Evening star., 1942-02-01


the pilot.
Charles leaned against the bright
aluminium of the plane and watched
Livia walk to Bruce. He swore softly
when Bruce stumbled and frowned
when Bruce smiled apologetically
at Livia.
IT tried to get you on the phone,
Charles heard Livia say, Il wanted
to tell you about this" She waved
vaguely at the waiting plane.
Sure you did," said Bruce breath
ing heavily.
Don't make a fuss, please" Livia
begged. He laughed loudly.
"You still don't understand, do
you? Why should I make a fuss?
came to wish you joy and happiness
Or"-and now his attitude was COM
bative-, has that son of a gun
over there any objections?"
He rocked unsteadily and made
tentative step toward Charles. and
then he turned back to Livia and
grinned.
so you're going to get married
Well, we'll, we'll. Little Livia, the
girl raised from so high" He knelt
down and spread his hand a inch
from the hard ground. "Livia's get
ting married That's a good joke
on some one" Now he was angry
and Livia shrank from him. He left
her suddenly and went to Charles
She followed apprehensively.
"Bruce!" she pleaded. But he
stumbled on without needing her
Hello, Nolan" Charles said.
"Just wanted to congratulate you,
Bruce said thickly. Take good care
of Livia. She's a sweet kid"
II will" Charles said solemnly.
"Wel, then, that's all I came to
say" Bruce was equally solemn.
"Good-by and good luck"
He walked away unsteadily, push
ing through the curious throng
Come on, Livia-it'S getting late.
Charles voice cut through her dis
tress. Her eyes were luminous with
tears. She turned to him and with
out a word entered the plane.
Livia Changes Mind.
They landed at Las Vegas at 1890
am. Despite the sable jacket, Livia
shivered in the cold night air. 1t
would soon be over and she would
be Mrs. Charles Fordyce. No. 5
AS she said the name and the num-
ber to herself she knew it must
not be.
There was car waiting to drive
them to the justice of the peace.
Charles knew him. He had ofhciated
at his last two weddings. He told
this to Iivia with an apologetic grin
and stopped suddenly at the dis
taste on her face.
"Charles-" Livia began after
the short pause.
He knew what she wanted to say.
but he was damned if he'd make 1t
easy for her.
Charles, are you sure you want to
marry me?" she said timidly.
"Of course" he replied. She
cleared her throat, and he waited
coldly and cruelty. Damn her, he
thought. She was going to marry
him now regardless Of her girlish
scruples. Women did not leave
Chrales Fordyce waiting at the
church. 1t was her idea to be
married. He would have dispensed
with that formality.
I'm going back to Los Angeles,
she told him, trying to keep hel
voice firm.
"Of course-after we're married,
he said.
II mean now"
They were driving swiftly toward
q house on the outskirts of the
town. He stopped the car.
"You mean later?"
"I mean now" Livia sat ur
rigidly.
mo" said Charles. She suddenly
crumpled.
I'm sorry. This is awful. I know
But I can't, marry you. I'm sorry
I-please take me back to Los
Angeles" She was hysterical
SIldl lCS ollOOh LAD 11Ccko.
The Papers Premature.
IF you would act for the screen
as well as you're doing now, really
could make a star of you," he sale
cruelty.
"Okay, we'll get married." she
said abruptly. why not?"
"You make it sound like a prison
sentence" said Charles.
He turned the car and headed back
for the airport. He laughed sud-
denly.
Remember that first time you
punched my jaw? I certainly didn't
think we'd finish this way. It's 9
new experience"
I'm sorry" said Livia lamely.
Think nothing Of It," he said
lightly. But at this moment he
hated her.
They were at the airport now
Charles cut short the pilots con-
gratulations.
Miss Clarkson changed hei
mind" he said briefly.
At the Los Angeles airport were
some morning papers which referred
to Livia as Mrs. Fordyce and
printed pictures Of their departure
for Las Vegas. A columnist had 8
story that Charles and Livia were
to be a new film team.
Now she had no claim on For
dyce and once more was out Of g
Job and on her own. Hollywood
seemed more firmly closed than al
any time before. Charles seemed
to read her thoughts. He said:
This does not necessarily inter
fere with our business agreement
You could still be under persona.
contract to me-"
mo, that's impossible now"
Some Are Disappointed.
well talk of that later" he said
with more kindness. They were
both tired. where shall I drive
you?"
"I1l 60 to my sisters" she sale
miserably. =.
Livia had wondered why she had
not married Fordyce. And she was
glad when Vera, her married sister
asked no questions and made up q
bed for her on the living room