The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-07
CHAPTER THREE

self" Terry grabbed her in
strangling hug. "Give the old song
plugeer a kiss. It won't hurt you
and it'll do him so much good"
"You haven't improved Romany
laughed, pulling away to give her
hand to Baxter Tree. "Subdue him,
Cholly, before we get dispossessed.
Terry bounded toward Cholly and
picked her up in his arms, planting
a resounding kill on her little
mouth.
Have I remembered to ask You
to marry me today, Macushla"
Chollv was relieved that his
breath was free from the fumes of
the Beer Barrel, his favorite haunt.
He didn't give her a chance to an
swer him. Sitting her down in a
chair, he turned, grinning, to BaX-
ter.
Didn't I tell YOU, Bax, the little
Halle is the glamor gal of old Indl-
ana? You two were just made for
each other, I'm thinkin'. With your
beauty, Gorgeous, and his brains,
nothing could stop you. You write
the shows, BaX. Gorgeousll star in
'em. I'll sing your theme song in
my never er-to-be-forgotten Irish tenor
The future Mrs. ORourke here will
play the accompaniment.
DRY up, and give someone else a
break Cholly broke in, "now that
everybody's future is settled
Bax. who hadn't had a chance to
speak, sat down on the couch be-
side Romany.
Didn't you have a part in the
junior play last spring?"
Il remembered you by your
eyes," the writer nodded.
Didn't 1 tell your Cholly
howled. Il told Romany you'd re-
member the girl with the gray-green
eyes"
You were quite famous for them
around our digs" Baxter teased. Il
don't think anyone ever bothered
calling you by name. You were just
the Girl With the Eyes
rs that flattering?" Romany
laughed a little self-consciously.
Trees own kind brown eyes
twinkled behind his horn rims.
"Oh, certainly" He offered her a
cigaret. "Otherwise I shouldn't
have mentioned it,
"Amazing!" Terry sat back,
lighting his pipe. "The technique OF
the guy, Look at all the noise I've
got to make to get anywhere with
a gal. While there that darn con-
tinuitv writer sits dishing up lines
from his new show and you two
danes are eating it up like cream.
Well, darlin'," Terry grinned at
Cholly, II remember you as the
wench with the pug nose"
It'll kill you" Cholly threatened
to throw a little metal ash tray at
his head.
Terry jumped up.
Times wastin'! Let's go
places. I've table reserved at the
Silver Door. This all calls for a
celebra ton"
Cholly's heart sank. A table at
the Silver Door. The evening before
he'd been down to his last dollar,
and four days till payday. Surely
he hadn't borrowed money again.
The air-cooled Silver Door was
filled. But the party was led to a
ring-side table. The farce of it add
ed to Cholly's bitterness. The
money they would spend would
mean SO much to Nom and the kids.
Terry was as expansive as a new
millionaire who had just struck oil.
They had a bottle Of wine and
chicken dinners, dancing between
courses. Romany smiled, looking up
vt Baxter during a lovely waltz.
Thank heaven you're tall. I've
m awful time finding dancing part
ners with my five feet seven
inches."
I'm six two," Bax said, dancing
"And I was just thinking I seldom
see a girl who meets with my ap-
proval in height. I usually have to
bend over like a weeping willow"
Tell me about your radio show
Romany said then. "Cholly tells me
you've sold several"
I've sold five half-hour scripts,
BaX replied. "But it's been pretty
dull year. Two of my scripts have
been broadcast from Hollywood
with movie casts. Of course, I've
: got a kick out Of that"
That's grand! How about your
five-day-a-week show?"
Its being cut tomorrow. But
I'm holding my BREATH
"Cut?" Romany lifted an inquir
ing eyebrow.
ooh, I forget you're new to the
business. That means a record is
to be made tomorrow. It'll be cast
and put oh wax for a sponsor tc
hear. At least hope a sponsor will
hear it. The title is Paradise i
Here Like it?"
Intriguing" Romany smiled. "De
I play the 1ead?"
"Oh, but surely" grinned Bax
"You'n probably be a full fledged
leading woman by the time it goes
on the air. This is a crazy bust
ness"
"Ive heard that several times to
day."
you'll find out" Bax sighed. 81
still can't believe the Byrd -Crom-
we'll agency won't burn down to
morrow before Paradise is cut"
"Tool,w Ronanv stopped. "Terry
is going to sing"
The orchestra leader motioned fol
the musical signature and the ban(
stopped playing. When the dancers