Evening star., 1939-11-19
Il Short Story Complete IN This Issue


AV8 and self-assured, Mr.. Petty was in
charge of the Program Department of World
Broadcasting. Inc.
Yes, Miss LeWton?"
"A Mrs Abbie Tupper to see YOU his
secretary reported. Like the chocolate -colored
rug and the cream and chrome furniture,
Miss Lewton was extremely ornamental.
Her employer plunged nervous, irritated
fingers into his mop of dark hair.
Il told her you were in conference Miss
Lewton went on with a remote smile.
Mr.. Petty shook his head gloomily. mot
strong enough Not half strong enough. It's
easy to see you don't know the lady. She was
an old friend of my mothers. Now, about
once year. she apparently fancles herself
a patron of the arts. Is she wearing one of
those damned hats?"
That looks like basket of knitting on
binge? She is. And she wants to see you about
some girl who plays the violin
Mr.. Petty groaned II know. A female
Heifetz. MY gosh, why can't people remember
that radio is business and not "a a
MIR. Petty waved his cigarette helplessy.
'Whv does everybody who has become
musician in six easy lessons have friend who
knew my mother? Or my father Or my wlfes
cousin on her father side: Why didn't you
tell her was out of town.
His secretary smile became less remote.
Practically grin I'm sorry, Mr.. Petty. But
the first thing she said was, Don't tell me
he's out He got away with that once before -
or thought he did Now get" " The grin be-
came smile And got.
Mr. Petty grunted. Il remember. 1t was
lust before discovered Brawlheim. Miss
Lewton's smile turned inward 1t was funny
the way mans achievement becomes mile
stone in his life. All events of importance in
. Mr. Petty's life now fell into one of two
periods of time BIB. or ALB. - Before
Brawlheim or After Brawlheim.
MAYBE this girl is another Brawlheim,
Miss Lewton suggested, her face straight. She
liked her boss, as she often told her intimates,
but he certainly lacked any vestige of sense
of hunor.
Mr.. Petty shifted. Mrs. Tupper is an excel
lent old soul and she doubtless means we'll 50
do all the misguided people who think that
because a girl is the champion soprano of the
Sunday School she is a potential Jenny Lind. 1t
takes experience and expert judgment to pick
musical genius out of nowhere. Now you take
the time when BraWlheim ~
Hello BERTHE! My, my, how executive you
look And what pretty furniture. With all this
cleaning piping around, plumber would
think he was in heaven" The head of the
program department of WBN took one look at
the large figure in black silk framed in his
cream doorway and sank back in his desk
chair with resigned sigh.
Hello, Aunt Abbie," he said with brave
attempt at hospitable brightness. Its - it's
pleasure to see you.
Mrs. Abbie Tupper came into the room
There was broad smile on her crimson face.
Her absurd hat bobbed up and down with
each determined STEP You're liar, BERTHE,
she said amiably, but it s pleasant to observe
the little social niceties, isn't it? How's the
bride?"
Anne is well, thank you. That will be all,
Miss Lewton. If Epstein calls want to speak
to him. And if that call comes through from
HOLLYWOOD about that ten-minute spot for the
Solace half hour, III take it. He crushed his
cigarette against the cleaning side of
chrome ashtray and smiled apologetically at
his visitor. I'm sorry, Aunt Abbie, but -
Don't worry about me, Berthe" Mrs.