Evening star., 1940-09-29


where last nights beautiful snow lay
melting in gray puddles and up
the stairs to Vans Office. Ruth, the
blond receptionist, sat languidly at
her desk applying mascara, her lips
pulled into long 90"
She gave Anne a distinctly un-
friendly glare and informed her
that Mr.. Franklin hadn't come in
yet and, furthermore, she didn't ex-
pect him. Anne, looking politely
surprised, informed Ruth that Mr..
Franklin was expecting her this
morning, so she'd just wait. She sat
down in one of the rickety chairs
and opened an old copy of Stage"
And all the while she could feel
Ruth's eyes cody surveying her.
Ruth finally broke the steadily
hardening silence between them.
He thinks you're pretty darn
good, doesn't he?" she said slowly
Anne looked up, What do you
mean?"
And you think he's wonderful
He's going to do great things for
you! boyoboy! Whattaman!"
Anne tried to be icily aloof. Il
think, Neutrality-suspicious. our-name-
is, that you're talking about some
thing that doesn't exactly concern
YOU"
Ruth Mocks Anne.
Ruth made mockingly elegant
face. Ooh. my deah, so sorry. ]
simply must learn to keep my trap
shut! Nuts. what do I care what
goes on around here anymore! It's
none of my business . though 1t
used to be-"
Anne threw down the magazine
and crossed to the desk. Just what
are you trying to say? l.. :"
The ringing Of the telephone cut
her speech, and Ruth. smiling Sc
cretly. took down the receiver. Van
Franklin Productions, she cooed
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Franklin. They've
been in once and they said they
were coming back this afternoon.
All right. . Oh. by the way, Mr.
Franklin, our newest star, Miss
Anne Saunders, is waiting for you
Yes, sir!" She handed the
phone to Anne. Here He's
gonna explain now"
Darling" Van said. 1--WE been
trying all morning to get down but
there's practically a conference up
here in my apartment. Have you
been waiting long?"
"Oh, no, Van. I Just got here"
well. listen then, can't make
it today. But what about tomorrow
night? That's Saturday. Selitz, the
producer from Hollywood, is throw
ing a cocktail party at his hotel
Would you like that?"
Anne gasped, "Oh Van. how mar
velous! VIII you really take me7"
Why, you'll knock EN- dead
Honey. And just leave 1t to papa
Well see that you meet the right
people"
"Ho-hum," Says Ruth.
Anne said, Van. you're a darl-
ing! What time?"
Make it $50. The party will
get going then by the time we get
there. And Anne, about last night
you weren't angry. were you?'
mo. don't think SO. but I was
a little scared"
He laughed and blew kiss along
the wire. You're a sweet kid. Don t
forget tomorrow. Bye, darling"
Anne said goodby and put down
the receiver. Ruth said, "Ho-huml ~
Anne gave her one Of her coolest
glares and Ruth said. o. K. Kid
forget it. I'm not saying another
word from now on" Anne went
out, slamming the door loudly be-
hind her.
The idea of that tough little re-
ceptionist talking like that to herl
Anne almost snorted as she walked
down the stairs. Probably was the
kind Of a girl who had a crush on
her boss and was jealous Of every
other girl that came into the Office
That was all it was -. just common
jealousy.
But she had more important
things to think about. For one
thing she didn't have anything to
wear that was good enough for to-
morrow. She ought to have a COM
plete new outfit. But how could
she do that with the supply Of
money she had left? Her mother
had always sent her a small allow
ance but that barely took care of
her room at the club. Now that she
didn't have Job there was no extra
money.
Then she remembered that her
mother had had an account at
Stark's few years ago when her
father was alive That was it!
They hadn't used it for long time,
but she could reopen it. and by the
time the bills came due, she could
pay it .oack without her mother
ever knowing.
Reminder From Geoff.
It worked beautifully. Stark's
were glad to reopen the account
and Anne took the beautiful dark
green boxes home with her
slipping them stealthily upstairs
and under the bed. All her care
wasn't necessary. however. Mrs.
Monohan, coming in with clean
bedspreads, told her that Mrs.
Saunders had gone out herself.
When the doorbell rang it was
the mailman. Anne took the small
pile of letters and distributed them
in their proper cubby holes In the
wall box. There was one for her
with strange return address on 1t
and she stood moment trying to
guess who it was from. But when
she opened 1t, 1t was only a note
from Geoff, reminding her Of the
picnic Sunday. Shed completely
forgotten about it, in the thrill of
Answer to Yesterdays Puzzle.