The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-12
CHAPTER SEVEN

IdollllS ltAS IVA
phone n 1t was Brent Nelson.
Romany was to come down to Inter
Etate for a special addition at our
O'Clock that afternoon!
Well" Cholly choked on her
toast in her excitement. Il mus
say, Brent hasn't wasted much
time in using his influence to get
a break for you"
Romany was almost fearful win
happiness. But there was one dlifl-
Guilty. She'd have to bring her w
material to read.
Call Bax," suggested Cholly.
Romany WINGED.
81 feel like a heel" she said re-
eretfully. Having a dinner late
with him last night and breaking 1t
to go out with Brent Nelson! Now
if I call and ask him to write some
thing for me-
Don't be silly!" Cholly got up.
sThis is no time to stand on a
guilty conscience. If you haven't
the nerve to call him, I will"
In an hour Bax was out at the
apartment with his portable type
writer. Seeing his dark brown head
bent over the machine, his keen
face etched in serious thought,
Romany realized for the first time
how very attractive Baxter Tree
was. In his personality was
strength, and there was a warm
friendliness in the lean face n
twinkling brown eyes behind his
horn-rimmed glasses.
By one o'clock he had written
three short sketches for her audi
ton. With Cholly sitting mouse
like in a chair in the corner, he
coached and ~re-coached Romany in
radio technique.
After a time Cholly got up and
When she came back to tell them
it was served, Romany was read
ing lines like a veteran. Finally Bax
applauded:
That's swell! Keep it at that
tempo and you'll be okay. Just take
it easy, and keep your voice down.
The charm of your voice is in your
low tones"
Every well, teacher" Romany
smiled. off my knees hold out, I'm
sure my memory will. And I'll read
it just as you've taught me-"
Bax rode down on the Illinois Cen
trail with Romany from South Shore,
and left her at the door of Inter
state.
Good luck" he smiled warmly.
'I'n meet you here in the lobby at
$50 for dinner. That is, if we still
have a date"
"Of course we have!' Romany
assured him. IT wouldn't miss it
for the world"
In the lobby Brent Nelson was
waiting. He crossed to Romany
smiling.
you're more beautiful every time
] see you"
She was wearing a rose lace aft
ernoon dress, with matching short
cape and a big picture hat. 1t be-
iCISG 10 AullI SloolC, VI SOoAoS
But that did not interfere with
Romany's pleasure in wearing it.
Brent looked at his wrist watch.
tits almost time for the audi
lion. I guess we'd better go up"
At the elevator they met Myra
Noyes. Panic seized Romany, and
she would have given anything to
avoid the little blonde. Brent was
taken by surprise, holding Rom
any's arm; but he smiled evenly.
Hello, Myra, I'd like o to meet
Romany Halle. Miss Noyes, Miss
Halle"
Romany inclined her head.
I'm one Of your fans, Miss
Noyes."
Myra's eyes were cool. She said
in her best dramatic school voice:
"Thank you so much. Are you in
radio, too?"
II hope to be-" Romany said, smil-
ing.
Miss Halle is going up for hel
addition now," Nelson informed his
'iancee.
"Oh, T see," and Myra did see the
light suddenly. She hid, with diff
Guilty, the sudden jealous rage tina
possessed her.
Romany Halle was the girl she't
seen in the control room wher
paradise Is Here was cut. Sh,
was the girl she'd listened to being
interviewed on the Hello Stran
GER program two evenings before
And she must have been the bru
nette Brent had been seen will
the night before at Landau's. !
friend had told her on the phon'
that afternoon. And Brent ha,
broken a date with her to go.
Settling, Myra remained out
wardly cool.
"Are you going to sit in the con
troll room and listen to Miss Halle
addition, darling? She took Mel
sons arm in the elevator.
IT thought I might" he admit
ted.
Then I'll come with you" Myr
smiled too brightly. Il haven't seel
YOU since yesterday afternoon"
In the addition Brent he'll
put his hand.
Good luck, Miss Halle. Take
easy. The mike won't bite you
I'm sure she'll be perfectl
marvellous" Myra forced a smll'
"There's nothing to it, really"
There we're three other dramatl
additions ahead of Romanys. Uni
an engineer sat in the control room
r1,o ,roorar, hoard listened to tn