"
The piano players face was
wreathed in smiles no longer CLASSY.
Even the musicians who had stared
at her so disinterestedly that first
day were impressed by the uneX-
pected sensation she had caused.
And when it was repeated the
second and third times with even
greater effect, Treasure herself
knew the victory had been won.
Oliver had put his idea across.
There was no need for him to
tell her. For some reason she her.
/ self would never understand, the
song had, as Oliver expressed it,
gotten under their skins" Before
the night was over many of them
were humming it and the poingnant
minor chords trembled in the air
long after the orchestra had finished
playing it.
divers delight was like that of
a child. He squeezed her hand
until it hurt, whispering Great
work, kid! Wait minute and Ill
take you home"
Even the proprietor Of the night
club, a large man as unlike Pete
Fernando as possible, expressed his
appreciation with an exaggerated
| bow and much kissing Of the hand
On their way home Oliver cried,
1T was a great performance. l
wasn't wrong. You've got what it
/ takes"
I had very little to do with it,
she protested. 1T was your way of
presenting it,"
Its swell song. Treasure, and
I now you can sing II! len NE WIldI
were you thinking about?"
MY baby" she answered with an
uncomfortable break in her voice.
He wasn't we'll when left him
tonight"
Il thought it might have been his
father. You didn't sound as if you
were thinking Of a child"
But I was" she insisted.
Oliver sighed, then he said cheer
fully: This is the beginning Of good
luck for both of us, Treasure. Some
thing big is bound to come before
our six weeks are up. And in the
meantime, young lady, you're under
contract. How does s35 a week sound
to you?"
ITO Be COntinued)