The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-07
BY
LORENA
CARLETON

the Civil war" Through closed eye
lashes she saw the look OF sym
pathy that sprang TO his face. She
went on quickly. Forgive me,
Larry, for having butted in on your
wedding. My scrambling for public
ity, my interference in general, is
like a prehistoric hrehorse answer
ing the alarm. can't help it," She
clamped her lids still tighter &c
make the tears flow down her
cheeks. Larry put his hand on her
arm. When she looked at him his
eyes were responsibility damp.
You're the finest friend in the
world, August. And the finest &C.
tress. Don't talk slush."
A feeling Of glorious satisfaction
that she dared not show swept
through the fiery-haired woman.
Retaining her anguished look and
manner. she denied the compli-
ment. mo, Larry, I'm not. And I'm
so tired tonight. I'll probably give
very poor performance. You'll
have TO give me lot of support"
She clutched his hand. Help me,
Larry. Promise me you'll help me-"
She had his full attention now.
Help you? OF course I'll help you.
Don't cry. August" Completely
gone was his displeasure. With eX-
pert cunning, the actress managed
fresh tears, although actually she
was happy enough to do jubilant
time-step. Don't cry" he said
again. You can depend on me-"
She gave him sad, gentle smile.
How right you are" she thought.
By pretending to fear weak per-
Torrance myself, I'll keep you
from giving one. "I'll get dressed"
she said softly, and left the room
in a slow, head-bent walk.
Outside, she raced on tip-toe TO
her own dressing room. She ad-
dressed her nervous gray-haired
maid. stop pacing, Katie! I've
never missed a curtain yet, have I?
Fix me some cracked ice in wash
cloth. That's all the regeneration
I'll have time for. During the first
act, I want you to telephone the
usual gang. Invite them to party
at my apartment. Eleven-thirty to-
night. You 60 home during the Sec
ond act and make sure everything
is right-food, flowers, wine-this
is a very special party. I'll tell you
all about it while / make up"
But, Miss Drake" Katie pro-
tested, "who will dress you ?"
Am an idiot ?" the actress de-
manded, through an opening in the
ice-packed washcloth. I'll dress
myself, Of course. l used to do it
in the tent show"
THE tent show" Horror shaded
Katie's voice. why do you have
to mention the tent show" she
scolded. why do you even have to
think about it?"
Il don't know" A sudden curl
osity filled August's mind. Well,
why had she thought Of the tent
show? A miserable week in one
place, week in another. Mining
towns, cotton towns, fruit packing
towns, all alike, all dingy and ugly.
Bays Of travel in red plush chair
cars, of cheap hotel rooms, and the
tent itself on some vacant lot Of
dusty weeds or, worse still, mud.
She felt her eyes dampen, then
turn hot against the ice-pack and
knew she had been deceiving her.
self. Those tears before Larry had
not been wholly a product Of ex-
pert acting. They had been there
waiting. Suddenly she knew why
she had remembered the tent show.
Back there 20 years ago, % years
ago, or 23-how long had 1t been,
anyway? Back there her own face
had been as beautiful and angelic
and untouched as Anette's.
With a gesture born of helpless
despair, she yanked the icy wash
cloth from her tired face and slung
1t to the floor.
i Ito Be Continuedl