The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-10-15

at his will, hanging on his words.
tension OF an opening night.
Martha thrilled to his superb virtu-
osity as to the work of some unreach-
able stranger. She rushed around to
the back before the curtain fell. She
was in Nick's dressing room when he
came off after a dozen curtain calls.
she threw her warm young arms
around him. You're genius, Nick.
Nothing, can hide it. Tonight you were
He said-"I know. There was a big
noise out front I wanted to impress.
Do you suppose it came Off"
He lie was vas smiling mil . at her in the the glass
faunish, mocking smile that played
tricks with her heart. Sometimes she
! felt thousand years old, mothering
him and fighting him to keep sober
for his memorable mistress, the theater.
But now she felt pitifully young
too young to know what was the tactful
thing to say. 1t would certainly be
then after all you didn't act like this
for me?" His smile widened as she re-
manned silent.
I'm glad you wore that silver dress.
You look as ethereal as Fragonard.
You see we're going to a very i'm
/
The establishment was too keen to
! bear. ooh, Nick-so that's why"
Sure He laughed at her. Then he
looked cynical You'd be a grand
wife if you developed a sense of humor.
Believe me, Martha, you'd have saner
view of the whole matter if you took
drink now and then yourself"
Martha, voice Unconditional. d.
Just the Sullivans. But Maurice
Hoffman is their house guest. They
were all here tonight, but they had
to leave early. Do you get it?"
Martha nodded. Hoffman was a
Hollywood producer with a name as
famous as any stars. Nick went on
there's thousands in the movie game,
contracts go on and runs don't matter
You can clean up a fortune before you
are middle-aged. And instead of being
known to limited public-your work
goes eve;rywhere-your audience is the
Linley she had fallen in love with,
ambitious, ardent, full of enthusiasm,
excited by the magical possibilities of
life.
Martha combatted her dark disap-
pointment and said generously-"well,
Nick, I'm sure he'll jump at you after
that tour de force tonight"
AS they emerged from the stage door,
Nick's chauffeur arrived with his lux
urious car. The snow had stopped, but
the streets were icy with bitter wind
blowing. It was warm in the big car
with the electric heater and the soft
fur robe. Nick's cigaret end glowed in
the darkness.
you're very silent, Martha" he
leased. "A penny for Them
"YOu wouldn't like them Nick T
don't like them myself"
"Out with them. If you've got some
crouch against me I can take it. I'm
used to complaints"
Don't be unfair, darling. Only I
can't help thinking if you can keep
sober and knock the audience cold to
impress a visiting nabob you can do
So why can't you do it because you
love me?"
IT see. The woman's angle. You can
never be impersonal. Never forget
yourself in the hopes and ambitions
of somebody else. No-you have to be
selfish"
"Nick!"
well, you are! Think I don't know
what's at the bottom of all your an
xiety and solicitude? Security for one
thing. And you like owning a husband
that other women want"
How monstrous- preposter-
GUS"
"All right! Look at tonight, I tell
you Maurice Hoffam came specially to
see me, and what happens?. Are you
delighted? No! You're mad because
you find I didn't tear myself to pieces
for your approval, but for a big noise
who can put us on top of the world
out there in the audience"
He picked up the speaking tube as
they approached the Waldorf Astoria.
stop here a minute" he told the
chauffeur.
"Oh, Nick" began Martha.
Don't waste your breath, Martha
You've got my nerves all ragged. I
can't face stranger till I've had a
little drink
Martha waited in the car, not know
ing quite why she waited. Nick re-
turned in 10 minutes, odorous of spirits
car moved along the avenue and
stopped at a tall apartment building
two blocks further on. Nick did not
speak again. There was a queer shak-
! ing in Marthas vitals as they entered
the luxurious duplex in which the Sui
livans made their city home.
Laura Sullivan was understanding
Martha into her bedroom. Don't
worry DEAR" she whispered. Ken will
take care Of him."
Martha went out among the lively
crowd, greeting familiar faces here anc
there, made her way up to the bal
round which the people pushed. She
i whispered-"Ken, where is hep"
Don't worry Martha. Everything is
in the bag but the money! Hes in
the den."
The time dragged horribly. Martha
wished people would not pounce or
her and talk to her. It was too painful
en- effort to keep answering questions
listening and smiling, pretending to be
her heart was as cold and heavy as
the diamonds on her wrist. If only
she could at least discard the idea OF
Nick as responsibility. she could &C
plead a headache to Laura and &C