Evening star., 1940-10-20

He stared at her deflantly COulo keep
that up?'
Anybody can blush" She held her breath
and, by contracting the muscles about her
lungs, drove the blood to her face.
Through rehearsals 10 tried to bring back
the old happy confusion, but Morts feet had
become sophisticated. In Detroit catastrophe
cracked down on them After the first show
the act was Cancelled.
On their own they progressed through Ohio,
sometimes working but mostly not, to reach
Pittsburgh with nothing in sight and the
official bankroll down to an all-time low of
seven dollars and fifty cents.
Something drastic had to be done. 10 was
reviewing the situation and crossing street
at the same time when somebody banged
bass drum and all the trumpets in the world
went ta-d0hi
When she awoke she found herself on a
hospital table posing for X-ray pictures. The
hit -and-run driver had broken no bones,
which was nice of him: but he'd left plenty of
conclusion and shock.
n WEEK later 10 was back in the roOming-
house worrying about finances Eventually
the landlady told her that a generous actors
aid society was taking care of that little detail
So JO relaxed and let her hazy thought and
reveries straighten themselves into conference.
Twice day Mort visited her. though only
briefly. He talked little His hands were big
and red she wondered why she hadn't
noticed this before.
Five weeks after the accident, with 10
adventuring a little more each day into
Pittsburghs sunshine. the landlady let the
cat out of the bag When Mort came for his
evening visit, Jo reproached him bitterly.
Why didn't you tell me? didn't have to
laze around this way l could have been up
long ago"
Tell you what" In spite of his honest face
he tried to brazen it out.
Don't stall, Mort. You've spent all your
savings paying my bills. And while I've been
lying here in luxury you've been holding down
a dishwashing job
Why not? Aren't we partners? Besides,
today stopped washing dishes I'm der'on-
strating popular songs in department store
and I'm getting a job with dance orchestra.
You just rest There's no hurry"
I've rested enough, Mort. 1 think
ought to get to work the act and find out
Just what doesn't click
He braoed his feet and took long breath.
I'm not going back IN the act.
You're not going back in the act:"
And you aren't either"
10 stood up from her chair But, Mort -"
"All do in the act is to perform like a
great big boob; and I've had enough of being
boob In Chicago took dancing lessons and
dramatic lessons. You probly thought Id
never learn to handle my feet, but have
She protested: But, my dear. the act
depends on your not dancing we'll Don't you
see that"
Sure do" He waved his right hand in
a gesture of assent worthy of tragedian.
"That's why I'm not going back into the act
and you aren't either You know, yourself,
the stage is no place for a woman"
10 stared at him. Are you kidding, Mort?"
when we get married, Jo I'll take care of
YOU 50 you won't have to work. I'm learning
how to dance, and two different dramatic
teachers have told me I'm a natural come
dian"
10 Trine's gift of words left her. She knew
he wouldn't believe the truth now, even if it
were declared to him by those most meIciless
of truth-tellers, the paying customers. He
ho<,oyoo n th;rd 70 hc.ofoy.