Evening star., 1942-01-13

NO" his voice was short. She
felt snubbed.
He took her to . little Italian res
taurant. He was hard to reach
today. Maybe 1t was his injured
arm, 1t must be hurting him.
"No-it's much better" he told
Livia, Il ought to be abf to work
in about ten days. Have you heard
from the studio yet?"
"No-I-er-I was hoping you
would call Mr.. Nevins for me. I
don't want to seem to eager. VIII
you?"
He rolled a cigarette before an
swering.
You're excited, aren't you? You
really want to be a movie actress?"
More than anything else in the
world" she said. Il wish you'd call
Mr.. Nevins now. I'm not good at
waiting-and this suspense Is driv-
ing me Crazy"
"All right . It's a tough life
the movies, for a GIRL" he said sud-
denly.
Whats tough about it? Lots Of
money, clothes. and every one want
ing to know you. and"
And you've been reading too
many fan magazines" he inter-
rupted her They don't mention
the hard work, the heartbreak, the
years of struggle-unless you're
lucky"
One Of the Lucky.
Didn't I tell you7 I'm one Of
the lucky ones" she laughed into
his serious face.
How did your mother take it,"
he asked.
Beautifully" lied Livia. He
seemed disappointed. whats hap
pened to you?" she leaned toward
him. Yesterday you were as ex-
cited as I was"
I've been thinking" he said
slowly. II honestly don't think you'll
like it-you're too-er. too inde-
pendent. And some of those pro-
"Ah, that was it. He was jealous.
She smiled at him.
Don't worry-I can take care OF
the producers" She pushed the
food away. ITS no use-I can't
eat thing until I know about the
test . Let's go to your bungalow
and call Mr.. Nevins. He might be
there now"
Bruce called for his check, and
they walked to his home. But he
seemed in no hurry to call the stu
dio. Livia looked aimlessly at the
titles of his books and contrived
flippant conversation. But her eyes
continually sought her watch. At
2:30.
Mr.. Nevins must be there now.
Please, please call him."
T-er-called him this morning."
Bruce said slowly
"Oh, how mean not to tell me.
What did they say and how much
are they going to pay me?"
wait minute-let me finish :.
They haven't made up their minds"
He watched her closely. She
slumped into a chair with q disap-
pointed "Oh."
Then we'd better wait bit. I
mustn't seem too anxious" She de-
iberately forced her thoughts away
from herself. She talked about her
mother and Vera-and told him
that Vera soon would marry George
Maxwell and that she did not like
him very much.
Bruce Is Silent.
Bruce was silent. He seemed
angry about something.
Am I boring you?" she asked
him suddenly. The smile he gave
her was full of compassion. He
was plying her! But what for?
A coldness settled on her heart.
The test! He knew. Very family
she said, They didn't like mel
no contract?"
mo contract" he said quietly.
IT didn't know how to tell you" This
morning when called Nevins-"
Don't" said Livia chokingly. .. =.
But why?" she demanded f1ercely.
Whats wrong with me?"
Can you take the TRUTH"
"Yes, of course I can" Bruce
glanced at her, then addressed the
ceiling
They said you photographed bad
ly, and" he hesitated. rand that
your acting was too wooden. Per-
sonally, I think they're crazy" A
heavy weight settled over her heart.
80 you see." said Bruce slowly,
maybe it's better for you to teach
school. At least there you'll"
Il hate you" burst out Livia.
you're like my mother. I'm not
going to be schoolmistress-now
or ever. I'm going to be a movie
star-if it kills me-"
And suddenly she wept
Continued Tomorrow
Copyright, 1941, by Sheila Graham.
The United States Coast Guard
needs men between the ages of Is