Evening star., 1936-06-18


gave Johnny hope.
Green Acres, Kans." The iceman
set his suitcase down again. Same
town as Jan Keats. I'm the best friend
her and Patience has in the whole
country. Why, got 'em ready to
come to New York. Fact 1t was me
give 'em the idea"
He beamed like a proud father.
What does this Miss Keats you
know look like?" Gary asked, Offering
him cigarette.
mo. thanks; don't indulge" Johnny
scratched his head. "Well, she's tall
and skinny like, and she's got the pref
tiest curly black hair and blue eyes
you ever SEEN"
That's right" Gary nodded, his
jaw hardening What does her sister
Patience look nke?"
She's a red-headed woman, an old
maid" Johnny's brow knotted. 81
think she's got sort O. green eyes.
amt much good at describin' women
You've done well enough" Gary
took card from his pocket. Here
he wrote on the back of it-"give thi:
to the man at the box Office, where you
buy tickets, and he'll pass you in
We'll, gosh!" Johnny reached out
and wrung his hand. THAT sure i.
mighty fine of you Mr.. -?"
Gray" Gary supplied the name.
"Mr. Gray" Johnny seemed over.
whelmed with delight. You're the mar
that gave Jan the job, amt you? Shs
wrote me about you. sure knowec
she had talent. You ought to seen hel
in the senior high school play last year
She took of the part of boy and il
was just wonderful! You wouldn't a
knowed her no more'n q jack rabbit"
"Is that SOP" Gray smiled Iamely
"You better hurry along and see the
show. Come back here at II. Miss
Keats will be waiting for you. I'll tel
her. Leave your suitcase here with
Pat. He'll take good care Of IT,"
Johnny turned to the flabbergasted
doorman and handed him the ancient
case.
Who's looney now?" He grinned
wisely. II get you. partner! You Just
don't want any fellers comm around
annoying the girls. Stage-door John
you thought I was"
His laugh shook the walls.
Sure" Pat nodded stupidity. That's
it!'
When the stage door closed behind
Johnny, Gary sat down and pushed
his hat back on his head. Pat eyed
him curiously.
What do you make Of this, Mr.
Gray?"
Gary laughed hollowly.
Somebody's crazy" He got up
"And think it's Gary Gray. Not q
word to soul about this, Pat, or out
you 60. Understand?"
II amt heard a thing" The old
man covered his ears. Don't worry
about me givin' out no information
around here"
Gary walked slowly back to the
stage. Jan was just coming out of he,
dressing room to go on for the rainbow
number. She turned to him and raised
a hand in boyish salute.
Hi, Mr.. Gray!"
He bowed coolly.
Good evening to you, Mister Keats,
he said, slowly.
When she danced onto the stage he
watched her closely for q few seconds
and wondered how he could ever have
been SO blind. OF course, Jan and
Nell Keats were the same person.
An unreaSoning fury possessed hin
when he realized how completely hi
had been taken In and fooled. Be.
cause Shell Pease was In on 1t, hs
thought he understood. It was an.
other Of Shells bright ideas. He wa,
positive Jan and the press agent were
no relation.
Gary went into an empty dressing
room and sat down, trying to reason
the best way out Of the situation. HI
would be the laughing stock Of New
York. But he'd have to endure 1t
somehow.
If Janell had managed to put hel
stunt over without having Nell Keat.
enter into the picture, he might hav,
been able to laugh 1t of. But he wa.
certain he could never forgive her fol
that drive and lunch Sunday in West
chester.
How she must have laughed insid,
when he told her his hopes and plans
and sang carols for her. and namet
her Mickeyl And he had told he.
she was sweet and guileless. So diff
ferent from the stage-struck girls b,
had known.
The more Gary thought about Mel
Keats the more certain he was tina
he could never forgive JAMS deceit
There was only one way out. III
would fire her from the show, withou
warning, so that he would not have ;,
face her again.
Johnny sat through the show hk
a man in a trance. It was the frs
zeal show he'd ever seen. He grey
weak when Jan tap danced owe
their heads on a glittering rainboy
for fear she would fall. She was u
rainbow-co colored shirt and trousers.
In her final dance she wore tenni
trousers and sweater, dancing on
court with q racket in her hand
Johnny decided New York must be ,
very peculiar place If they'd throy
away the charm Of such pretty gil
as Jan Keats and put her in men
| clothes.
But Jan danced blitheiy, totally un
aware Of the chasm yawning unde