Evening star., 1942-01-13

glance. A brief uncomfortable silence
fell between them. Then Livia cried
"Oh, say it, mother"
Say what?" said Mrs. Clarkson
with irritating slowness. Livia shook
her head, laughing shortly.
Lets get 1t over with, mother
but nothing you say will make any
difference"
I'm that case, I'll save my breath.
"You mean," cried Livia joyously
"vou're not going to object to my
movie career? Oh, mother" Livia
flung her arms about the rigid body
Mrs. Clarkson gently pushed her
away.
TT doesn't mean that I approve
7 hate everything connected with
pictures. But you're 18. can't stop
YOU. And even II I could. l Wouldn't
I'm not that sort of a fool. You
have YOUR fathers obstinacy. I don t
want to drive you out OF this house.
Go ahead. Be movie actress. But
don't expect me to be happy about
It. still think it's vile industry.
Mother, but why" Llvla BE-
Vera Is Glad.
They were interrupted by the en-
trance of Vera and George Max
well. Vera sighed relievedly as she
looked from Livia to her mother. She
had expected to flnd her mother IN
.". 80 iv;o defiant She kissed
Iivia and whispered:
I'm 50 glad for you. DARING:
1.-TWO to one on the Charm Girr?"
said George. Georged earned his
living by the race track and was
piven to racing terms in his speech.
Vera looked at him warningly. Mrs
Clarkson went into the kitchen 10
prepare dinner with the colored glri
Then the restraint holding back
Yiyia's excitement burst forth. She
danced her sister around the room
and chanted:
"The Charm Girl couldn't be
happier." And then flung herself
breathlessly on the divan. George
lit his pipe and asked: 49,
What are you going to do with
all that dough-"
"Oh, yes" said Vera. Il was ior,
setting. How did the test go? And
why didn't you tell us yesterday?
"Mother-I didn't want a row
I'm a coward. guess"
you're not a coward said vera
fondly. Livia smiled at her.
what sort of contract did they
rive vou?" George said. Theyll
evp YOU sure as anything, those STU
dio crooks"
I'll know tomorrow.
George Offers Help.
Better let me Zee It," said George
~sav If you want a good invest
ment, I know of some Interesting
deals" ,;,,,,, =,
said Vera.
Liyia stretched happily on the d.
van She thought Of Bruce. IL was
exciting to remember the way ne
had kissed her. Had he meant tnat
about being in love with her? Again
Che wondered. Am I in love WIN
him9" But even If she were II
would he foolish to tie herself to
stunt man at the beginning Oh iiei
wonderful career. f,
"ITl ask for a thousand a week.
said Livia. IA, ..,,.d
"A thousand a week." echoeo
49,. dc +here that much money
In the world?"
"I saw a real star this morning III
the studio" said Livia casuaily.
"What's she like?" breathed vera.
wonderful"
Mrs Clarkson's re-entry put an
end to the conversation.
After supper. Livia sat with ner
mother on the porch. There was 81 81
much she wanted to say to her. II
onlv her mother would give her an
onening Finally she flung down
her book. and cut into her mother S
thoughts.
IF I get a contract-you won
have to work any more. NO more
teaching"
you must understand this once
and for all. We, Vera ana l, nave
nothing to do with the movies or
anv money you may earn from them
Nothing has happened as far as we
are concerned to change our plans
for the school. If you're not with
s,s. we'll get someone else her
voice was bitter. Livia gave up, IL
was too bad her mother felt tnls
vav. But her negative acceptance
was better than antagonlsm.
Feels Need to Talk.
But she must talk to someone or
hurst Vera and George had gone
out. She telephoned Bruce. There
was no answer. She was suddenly
depressed. He had life of which
she knew nothing Perhaps he was
a regular Don Juan, picking up girls
and making love to them. He must
think she was cheap calling on him
at the hospital, and then going TO
his home. She squirmed at the
recollection of how she had deliber-
ately flirted with him.
You didn't tell me who the man
WASP" Her mother seemed to read
her thoughts Livia started.
"Just a casual acquaintance
That's what he was and must re-
main. I'll soon put him in his
place." she told herself decidedly.
And felt happy in remembering she
was lunching with him tomorrow.
Livia slept late. There was a
story about her screen test in the
morning Gazette and they seemed
tn think contract had already been
signed. There were letters for her
from dress shops, furriers and jewel
ers. A house agent offered her a
bargain. The house and grounds
cost the owner s120,O0o," he said.
She could have it for s25,000. There
was also a letter from a boy of
nineteen who had fallen in love with
her photograph. He wanted to
marry her. He was without a job
at this particular moment. But, u
he wrote, two can live on your
salary as cheaply as one!"
All morning the telephone rang
It seemed that everyone in Los
Angeles had something to sell her
led. ~ L.; lnuySa thA