The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-27

managed to get hold of herself. Her
face was completely ex~presslonless
when she walked up to the micro
phone with her script.
Romany squared her shoulders,
falling back upon her magnificent
poise to support her through the
first rehearsal of Twilight of Lov
Bill Bartner, who played the maze
lead, and Jane Martel, veteran a
ing woman, were the L
members Of the cast called.
Jane was to play Romany's moth
er. Trotter rose quickly and KISSED
Jane when she came in the door,
Then he led her over to Romany.
Miss Martel, I'd like you to meet
a wco to radio, Romany Halle
The older woman beamed on the
taking her hand.
I'm so glad to meet you, my
dear. Trot told me this morning you
were to play my daughter.
Romany felt an instant liking for
the woman She smiled:
81 remember you well when you
were leading woman in the 'toot-
light" plays, Miss Martel. l listened
to every one, from the time l was
a little girl until the show went OH
the air"
Did you?" Jane looked pleased.
"Well, that's where I got my start.
You must have lunch with me soon
and we'll get acquainted. Could you
make it tomorrow"
"Oh. I'd love it, Romany smiled.
Jane had grown stout and her
hair was iron gray. But she was IN
doubtedly the most beloved radlo
actress in Chicago, generous to a
fault and a famous champion OF
the %underdog. No one ever took out
an AK to hack someone else TO
pieces in James presence without
being good naturedly put in his
place. -.
Everyone came to Jane with his
troubles, and after having spent sew
enteen years in radio she had very
little to show for it because 1t was
impossible for her to say mo- "nen
someone wanted to borrow money.
Besides loans, she had given a small
fortune away to needy thespians.
Sensing at once something cleo
trio in the atmosphere, Jane went
over to Myra, who still stood wood
emily beside the m~icrophone, making
a pretense Of reading her SCRIPT
lane nut an arm around her affec'
tionately.
THAT was a pretty SVEN writeup
the Guide had about you this week,
lady, When did you get all the new
p%ictures?"
Myra said sullenly: -.
"Raymon took them. I thought
they were awful"
"I WONDER" Jane chortled, If ne
could make me look like that"
Bill Bartner looked up from MS
script, smiling.
HE might if you gave up two or
three meals a day, JAMIE. 1 saw you
having breakfast with three dlf1er-
ent crowds yesterday forenoon"
Il resent LlldI, ooAAS
down to five meals a day."
Trotter broke in from the control
room:
"All set! Well start from the be-
ginning and go through one straight
reading before we pick it to pieces.
You take the mike with Miss Halle
Jane"
Bill Bartner stepped over beside
Myra, who waited stiffly, while Jane
and Romany went through their
opening scenes. After the first few
lines, Romany lost her se~lf-conscious'
ness. With Jane Martel to support
her, the task was much easier than
it would have been without the OLE
er artist at her side. Jane in her
warm, natural voice was an inspira-
ton to Romany to do her best
work.
Trotter marveled at Romany's In
terpretation Of the role of Celeste.
He did not know most Of the credit
was due to Baxter Tree, who had
coached her till the small hours OF
the morning.
The director had expected at least
4 little difficulty with Romany, but
at the end of an hour he dismissed
the cast, telling them it would not
he necessary to rehearse the next
day, They would just come an hour
earlier Monday.
Myra left the studio without a
word, hurrying through the lobby
and downstairs to her car. With her
hands on the wheel, her burning
rage returned and she raced from
the Interstate building without much
thought of her own life or that Of
any pedestrians who might get in
her way.
Luck was with her, however, as
usual. She crashed nothing, nor was
she picked up for speeding. 1t was
cocktail time. Myra decided she
would dash into Lavita's and forget
her sorrows over a few drinks. She
fortunately had no evening show.
Lavita's was one Of the lesser I'M
portant cocktail lounges. There was
usually a fairly good orchestra anu
a singer or two. Myra was led to a
small table in the corner where she
finished two Planters punches IN
record time.
But with the third drink, instead
of feeling happier, Myra grew pen
sive. 1t was a rotten, unjust world
and she was the unhappiest creature
in # Two mr. three men tried to