Evening star., 1941-09-02

what he thought!
changed into some old clothes,
put on my plaid trench coat and
started cut. 1t was still raining in
a steady downpour, but 1t wasn't
a cold rain and 1t felt clean and
soft on my face. splashed over
to Broadway. Before I got there
the rain had turned to snow and
the pavements were mush COW
cred The day darkened and the
lights shone mistily through sky
scraper Office windows.
Through the great oval glass of
a restaurant thought could smell
the fragrance of the steaming coffee
that was being served inside. At
once was hungry and cold and l
stopped uncertainty to peer at my
watch. Not quite 2:30. There was
plenty of time for a sandwich and
cup of coffee. Then, with nice
display of will power, turned my
head and went on. 1t would be
better to arrive at the theater little
early than little late. I wanted to
oAN CNAA . A1hholA Va PANozoSN ooA "a toS
when he got there and spied me.
Alice Mcdonald was standing at
the entrance of the Colony stage
alley. With her mannish black rub
ber slicker, an old felt hat pulled
down over her eye and overshoes on
low-heeled programs, she looked
ready for hurricane.
Nice day, Alice, for you know
what"
Il love it, the wind and the rain"
ANY one here yet?"
mo, nobody. Let's go in"
you bet"
"Oh, Nick's here. Asleep in his
chair at the door as usual. Wen
be careful not to waken the poor
old man"
Alice Pumps Haila.
Together we slashed down the
alley, almost dark now, and through
the stage door. Nick was at the
low table just inside, his pipe in
his mouth. and his head bent over
a sheaf of papers. He was sound
! acAONPs W ooAl a
from him as We slipped by and
went out onto the stage.
Nothing had been changed since
that tragic night when had opened
the door on stage right and found
Eve North's dead body huddled be-
props scattered about the room were
as We had left them, the scarlet
tipped stubs of cigarettes that I
had smoked still in the ash trays.
Half hidden by the blotter on the
desk was the note that I had writ
ten while old Ben Kerry and had
played that last scene.
Except for a single shadeless re-
hearsal lamp that stood ludicrously
in the center Of that lovely set and
filled it with bleak white glare,
it was all the same. 1t seemed
strange to me, for no reason at
all, that so much could have hap
pened to all of us who played there
while it remained serenely un-
changed.
Alice's hand frightened on my arm
and we walked over to the light
"Haila," she said softly, has JEFF
found out anything? Does he
know. ."
It haven't seen him since last
night" didn't care for Alice
when she got intense.
He knows who the murderer is,
doesn't hep"
JEFF doesn't confide in me, the
big COOP"
He knows; that's why he's hav-
ing every one meet here. He's told
you who it is, hasn't hep"
"I said that. ."
81 know You won't tell me. It's
because you don't like me. Haila
You've never liked me; you're jeal-
Gus Of me-because I come from a
family of great actors, because of
my heritage!"
! I turned my back on her and
started for the door. I wasn't GO
ing to listen to a performance by
frustrated actress. I had taken
three steps when she clutched my
arm and swung me around.
Then suddenly, the light wavered,
as if 1t had been a candle, and
went out
CTo be continued)