The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-11
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Naolne, oeIore slip up IN public
some time"
IF you dare stop calling me Julia
I1l-I1l install another mirror in
the bathroom!"
ION THE opening night the town
" realized that the White Club
was everything Smith Garland had
promised.
Illuminated by earchlights
mounted on the building across the
street, the new club shone resplen-
IDENTIFY with its tall white pilasters
and wide doors of Mediterranean
blue
And the interior struck the pa
irons breathless when they first
glimpsed its simple beauty of line.
The walls were high and white,
seeming to reach summer night
sky of dark blue. The chairs, and
the settees along the wall, were in
white leather, and even the carpet
ing was white-the latter represent :
ing Garland's victory in strenuous
argument with his head isnitor.
Walters wore white jackets, aud
the band white evening clothes. But
whenever this stunning absence o.
color threatened to become monot-
Cnous, Garland's decorator had in
serted touch of blue. 1t was in
deed a triumph of setting.
But the public is critical. Those
who had paid good prices for first
night tables would be quick to see
where Smith Garland had missed.
Garland knew this; and all he had
to comfort him was the parallel
knowledge that the public is as
quick to accept and acclaim.
In Julia's dressing room he told
her this. But I'm not saying It
will be easy" he added. "They like
the place, and they like the dance
music. They like the food-and
now they're out there wondering
how they'll like you. Yours is the
hardest job of all, Nadine. You
have to cap the Climax"
COOD grief, SMITH" Julia heard
~ familiar voice in the door,
way and looked up to see Tom Pay
son striding toward her. Don't
scare the girl to DEATH" Payson
touched her shoulder. You'll knock
EN- dead, Julia"
Thanks, Tom" said Julia shakily
just one song" Garland warned.
And an encore if they beg for it.
Ihis first night is tough on YOU
and If you're weak we don't want
them to get onto it." Then he left
the dressing room in his quick, ner-
v0us stride.
Payson laughed. Don't mind him,
Julia. He's so excited he doesn't
know he's doing"
Hes cxcited?" exclaimed Julia.
What do you think I"
She stopped quickly. A tiny green
light flashed on the wall. She stood
up, quickly arranged her long white
gown. Its my number she, whis-
pered.
Good luck, kid. I'll be out there
Leading the cheering"
II II II
a S she walked out into the spot
n light there was no applause as
there was that first night on Tony
Latta'S gambling ship. Suddenly
Julia realized that Garland's pub
llclty has been so extended as to
arouse their skepticism
In effect, their silence meant,
I'VE know nothing about you vet.
Nadine. White. We're waiting to
learn If what we've read is true"
Then a queer thing happened.
Out of all that crowd, the face of
Peter Kemp focused into Julia's
gaze. He sat at small table with
young, dark girl-a quiet, pretty
girl whose eyes betrayed her awe
Tor this glittering Nadine White.
The sight gave Julia an odd feel
ing and she thought, "She is the
girl he will marry, and she will al
ways think of me as Strange-and
yet she is no different from me >"
And then the music began
learn to love, if you want
=. learn to trust me if you'd
have me !"
1t was a dragging, plaintive tune
"a tune that must have been writ
ten for Julias appealing voice. When
she reached the chorus she held her
arms out toward the skeptical crowd,
dropped her voice to a husky whis-
per, singing Learn to love, if you
want me :" There in the gilt
ter of the spotlight, with the sad,
mad music drifting around her, she
became Astarte-Astarte of old, in
modern gown, singing a siren
song in the idiom of today.
Suddenly the crowd could not
wait to tell her it was sorry it had
doubted. Suddenly it had voice,
breaking into the song, making
Julia stop for a moment until it
had finished.
And when she had finished, the
applause began again, louder now
and more prolonged.
TIVE done it." She thought, max
l. ing her way unsteadily toward
the exist. I've done it.! And they
thought I Couldn't"
She passed a long table, lined
with a party of guests. Some one
said, She's pretty, isn't she? +
can't blame Tom" 1t was a wom-
ans voice, and it was woman's
voice which answered, too, as Julia
went by:
of course he can't be serious.
even If he did back Garland with
money to start this place. Imagine
Tom marrying a night club singer!"
Her face flaming, Julia hurried
toward her dressing room. Smith
Garland was there waiting, a broad
smile on his face.
You were marvellous, Nadine"
But Julia did not hear him. "Is
it true that Tom Payson put up
the money for all this?"