STATION L-O-V-E

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1790, 10 December 1936, Page 7

STATION L-O-V-E

By CRAIG CARROLL.

Copyright.

CHAPTER 24. “Buying a hat,” said Elsie sagely, ■“is the best way in the world for a .girl to get' over feeling sorry. i’Jl prove it.” And, in the hat store on State street, Judy realised that Elsie was right. Spending 20 dollars for a new, elegant hat —knowing there would be a -100* dollar cheque waiting for her Saturday, knowing there would be a cheque just like it waiting every Saturday from now on for a year, for fifty-two long weeks —Judy knew that money is a good thing, that security in a job is a thing that changes your viewpoint and makes you see new values. And soon she was agreeing with Elsie that what Elton Day had done was not cricket, hardly fair; but that perhaps . his specious excuse was right, i “He looked different,” Judy said. A “When he was trying to explain. I got a feeling that he was trying to be somebody else. Trying not to be the way he’s always been before. I almost felt sorry for him. Honestly, Elsie.” “Huh I” Elsie jeered. “Feel sorry for him? Didn’t he try to cheat you r out of that job?” “Yes, but then he cheated to get it for, me.” “What?” “Yes, Elsie, I’m all mixed up. I’m worried, Elsie. That girl —that Burdef.e girl. She’d do anything to get even with me because I’ve got the job. Because ——’’ Judy flushed, but went on “because Elton Day has been se interested in me.” Elsie stared. “You go too fast. You’re' ’way' ahead of me. Better tell all, Judy.”- j - f So Judy did. About the audition, and what was done" to make sure, that she got the job. About Lona, and her threats that were more suggested than said. About the sudden, almost incredible change in Elton Day. About the luncheon with Jenks, and the way Day made Jenks sign a contract he had no lntentibn of signing. Elsie said, softly, “Poor kid!” . “That’s not It. live no right Jo cry about anything, Elsie. I’m getting; money, and I’ve a good job, and as far as my mother 1 and father are concerned, I’m a success. I can’t fell-th‘6m about any of this'. ' They •Wouldn’t understand,’ anyhow. But f if’s Dick '. “Why?” .’in/ <■ /.iY ' “That, girl Lona. was .frying to see Jenlcs .today.,. .To tell hjm something. Suppose Lona should .prove the audi">;tiond;w*as •; wrong? It’s Dick they’ll blame.“not ‘ Elton. a , con- : - tract* ' They’ll have, tb keep me on. the programme -now, no-matter what • happens.- But .if Dick loses his jo)?; Judy continued to tell Elsie of her

suspicions of Lona. “I’ve told you what I’ve heard,” Judy said. “Lona has ruined tilings for half a dozen girls before me. She’s mean, Elsie. Mean as she can be. And dangerous. That’s what that blonde girl told me. Said Lona has ways of finding out things and using them against people. Gels jobs that way, sometimes. And she’s been trying to see Jenks to tell him something. And they’re sure Ic find out, over at the studio, about tliJr? new contract.” “Don’t tell ’em,” Elsie said immedi-

ately. 1 “Of course I won’t. But Flavin, the advertising man, will. And you don’t know how fast everybody gets tc know everything around a station.” “They can’t do anything about it can they?” “Not to me.” “But Dick ” “He’s the one who’s in danger, Elsie. And he’s got all those people to take care of. Just got to. If he loses his job— l —” „•

Elsie shrugged. “Never cross a bridge till you think you’re going to get your feet wet,” she observed “And here’s the bridge.”

Silent, they crossed the Wabash bridge, walked north, past the grim, angular buildings. Silent, they came at last to the house, and on the porch sat Dick and Billy Denton, the goldtoothecl radio operator. Dick jumped up, came running down the steps. “Judy! I thought you’d never get home. What happened today? Was the client all right? Did he have some kick to make?” Eyes averted, Judy handed him the contract. There was a moment of silence. Then she heard Dick Mason whoop with joy, heard him chanting, “Judy’s a success! She’s got a contract! -A hundred dollars a week! Gee!”

Suddenly he seized her hands. “Judy, I told you they liked you, 1 told you, Judy!” “Yes,” Judy said quietly, “you were right, Dick. And it's all due to you, Dick. You did everything for me.” He laughed. “Didn’t do a thing. You did it yourself. Elsie, meet Billy. Best radio operator in town. Billy, meet Elsie. Nicest girl here. Except Judy. Billy, Elsie, go away. I’ve got to talk to Judy. Go eat dinner, or anything. Go on!” Billy grinned, with all his gold teeth. And Elsie grinned. Judy felt a pang of pity for Elsie, so unbeautiful, so aware 'of her lack of ohdrm. • Then she : saw Billy take Elsie’s arm, 'leading her toward the' porch. Elsie looked happy. Of course. Billy wasn’t handsome, and he \YasnT tall, and .his clothes .hung wildly . about . him. But fJie; was Elsie!* cavalier.' :-*• (To be Continued).