The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-27
CHAPTER X-Continued

~ lI1eIIeU, were IIlclllDSIS VI Viz
company not playing this evening
They talked of trip to the coast
which the company was to make
during the autumn and early win
ter. Jim listened, filling In the time
before the performance COM
menced.
Has Jeremy condescended to
sign up for the trip?"
1t was the tall girl who asked the
question.
Jeremy! On the road!" The an
swering voice had a lyric quality,
light, lifting, clear. You insult him,
darling. Our Jeremy has his eyes
on bigger and better things. His
girls papa is going to back a play
for him-at least that is what he
modestly intimates."
sol" A low throaty laugh.
Something romantic. I suppose.
Costumes, perhaps. He will need
to look very beautiful not to waste
papa's money"
1T won't matter whether he can
act or not. I think he can. At
least he's terribly effective"
''Shhi"
A gong rang. The deep blue cur
tain slithered open disclosing the
stage. The performance began.
Jeremy was effective. Jim re-
allied that as he saw him make his
first entrance, dressed in evening
clothes, a silk hat held negligently
in the crook of his arm. He felt the
reaction of the audience - largely
feminine-and knew that the girl
behind him was right. 1t probably
made no difference whether Jeremy
could or could not act.
The play was Broadway success
of few seasons past. Jeremy
played the role of young Italian
opera singer who meets, in a speak
easy in New York, a little southern
girl doing the town with her fiance,
a surly young prig from East Or
ange. The girl was small and dain-
ty. BY contrast Jeremy appeared
tall and debonaire and romantically
handsome. His voice was caress-
ing. his accent authentic. his profile
undeniably handsome.
But was it acting? Jim did not
know. Cecily thought he had genius.
But Cecily was in love with him.
Jim's curiosity was being satisfied
but, beyond that, the evening was
being wasted. He made no startling
discoveries. Clyde was effective in
role that might have been written
especially for him.
r'he theater was stuffy. Jim's
legs felt cramped. He left his seat
as the lights came on for the inter
mission at the end Of the first act.
Cecily, too, had risen, was walking
up the aisle. She saw him and
waved. They met in the small
crowded lobby.
''Hello!" she said.
Hello! How about q breath OF
air."
That's what I'm looking for"
II thought perhaps you were look
Ing for me-"
No" She smiled. "You are a
nice surprise"
They stood on the steps of the
theater. Jim lit her cigarette, Lii
his own, fiicked the match away.
Are you interested in the drama.
Miss Vaughn?"
She laughed 1--WE are being po.
lite. aren't we? That's so stupid.
Jim, 30 you want to see the rest OF
the play?"
= can take it OF leave it."
Lets leave it, then. I've seen
it four times this summer. It's one
of the best things Jerry does" Her
voice frightened. Lets run over
to Dutch's.'
How about jeremy"
We'll be back here by the time
the performance is over"
Jim took her arm. "All right, "
he said. Lets CO."
They walked to the tawn-colored
roadster.
Will you drive?" she asked.
Want me to-"
"Please. I'm awfully tired" She
settled into the seat with a little
sigh Of relief. I've been driving
all afternoon. We went up to New
Hope and along the canal / adore
Jerry but / won't ride in a car he
drives"
There were only few scattered
groups in Dutch's garden, two OF
three couples moving about the
floor. A waiter led them to a seclud
ed stall at some distance from the
orchestra.
Want to dancer" Jim asked
when the waiter had taken their or,
der.
She shook her head.
I'm weary. l just want to sit
You're SO reStful, jim"
Thank you," he said.
Il mean it. l like to be with
you" She pulled off her hat, rested
her head against the trellis behinc
her. She looked weary, Jim thought
dispirited. There were faint shad
ows under her eyes.
What IS it Cecily?" Jim asked