Evening star., 1936-05-26
,INSTALLMENT VIII.

for Shell. But he had man
~ aged to put her of. If she
we're awkward and untalented he
would feel that he'd have to render
q true verdict because he didn't be-
lieve In telling people they were good
When they weren't. So he thought
it best to evade the issue.
In silence Shell lay back upon the
couch. forgetting his own worries over
getting publicity for Rainbow Over
Broadway" in his sympathy for the
two girls from Kansas who had been
so kind to him. He thought of Pa
tience with her wide grin and good
natured humor and knew when they
did go he would miss them keenly.
They had been touch of home
In the wilds of Broadway. And
Patience was the best cook he had
ever known in his life. How she
managed to read his thoughts and
find out the things he liked best was
becoming a mystery to him.
Patience finished the dishes and
went over the kitchenette floor with
a dust mop. She had waxed it until
it shone, and everything, even the
little yellow Dutch dinette set, cleaned
like new with the magic of her home
making. There wasn't thing in the
kitchen out of its own special place
when she took of her rubber apron,
washed her hands and went into the
living room.
Jan still slumped in her chair, her
black curly head on one arm, and
Shell lay staring morosely at the
ceiling.
"Welll must say" Patience looked
them over with arms akimbo on her
slender hips, you're a gay-looking
young couple! I think I'll turn on
the radio and drown you out. Your
hilarity unnerveS mel"
1t was about time, Patience had
been thinking, that Shell Pease asked
Janell to dance for him. And II he
was afraid to take a chance on her
being a washout, he was going to
have to say no thanks. Patience
turned the dial until she found good
Jazz orchestra. then smiled brightly
Jan, you haven't practiced today"
She tried to speak casually. Even
if you are tired, you can't neglect
keeping yourself limbered up and In
form. Come on now, hop!"
Shell raised up quickly.
Sure, go ahead, Janell; I've got to
get goin'. But I'll be seein' you at
breakfast"
Patience grinned knowingly.
"Oh, no, you don't! You're going
to see my sister dance if have to
sit on your lap. Set!"
Jan flushed. why, Patience, If
Mr.. Pease doesn't want to be both
erred"
1t was Shells turn to color. He
said hurriedly Sure, Id like to see
you dance, Janell. I just thought it
might bother you"
Patience pulled back the rug.
Put on your red lounging pa
tamas, Jan, and you'll have more free
dom. Change in the bath room"
We'll, if Mr.. Pease doesn't mind,
b-but I don't want to force him to
watch me show off,
Don't be ridiculous" Shell re-
filled his pipe and tried to look as
though he had settled down for the
evening. "I've been wanting to ask
YOU, but never seemed to get around
to it"
While Janell was changing Patience
whispered nervously, You must tell
us the truth. I'm sure you know
great deal about the show business. I
think she has wonderful talent for
girl who has studied only three years.
Dancing has always been as natural
with her as breathing. But if you
think she isn't good enough for the
stage you won't be doing us favor
by saying she is"
Shell nodded and felt a sinking feel
ing of responsibility.
II give you my word" He pulled
at his tie. II won't spare the criti-
cism. I've been worrying about you
two and I'll be glad to get it over
with, one way or the other"
you've been very kind" Patience
dropped her eyes. More like some
one we've known all our lives. I've
wanted to thank you"
Thank me? I'm the best-fed man
In New York. I'm the one that's
getting the best of this bargain
Jan emerged from the bath room,
gayly bedecked in the lipstick-red vel
vet pajamas with yard-wide legs. She
had made up; her lips were scarlet
to match the pajamas. Shell was
pleasantly surprised at the change
in her appearance. What she lacked,
he discovered, was coloring.
He noticed for the first time how
shiny we're her short, ringleted curls
and how slender and fine her white
throat. Her features, he saw, were
excellent. The oval, refined face with
the straight boyish nose and the
high, full forehead, made her an
excellent type. now that she had
given herself becoming color from a
makeup box.
A Patrician type. he decided, too
uncommon on Broadway. It was her
very refinement of type and dress
that had made her seem plain. The
pajamas even took away the lanky
look. 1t was worry that had made
her lose weight, Patience had said. He
had not been told that Janell had
been Tilted and assumed she was wor-
ried only because of her thwarted
ambition.
And then Jan began to dance. The
radio was playing rather slow, bar
baric jazz melody. and for a few
seconds she frowned deeply. catching
the rhythm. Suddenly she stiffened
and flung her long arms wide, then
slowly her legs began to move in a
wide circle and her feet come down
to tap briskly on the polished floor.
The taps were broken up in rhythm
different from anything Shell Pease
had ever heard, and he watched,
fascinated.
Patience, clinching her hands, re-
laXed when he moved to the edge of
the couch. A relieved, pleased express
sion spread over Shells dark face.
When the music stunned he