Evening star., 1941-04-22

80 cheerleSS that when Nan stopped
under the awning of the tall apart
ment building she felt too forlorn
to go in. She hadn't any hope at
all.
There was a doorman who came
and put her umbrella down, and as
sured her that Miss LYDIA Mora, the
actress, did live here.
Inside, her leaky shoes Squished
on the bare floor. Her damp skirt
clung to her legs, and as she waited
while the mailman phoned her name
to somewhere in the great building.
She was frightened too.
Frightened because this might be
g useless errand, false hope, for
Bill Hardin, the agent, might have
made mistake. LYDIA Mora might
have no part for her. LYDIA Mora
might not even want to see her.
Nan swallowed hard, gripped her
umbrella ready to leave as the hall
man turned from the telephone.
You're to go up, miss" the hall
man said. Miss Mora will see you"
She went up, a little dazedly, left
the elevator and was admitted to
the apartment by maid. She was
ushered into living room that was
like dream and left to warm her
self before an open fire.
Somehow the warmth of the room
didn't reach the chill inside her
and when she fumbled in her bag
for her compact her hands were
numb. She touched her nose with
a powder puff, remade her lips and
appraised herself. Her features
were good, though her cheeks were
thin from doing sums in lunch
rooms, and her eyes were wide and
dark. Her lips were full and good.
Her hair, under the limp hat, was
soft and black. She tucked a stray
wisp in place. She sat waiting, tried
to have hope.
Graciously Received.
LYDIA Mora entered the room as if
she were making stage entrance.
She was flowing motion, beautifully
poised. She was tall, incredibly
lovely. She wore a chartreuse
housecoat; the skirt billowy, the
bodice form-fitting, the collar
ruby band about her ivory throat.
Her face was f1awless, a sculptured
oval, and her dark eyes had Smol-
dering depths. Then there was her
hair, blue black with a small fore
lock of white starting back from
the smooth brow. LYDIA Mora
smiled.
I'm so glad you could come, Miss
Bentley" Her voice was golden.
$50 very glad"
Nan Bentley was on her feet,
'dishearteningly aware of her damp,
ill-fitting clothes. She said. Its
good of you to see me, Miss Mora"
Not at ALL" the actress smiled.
"Sit down, please. Make yourself
comfortable
Nan sat down again, thinking,
$50 this is LYDIA Mora" She had
seen LYDIA Mora on the stage many
times. on passes given her by Bill
Hardin. She thought her the most
IdlC11GCu dCJICSo oLlC lldu SfCl ocCil.
She knew, too, the story of Lyda's
life, or so much Of it as publicity
told.
LYDIA Mora had been one of
Europe's foremost actresses. A year
ago she had had to flee from her
own country. She had come to
New York, gotten in a play and
become an immediate and spectacu-
lar success.
Publicity releases said that Lydas
past life had been tragic. Now she
spent much of her time and much
of her money aiding refugees
Nan broke the rush of her thoughts.
Lydia Mora was, during this mo-
merit of silence, studying her with
interested eyes.
An Explanation Offered.
Miss Bentley, I have been in
euiring about you," LYDIA said.
MY play closed last night. In two
months I am opening in another. 7
wish to find an understudy. The
actress I choose will also appear in
q small part"