Evening star., 1936-06-20


- be q celebrity in the celebrity
a maddest town in the world.
Even beyond Shells widest press
agent dreams, the Gay White Way took
her to its fickle heart and made by
word Of her name. Overnight, 1t
seemed, Broadway shop windows bios
somed with Jan Keats trousers, Jan
Keats shirts, Jan Keats hats. The
streets were filled with girls swagger-
ing about in mannish attire.
A police escort was at her side when
she made the slightest move to 60 out
side. Half the population Of New York
seemed determined either to touch the
new idol or to tear her clothes to
shreds to take home for souvenirs.
Department stores were Nightmares.
Finally, in desperation. they sent for
clerks to bring the stores to the apart
ment, so that Jan could assemble q
wardrobe befitting her new role Of
Broadway's darling.
She was sure there was nothing left
in the world to indofse. When a cam
era wasn't turned on her, q reporter
was asking her q question or some one
made another stage, screen or vaude-
vile offer. Only Shell bore up bravely.
He remarked once to the f1ustered Pa
thence that he believed he had died
and gone to the press agents heaven.
But she had snapped hoarsely, "Or
vice versa"
The new director Of Rainbow Over
Broadway" had been ordered by Levy
TO change the show to give Miss Keats
every possible advantage to show her
versatility, and Jan had spent hours
daily rehearsing.
In the opening act she did her male
imperSonation and burst forth into q
radiant, magnif1cently costumed girl
for three more scenes. Only in her
new wardrobe did Jan find q shred Of
comfort to ease her aching heart.
Patience and Shell, watching her
closely, knew that she was keeping
going by sheer will, that everything she
did was for their sakes and that for
some reason she cared absolutely moth
ing about all the new glory being
heaped at her dancing feet.
At first Patience was afraid she
might be grieving over Hilary. But
when day after day went by and she
refused to speak to him on the phone
or accept his flowers, she realized that
Jan had lost all interest in his exist
ence.
It was on New Year day, after the
matinee. that Jan sent for old Pat, the
doorman, and asked for the car Mr.
Levy had placed at her disposal. And
with her heart beating until she could
scarcely speak, she gave the address of
Gary Gray's hotel.
1t was Gary himself who opened to
her timid knock.
"You said" she smiled bravely, and
he WINGED at the WEAKNESS In her blue
eyes, that New York was the friendli-
est town in the world on New Year
day"
Come in" he said as he stepped
back, paling. And a happy New Year,
Miss Keats"
Inside he helped her out of her coat
and pulled chair to the open fire.
place. Jan sat down and held her
long, pale hands to the friendly blaze.
Your mother" she asked. rs she
here?"
She's having her nap" Gary
studied the troubled young face in the
freight. I'm awaken her soon"
Janel could see he had no intention
of questioning her about why she had
come. At last she gathered courage
to tell him.
"You-wonder Why I'm here" she
choked childlishly. Don't you?"
II seem to have remembered inviting
you to come to see my tree" He smiled
then-the grave, kind smile that
seemed so much a part of him. There
it is. Not quite so gay and green-but
still waiting for you"
Jan covered her face with her hands
"It-seems a million years since you
asked me to come-and meet your
mother and see your tree. Oh, Gary!"
Her hands trembled over her eyes.
This has been a dreadful week. l.
I've missed you so.
In a second he was by her side.
Say it again" he laughed softly,
and she was a muddled little heap Of
contrition in his arms.
"C-can you really forgive me?" She
felt the wonder of his kisses on her