Evening star., 1942-01-30

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say to them when Charles telephone
Get your hat. We're going to
him of her two appointments. You
said grimly. She did not understand.
They'll say I'm tenperamental If
I'm not here" she protested.
I'll be with you in 10 minutes
When Fordyce arrived, Livia said
1ubilantly, You get everything you
want. The Office just called to can
eel my interviews. That means I'm
free to CO."
You certainly are free, lady," he
said. Her smile faded at the tone
of his voice. you've been fired" he
said, avoiding her eyes.
Its not even a good joke" she re-
piled.
Come on, I'll explain In the car"
The sky was a deep blue, and the
trees, flashing by, were greenly fresh
and wet from the rain the night be-
fore. Livia thought how lovely Cali
fornia was outside, but inside every
thing was rotten and soft. 1t was
bad enough to be fired for giving
q good performance. But Charles
the only person in Hollywood who
had cared enough to give her a
break-had lost his job because OF
her.
Take me to Mr.. Schneider" she
begged him: II must explain. Alice
hated me before I knew you. Please
turn back now and take me to the
studio. I won't let this happen to
you"
He continued driving toward
Santa Barbara. Fordyce was not
worried, merely angry. He was 8
good director and could work in any
studio in Hollywood. He had never
bothered to count up his invest
ments, but he guessed he was worth
about a million dollars. He would
accept another Job when he found
q good story.
But what of Livia? He stopped the
car along the Malibu highway and
suddenly brought her body close
against his and kissed her. Livia
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crate Bruce from her mind.
Fordyce Is Pleased.
She had come around to him
finally, thought Fordyce. They all
did sooner or later. Few had held
out as long as Livia.
Cars we're passing in a steady
non-ending rush. 1t was Saturday
and everybody was going somewhere
in cars driven by raucous high
school students or hired negro
chauffeurs-they we're all going
somewhere to have fun.
And where am I going?" thought
Livia. withdrawing a little from
Charles hard arms. But she was
grateful. He had helped her, and
was fired for his kindness. I'll do
anything he wants." she thought.
and kissed him.
Some boys in a jalopy shouted at
them. And they both laughed
We'll charge an admission fee,
said Charles. Ten cents to watch
Fordyce and Clarkson in a world
record embrace.
She put back the hat that had
fallen from her head and moved
to her side of the car. He caught
her fingers and kissed them.
You're sweet" he said. and she
smiled back, confidently. Well, 1t
was something to have an impor-
tant man Like Charles In love with
her. But did he want to marry her?
She would be wife number five.
That made it less exciting somehow.
Charles was thinking they would
lunch at Santa Barbara; then drive
back. She had never seen his house.
She would see it this evening.
They lunched at the Samarkand
and afterward walked through the
f1oWer-filled gardens. Livia wanted
to stay there. 1t was peaceful and
the air was full of sweet scents and
the salt of the sea. The heart
break and intrigue of Hollywood
seemed continents away.
From now on you are under per-
sonal contract to me-" Charles said
casually. III pay you $3.50, as the
studio did" 1t was quite usual in
Hollywood for directors and agents
to put promising players under per-
sonal contracts. But it was one
more example of Charles kindness
to her and one more link binding
her to him.
The sun warmed their backs as
they drove along the coastal route
to his house in Beverly Hills.
Bruce was having a showdown
with the countess. In trade paper
that morning, on the same page
reviewing Livia's picture. there was
an announcement of the definite
shelving of western Saga" He
telephoned the countess the
time Livia and Charles were lunch
ing at the Samarkand.
But I don't understand" Saskia
said. She was vague and fluttering
until Bruce said:
I'm coming over to wiring your
little neck
1t was a long time since a man
had called the Countess neck little,
or cared enough about it to want
wiring it. And pleasurable thrill
passed through her dumpy body.
She received Bruce in her pink
and-gray Louis Quinze boudoir. The
blinds were carefully arranged to
dim the yellow sunshine. The air
was heavy with the perfume Coun-
tess Saskia used.