Evening star., 1942-01-15


II really am your father vhethl
look 50 miserable about It. I'm not
going to hurt you."
you couldn't" said Livia coldly.
She still didn't believe him. She
thought of the photograph in her
mothers album. Was there any re-
lationship between that handsome,
challenging face and this human
wreck? No, Of course not.
when this is over" he whispered,
II want to talk to you some more.
Meet me at the gate"
Dixon went to his appointed place
in the line. He was one Of the dis
sipated courtiers at King Louis
court. Livia tried to forget him, but
in spite of herself, her eyes con-
tinued to seek him during the long
weary preparation for the scene.
During the first "take" she per-
formed her part mechanically. In
the second she walked In the wrong
direction, and the extras near her
Uttered.
Where dye think your going?"
shouted the assistant director. Her
cheeks Redeemed, and again she
sought the eyes of Earl Dixon. He
locked mockingly at her. For a
fleeting second she saw the man in
her mothers album. Incredible as
1t seemed, Earl Dixon was her
father That simpering, dissipated
courtier was her father. Did her
mother know he was alive and In
Hollywood as an extra? The hot
air on the sound stage stifled her.
and she tried to loosen her tight
waist-line.
"Sure she knows I'm alive" Dixon
told her when they were sitting at
q narrow table In the "Melrose
Grotto" Dixon ordered himself an
other highball. 80 she told you
was dead? Well, why not? It was
the best way out for Joan. She
never had much Imagination. And
As for facing anything unpleasant
did you ever get in jam and expect
sympathy from her? And I did
pretty well by her" his voice rose
on an aggrieved note, when I had
It, that is"
Asks for Secrecy.
Does she know you're in Los
Angeles?" Livia tried to conceal
her aversion.
For heavens sake, don't tell Joan
I'm here. I don't want to see her,
and she doesn't want to see me.
No, wouldn't have said anything
to you either, but you looked so
pretty. And" he paused, then
grinned. You are my daughter.
I wondered what sort Of kid you
were" He looked at her face and
figure critically. IT could do a lot
for you-if this was 1921" He called
for another drink. AS Livia stood
up she said, mo, don't go yet"
Livia had promised to dine with
Bruce. He must be wondering why
she was late. But she sat down
again. This was Dixon's fourth
highball, and she was afraid Of what
he might do If she started to leave
him. HOW brave her mother had
been. She could have shared the
burden of her husbands disgrace
with his daughters. But she had
preferred to bear 1t alone. This
was why her mother had so strongly
opposed her desire for a screen ca
reer. Livias eyes filled with tears.
"Oh. Mother. I'll do ANYTHING YOU
want" she said to herself I'll
give up the movies. III join you
and Vera in the school, I'll do any
thing you want me to-"
Now she addressed the man:
mo, won't tell Mother about
seeing you. It will be little secret
between U.S." She attempted to
smile.
That's the girl. You and I will
get on fine. Sure you won't
have a drink"
Yes, Of course, I will-to cele-
brate our reunion" Livia's voice
broke.
'-There, there" he patted her
hand. Waiter, another drink for
my" He peered cunningly at the
waiter. My friend" He winked
broadly at Livia.
Another Accident.
After his seventh drink he fell
asleep at the table. Livia got up
softly and paid the bill. 1t took
all her money for that days work.
She wrote a note, "See you on the
set tomorrow" put it on the plate