Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-11-20

They walked back to the square,
hand in hand, not talking. Martha
knew enough of Garth Wyman's life
to understand him. 1t wasn't the life
the glossy magazines wrote about
how he had been spotted in Broad
way production, brought west, turned
into successful juvenile and finally
star. 1t was being born on the East
Side, starving in rooming houses,
working like fury in the pictures when
he got his break. saving every penny
because it was just one cent farther
from the East Side, denying himself
vacations except the ones in rest
homes, where he caught up on six
months sleep.
The town was utterly dark, except
for a dim light in the hotel lobby
They strolled silently along one side
of the square, still holding hands, re-
luctantly bound for the hotel Before
they reached it, Garth Wyman stopped
and faced Martha. Lets keep Joe
secret" he said. He grinned little
crookedly as he asked it.
"a promise" Martha said. raising
her right hand.
Garth looked at her a long time.
Some day." he began, and his voice
trailed off. He took her by the arms
and, half smiling, shook his head, as
if he wanted to say something. Then
he kissed her, and she liked it.
You're a nice girl, Martha" he said
afterward, his hands still holding her.
Il don't mean a swell kid. I mean a
nice girl"
He led her into the hotel then. There
was Terry, pacing the floor of the
empty lobby under the tolerant gaze
of the night clerk
Terry was furious, Martha saw at
once, but he managed a careless wave
of recognition. There was faint
smile of amusement on Garth Wy
mans face as he looked at Terry He
said good night to her and to Terry
on his way to the stairs and didn't
even look back as he climbed them.
Terry walked over to her rapidly.
and Martha felt herself go tense.
where the hell have you been?" Terry
said in low, bitter voice.
It did look queer, Martha knew. She
was an extra girl, engaged to boot, and
she had broken a date with her fiance
and her producer to 60 walking with
the star. 1t was an old story, and it
had overtones that brought a flush of
resentment to Martha's cheeks.
But before she could answer, Terry
groaned, II had him cold! He wanted
to see you! Said he'd noticed your
work and your looks and everything.
He was feeling swell, and we could
have nailed him right then and there!
Where were your"
Martha didn't know why she said it,
but she did Terry, I went walking
alone with Garth Wyman! Aren't you
even little bit jealous?"
I'm sore as hell, of course" Terry
said quickly, and added contemptu-
ously, THAT rummy." He paused,
looking closely at her. He was suddenly
aware that if he had been jealous first
and angry afterward, Martha wouldn't
look at him the way she was. Her
eyes told him that he had made mis-
take, but having made one, he was not
going to make a clumsy attempt at
covering up.
He said fatty, IT trust you, honey.
Honestly, that never entered my head.
But think what you've DONE Sokkie
was sore and it'll take a month to
make up the ground we lost tonight"
Martha said quietly, I'm sorry,
Terry. It was just later than I
thought"
Terry knew he'd said something
wrong, and that 1t was time to stop.
But he couldn't entirely hide his bit
terness and anger. "Okay, chum. But
that little stroll probably cost you a
contract"
"It was worth it." Martha said
softly, looking closely at him.
Terry stared at her, his jaw hard.
$50 you don't want to get up there,
then? It's fun being second rater?"
Lots Of fun," Martha said evenly,
still looking at him with quiet, con-
temptuous eyes.
Terry made a savage gesture with
his hand. Whats the matter with
your Have you gone crazy?"
Martha smiled family, just as Garth
Wyman had. She said with hint Of