Evening star., 1942-01-24

one Of the advantages Of being a
stock girl was that the studio pro-
vided clothes and tuition.
At the end Of the first week Livia
accepted Bertha Kranler's offer to
share her $40-a-month apartment.
Neither Of them would have won a
prize for good housekeeping.
1t was fun though to shop in the
big market near the apartment and
pretend to know the difference be-
tween q tender and tough steak.
Bertha collected men with the
calm acquisitiveness Of a stamp COL
lector. She was generous and in
vited Livia to take her pick Of the
male battalion.
I'm not interested in men," she
told Bertha. who laughed inele-
gantly and replied:
Nuts"
Livia Gives In.
One evening Livia yielded to
Bertha's plea to join her with two
men at Victor Hugo's. Livia had
spent the afternoon posing for
fashion stills in the studio gallery.
She was tired and depressed. She
had been under stock contract now
for five months. There was only
another month Of her present con-
tract. And would they deem her Of
sufficient importance to take up
the option?
There had been disturbing rumors
Of an economy move at the studio.
And the first people to go were
always the stenographers sId the
stock girls. Already Anita had
been let out. and her empty chair
in Edda Robinson's drama class
was a daily reminder Of the ephem-
eral quality of a film career.
you've been working too hard
and playing too little" Bertha said
when Livia hesitated, "a little fun
will give you a better perspective
on life"
So Livia went with Bertha. Their
ecorts were two young actors who
recently had come to Hollywood
from the New York stage. One OF
them had divorced a famous film
star and was enjoying his new free
dom by taking out different girl
every night. The other. with whom
he shared large house on a Bev-
erly hilltop. was quiet and intelli-
gent.
Lets dance" he said to Livia
He was good dancer, and Livia
was enjoying hersef-until they
bumped into Bruce. Bruce was
dancing with beautiful brunette
who was the current sensation OF
Hollywood. He was formal and po-
lite. He introdced her to the star
And Livia introduced him to her
partner. There was a slight pause
then Bruce inquired:
How is the career?"
Wonderful" Livia said defiantly
I'm glad" he replied. The music
had stopped, and with a polite in
clination of his head, he steered
the expensive-looking girl back to
the long table presided over by the
Countess Saskia.
Livia was miserable and left early.
She hired a taxi to take her back
alone to the apartment.
You should have stayed. We had
fun," Bertha said when she came
IN yawning at 2 o'clock. Say, what's
the matter?"
Nothing" said Livia.
She stayed awake wondering how
she could see Bruce.
At breakfast the next day Bertha
suddenly exclaimed:
We'll, I'm damned" and put down
the newspaper she was reading,
"Here-look." She pushed the paper
open at a movie page, across to
Livia. Livia read aloud:
Charles Fordyce has a new
heart interest-Livia Clarkson-and
this time it's serious. Intimates
predict wedding bells. But I don't
know him." Livia said helplessly.
The afternoon papers carried the
same item. And another column
had 1t the next day. Fordyce was
one Of the best directors in the
business. He had been married four
times. His reputation with women
was bad.
At first Livia was amused. But
as the item was repeated, she
thought she saw a leer on the face
OF every one she met. And she
worried about Bruce's reaction.
I'm going to stop this" she told
Bertha, and went to see Jack Ten
nant in his Office.
Il got you some swell breaks
didn't -" he grinned at her. Ltyia
controlled her rising anger. She
reminded him of the clause in her
contract prohibiting marriage. But
this Is only publicity stunt" he
said.
Please stop it." she begged him.
It's embarraSsing-I don't know
him"
II can fix that, too," he said.
Heavens, no."
She left him and called Bruce.
congratulations" he said coldly
before she could speak.
But I'm not" she said.
He can do a lot for your career"
he persisted.
But it's all a publicity"
He'll make you a star. He's
done that to all his other wives"
said Bruce.
You're the most irritating man
I've ever known" stormed Livia.
Il hope you'll be very happy, Mrs.
Fordyce."
She slammed the receiver down
Continued tomorrew.)