Evening star., 1940-03-02

ulIH NdClVyu KISSES ElHluc dT-
IDENTIFY and she SLABS him when he tries
again. Clara tells Elaine her father
will give her chance on his depart
ment stores radio program.
CHAPTER 16.
Elaine sighed and passed a trou-
bled hand over her eyes. Clara really
felt hurt about her refusal to accept
her assistance when she had gotten
her fathers promise to give Elaine a
job in the store. But before she
could explain further Betty adroitly
changed the subject.
"Dr. Stuart Is still in love with
you," she told Elaine, with a teasing
smile. "All the way up to New York
he kept telling me how marvellous
and sweet you were."' She looked
archly up at the ceiling. "You know
If I were a girl who wasn't going tc
Paris, I would be listening to DR.
Stuart. I'll bet he can say lot OF
swell things under a moon"
Elaine shook her head and smiled
"I'm not going to Paris, but dc
have my own boy friend. Eric Is
right here in New York" She
turned eagerly to Clara. Hes work
ing as stock clerk in your fathers
store!"
I'll have him fired!" Clara de-
clared, eyes flashing. when ]
think of the way he treated you ]
almost want to kill him."
Her vehemence shocked Elaine
and, concerned for Eric's job, she
laid a restraining hand on Clara's
mo, you mustn't do that. Eric and
I are going to be married soon. AS a
matter of fact, we'll be married as
soon as he gets himself Strengthened
out with his job. He left his mother
almost two weeks ago to come here
and marry me-"
Monticelli Interrupts.
Before either of the girls could
overcome their surprise Monticelli,
who had been standing quietly near
the door, stamped over to them, face
black with rage.
IF you are going to gossip all
morning, get out!" he commanded
"This is studio, not a sewing circle. y
His baleful eyes settled upon Clara
"I thought you wanted to discuss
that radio program"
$50 we did," Betty acknowledged
with a little shake of her head,
"Clara's pop is going to put a show
on the air. It won't be a big pro-
gram and it will be broadcast over
a small station. He sort OF wants
to get an idea of the value OF radio
advertising. And Clara here"
"It's my fathers program, so III
tell the news" Clara interrupted
IT talked my father into giving you
q chance to sing on 1t. He's expect
ing us to bring you over to the store
this morning" 't
Elaine glanced, puzzled, from one
to the other, then at Monticelli.
Sing on the radio? But that was
ridiculous!
But I'm not good enough" she
protested, wishing with all her heart
that she were. why, I've just be-
gun my voice training"
"Monticelli says you're good
enough" Clara disposed Of that
with a shrug.
Elaine Grasps Offer.
Monticello glared at her, shaking
his leonine head. Il said no such
thing. I said that only one singer
out of a hundred on the radio has a
voice that's any good. And told
you that Elaine has voice as good
as the ninety-nine other hams"
"It's the same thing" Betty de-
cided, refusing to quibble over such
q small matter. She rose from the
bench and tugged at Elaine's arm
"Come on, we can't waste all day
Even q department store owner has
something to do besides sit In his
office and wait for you to make up
your mind"
AS they speeded uptown in q
taxi Elaine was somewhat dazed by
nll that had happened and worried
because Clara had threatened to
have Eric fred.
CLARA, you aren't really going to
have Eric fired2" she asked in q
worried voice. Maybe he did act
rather strangely at the time Of the
accident, but he's Strengthening
himself out, and he's really working
hard to prove he loves me-"
Clara pursed her lips as though
she were giving the matter deep
thought, and Elaine found herself
trembling with suspense. She knew
that If Eric were discharged II
would mean the end Of all her hopes
Of happiness with him. Eric had
been lucky in landing this job; II
he had difnculty in finding another
one there was no telling what hi.
reaction would be; he-he might
even throw up the sponge and re-
turn home!
II won't say anything to dad,
Clara promised finally. But, Elaine
we might as well get this matter
straight here and now. I like you
and after what Eric did I don't like
him. I'm willing and eager to helr
you all I can-you, Elaine, moi
Eric. So II either of you entertain
any hope that I'll get my dad te
give him soft job you're going tt
be disappointed. Any raise or ad'
vancement he gets he will have tt
earn"
.sWell, Of all things!" Betty de.
clared, really angry with Clara
Her eyes blazed. Elaine didn't ash
you to help him, and you know
darned well she wouldn't. Yor
ought to be ashamed Of yourself
Clara Blanchard"
That's all right, Betty" Elaine
said hastily, anxious to keep thu
peace. II know what Clara really
meant. She thought that if I saw
Eric beginning to feel tired Of hi
Job I'd try to have her get him al
easier one"
Her brown eyes were serious as sh'
glanced at Clara. But I won't eve
ask that. If Eric marries me hi!
mother will disown him, and al
though I personally would feel bat
If he proved he couldn't take it
wolIld never trv to make thing!