The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1946-08-08

Before he got his answer, Bill
Burke opened the door and roar
ed, ION stage, brenda. Knock
them deadw
The ordinary girl" became,
suddenly, a glittering star. She
rose, patted Mike on the shout
der, and went swaying out to
greet her public.
Then the orchestra struck a
chord and she was singing, sing
ing the way she had that evening
that seemed so long ago to Sally.
Helen's hand hurt as she dug it
into Sally's arm.
Gee, she's good!"
"My future wife," Dragged
Jimmy.
Sally flung him swift look.
Jimmy had eyes for no one but
Dronda, and those eyes were
cleaning with triumph, posses
sion. Unaccountably, she re-
membered the way Mikes eyes
had looked just a short hour be-
: fore in the dark. She smiled
quietly to herself, as thunderous
applause rocked the auditorium.
Did Jimmy really know his own
mind? Suddenly she had the
feeling that her hope would be-
come a reality.
Darling, stop fidgeting!' whis-
pered Helen fiercely.
Darling" did, just as brenda
stepped closer to the footlights.
Ladies and gentlemen - no,
don't get excited, Pm not going
to make a long speech. just
wanted to say that this is the
happiest evening of my life. To-
morrow 1 leave for Hollywood
md career in motion pic
She smiled and waited for more
| cheers to subside.
"And tomorrow I am to be
married."
Jimmy stiffened in his chair.
But she can't be-" Helen shot
! ,,'t. unable to keep the secret.
!: She can't. -
! "Shrt upr growled Jimmy.
eyes, ladies and gentlemen, to-
borrow I am to be married. /
.hink you all know the gentle
nan; his pictures have appeared
4 the papers and he, more than
anyone else, is responsible for the
Hollywood expedition.
More cheers. but not quite so
enthusiastic as before. 1t was as
-hough the audience resented the
act that some ordinary man was
going to get The Romantic Blitz-
1rieg for wife.
MAY l introduce him to your"
Jimmy started to his feet as
he audience howled back a loud
md boisterous mo-"
Dronda laughed. Ladies and
entlemen MIR. William Burke"
Jimmy was halfway up the
isle before he really understood
that was happening. He stopped
md stared as Bill Burke came
>riskly ont onto the stage, stop
ed and stared while his senses
wan, while his whole world
hook and spun.
'DTondaw he shouted hoarse-
".
The Romantic Blitzkrieg look
d down Ut him and laughed It
was the coolest laugh Sally had
?ver heard, and chill ran
through her. Suddenly all her
anger with Jimmy left her; sud-
denly she was out of her seat
and running toward him, SYM
pathetic cry bursting from her
.hroat.
brenda" Jimmy's voice rang
0ut "You-you can't do this to
mel"
Holy smoke!" shouted a SOL
aier. Its that airplane guy!"
A long, loud boot swept through
he crowd. Jimmy whirled to
ace them, his face red-purple
with fury and indignation; then,
wen as Sally reached him, the
ace seemed to cave in. Sudden
ly he was just a kid, a frightened,
'lumiliated kid.
Jimmy, let's get out of here"
sally, II. :"
eyes, Jimmy, l know
The hooting became louder and
ouder as they ran up the aisle.
Helen, looking at them flee, felt
ike crying-while Dronda laugh
ed at Bill Burke, happier than he
lad ever been in all his life, kept
right on taking bows.
But his bowling stopped when
he went backstage to find him
self confronted by a cold Mike
White. The burly captain caught
him bv the lapelS of his coat and