The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-28
CHAPTER

At home, after signing Ine COLI
tract to play Celeste in Twilight OF
Love-" Romany had a sudden over
whelming desire to talk with her
mother and father. She phoned them
he good news
Were in the big money" she
told them gaily. I'm practically
famous. And I'll send you twenty
five dollars a week, every time
get my salary
When Mrs. Halle protested, Rom
any stopped her with:
How could l be Happy with so
much, knowing how little you and
Dad have? After you get all your
debts paid you can put some away
in the bank. I'm gong to take care
of YOU"
At luncheon in the Interstate res
taurant the next day, Romany and
Jane were the center of attention.
In the lobby a life-size picture OF
Romany in color had suddenly ap-
peared with the announcement that
she was the latest entry in the race
for the title of Miss Television.
Of course, buzzed the groups OF
girls and men standing about the
studios and corridors, there wasn't
a chance that she would win. But
when you were an heiress you could
at least pay for the publicity n
get on the front page.
The story of the Noyes-Haile feud
was the principle topic of onversa
ton in radio circles. Tanner had
Just announced in his column:
"a real life feud comes to the all
waves in an amusing casting Stu
alton at Interstate. Myra Noyes
until a few days ago, was engaged
to Brent Nelson. Along came Rom
any Halle, glamor heiress of the
Harlowe farm implement millions.
MIRA no longer is see with Mel
son. Romany is. The Haile's first
radio job is the part of Celeste, Sec
ond lead in Twilight Love- In it
she takes away Myra's fiance.
Ketch? Was it an accident? Or has
Hal Trotter, director, a swell SEN
sahuma? Or a swell of the
publicity valued"
Romany could have wept when
she read the column going down
town in the bus. But when she ex-
pressed her displeasure to Jane
Martel, the older woman laughed
it off.
my dear. You mustn't be sensi-
tive. That is to be expected. You'll
just have to take it all in your
stride"
But" protested Romany. "t
makes me sound like a terrible per-
son. I didn't know they'd dare
write things like that"
Jane attacked her grilled chops
with gusto.
Now what" she asked, "is there
so terrible about being branded a
siren? 1 should think you'd be ter
ribly flattered. No n has ever &C
cused me of taking a man away
from anyone. Men run the other
way when they see me turn the
I But I've had much Worse
said about me-"
You haven't" Romany could
not believe her.
You'd be surprised"
Everyone loves you. You couldn't
have had any enemies"
you forget Jane reminded
Romany, Il wasn't always fat and
forty"
Jane grew suddenly serious
''Ot course she said, then, SYM
pathetically, II know this Myra
Noyes situation looks serious to
you, dear. And it is, in a way. Myra
has a temper. But you mustn't
blame yourself because Brent Mel
son and Myra have broken up. 1t
would have happened anyway"
I'm glad you don't think I de-
iiberately came between them"
Romany sighed.
"Of course I don't" Jane said
quickly. mo n will tell me any
gossip about you. I won't let them!
Now eat your lunch and stop wor-
rying. If you're gong to be so SEN
sitive, radio is no place for you.
There is always a bunch of hams
around willing to cut anyone into
little pieces who has a little more
talent than they have. You should
be flattered."
Romany smiled wistfully.
I'll try to see it your way"
Jane shook her head.
You don't look as though you'd
60 around worrying about what peo-
pie said about you, Romany. The
first time I saw you walk through
the corridor where I was sitting l
thought you owned the building If
you keep your chin up and go on
looking that way, you'll get along
much better. They'll stop talking
about you and start in on somebody
else"
Romany felt much better after
her lecture from Jane. Over demi-
tasse she smiled:
your pep talk did me a lot of
good, Mama"
eff necessary I'll turn you over
my knee" threatened Jane.
Later, in the corridor, Romany
me- Bax. She saw him first, walk
ing toward her, and knew from the
set look on his face that he had
had no luck. She touched his arm
before he looked up.
"Oh, hello, Glamor CAL Baxs
face relaxed into his best attempt
at a grin. Fancy meeting you
here"
Owe been lunching with Jane