The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-23
Copyright NEA 1916


while it was stiIl there.
The pastel-green facade of the
building was familiar to her, and
she found the wide doors closed but
yielding to her touch. When she
had stepped inside she was aston
ished at the sight that met her eyes.
The big room was deserted now,
and Illuminated eerily from only
nigh, small ventilating windows
near the ceiling. Cloths were gone
from the tables set on tiers above
the rather small dance fioor-and
the chairs were stacked atop the
tables.
From the occasional evenings she
hac attended the Green Club, Julia
recalled the magic glitter of the
platform on which the orchestra
sat. But that had been a, glitter
beneath spotlights. Now, in Ibis
weak, natural illumination, the set
ting for Henri Lambs orchestra
looked gaudy and cheap.
TN the center of the platform she
l. saw the thin metal standard with
its microphone at the top. Il Won
der" Julia thought, IF I'll be stand
ing there, singing to people in this
room
Involuntary, she sought the let
ter Peter Kemp had given her.
Holding it as if it were talisman,
she went toward the stairway which
she guessed would lead to Henri
Lambs Office.
Within surprisingly few steps she
was IN tiny ante-room which held
only three things-a photograph of
Henri Lamb and his orchestra, a
SCARED bench and very young
man who sat on the end of the
bench smoking cigaret.
He surveyed Julia critically and
said, "You want to see Mr.. Lamb?"
Yes" she faltered. More than
once she had faced irate Woodford
clients and turned them away harm
lessly. But somehow she was afraid
| of this very young man. II have
letter to him."
I'll take it in," the young man
said, holding out his hand for it..
In very short time he was fac
ing her again. Come on in" he
said. "Mr. Lambll see YOU"
THE quick magic of Peters letter
4 gave Julia immeasurable cour-
age. She found Henri Lamb a short,
heavy, dapper individual who lost
| much of his personality out of the
black jacket in which he led his
band. But he seemed sincere, and
Julia liked him.
Friend of Pete's, Ell? Ever do
any professional singing?"
Julia had to admit she hadn't.
We'll, maybe that's all the bet
ter" He turned to the door. Jim
:. Jim, turn the spot on the mike.
Then go down and play for Miss
Craig. She feels like singing"
"Okay," jim said. Then to Julia:
What d'you want to sing?"
Il know most of the new things"
She looked at Henri Lamb. How
about Accent on Youth?"
Lamb nodded. That's a good
number. Let's have it. And leave
your hat here. I want to see your
hair under the spot" When Julia
removed her hat he gave a little ex-
clamation of approval Say. that
ought to look good!"
AS Julia went downstairs and
across the empty dance floor to the
platform, she walked as one in a
trance. The spotlight was binding
at first, but she was grateful for it
because it hid the big emptiness of
| the roonl-and it hid, too, the dis
concerning figure of Lamb. But
, when Jim started in at the piano
Julia forgot everything but the
plaintive, haunting song. And she
sang it well. She knew she did.
nN' the final chorus, Henri Lamb
~ walked close to the micro
phone. When she had finished he
patted her hand. But he was shak-
ing his head, too, and she heard
him say met quite yet. But
you're coming s.long"
You mean III won't do?"
I'm afraid that's it, He looked
at her seriously Its a tough
racket, anyhow, grille. Why dont
you forget it?"
Stammering her thanks, her eyes
filming with tears of humiliation
Julia rushed from the platform
She was almost out the door wher
she remembered she had left hel
hat upstairs. She ran for it, hop
ing she wouldn't confront Henri
Lamb again.
Beside her hat on his Uttered
desk she saw the half-open lette,
which Peter Kemp had written te
Lamb. Peter had typed it out ir
clear capitals which even her glance
could not miss. 1t said: DEAR
HENRI-THIS Is JULIA CRAIG
WHO WANTS TO SING IN YOUR
CLUB. BUT WHEN YOU GIVE
HER A TRY-OUT I WISH YOU'I
REMEMBER I'M IN LOVE WITH
HER AND DON'T WANT HER TC
BE A SINGER.