Evening star., 1940-07-14

Seymour Boil
take but she's power in the educational boc and presi
dent of the Federated Clubs We don't want her changing
her mind"
What do you want me to do?" Rafe demanded.
Kiss the old war horse"
Just look pleasant while she raves about the
ne letter she got from Dashel praising the orchestra
and your conducting when he appeared sooist with
us last month Think you do it,"
What's the joker in the pack?" asked Rafe.
Just that you remain conductor"
Rafe didn't speak for minute. Then he looked at
Mary Ellen oddly: why don't you ever wear hat on
that mopo You'll catch cold when and if you go out.
She flushed brightly turned her heel, and marched
down the corridor the auditorium door, where Cregh
ton waiting patiently.
Rafe grinned at her straight, slim back knowing she
would have tossed him hot comeback if it hadn't been
for Downing. She'd up the hard way too - just
he had. They were two of kind Fighters Only she
wasn't hard and bitter as he was.
He recalled the first day he met Mary Ellen 1t was
during the string tryouts for the newly formed WPA
Orchestra She pretty autumn leaf all gold and
brown with cheeks red from the wind she stood before
him fingng back her unrly hair She brought her bow
down gorgeous rich sonorities the string Then she
tackled Sarasates fireworks with the passionate abandon
of gypsy, slipping shade from the true pitch
lelll1S idSl Set VI SoHuoi.
shed with vigorous upsweep of her bow arm.
''Wel? she asked defantly, as he sat there staring
at her
1T suits you" he said. The Romany pattern
I'm IrisH Do get the pace?'
He initiated the white card and handed it to her
"Okay Gypsy. Take it away" He meant his heart.
N1Rs. PowTER PoNsoNBY batting hundred per
cent true form She bowed and uttered and quoted
"C,,cha yp1f 2rfiS Slch
ality!
She like coy brgantine flirting with squal.
Rafe thought as she bubbled archy on about Brahms
how we'll she hid under that softly upholstered bosom
will strong and sharp the best blade out of Toledo
- and as dangerous He managed pleasant expression,
noddng he hoped at the right time, but she didn't give
him chance to say anything Presently he was helping
her on with her fur coat and she oozng into the
hall like bull seal slipping off ice foe And still
talking.
"Chatty little number, he said after she'd gone.
Downing smiled. "She didn't give you chance to say
you'd be delighted to remain with the orchestra for the
season.
But won't be" said Rafe.
1t was like bomb exploding
What do you you won't be? Downmgs
professional good humor vanished The puffy white hand
that was pushing the cigar box toward Rafe closed
the lid
Il mean I'm showing off for New York on the midnight
plane. Marshall Motors is sponsoring new symphony
hour and they want me for conductor Just got word
He slipped the box from under the fat fingers took out
cigar and calmly bit off the end.
Those American Composers concerts that you tried
to keep me from giving last year turned the trick 1t
seems Marshall is nuts about Americana - fills museums
with old spinning wheels and
But - but - you can't do this Downing sputtered
The Federation won't sponsor unless you stay. What's
to become of the orchestral?
Rafe pulled his shabby overcoat and made for the
door, That's your problem, he fired over his shoulder
1T takes all my energy to worry about myself.
Now let him talk about "set-ups and getting the
picture to some other harassed conductor. He
through thank God - Free of all that administrative
drive He'd done swell job in these three years and he
knew it. He'd made it the outstanding federal symphony