Evening star., 1941-01-19


getting old. or sensible, or both Maybe it
would mean that at twenty-four you wanted
something besides by-lines and wet feet,
and long waits for struggling young col
umnist whose first love was Tales of Our
Town.
The realization that the column came first
with Jim hurt like the devil. She had sus-
peCted it for long time, but she hadn't been
sure until tonight All day she had waited
for Jim to say something that would show he
remembered. She had even thrown out subtle
hints to make him remember But that hadn't t
worked. This was just Wednesday to jim
Foyle.
The date didn't mean thing to him.
But it meant lot to Linda Landon, And
playing second fiddle to a gaudy wenCh in
bold black type who wore Jim Foyle's by-line
like an ebony trinket on her white, two
column brow.
For today was the first anniversary of their
meeting.
Lindas heart warmed at memory of that
night year ago. One moment she had been
free as a high gliding bird Then she had
looked into Jim Foyle's questing eyes and
was abruptly aware of an attraction so COM
pelling that her heart missed a beat - and
she had been free no longer. She was relving
that moment now, savoring all its heart
warming details, when she saw Jim Foyle
push the front door open.
nAIN trickled from the turned down brim
OF his hat and glistened on his gaunt, ruddy
face. Saluting her in familiar fashion, he said.
"Howdy, Indy Lou
Then he slid into the red leather seat across
from her and called an order to Pete, the bar
tender. After which he said soemny: Sorry
to keep you waiting. Had to write late lead
for the column"
Linda said casually: To-day was big
day for the column, wasn't it, Jim?"
But he didn't seem to get it. His lips eased
into that small-boy grin which she liked so
we'll
Couple more big scoops and some syndicate
will knock on our door sure as shooting" he
said confidently and handed her proof
sheet of the column.
Linda thought This is what | get! After
waiting with wet feet he hands me this. It's
like being in love with married man. Only
worse He'll never divorce the column.
She glanced at the lead item 1t said
Manhattan Memories =. 1t happened
year ago. The girl was slim and blond
and beautiful She had come to New York
to pet a DOSitiOn as DhOtOpraDher on one
of the Big Town newspapers. But all she
got from the city editors was: mo diCe!''
So she finally STAYED off starvation by
taking a waitress job in Sixth Avenue
beanery And that was when she met the
man -. hungry galoot with stars in
his eyes and holes in his shoes. He too
was trying to stave off starvation, by
writing free-lance features for the news
papers. He ordered coffee and - But
because he looked as if he needed square
meal, the blond girl brought him beef
stew, said, Have one on the house."
Then they got to comparing notes on how
tough the going could be in the Big
Town until suddenly the girl said:
I've got an idea. How about letting me
furnish pictures for your feature column"
And so Tales of Our Town was born,
year ago tonight The girl, who is slim
and blond and beautiful, will marry the
man tomorrow . d. | hope"
For long moment Linda continued to gaze
at the proof sheet, When she finally glanced
up, she saw the boyish grin on Jim's lips,