The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-24
SYNOPSI S

IHE IIlf11II1SA 1As
LINDA AVERY, receptionist at a
New York models agency starts
to rebuild her romance with
RONALD STAFFORD, her child
hood sweetheart, who has
..swung his way to fame on a
trumpet" but
SARAH MARKLEY, wealthy CLAM.
or girl, is trying to capture Ron
aid for herself. Meanwhile
ROBERT BARTON, young engi-
neer who lives in the apartment
above, strikes up a friendship
with Linda.
YESTERDAY: Standing in the
starlight on a balcony at Sarah's
party. Ronald kisses Linda, tells
her that he loves her, but then
dashes away to lead his band.
Sarah appears out of the shad-
ows, and says, 81 take it that
YOU are trying to land Ronald"
CHAPTURE FIVE
Linda was living in her moment
of glory, swinging close to tn e
stars, as Sarah Marley came to
her on the balcony to say: Il take
it you are trying to land Ronald"
A deep intuition told har that
here was a deadly foe, n who
gave no quarter, who took what
She wanted, hurt whom S e
pleased-a foe who was proud of
her powers to win Whomsoever
she wished. And now she wanted
Ronnie.
Linda armored her heart with
the memory of Ronnie's words
which still echoed in the sweet
night air: Il love you'll"
I'm not trying to land anyone
she told the girl in the cleaning
white satin dress. II play the old
rules. It's much safer to let the
men do the pursuing"
Her eyes were as unWavering,
her voice as confident as Sarah's.
"And you think 1 drag men in
by the hair, I suppose?" Sarah
asked, and Linda saw the anger in
her face. Evidently no n before
had questioned Sarah's role as
belle of the ball.
Il don't think anything at all
about you," Linda answered. aft
er all, we just met. And we both
know Ronnie. So - what in the
world are we talking about?"
do you love R%onnie?" Sarah
asked. But of course you do. Your
eyes were like two bonfires when
you saw him. I'm warning you.
You're trepassing on my territory.
Better get out before you g t
hurt!"
Linda was amazed at her own
calmness and daring. Hurt? Why
should I get hurt? Ronnie's nice.
He's kind to everybody"
Sarah stamped a small, white
satin-shod foot and it's rhinestone
slipper buckle broke into a thou.
sand pieces of light. Her voice was
harsh when she spoke. I always
get what I 60 after, Miss Avery"
Behind them at that moment
Ronnie's trumpet left the band and
swung away toward the moon. Out
of the world, higher and higher it
climbed, mad, gay, reckless, for
ever cropping. Linda knew it was
Ronnie who played, although she
had not heard him for so many
months.
She faced the angry girl in
white. IT don't think Ronnie can
be had, Miss Marley. He's free.
independent, brave, and he be-
longs to himself. But I came to
hear the music. Excuse me-"
She went to the dressing room.
1t was deserted now and her slim,
violet reflection met her in a
dozen mirrors. She felt curiosiy
limp and defeated. Defeated, al
though she knew the spoils of this
battle were hers. But Sarah would
not cease the warfare now. Her
heart might lose interest in the
game, but her pride would never
relinquish it.
I should have let her talk ano
said nothing" Linda whispered tc
the hurt white face that Knocked
her everywhere. Then, unless
she's serious, she would have for.
gotten. Unless she's serious"
Suddenly she was cold. She got
RELA COJJRT