Evening star., 1936-07-18

- She said: mo, Ted, my ex-
preston isn't SNUG. It's elation
- under control You see, I'm a
working woman now! I go to New
York in the morning. Mr.. Valance
heard me sing tonight and has given
me a place in one of his night clubs.
And with the money make and the
money grandfather allows me shall
have enough to take two lessons a
week with Dmetrieff! Oh, Ted, isn't
it perfectly wonderful"
We'll. say-that's swell. kid. Per-
fectly swell"
Patsy grinned II don't know how
I shall ever prove to Mr.. Valance
just how grateful I am, do you?"
Then she added: But, Ted, do gather
up Virginia and let's be on our way.
It's two-hour ride back to town and
it's after l o'clock now"
Ted turned, clicking his heels. But
she saw that before he went to gather
up Virginia he crossed the room to
the small dark girl in pink gingham
and stood for a moment holding her
hand.
Courtney Valance leaned toward
Patsy. His eyes grew narrow and
amused beneath heavy lids. He said.
in an undertone: There seems to be
reversal of things here tonight. Your
brother is casting wicked eye at that
child in pink and Virginia is over in
the corner looking daggers at him.
Valance paused a moment and stood
staring at Mary Jane Carroll. Then
he said, When technicolor is def
mite thing in films I think shall ask
that child for a screen test. That's
one of the loveliest bushes ! have
ever seen. Genuine. After man
has known as many women as I he
can tell the difference. Wonder if
Ted recognizes" he concluded gravely,
"a real gem when he sees one or if
he will 60 through life Judging all
women by the paste jewel that has
blinded him to pure facets"
Before Patsy could answer Valance
turned quickly, looking deep into her
eyes. He said: You see, l knew the
real from the spurious"
And Patsy felt the blood rush hot
and quick to her cheeks For his
words brought back the memory Of
those last two hours driving through
the rain and sleet: Courtney Valance
building great plans for her future,
outlining the course he'd advise her to
follow in her career. One year in New
York studying with Dmetrieff, another
in Italy, followed by a concert tour of
the continent. Always in the arcana
Of her mind-the Metropolitan. Money
was part of the problem. but she'd
make some by singing and she had
her small inheritance. If she bud
geted carefully there would be enough.
Suddenly he had ceased talking and
had laid his hand over hers. Her eyes
had not turned to meet his. but had
remained level in distance, remote
and cool on the wet ribbon of mac
adam. Yet she had felt his gaze on
her profile and had known. instinc-
lively, that he was going to ask her
to marry him.
When Valance finally asked her,
stumblingly, adding that she must not
decide Immediately, that she must
take as long as she wished to make
up her mind, she had said:
I'm sorry you asked me. because
because don't love you. All evening
told myself that I wanted to marry
you, that if you ever asked me would
accept you. You see. I'm desperately
in love with another man and-it's an
impossible situation. I thought that
If married yOu-" Her voice had
broken off. Then she had confessed
that she had looked upon him as an
opportunity, knowing. as she did. that
no singer, no matter how talented,
ever succeeded entirely on her own
merit: so many people play parts.
small and large, in the building of one
persons career. At last she said:
Now you'll hate me. You won't even
want scheming person like me for a
friend. Still I had to tell you"
Her cheeks famed. "Oh, please be-
lieve that think you're fine and real.
That you've paid me the greatest COM
pliment in your power. I'm putting
this badly. bat you must see what
mean" She had looked at him then a
little helplesSly, her blue eyes begging
him to understand and agree with her.
Look here" he had said. quickly
Lee Cavendish is one of the swellest
guys who ever lived, no matter what
a mess life has dealt him. Forget
everything I've said and thanks a lot
for not tearing my pride into shreds.
You see, you're the first girl I ever
asked to marry me. mean that.
Now about this career of yours. To-
morrow you'll be in New York"
There the memory snapped, for
Ted had oafhered I'm an iporad;hI,,